Endoscope Operation Section Space Partitioning for Component Arrangement

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional endoscopes face challenges in efficiently arranging internal components like image pickup units and treatment instrument channels without increasing the diameter of the distal end portion, while also preventing interference with the angle wires used for bending, which limits the flexibility and miniaturization of the device.

Innovation Solution

The endoscope design includes a support member that partitions the operation section into two spaces, with angle wires in one space and long internal components like signal cables and light guides in the other, allowing for independent arrangement and preventing interference, enabling bending in multiple directions without enlarging the distal end portion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If internal components are arranged in the operation section, then the endoscope can perform inspection and treatment functions, but the diameter of the distal end portion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection and treatment functionsVSAvoiddiameter of distal end portion

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The operation section is divided into a first space portion for angle wires and a second space portion for long internal components using support members and pipeline sections. This segmentation allows independent arrangement of different components, enabling miniaturization of the distal end portion while maintaining all necessary functions for inspection and treatment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If angle wires and long internal components are arranged together, then the operation section structure is simplified, but interference occurs between the components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation section structureVSAvoidinterference between components

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The operation section is divided into a first space portion for angle wires and a second space portion for long internal components using support members and pipeline sections. This segmentation allows independent arrangement of different components, enabling miniaturization of the distal end portion while maintaining all necessary functions for inspection and treatment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Support members and pipeline sections act as intermediary structures that physically separate and organize the angle wires and long internal components. These intermediary elements prevent interference between components while maintaining a compact overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the distal end portion is miniaturized, then insertability is improved, but the arrangement of internal components becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinsertabilityVSAvoidarrangement of internal components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The operation section is divided into a first space portion for angle wires and a second space portion for long internal components using support members and pipeline sections. This segmentation allows independent arrangement of different components, enabling miniaturization of the distal end portion while maintaining all necessary functions for inspection and treatment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement within the operation section, organizing components along the longitudinal axis and in radial directions. This multi-dimensional arrangement enables compact packaging of internal components without increasing the distal end portion diameter, thereby improving insertability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS10219682B2Endoscope

Publication Date: 2019.03.05 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)

AI summary

An endoscope includes stays extending inside an operation section along a direction of a longitudinal axis, and a suction pipeline fixed to the operation section at a distal end side and a proximal end side so as to extend inside the operation section, along the stays and in the direction of the longitudinal axis, where an inside of the operation section is partitioned into a first space portion and a second space portion by the stays and the suction pipeline, each angle wire is disposed inside the first space portion, and long internal components, such as a signal cable and a light guide, are disposed inside the second space portion.