Endoscope Guide Wire Fixation via Three-Point Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope technologies face challenges in securely fixing a guide wire when it needs to be tilted away from the observation optical system's field of view during procedures like pancreatic or bile duct treatments, as conventional fixation methods are inadequate for this orientation.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope design incorporates a treatment instrument elevator base with a unique groove configuration and insulating member arrangement, allowing the guide wire to be securely fixed by contacting edges and surfaces at specific angles, even when tilted away from the observation optical system, using a three-point contact mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional fixation method is used to secure the guide wire, then the guide wire can be fixed when tilted toward the observation optical system, but the guide wire cannot be securely fixed when tilted away from the observation optical system
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation mechanism is divided into multiple independent contact points: the first contact point is formed by the edge of the treatment instrument elevator base, the second contact point is formed by the groove in the insulating member, and the third contact point is formed by the edge of the insulating member. This segmentation allows each contact point to engage with the guide wire at different positions, enabling reliable fixation regardless of the guide wire's tilt direction.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the fixation structure are designed with specific local properties: the treatment instrument elevator base has an edge at its distal end, the insulating member has a groove and an edge at its proximal end. These localized features are positioned to contact the guide wire at specific locations, creating a distributed contact system that maintains fixation reliability for guide wires tilted in any direction.
2Reliability
If a large groove is provided in the insulating member to secure the guide wire, then the guide wire can be fixed more securely, but the device complexity and machining requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation function is merged into a compact arrangement where the edge of the treatment instrument elevator base, the groove of the insulating member, and the edge of the insulating member work together as a unified three-point contact system. This merged configuration achieves secure fixation without requiring large individual grooves, reducing machining complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of relying on a single large groove in one dimension, the invention distributes contact points across multiple dimensions: the treatment instrument elevator base edge contacts the guide wire from one direction, the insulating member groove contacts from another direction, and the insulating member edge contacts from a third direction. This multi-dimensional arrangement achieves secure fixation with simpler, more compact individual features.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope includes: a distal end opening of a treatment instrument insertion channel opened at a side surface of a distal end portion; a treatment instrument elevator base that is provided at a position facing the distal end opening in the treatment instrument insertion channel and leads a distal end of a treatment instrument protruding from the distal end opening, to a desired position; a first wall portion along the insertion direction of the distal end opening; and a second wall portion at a proximal end side of the insertion direction of the distal end opening and provided with a groove in which a part of the treatment instrument elevator base is fitted when the treatment instrument elevator base is raised, and as the treatment instrument elevator base is raised, a guide wire protruding from the distal end opening is releasably engaged by contacting the treatment instrument elevator base, the first wall portion, and a surface constituting the groove of the second wall portion.