Endoscopic Device Interchangeable Shaft Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic devices face challenges in efficient and time-consuming disinfection processes, particularly for reusable flexible endoscopes, and there is a need for more economical and greener solutions that provide sterile components for each patient during procedures.
Innovation Solution
The design of an endoscopic device with a separable shaft and handle that includes a pulling mechanism with a pull wire attachment, allowing for deflection of the distal end, and features such as motorized or manual actuation, latch mechanisms for rotation, and electrical connections, enabling flexible and rotatable coupling while incorporating contamination barriers for hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire reusable flexible endoscope is disinfected, then hygiene is maintained, but the process becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is divided into separable components: a reusable handle portion and a disposable shaft portion. This segmentation allows the shaft to be discarded after use, eliminating the need for complex disinfection processes while maintaining hygiene standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft portion is designed as a disposable component that can be discarded after a single use. This approach replaces the need for time-consuming disinfection with a simple discard action, significantly reducing disinfection time while ensuring hygiene for each patient.
2Reliability
If disposable scope is discarded, then hygiene is ensured for each patient, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is segmented into a reusable handle and a disposable shaft. Only the shaft portion, which contacts the patient, is discarded, while the expensive handle with electronics and controls is reused. This partial disposability balances hygiene requirements with cost efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the endoscope have different reusability characteristics. The shaft portion that contacts the patient is made disposable for hygiene, while the handle portion that does not contact the patient is made reusable to reduce overall cost.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the shaft and handle are permanently coupled, then structural integrity is maintained, but adaptability and ease of disinfection are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope uses a separable connection between the handle and shaft portions, allowing them to be coupled when needed and separated for disposal or storage. This maintains structural integrity during use while enabling adaptability and ease of disinfection through separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between handle and shaft transitions from a static permanent coupling to a dynamic separable coupling. The components can be joined during procedures and separated afterward, providing both structural integrity during operation and adaptability for disinfection or replacement.
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
This solution facilitates efficient control of the endoscopic shaft's orientation, allows for easy disassembly and disinfection, and offers a combination of reusable and disposable components, enhancing procedural efficiency and hygiene by enabling different handle types to be connected with various shafts, including full or partial disposable options.
Implementation Method 1
applying tension to the pull wire deflects the distal end of the endoscopic shaft
Implementation Method 2
The handle body is friction fit into the shaft housing
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscopic device includes a handle body operatively couplable to a shaft housing. The handle body includes an actuator for controlling a distal end of an endoscopic shaft extending from the shaft housing. The device also includes a pull wire attachment configured to operatively couple to a pull wire extending through the shaft housing and the endoscopic shaft to the distal end. Applying tension to the pull wire deflects the distal end of the endoscopic shaft. In addition, the device includes a pulling mechanism coupled to the actuator and having the pull wire attachment extending therefrom. When the pull wire attachment is operatively coupled to the pull wire, actuation of the actuator applies tension to the pull wire and deflects the distal end of the endoscopic shaft.