Endoscope Inner Cylinder Stretch Gap Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes face challenges in maintaining the structural integrity and functionality of the guide mechanism, particularly when the insertion section is bent, leading to potential defects and misalignment of the treatment instrument raising base due to differential stretching between the outer and inner cylinders.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope design incorporates an inner cylinder with a larger stretch due to bending, forming a gap between the inner and outer cylinders, which prevents buckling and ensures reliable operation of the treatment instrument raising base by allowing the inner cylinder to move within this gap, thus maintaining alignment and reducing the risk of defects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the outer cylinder and inner cylinder are tightly coupled to maintain structural integrity, then the guide mechanism maintains alignment, but the differential stretching during bending causes buckling and defects in the distal end member
Solution Approach 1:
The guide mechanism is divided into an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder that can move independently relative to each other. The inner cylinder is configured to slide within the outer cylinder along the longitudinal direction, allowing each component to accommodate bending stresses independently and preventing buckling of the distal end member while maintaining overall alignment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the inner cylinder is made more flexible to accommodate bending, then the endoscope can be bent more, but the treatment instrument raising base becomes misaligned
Solution Approach 1:
The guide mechanism transitions from a rigid fixed structure to a dynamic adjustable structure. The inner cylinder can slide along the outer cylinder in the longitudinal direction, allowing the system to dynamically adapt to bending while maintaining alignment through the coordinated movement of the two cylinders.
3Strength
If the outer cylinder is made more rigid to prevent buckling, then structural integrity is improved, but the differential stretching during bending causes misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The guide mechanism is segmented into an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder that can move independently. The outer cylinder maintains structural integrity and prevents buckling, while the inner cylinder accommodates differential stretching during bending by sliding within the outer cylinder, thereby maintaining alignment of the treatment instrument raising base.
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
This design effectively reduces the likelihood of defects in the distal end member of the insertion section even when the endoscope is bent, ensuring consistent and reliable operation of the guide mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
the amount of stretch of the inner cylinder due to bending of the insertion section being larger than an amount of stretch of the outer cylinder due to the bending
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope includes: an outer cylinder including an outer cylinder distal end portion held by a distal end holding portion provided inside an insertion section and an outer cylinder proximal end portion held by a proximal end holding portion provided on a proximal end side relative to the distal end holding portion; and an inner cylinder provided inside the outer cylinder, the inner cylinder including inside a wire coupled to a movable portion provided in the insertion section, an amount of stretch of the inner cylinder due to bending of the insertion section being larger than an amount of stretch of the outer cylinder due to the bending, the inner cylinder, in a stretch state where the inner cylinder stretches due to the bending, forming a gap in a longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder between the inner cylinder and the proximal end holding portion.