Endoscope Port Cap Adapter for Multi-Geometry Sealing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing caps and housings for endoscope ports are often designed for specific shapes and dimensions, leading to inconsistent sealing performance and stability when used with differently configured ports.

Innovation Solution

A cap assembly with a housing and adapter system that allows secure fitting on multiple port configurations, using an adapter that shifts between configurations to match the dimensions of different endoscope ports, and includes locking and stabilizing features for stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If caps and housings are designed for a specific port shape and dimension, then sealing performance and device stability are improved for that specific port, but adaptability to different port configurations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidadaptability to different port configurations

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into multiple configurable components including locking tabs, stabilizing shoulders, and engagement features that can be selectively activated or reconfigured to match different port geometries, allowing the same housing to adapt to various port shapes while maintaining reliable sealing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing incorporates movable and adjustable elements such as reconfigurable locking tabs and adjustable stabilizing shoulders that can be dynamically repositioned to conform to different port configurations, enabling the system to maintain optimal sealing performance across multiple port types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a single housing design is used for multiple port configurations, then adaptability is improved, but sealing performance and stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with different portsVSAvoidsealing performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the housing are designed with specialized features tailored to specific port characteristics, such as localized sealing surfaces, region-specific locking mechanisms, and area-adjusted stabilizing elements, allowing each part of the housing to optimize sealing and stability for its corresponding port region

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If multiple specialized caps and housings are designed for different port configurations, then sealing performance for each specific port is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidnumber of different cap and housing designs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is designed as a universal platform that can perform multiple functions with different port configurations through its reconfigurable components, allowing a single housing design to replace multiple specialized housings while maintaining optimal sealing performance for each port type

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20260000275A1Adaptable devices, system, and methods for providing sealable access to a working channel

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 BOSTON SCI MEDICAL DEVICE LTD

AI summary

An adapter for allowing a cap assembly to fit securely on two or more medical device ports with different sizes, shapes, and/or dimensions. The cap assembly has a housing with an interior configuration corresponding with an exterior configuration of a first port and surrounding port region of a medical device. An adapter having an exterior configuration corresponding with the housing interior configuration, and an interior configuration corresponding with the second port and port region may be fitted within the housing. Alternatively, an adapter having a first configuration may be provided in the housing to configure the housing interior to correspond with the exterior configuration of the first port. The adapter may be shiftable into a second configuration with an interior corresponding with the exterior configuration of the second port. The first and second configurations of the housing interiors adapt the housing to fit securely on the corresponding port.