Endoscope Handle Force Feedback for Controlled Bending
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopes in existing technologies rely entirely on hand operation, lacking force feedback, which can lead to accidental injury of internal body walls due to excessive penetration during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A driving apparatus for an endoscope handle incorporating a motor module with a force sensor to monitor the tension in bending control wires, a controller to adjust motor output based on force feedback, and a rocker for precise control, preventing excessive penetration by providing real-time feedback and compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hand operation control is used for endoscope, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of accidental injury from excessive penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a force feedback mechanism where a force sensor detects the insertion force of the endoscope tip and sends signals to a controller. The controller then adjusts the motor output to compensate for excessive insertion force, creating a closed-loop feedback system that prevents accidental injury while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces pure manual mechanical operation with an automated motor-driven system. A motor module drives a sliding block that tensions and releases control wires to bend the endoscope, substituting hand operation with automated mechanical control while maintaining operational intent through force feedback.
2Reliability
If force sensor and controller are added to provide force feedback, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The force sensor serves multiple functions: it detects insertion force, provides feedback signals to the controller, and enables automated compensation. The controller also manages both the motor operation and force feedback processing, making components multi-functional to reduce overall system complexity despite adding intelligence.
Solution Approach 2:
The force sensor acts as an intermediary between the mechanical insertion process and the electronic control system. It converts mechanical force into electrical signals that the controller can process, bridging the physical and digital domains without requiring complex direct integration.
3Manufacturing precision
If motor module is used to drive endoscope bending, then precision of movement is improved, but device complexity increases compared to hand operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the endoscope bending control into four independent directions (up, down, left, right), each controlled by a separate control wire and motor-driven sliding block. This segmentation allows precise independent control of each bending direction while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through modular design.
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
Enhances safety and comfort by preventing accidental injuries to internal body walls and improving the precision of endoscope movements through force feedback and controlled bending motions.
Implementation Method 1
a force sensor disposed on the motor module and configured to measure a tensile force borne by the bending control wire and generate a stress signal
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are an endoscope handle and a driving apparatus. The driving apparatus includes a motor module, the motor module being provided with a protruding motor shaft; a starting sliding block connected to the motor shaft and capable of being driven by the motor shaft to move along a straight line, the starting sliding block being provided with a first coupling portion, and the first coupling portion being in coupling contact with a follow-up sliding block externally disposed so as to drive, by the follow-up sliding block, a bending control wire of an endoscope to be tightened and released; a force sensor disposed on the motor module and configured to measure a tensile force borne by the bending control wire and generate a stress signal; and a controller communicatively connected to the motor module and the force sensor and configured to adjust the output of the motor module.