Endoscope Working Instrument Light Conductor Position Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical instruments for endoscopes face challenges in determining the relative position of the working instrument within the endoscope's working channel, leading to potential thermal stress on the endoscope, contamination of light conductors, and safety risks during procedures like argon plasma coagulation.
Innovation Solution
A surgical working instrument with a light conductor anchored on it, allowing contactless position determination by receiving light at the distal end, which simplifies the evaluation process without requiring additional electric or mechanical components, and can be implemented with cheap optical fibers or glass rods for precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor with electrical or optical components is provided at the distal end to detect position, then position detection capability is improved, but device complexity and implementation effort increase remarkably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light reception function from complex electrical/optical sensors and implements it using a simple light conductor (optical fiber) that is already present in the working instrument. The light conductor serves dual purposes: illumination delivery and position detection, eliminating the need for additional sensor components at the distal end.
Solution Approach 2:
The light conductor in the working instrument is made multi-functional by using it both for delivering illumination light to the treatment area and for detecting the relative position of the working instrument. This eliminates the need for separate position detection components, reducing device complexity while maintaining detection capability.
2Measurement precision
If additional components and connections are provided for position determination, then measurement capability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to remarkable implementation effort
Solution Approach 1:
The existing light conductor is made multi-functional to serve both illumination and position detection purposes, eliminating the need for additional components that would complicate manufacturing. The evaluation device uses simple light intensity measurements rather than complex sensor signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The light conductor serves itself by providing position detection information through its existing structure. The presence or absence of light at the distal end automatically indicates position without requiring additional active components or complex manufacturing processes.
3Productivity
If the working instrument is positioned close to the distal end for effective treatment, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but thermal stress on the endoscope increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback about the relative position of the working instrument through light intensity measurements. This feedback enables precise control of the working instrument's position, allowing effective treatment while maintaining safe distances to prevent thermal stress on the endoscope.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an excess of illumination light to ensure that even when the working instrument is positioned optimally close to the distal end for effective treatment, there is still sufficient light reaching the detector to accurately indicate position and prevent excessive proximity that would cause thermal stress.
4Measurement precision
If the light conductor contacts tissue during insertion or positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but contamination of the light conductor occurs affecting light transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes a safe operating distance between the working instrument and tissue before contact occurs. The light-based position detection provides advance warning when the working instrument approaches tissue, allowing the operator to stop advancement before contamination can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The light conductor acts as an intermediary that detects position through light intensity changes without requiring physical contact with tissue. The optical field serves as a mediator that provides positioning information while maintaining a non-contact relationship with the tissue, preventing contamination.
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 solution enables precise and contactless position detection of the working instrument relative to the endoscope, reducing thermal stress, contamination, and safety risks, while being cost-effective and suitable for single-use probes, ensuring accurate placement and efficient operation during procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a light conductor that is anchored on the working instrument and configured to receive light that surrounds the working instrument in the proximity of a distal end
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical working instrument (3) is disclosed that is inserted in a working channel (7) of an endoscope (2) and is slidably located therein. A device (27) for determination of the relative position of the working instrument (3) to the endoscope (2) is configured to determine in an optical manner that the distal end (8) of the working instrument (3) has reached a distal end (8) of the working channel (7). The position determination device (27) comprises a light conductor (28) that is attached to the working instrument (3) and configured to receive light surrounding the working instrument (3) in the vicinity of its distal end (14), wherein based on the light received by the light conductor (28) the relative position of the light conductor (28) and thus the working instrument (3) in relation to the endoscope (2) can be determined.