Endoscope Distal Tip Nozzle and Third Surface Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cleaning water often remains adjacent to the nozzle in endoscopes, leading to reflection in the observation image and reduced visibility of the observation window during air supply operations.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a third surface protruding between the nozzle and the forceps port, with its end portion located further in the jetting direction than the nozzle's jetting port, and a narrow portion between the second and third surfaces, to minimize the adjacent region where cleaning water can remain, thereby reducing the likelihood of stringing and reflection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fluid jetting nozzle is disposed on the distal end surface to jet cleaning water toward the observation window, then cleaning capability is improved, but cleaning water remains adjacent to the nozzle causing reflection and reduced visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third surface protruding in the insertion direction between the nozzle and forceps port, creating a three-dimensional spatial arrangement. This additional dimension allows the jetting port to be positioned further in the jetting direction while maintaining separation from the observation window, enabling cleaning water to be directed away from the observation window and preventing reflection in the observation image
Solution Approach 2:
The third surface acts as an intermediary structure between the nozzle and forceps port. By positioning the jetting port on this intermediate surface, the design enables effective cleaning of the observation window while the third surface itself prevents cleaning water from remaining in the adjacent region between the nozzle and forceps port, thus eliminating the source of reflection
2Productivity
If the jetting port is positioned closer to the observation window for effective cleaning, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but cleaning water remains in the adjacent region causing visibility degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The third surface protruding in the insertion direction creates a new spatial dimension that allows the jetting port to be positioned optimally for cleaning efficiency while simultaneously ensuring that cleaning water does not remain in the adjacent region. The end portion of the third surface located further in the jetting direction than the jetting port enables effective water removal without compromising visibility
Solution Approach 2:
The third surface creates a localized structural feature between the nozzle and forceps port that specifically addresses the water accumulation problem in that region. By making the third surface tapered and positioning its end portion further in the jetting direction, the design locally modifies the fluid dynamics in the adjacent region to prevent water retention, thereby maintaining visibility without sacrificing cleaning efficiency
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 configuration effectively suppresses the reflection of cleaning water in the observation image, enhancing the visibility of the observation window by minimizing residual water and efficiently applying suction to adherent substances.
Implementation Method 1
a nozzle that is disposed on the first surface and that jets a fluid from a jetting port toward the observation window
Implementation Method 2
efficiently applying suction to adherent substances
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope includes an insertion part to be inserted into a subject, a first surface disposed on a distal end surface of the insertion part, a forceps port disposed on the first surface, a second surface protruding from the first surface along an insertion direction of the insertion part, an observation window disposed on the second surface, a nozzle that is disposed on the first surface and jets a fluid from a jetting port toward the observation window, a third surface protruding from the first surface along the insertion direction of the insertion part, and a first illumination window that is disposed on the third surface. The third surface is located between the nozzle and the forceps port, and an end portion of the third surface in a jetting direction of the fluid is located further in the jetting direction than a formation position of the jetting port is.