Endoscope Rigid Distal End Sealed Space Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes face challenges in maintaining a sealed environment for the raising base and optical systems while allowing for the smooth protrusion and direction control of treatment instruments without compromising the integrity of the distal end portion, particularly during procedures like endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope design incorporates a rigid distal end portion with sealed first and second spaces, a communication passage, and an elongated tube member with a through hole, allowing for the operation of the raising base mechanism while preventing fluid ingress and ensuring the optical systems remain liquid-tight, using a flexible resin tube as both a guide for the operation wire and a conduit for pressurized air for leakage detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the raising base and optical systems are placed in a sealed environment, then the reliability and liquid-tight integrity are improved, but the ease of operation for treatment instrument protrusion and direction control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The distal end portion is divided into multiple sealed spaces (first sealed space containing raising base, second sealed space containing optical systems) connected by a communication passage. This segmentation allows each space to maintain liquid-tight integrity while enabling independent operation of the raising base mechanism and optical systems through the communication passage that allows pressurized air flow for leakage detection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the insertion section diameter is increased to accommodate additional components, then the functionality for water leakage detection and raising base operation is improved, but the ease of insertion and patient comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible resin tube serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides the operation wire for raising base control, acts as a conduit for pressurized air for water leakage detection, and maintains the sealed environment. This multi-functionality allows the endoscope to achieve enhanced functionality without increasing the insertion section diameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The operation wire is nested within the flexible resin tube, and the pressurized air flow path is integrated through the same tube structure. This nesting arrangement allows multiple functional elements to occupy the same spatial envelope, avoiding the need to increase the insertion section diameter while maintaining all required functionalities.
3Ease of operation
If the raising base operation wire is exposed in the distal end portion, then the ease of operation for treatment instrument switching is improved, but the reliability and protection from fluid ingress deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible resin tube acts as an intermediary element that transmits the operation wire's movement to the raising base while maintaining the sealed environment. The tube allows mechanical transmission of the operation force without exposing the wire to external fluids, thus preserving both ease of operation and protection from fluid ingress.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope includes an operation section, an insertion section, a first space provided in a distal end portion of the insertion section, a second space sealed against an inner space of a bending portion, a communication passage communicating between the first space and the second space, and an elongated tube member having one end portion coupled with the first space and another end portion provided inside the operation section and having a through hole in a longitudinal direction.