Endoscope Multi-Lumen Tube Bending Stability via Pressing Member
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopes with bending portions face issues with deformation under bending operation forces, leading to variations in bending angle and operational feel, which affect the accuracy and stability of the bending mechanism.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope design incorporates a multi-lumen tube with two bending operation wire insertion holes, a wire retaining member with a larger contact area at the distal end surface, and a pressing member that distributes the pulling force evenly across the multi-lumen tube, preventing deformation and maintaining consistent bending accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a multi-lumen tube is used to form the bending portion, then the structure is simplified and manufacturing cost is reduced, but the tube deforms under bending operation forces causing variations in bending angle and operational feel
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member is designed to apply localized pressing forces at specific positions on the multi-lumen tube. By concentrating the bending force at discrete contact points rather than distributing it uniformly, the tube maintains its shape better during operation, preventing deformation while keeping the overall structure simple and cost-effective to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing member acts as an intermediary between the bending operation wire and the multi-lumen tube. It transforms the pulling force from the wire into controlled pressing forces that bend the tube accurately. This intermediary component ensures consistent bending angles by mediating the force transmission and preventing direct deformation of the tube wall.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the contact area of the wire retaining member with the multi-lumen tube is increased, then deformation is prevented, but the complexity of the wire retaining member increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing surface of the wire retaining member is segmented into multiple discrete pressing portions rather than being a continuous large contact area. Each pressing portion corresponds to a specific contact point where the pressing member applies force. This segmentation maintains stability by distributing support at key locations while keeping the overall structure simple and easy to manufacture.
Data Source
AI summary
The endoscope of the invention includes: an insertion portion; a multi-lumen tube including bending operation wire insertion holes; bending operation wires inserted into the bending operation wire insertion holes; a wire retaining member including two opening portions; a pressing member that presses a distal end surface of the multi-lumen tube through the wire retaining member; a treatment instrument insertion channel; a distal end rigid member including a through hole; and a pipe member. A contact area of the wire retaining member with a distal end surface of the multi-lumen tube is set to be larger than a contact area of a pressing member with the wire retaining member. The pressing member is disposed between the two opening portions of the wire retaining member. The wire retaining member includes a pipe holding portion that holds the pipe member and is held between the distal end rigid member and the multi-lumen tube.