Endoscope Handle Cam Ring Field of View Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endoscopes require skill and are prone to unintentional field of view adjustments due to complex handle lever operations, making them difficult to use intuitively and increasing the risk of unintended changes.

Innovation Solution

An endoscope design featuring a handle operation unit with a rotating outer ring, cam ring, and slide members that allow for intuitive adjustment of the image-capturing unit's field of view through a force transmission mechanism, eliminating the need for separate adjustment levers and reducing the risk of unintentional changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If handle levers are provided to adjust the field of view, then the field of view can be adjusted, but skill is required and it is difficult to adjust intuitively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintuitiveness of field of view adjustmentVSAvoidcomplexity of handle lever operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using levers that require pulling or pushing motions, the invention uses a rotation member that operates by rotating in the same direction as the desired field of view change. For example, rotating the member upward moves the image-capturing unit upward, creating an intuitive one-to-one correspondence between operation direction and effect direction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotation member is designed with a curved or cylindrical shape that allows rotational operation. This curved interface between the user's hand and the control mechanism provides more natural and intuitive operation compared to linear lever movements, enabling smoother and more ergonomic adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Reliability

If handle levers are provided for field of view adjustment, then adjustment is possible, but unintended contact may change the field of view unintentionally

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of unintentional field of view changeVSAvoidusability of handle operation unit

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rotation member is designed to require deliberate rotational motion to activate the field of view adjustment. The mechanical linkage only transmits force when intentional rotation occurs, preventing accidental activation from casual contact while maintaining ease of intentional adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Ease of operation

If separate field of view adjustment levers are provided, then adjustment functionality is achieved, but the size of the handle operation unit increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield of view adjustment capabilityVSAvoidsize of handle operation unit

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention integrates the field of view adjustment function directly into the handle operation unit by using a rotation member that serves dual purposes: it is part of the handle structure and simultaneously controls the image-capturing unit's position. This eliminates the need for separate adjustment levers and reduces overall size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotation member serves multiple functions: it is both a structural component of the handle operation unit and a control mechanism for field of view adjustment. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing the overall size of the handle operation unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The design enhances usability by allowing easy and intuitive adjustment of the field of view, reduces the size and complexity of the handle operation unit, and prevents unintentional changes, thereby improving the overall usability of the endoscope.

Implementation Method 1

a cam ring accommodated in the outer ring so as to rotate in accordance with rotation of the outer ring about a central axis of the handle operation unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Implementation Method 2

Each of the pair of slide members is slidable in a corresponding one of the pair of slide grooves. Each of the pair of slide members slides in the corresponding one of the pair of slide grooves in accordance with the rotation of the outer ring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11653821B2Endoscope and handle operation unit

Publication Date: 2023.05.23 NIREC CORP

AI summary

An endoscope includes a handle operation unit. The handle operation unit includes: an outer ring; a cam ring accommodated in the outer ring to rotate in accordance with rotation of the outer ring about a central axis and having a pair of guide holes; a pair of slide members accommodated in the respective guide holes and fixed to a force transmission member; and a support portion having a pair of slide grooves extending along a longitudinal direction of the endoscope, the support portion being accommodated in the cam ring to support the pair of slide members. The slide members slide in the respective slide grooves in accordance with the rotation of the outer ring. The field of view of the image-capturing unit is changed in accordance with sliding of the pair of slide members.