Endoscope Rigid Guide Wire Path Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopes face issues with the operation wire coming off the treatment instrument raising base due to impact during pulling, leading to potential defects like backlash and insufficient instrument raising angles.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope design incorporates a rigid guide with a wire insertion path that positions its distal end opening closer to the center axis than the rotation trajectory of the connection member, preventing the operation wire from disengaging and ensuring stable operation by generating a stress component opposite to the detaching direction, thus preventing wire removal and backlash.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pulling wire is connected to the treatment instrument raising base in a side plane direction, then the treatment instrument can be raised, but the operation wire may come off due to impact during pulling
Solution Approach 1:
A rigid guide is introduced as an intermediary component between the pulling wire and the movable member. The rigid guide includes a wire insertion path that guides the pulling wire, with its distal end opening positioned on the proximal end side of the movable member. This intermediary structure prevents the pulling wire from coming off while maintaining the raising function.
Solution Approach 2:
The distal end opening of the rigid guide is positioned at a location closer to the center axis of the distal end rigid portion than the rotation trajectory plane of the connection member. This spatial repositioning in a different dimensional arrangement creates a geometric constraint that prevents wire disengagement while allowing proper operation.
2Reliability
If the wire insertion path distal end opening is positioned closer to the center axis, then the operation wire is prevented from disengaging, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid guide serves multiple functions: it guides the pulling wire through its insertion path, positions the distal end opening to prevent wire disengagement, and structurally integrates with the distal end rigid portion. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the connection member rotates with the movable member, then the treatment instrument can be raised and lowered, but the operation wire may experience backlash
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid guide with its specifically positioned distal end opening creates a preliminary constraint that prevents the pulling wire from disengaging during rotation of the connection member. This preventive structure eliminates the root cause of backlash by ensuring continuous wire engagement throughout the rotation range, thereby maintaining positioning accuracy while preserving ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope includes: a connection member that has an attaching and detaching direction defined to be orthogonal to a central axis of a distal end rigid portion in a longitudinal direction and is engaged with a wire connection portion of a movable member; and a rigid guide including a wire insertion path that guides a pulling wire, a distal end opening of the wire insertion path being disposed on a proximal end side of the movable member. The distal end opening of the wire insertion path of the rigid guide is disposed at a position closer to the central axis of the distal end rigid portion in an attaching direction of the connection member than a position in a plane formed by a rotation trajectory of the connection member.