Endoscope Handle Exterior Switch Recess Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endoscopes face challenges with complex and bulky handle designs due to the placement of electrical switches deep within the handle, which complicates single-use endoscopes and requires larger, less ergonomic handles to accommodate space constraints and the need for switch protection during cleaning and sterilization.

Innovation Solution

The endoscope design features exterior-mounted, digitally operable electrical switches with a recess and through hole in the handle housing, utilizing a retaining member with camming and latching surfaces, and foil switches that are flat and sealed, allowing for precise positioning and assembly, ensuring easy operation and protection from harsh environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrical switches are placed deep within the handle, then they are protected during cleaning and sterilization, but the handle becomes larger, more bulky and less ergonomic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitch protection during cleaning and sterilizationVSAvoidhandle size and bulkiness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by placing the electrical switches on the exterior surface of the handle rather than deep within it. The switches are positioned in recesses on the outer surface, making them accessible and eliminating the need for a large internal space allocation, thus reducing handle bulkiness while maintaining protection through the recess design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs foil switches with multiple layers of metal and polymer materials laminated together. These thin film structures provide inherent sealing and protection against water and cleaning agents, allowing the switches to be placed on the exterior surface without requiring deep embedding for protection, thereby reducing handle size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If electrical switches are placed deep within the handle, then they are protected, but the switch arrangement becomes complicated and difficult to assemble

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitch protectionVSAvoidswitch arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent simplifies the switch arrangement by inverting the conventional design - placing switches on the exterior surface in recesses rather than deep within the handle. This exterior placement with through-holes and retaining members creates a simpler, more straightforward assembly process suitable for single-use endoscopes, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the switch assembly into modular components: the foil switch unit, the operating member with retaining members, and the recess structures. This segmentation allows for pre-assembly and simplification of the manufacturing process, making the overall arrangement less complicated while maintaining protective features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Volume of moving object

If switches are placed on the exterior surface, then space within the handle is freed up, but the switches need protection from water and cleaning agents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle internal spaceVSAvoidwater and cleaning agent exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses foil switches constructed from multiple layers of metal and polymer materials laminated together. These thin film layers create inherent sealing that prevents water and cleaning agents from penetrating to the electrical contacts, allowing exterior placement without compromising protection while freeing up internal handle space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent nests the electrical switch contacts within the multi-layered foil structure, with conducting layers and insulating polymer layers nested together. This nested arrangement provides protection from environmental factors while maintaining a compact exterior-mounted design that frees up internal handle space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS20250000345A1An endoscope

Publication Date: 2025.01.02 AMBU AS

AI summary

An endoscope (1) including a proximal handle (5). The handle includes (5) at least one handle housing part (9) having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The handle housing part includes a recess forming part of the exterior surface. An electrical switch is accommodated on the exterior surface in said recess and is digitally operable via an operating member (15). The handle housing part (9) includes a through hole provided in said recess and interconnecting the exterior surface and the interior surface and the operating member includes at least one retaining member passing through the through hole in the handle housing part (9) from said recess and engages the interior surface.