Endoscope Optical-Illumination Module Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes face challenges with sterility and infection transmission due to complex designs that require specialized disinfection and sterilization, leading to high costs and ergonomic issues, and there is a need for more effective, cost-efficient solutions that ensure safety and sterility during medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A flexible endoscope design featuring an independent optical-illumination module that is hermetically sealed and reusable, separate from the disposable insertion tube and handle, allowing for easy cleaning and sterilization, and enabling the use of the same module across different endoscope types with varying lengths and diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the endoscope uses integrated functional channels and optical-illumination parts, then the device structure is compact, but the risk of infection transmission increases due to difficulty in cleaning and sterilization
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is divided into separate functional modules: disposable insertion tube with functional channels and reusable optical-illumination module. This segmentation allows the insertion tube to be discarded after single use, eliminating cross-contamination risks, while the optical-illumination module can be thoroughly sterilized and reused.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical-illumination module is extracted as an independent removable component from the insertion tube. This extraction enables separate handling, sterilization, and reuse of the expensive optical components while the disposable insertion tube is discarded, solving both cost and infection control issues.
2Reliability
If the endoscope uses reusable components, then costs are reduced, but the risk of infection transmission increases due to inadequate sterilization
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion tube with functional channels is designed as a disposable single-use component that is discarded after one procedure. This eliminates the need for complex sterilization processes and guarantees elimination of infections, while the expensive optical-illumination module is reused after standard sterilization.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the endoscope uses specialized disinfection methods for functional channels, then sterility is maintained, but the cost and complexity of the procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The functional channels are extracted into a separate disposable insertion tube that is discarded after single use. This eliminates the need for specialized disinfection methods for narrow channels, as the entire insertion tube is replaced rather than sterilized, simplifying the process while maintaining sterility.
4Reliability
If the endoscope uses integrated design, then the device is more reliable, but the cost of the procedure increases due to required sterilization resources
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is segmented into disposable and reusable parts. The disposable insertion tube requires no sterilization resources, while the reusable optical-illumination module uses standard sterilization processes. This segmentation reduces overall sterilization resource consumption while maintaining device reliability.
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
The design significantly reduces the risk of infection transmission, lowers costs, and simplifies the cleaning process, making the endoscope more reliable and cost-effective while maintaining high sterility standards.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible endoscope is equipped with an independent optical-illumination module, which contains an optical fiber bundle, electrical wires bundle, CCD or CMOS camera or matrix or other device with an analogous function
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
This invention presents an endoscope equipped with a handle (9) and attached to it insertion tube (2). The insertion tube in form of a flexible tube consists of a bundle of functional channels and tension cables for operating a distal tip of the insertion tube. All along the insertion tube through a optical-illumination channel (31) an independent and removable optical-illumination module (1) is guided and comprises a capsule (5), optical-illumination cable (4), electro-optical connector (3). The optical-illumination cable (4) includes a stiffening rod (20), wrapping it optical fibres (19) and electrical wires (18), a hermetic elastic sheath (22) which is an outer layer of the cable (4). The optical-illumination channel (31) on a distance of the distal tip (8) has a diameter larger or equal the diameter of the capsule (5), on the distance of bending part (6) and flexible part (7) has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the capsule (5). When the optical-illumination module (1) is installed in the endoscope the capsule (5) is blocked inside the insertion tube (2) by a blocking flange (40).