Endoscope Decontamination Sheath Lens Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope decontamination methods, such as using a transparent sleeve, are labor-intensive and fail to completely prevent cross infection or cross contamination while also affecting image quality by interfering with the front-end lens's ability to capture clear images.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope decontamination sheath with a terminal section featuring a tubular body and inner/outer tubular bodies, including a through hole and stepped portions to securely mount a lens, and a sleeve section that fits over the endoscope to prevent cross infection and contamination without degrading image quality, allowing for disposal after use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a transparent sleeve is used to prevent cross infection, then cross infection prevention is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to interference with the front-end lens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the lens from the protective sleeve structure and mounts it directly on the endoscope's front-end lens. This separation allows the protective function to be provided by the sleeve while the imaging function is maintained by the exposed lens, resolving the contradiction between infection prevention and image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dedicated lens structure as an intermediary component between the protective sleeve and the endoscope's front-end lens. This intermediary lens is mounted on the sleeve's front surface and optically coupled to the endoscope's lens, allowing the sleeve to provide protection while the intermediary lens ensures clear image transmission
2Reliability
If a transparent sleeve is used to prevent cross contamination, then cross contamination prevention is improved, but image capture capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the lens functionality from the sleeve body and implements it as a separate mounted component. This allows the sleeve to focus solely on protective functions while the extracted lens component handles image capture, preventing deterioration of capture capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional system where the sleeve provides both protective function (preventing contamination) and optical function (enabling clear image capture through the mounted lens). The universal design allows a single component to serve multiple purposes without compromising either function
3Device complexity
If multiple sheets are connected to form a sleeve, then sleeve structure is improved, but image acquisition is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the optical function from the multi-sheet sleeve structure and implements it through a dedicated mounted lens. This separation allows the sleeve to maintain its structural integrity from multiple sheets while the extracted lens component ensures undisturbed image acquisition
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mounted lens as an intermediary optical element that bridges the multi-sheet sleeve structure and the endoscope's imaging system. This intermediary component compensates for any optical disturbances caused by the sleeve's construction, ensuring clear image acquisition
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope decontamination sheath includes a terminal section for seeing therethrough for an image and a sleeve section connected to the terminal section for receiving an endoscope to insert therein. The terminal section is of a tubular configuration. The terminal section has a front end to which a lens is mounted and a rear end in which an insertion groove is formed. The sleeve section is of an elongated tubular configuration having a front end fit into the insertion groove of the terminal section. In medical treatment of endoscopy or intubation, the endoscope is inserted into and sleeved with the sleeve section, and the endoscope sleeved with the decontamination sheath is inserted into an endotracheal tube. The matched arrangement between the lens and a lens of the endoscope helps prevent image deterioration and thus making images clearer. The decontamination sheath, after use, can be disposed of to prevent cross infection.