Endoscope Opening Closing Unit Segments Discharge Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopes face contamination issues due to contaminants passing through the operation part, making it difficult to clean and increasing costs due to the complex structure and high manufacturing costs of the operation part, which is often reused after endoscopic surgery.
Innovation Solution
An opening and closing unit is introduced that includes a body with a first hollow part and an opening and closing part capable of reciprocating linear movement, allowing selective communication between the operation part and a bypass to prevent contaminants from entering the operation part, thereby preventing contamination and facilitating cleaning and reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If the discharge passage is formed to pass through the inside of the operation part, then contaminants can be discharged from the body, but the inside of the operation part becomes contaminated and difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge passage is segmented into two separate sections: one portion extends from the insertion part to the opening part, and another portion extends from the opening part to the external discharge port. This segmentation prevents contaminants from directly passing through the operation part, as the opening part acts as an isolation point where contaminants are discharged without entering the operation part's internal structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening part serves as an intermediary component between the insertion part and the external environment. Contaminants are discharged through the opening part rather than passing through the operation part, effectively using the opening part as a mediator that protects the operation part from contamination while still enabling contaminant removal.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the operation part has a complicated internal structure for flexural movement, then the insertion part can be flexed and positioned, but cleaning becomes difficult when contaminated
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is divided into separate components: the insertion part that contains the complex flexural movement structure, and the operation part that remains relatively simple. By segmenting the discharge passage to exclude the operation part from the contamination path, the complex internal structure of the insertion part can be isolated from contaminants, making cleaning more feasible while preserving flexural movement capability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the operation part is reused after surgery, then cost is reduced, but hygiene is compromised when contamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The potential contamination risk is extracted from the operation part by redesigning the discharge passage to prevent contaminants from entering it. This extraction of the contamination pathway allows the operation part to remain clean and reusable, maintaining both cost-effectiveness through reuse and hygiene reliability by eliminating the contamination source.
Data Source
AI summary
An opening and closing unit includes a body that has a first hollow part penetrating through both ends thereof and an opening part communicating the first hollow part with an outside, and an opening and closing part that is inserted into the first hollow part to selectively open and close the opening part, has second hollow part formed therein, and has a through hole communicating with the second hollow part on one side thereof.