Integrally Formed Endoscope Insert Tube with Staggered Grooves
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes with integrally formed insert tubes face challenges in connecting the bending section and tube due to increased diameter requirements, leading to cost increases, reduced connection reliability, and loss of waterproof and reusability features as components are added.
Innovation Solution
An insert tube integrally formed with wide radii of curvature, featuring a catheter with a distal section, bending section, and extend section made of metal material, with staggered first and second line grooves on the bending section to enhance curvature and extensibility, allowing for elastic bending at various angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the bending section and tube are connected through separate components, then the connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bending section and tube are merged into a single integrally formed insert tube made of metal material, eliminating separate connection components and reducing device complexity while maintaining connection reliability through the integral structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If the diameter of the bending section and tube are increased to accommodate more components, then the components can be disposed, but the cost increases and connection becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple components are nested within the lumen of the insert tube, allowing component accommodation without increasing the outer diameter, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture and connection while achieving versatility
3Ease of operation
If the insert tube is made with wide radii of curvature, then the bending flexibility is improved, but the structural strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The insert tube is constructed as a composite structure with an inner tube and an outer tube, where the outer tube provides structural strength and the inner tube allows bending flexibility with wide radii of curvature, achieving both ease of operation and structural integrity
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 solution enables flexible and adjustable bending of the insert tube while maintaining waterproof integrity and reusability, reducing costs by optimizing the connection between the bending section and tube, and enhancing the endoscope's functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The bending section and the extend section are integrally formed through a metal material... the bending section is elastic and bent at any angle as needed
Data Source
AI summary
An insert tube and an endoscope using the same are provided. The insert tube comprises a catheter. The catheter comprises a distal section, a bending section and a extend section, and the distal section. The bending section and the extend section are integrally formed through a metal material. A plurality of a first line groove and a plurality of second line groove are formed and arranged in staggered relation on two corresponding sides of the bending section along the central axis direction of the catheter, respectively. At least one the second line groove is arranged between the first line grooves. The first line groove and the second line groove have a first arc length and a second arc length, respectively. A length of the first arc length is greater than a length of the second arc length.