Endoscope Operation Portion Finger Placement Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes face challenges in providing a balanced finger placement configuration for the operator, leading to unstable grasping and increased operation force required for bending, which can result in finger slipping and difficulty in maintaining the position of the distal end insertion portion during bending operations.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope incorporates a grasping portion with recessed finger placement areas on the bending operation lever and grasping portion, allowing for balanced finger forces applied by the index, middle, and ring fingers, which counteract the operation force of the thumb on the bending lever, ensuring stable operation without shaking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional operation portion configuration is used, then the structure is simple, but the finger placement is unbalanced causing unstable grasping and increased operation force
Solution Approach 1:
The operation portion features localized recesses at specific positions to accommodate different fingers. The first recess is positioned to receive the index finger, the second recess to receive the middle finger, and the third recess to receive the ring finger, creating localized contact points that balance the grasping force distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The operation portion employs asymmetric recess placement rather than symmetric design. The recesses are positioned at non-uniform locations along the longitudinal axis, with the first recess closer to the distal end and the second and third recesses positioned differently, creating an asymmetric force distribution that matches natural hand ergonomics.
2Measurement precision
If the bending operation lever requires high operation force, then the bending control precision is improved, but the operation becomes difficult and causes finger slipping
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-finger recess configuration creates a counterbalancing force system. The recesses are positioned and dimensioned to receive fingers that apply forces counteracting the operation force required to bend the lever, effectively reducing the net force needed while maintaining precision control.
Solution Approach 2:
The recess configuration creates an equipotential grasping surface where multiple fingers can apply force simultaneously at optimized positions. This distributes the operation force across multiple contact points, reducing the force requirement at any single point while maintaining control precision.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the finger placement portions are positioned to balance forces, then the operation stability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The operation portion is segmented into distinct functional zones with dedicated recesses for each finger. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each recess position and dimension, making the manufacturing process more manageable while achieving overall force balance through the coordinated arrangement of individual segments.
Data Source
AI summary
In an endoscope operation portion, a first finger placement portion and a second finger placement portion are disposed at positions where at least a pressing force of a first finger placed on the first finger placement portion, a pressing force of a second finger placed on the second finger placement portion, and an operation force amount of a third finger placed on a third finger placement portion when operating a bending operation lever are balanced.