Endoscope Rotary Drum External Control Line
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes face challenges in combining a large work channel with a high-resolution imaging system without restricting the field of view or resolution, due to the limited internal diameter of the shaft tube.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope features a rotating drum with an optical imaging system and a control line externally arranged on the shaft tube, allowing the work channel to occupy the entire internal diameter of the shaft tube while maintaining a large field of view and high resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the internal diameter of the shaft tube is occupied by the imaging system and control mechanisms, then the imaging system can be housed, but the work channel size is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The control line is moved from the interior of the shaft tube to the exterior surface of the shaft tube. This dimensional relocation allows the control mechanism to operate outside the confined internal space, thereby freeing up the entire internal diameter of the shaft tube for a spacious work channel while maintaining control functionality.
2Length of moving object
If the shaft tube is made smaller for minimally invasive intervention, then patient trauma is reduced, but the field of view and instrument options are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
By relocating the control line to the exterior of the shaft tube, the invention enables a smaller external diameter while maintaining full control functionality. This allows the endoscope to achieve minimally invasive dimensions without sacrificing the field of view or instrument capabilities, as the control mechanism no longer occupies internal space.
3Device complexity
If the control line is arranged inside the shaft tube, then the control mechanism is integrated, but the work channel is restricted in size
Solution Approach 1:
The control line is extracted from the interior of the shaft tube and positioned on the exterior surface. This extraction removes the control mechanism from the internal space, allowing the work channel to occupy the entire internal diameter while the control line runs externally along the shaft tube.
4Measurement precision
If the imaging system is made high-resolution with large sensor, then image quality is improved, but the shaft tube internal diameter must be larger
Solution Approach 1:
The control line's relocation to the exterior enables the shaft tube to have a smaller internal diameter while still accommodating high-resolution imaging systems. The external control mechanism frees up internal space, allowing larger sensors and higher resolution imaging without increasing the shaft tube's internal dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope with a rotating drum or a rotation module, in particular for use as a sterile disposable instrument, having an elongate rigid and/or flexible shaft tube which at a distal end mounts the rotating drum, so as to be rotatable about at least one first axis of rotation, an optical imaging system being arranged in the rotating drum, with the at least one first axis of rotation running approximately transversely to a longitudinal axis of the shaft tube and with the endoscope having at least one control line for rotating the rotating drum. Here, the at least one control line of the rotating drum runs on an outer side/outer face of the shaft tube, and is fastened to the rotating drum at at least one lever distance (a) from the at least one first axis of rotation.