Endoscope Sleeve Sealing Cap with Radial Compression Tabs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Endoscope sleeves with irregular, multifunctional distal tips face challenges in achieving reliable sealing during inflation due to soft and deformable materials, which restricts the application of force for sealing and subsequent removal, and are unsuitable for general-purpose securing mechanisms like threading.

Innovation Solution

A sealing cap with flexible tabs and a closure retainer that compresses radially inward to create a pressure-resistant seal, allowing for easy attachment and detachment without exerting large forces on the sleeve tip, using a mechanism that leverages leverage to provide a strong holding force with minimal longitudinal actuation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sealing cap is applied to the distal tip of an endoscope sleeve, then a pressure-resistant seal is achieved during inflation, but the soft and deformable nature of the sleeve tip material restricts the application of force for sealing and subsequent removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidforce application capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing cap is divided into distinct functional segments: a cap body for sealing, flexible tabs for attachment, and a closure retainer for actuation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the cap body provides sealing surface area while the tabs provide mechanical attachment through radial compression, resolving the contradiction between sealing reliability and force application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The closure mechanism transitions from longitudinal force application to radial force application. The closure retainer slides longitudinally to compress tabs radially inward onto the sleeve tip, creating a pressure-resistant seal. This dimensional transformation allows effective sealing force to be applied in the radial direction while minimizing longitudinal forces on the soft sleeve tip material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If a sealing cap with tabs is collapsed onto the distal tip to create a seal, then a secure holding force is achieved, but the mechanism must allow easy detachment without damaging the sleeve tip

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveholding forceVSAvoiddetachment ease

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tabs are designed as flexible, dynamic elements that can be compressed radially inward during attachment to create strong holding force, then easily released during detachment. The flexibility of the tabs allows them to conform to the sleeve tip during compression while enabling simple release when the closure retainer is actuated, resolving the contradiction between strong holding force and easy detachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible tabs act as an intermediary between the closure retainer and the sleeve tip. The tabs transmit the radial compression force from the closure retainer to the sleeve tip, providing strong attachment, while their flexibility allows easy release. This intermediary mechanism enables strong holding force without requiring complex detachment procedures that might damage the sleeve tip.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If threading or general-purpose securing mechanisms are used on the endoscope sleeve, then secure attachment is achieved, but the mechanism is unsuitable for soft and deformable sleeve tip materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidcompatibility with soft materials

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing cap utilizes flexible tabs made of compliant material that can conform to and attach to soft, deformable sleeve tip materials. This flexible attachment mechanism replaces rigid threading or general-purpose securing mechanisms, providing secure attachment while being compatible with soft and deformable materials. The flexible tabs compress radially onto the sleeve tip, creating attachment security without the rigidity that would damage soft materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution ensures a secure pressure-resistant seal during inflation and easy removal without damaging the sleeve tip, maintaining the tip's integrity and functionality, and can be adapted for various endoscope types and medical instruments.

Implementation Method 1

a closure retainer, surrounding the flexible tabs of the tab body, and configured to slide along a longitudinal extent of the corking body, compressing the tabs radially inward

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadial compression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

inflating the endoscope sleeve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInflation: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

placing a corking body of a sealing cap into an aperture of the endoscope sleeve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS11510554B1Plug for endoscope attachment tip

Publication Date: 2022.11.29 MOTUS GI MEDICAL TECH LTD

AI summary

Reversibly attachable pressure-resistant cap for an endoscope sleeve, configured to seal a distal tip of the endoscope sleeve during pressurized inflation of the sleeve to assist insertion of the endoscope into the sleeve. The cap is operable to latch onto the distal tip. The cap is also configured to be easily removed from the distal tip after inflation is no longer needed.