Endoscope Handle Mechanism with Pulley Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope handle mechanisms are complex and costly, lacking efficient control over the bending portion, which complicates procedures such as artificial respiration and surgical inspections.
Innovation Solution
A handle mechanism featuring a pivotable lever member with pulley elements and Bowden cables, where control wires are strategically routed to simplify control inputs, reducing complexity and cost while ensuring precise bending control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple mechanism is provided to control the bending of the bending portion, then the device complexity and cost are reduced, but the control precision and versatility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A pulley element is introduced as an intermediary component between the control wires and the bending portion. The control wires are routed through the pulley element, which acts as a mediator to translate linear wire movement into rotational motion of the bending portion. This intermediary mechanism achieves precise control with simpler components compared to direct mechanical linkages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical linkage systems with a cable-pulley system. Instead of using traditional mechanical gears, linkages, or direct rod connections to control bending, the invention uses flexible control wires routed through a pulley element. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining control precision through the mechanical advantage provided by the pulley.
2Ease of operation
If control wires are strategically routed through pulley elements, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pulley element serves as an intermediary that transforms the operator's linear pulling motion on the control wires into rotational movement of the bending portion. This intermediary mechanism provides intuitive control where the direction and magnitude of bending are directly proportional to the wire pull, greatly easing operation despite the added pulley component.
Solution Approach 2:
The pulley element converts one-dimensional linear motion of the control wires into rotational motion in a different dimensional plane. This dimensional transformation allows the operator to control bending in multiple directions (up/down, left/right) through simple linear wire pulls, improving ease of operation while the pulley's rotational mechanism manages the complexity.
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 mechanism provides a cost-effective and simplified method for controlling the bending portion of endoscopes, enhancing procedural efficiency and versatility across various applications.
Implementation Method 1
a pulley element located between the proximal end of the handle and the pivot axis of the lever member, and wherein the two control wires are attached to the at least one lever member, a first of said two control wires being arranged such that it travels from the at least one lever member in the direction towards the bending portion and the second of said two control wires being arranged such that it travels from the at least one lever member in the direction towards the pulley element, it then travels around the pulley element and then forwards towards the bending portion
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope (1) having a distal end being arranged to be inserted into a body cavity of a patient to be examined and a proximal end which is arranged to be held by a user of the endoscope. The endoscope further comprises a handle (2) arranged at the proximal end of the endoscope, an insertion portion (3) arranged at the distal end of the handle, a bending portion (4) arranged at the distal end of the insertion portion, and two control wires (40, 41) arranged between the handle and the bending portion, said control wires being used to control the bending of the bending portion via control inputs made at the handle. The handle also comprises at least one lever member (21) being arranged to be pivotable about a pivot axis (22), a pulley element (42) located between the proximal end of the handle and the pivot axis of the lever member, and wherein said two control wires are attached to said at least one lever member, a first of said control wires (40) being arranged such that it travels from the at least one lever member (21) in the direction towards the bending portion (4) and the second of said two control wires (41) being arranged such that it travels from the at least one lever member (21) in the direction towards the pulley element (42), it then travels around the pulley element and it then travels towards the bending portion (4). In this way, a simple and effective control mechanism is provided.