Endoscope Control Knob Ergonomics for Grip and Lower Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscope handles with control knobs are difficult for physicians to operate, especially in tortuous positions or with wet gloves, leading to long-term discomfort and potential injury due to repetitive thumb movement, and can result in poorer patient outcomes from increased procedure time and decreased efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The design of an endoscopic system with control knobs featuring a textured gripping surface and varying lever arm lengths to reduce torque requirements and improve ergonomics, including a larger first control knob with a greater outer dimension and a smaller second control knob with a wider gripping surface, both with equal widths to prevent slipping and provide better grip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the control knobs have smooth surfaces with evenly spaced crests and troughs, then the manufacturing is simple, but the physician's grip slips especially with wet gloves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adding textured surface features (such as ridges, grooves, or patterns) to specific gripping areas of the control knobs while keeping other surfaces smooth. This localized texturing provides enhanced friction and grip security for the physician's fingers without complicating the overall manufacturing process, directly resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and grip security.
2Device complexity
If the control knobs are small in size, then the device complexity is reduced, but physicians with smaller hands have difficulty reaching and rotating them
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetry by designing control knobs with non-uniform features including varying crest heights, irregular spacing between crests and troughs, and asymmetric texturing patterns. These asymmetric characteristics create more pronounced tactile feedback and larger effective leverage points for fingers, making the knobs easier to grasp and rotate for physicians with smaller hands while maintaining compact overall dimensions.
3Measurement precision
If the control knobs require high torque for rotation, then the precision control is improved, but the repetitive thumb movement causes long-term discomfort and injury to the physician
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by designing control knobs with crests and troughs of varying heights and spacing that create dynamic mechanical advantage during rotation. As the physician's thumb moves through the rotation arc, the varying profile provides optimal leverage at different points, reducing the peak torque required while maintaining precise control. This dynamic design distributes the mechanical stress more evenly over time, reducing physician fatigue and injury risk.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the physician operates the endoscope in tortuous positions, then the procedural flexibility is improved, but the strain on control wires requires additional force on the control knobs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes dimensionality change by designing control knobs with three-dimensional textured surface features that extend radially outward. These dimensional features create multiple levels of contact points for the physician's fingers, providing enhanced mechanical advantage and leverage. The varied heights and depths of surface features allow the physician to engage the knobs at different radial distances from the center, effectively reducing the force required to overcome wire strain during tortuous positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices. In particular, the present disclosure relates to medical devices and systems with control knobs designed for improved usability and ergonomics. For example, the control knobs of the present disclosure may include surface features for improved gripping, surface features for improved perception of medical device orientation within a patient and/or knobs dimensioned for improved thumb reach and reduced torque.