Endoscope with Lever-Operated Insertion Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopes lack the ability to easily and safely insert and remove the distal end portion for capturing images within the root canal or periodontal pocket, particularly in blind spots, while preventing damage to the insertion part.
Innovation Solution
An extremely small diameter endoscope with a distal end nozzle and endoscope insertion part, featuring a lever-operated insertion mechanism that allows the endoscope to be inserted and withdrawn with improved operability, including a flexible mantle and an expansion-contraction structure, and a guiding abutment piece for smooth navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the endoscope insertion part is made with an extremely small diameter to access root canals and periodontal pockets, then the ability to capture images of blind spots is improved, but the risk of damage to the insertion part during insertion and removal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope insertion part is divided into multiple sections including a flexible insertion portion, a protective sheath, and a distal end portion. The protective sheath can be detached or retracted to expose the imaging portion when needed, while protecting it during insertion and removal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The insertion part incorporates a flexible mantle or sheath that can bend and conform to the curvature of root canals and periodontal pockets. This flexibility reduces mechanical stress and damage risk during navigation through tortuous anatomical structures.
2Length of moving object
If the endoscope insertion part is made with an extremely small diameter, then access to blind spots in root canals is improved, but the operability of inserting and removing the insertion part deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope insertion part incorporates a lever-operated mechanism that allows dynamic adjustment of the insertion depth and position. The lever enables the operator to easily advance and retract the insertion part without requiring complex manual manipulation, significantly improving operability despite the small diameter.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a complicated structure with guide tube and attachment is used to observe periodontal pockets, then the imaging capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope insertion part is designed as a multi-functional device that can observe both root canals and periodontal pockets using the same basic structure. The flexible insertion portion can navigate different anatomical structures, eliminating the need for separate specialized devices and reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An extremely small diameter endoscope includes comprises: an endoscope body having a distal end nozzle; an imaging unit disposed in the endoscope body and adapted for capturing an image; an endoscope insertion part having a proximal end portion and a projection end portion, the proximal end portion connected to the imaging unit, the endoscope insertion part passing through the distal end nozzle, the projection end portion to be positioned in a root canal of a tooth or in a periodontal pocket; and endoscope insertion part insertion means adapted for inserting the endoscope insertion part into an observation portion in the root canal of the tooth or in the periodontal pocket with an end portion of the distal end nozzle kept abutted against a surrounding portion of the observation portion.