Endoscope System Placement Detection Mode Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope systems lack a reliable mechanism to prevent unintended activation of endoscopic accessories, such as high-frequency current output, when the endoscope is not in use, leading to inefficient energy usage and potential misuse.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a detecting unit that determines the endoscope's placement on a stand, which switches the endoscope system to a restricting mode when the endoscope is placed, preventing the actuation of accessories regardless of operator input, thereby ensuring that high-frequency current output is stopped when the endoscope is not in use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the endoscope is not placed on the stand, then the actuating unit can be operated freely in normal mode, but high-frequency current may be output unnecessarily causing energy waste and potential misuse
Solution Approach 1:
The detecting unit checks whether the endoscope is placed on the stand before allowing operation of the actuating unit. This preliminary detection prevents unnecessary high-frequency current output by restricting operation when the endoscope is not properly positioned, thereby reducing energy waste while maintaining ease of operation when correctly placed
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the placement state of the endoscope through the detecting unit and adjusts the control mode accordingly. When the endoscope is detected as placed, the system switches to normal mode allowing operation; when not placed, it switches to restricting mode, creating a feedback loop that prevents energy waste without compromising operational ease when proper conditions are met
2Loss of energy
If a detecting unit and control unit are added to detect placement and switch modes, then unnecessary high-frequency current output is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it manages the operating mode switching between normal and restricting modes, processes detection signals from the detecting unit, and controls the actuating unit. By making the control unit multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while effectively preventing unnecessary high-frequency current output
3Reliability
If the system switches to restricting mode when endoscope is placed, then safety is improved by preventing unintended activation, but operational flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between restricting mode and normal mode based on the real-time detection of endoscope placement. When the endoscope is not placed, the restricting mode ensures safety by preventing unintended activation. When placed correctly, the system transitions to normal mode, restoring full operational flexibility. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the system both safe and flexible at different operational stages
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope system includes at least an endoscope of the endoscope and an accessory, a placement unit on which the endoscope is adapted to be placed, a detecting unit configured to detect whether the endoscope is placed on the placement unit or not, an actuating unit for at least one of the endoscope and the accessory, an operating unit for operating the actuating unit, and a control unit configured to be switched between a normal mode wherein the actuating unit is controlled according to an operation to the operating unit and a restricting mode wherein the actuating unit is controlled regardless of an operation to the operating unit, on the basis of a result of detection by the detecting unit.