Endoscope Insertion Tool with Movable Guiding Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional insertion assisting tools for endoscopes require expertise for smooth operation, particularly in bending operations, making it difficult for inexperienced operators to easily feed the distal end of the insertion part from the sidewall opening part.
Innovation Solution
A tubular body with a movable guiding member that can transition between an inclined and retracted state, allowing the insertion part to be easily guided through the sidewall opening part, and an inflatable balloon to stabilize the position, facilitating easier insertion into body cavities like the biliary tract or pancreatic duct.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional insertion assisting tool with a fixed tubular body is used, then the structure is simple, but it requires expertise for smooth operation particularly in bending operations
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding member is designed to be movable rather than fixed, capable of transitioning between an inclined state (for guiding the insertion part) and a retracted state (for streamlined insertion). This dynamic adjustment allows the device to adapt to different operational phases, enabling smooth feeding of the insertion part without requiring expert bending operations while managing structural complexity through controlled mobility.
2Ease of operation
If a movable guiding member is added to assist insertion, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding member transitions between inclined and retracted states to provide assistance only when needed during the insertion process, reducing the need for complex continuous guidance mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding function is extracted as a separate movable member that can be independently controlled and positioned, allowing it to be added to the basic tubular structure without requiring complete redesign of the entire device
3Reliability
If an inflatable balloon is added to stabilize position, then reliability of positioning is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
An inflatable balloon is incorporated into the insertion assisting tool to stabilize its position within the body cavity during endoscope insertion. The balloon can be inflated with gas or liquid to press against the cavity walls, providing reliable positioning and support, thereby improving positioning stability despite the added complexity of the inflation system
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
Enables inexperienced operators to smoothly and easily feed the insertion part from the sidewall opening part, reducing the complexity of the insertion process and improving accessibility for procedures like ERCP.
Implementation Method 1
A tubular body with a movable guiding member that can transition between an inclined and retracted state, allowing the insertion part to be easily guided through the sidewall opening part
Implementation Method 2
an inflatable balloon to stabilize the position, facilitating easier insertion into body cavities like the biliary tract or pancreatic duct
Data Source
AI summary
Operability in inserting an insertion part of an endoscope into a body cavity using an insertion assisting tool is improved. In an insertion assisting tool 60, a sidewall portion of a tube main body 64 through which an insertion part 12 of an endoscope 10 is passed is provided with a sidewall opening part 68 having a size in which the insertion part 12 can pass through. A distal end side of the sidewall opening part 68 is provided with a guiding valve 82, and the insertion part 12 is guided by the guiding valve 82 to be easily fed from the sidewall opening part 68. The guiding valve 82 is swingably supported, and when the insertion part 12 is fed from a distal end opening part 67 of the tube main body 64, allowing the parallel state of being substantially parallel to an axial direction of the insertion part 12 and passing the insertion part 12 to a distal end opening part 67 side are enabled.