Endoscope Steering Handle Guide Rail Sliding Block Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopes face challenges in precision and safety due to inflexible designs, with rigid ureteroscopes struggling to navigate renal calyces and flexible ones being difficult to operate within the renal pelvis, and existing control mechanisms offering low operation precision and potential hazards.
Innovation Solution
A combined flexible and rigid endoscope design featuring a catheter with an outer and inner tube, a steering handle with a guide rail and sliding block, and a pipe connector, allowing for precise control and expansion, enabling flexible steering and enhanced visual angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rigid ureteroscope is used, then it is convenient to operate and can reach renal pelvis, but the front end is inflexible and cannot adjust direction to enter renal calyces
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is divided into a rigid proximal portion (handle and outer tube) and a flexible distal portion (inner tube with bending section), allowing the proximal rigid part to provide structural support and ease of operation while the distal flexible part can bend and adapt to navigate renal calyces
Solution Approach 2:
The inner tube is designed with bending capability through a steering mechanism involving steel wires and a bending section, enabling the distal end to dynamically adjust its direction and angle to access different renal calyces while the proximal end remains rigid for stable operation
2Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible ureteroscope is used, then the front end can bend and turn at large angles, but it is difficult to enter renal pelvis and renal calyces
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is divided into a rigid proximal portion (handle and outer tube) and a flexible distal portion (inner tube with bending section), allowing the proximal rigid part to provide structural support and ease of operation while the distal flexible part can bend and adapt to navigate renal calyces
Solution Approach 2:
The inner tube is constructed with flexible materials and a bending section that allows controlled deformation, enabling the distal end to navigate complex anatomical structures while the outer rigid tube provides structural integrity for easy insertion and operation
3Device complexity
If traditional scissor type handle and steering steel wire are used, then the structure is simple, but operation precision is low and control of steering angle is inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional scissor-type mechanical handle is replaced with a推拉-style handle that directly transmits linear motion to the bending section through steel wires, providing more precise and intuitive control of the bending angle with reduced mechanical complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The handle incorporates a positioning mechanism with a positioning hole and positioning pin that provides tactile feedback and precise positioning at specific bending angles, allowing the operator to accurately control and replicate steering angles through mechanical feedback
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope including a catheter, a steering handle for controlling the bending of the catheter, and a pipe connector. The catheter includes an outer tube and an inner tube. The outer tube is sleeved outside the inner tube. The steering handle includes a handle sleeve and a handle cover. The handle sleeve is sleeved outside the handle cover. An axial guide rail and a sliding block are arranged between the handle sleeve and the handle cover. The guide rail and the sliding block are fixed on the handle sleeve or the handle cover respectively. The outer tube is fixedly connected with the handle sleeve. The inner tube penetrates a through hole in the center of the handle sleeve, is connected with a port of the pipe connector and fixed therein. The pipe connector is positioned in the handle cover and fixedly connected therewith.