Endoscope Suction Valve with Tactile Feedback Button
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior suction valves for endoscopes lack tactile feedback for actuation, requiring visual confirmation, and feature sharp turns in suction tubes that lead to unsteady fluid flow and connection weakening due to improper torque distribution.
Innovation Solution
The design includes an actuation button with a collapsible upper part providing tactile feedback through a two-step surface and a suction tube with a longer curved section for smoother fluid flow, along with strengthening ribs to secure the suction arm to the valve housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the actuator button is designed with a single-step configuration where the lower half collapses upon actuation, then the button structure is simple, but the user cannot obtain tactile feedback to confirm actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator button is segmented into an upper part and a lower part with different collapse characteristics. The upper part collapses to provide tactile feedback through step formation, while the lower part collapses to actuate the valve. This segmentation allows the button to provide operational feedback without requiring additional complex components.
Solution Approach 2:
The button design introduces a new dimension of tactile feedback by creating steps on the top surface through selective collapse of the upper part. This dimensional change in the button's deformation pattern provides sensory information to the user without adding external feedback mechanisms.
2Reliability
If the suction tube has a sharp turn with a small radius of curvature, then the device length is reduced, but the fluid flow becomes unsteady and connection durability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction tube is designed with a curved section that has a radius of curvature of at least 25% of the suction tube length, replacing sharp angular turns with smooth curved transitions. This curvature design stabilizes fluid flow by eliminating flow separation and turbulence, and distributes mechanical stresses more evenly to prevent connection failure.
3Productivity
If the actuator button requires visual confirmation for actuation, then the button design is simple, but the operation efficiency and user experience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The button design incorporates immediate tactile feedback through step formation on the top surface when the upper part collapses. This feedback mechanism allows users to confirm actuation by touch alone, eliminating the need for visual confirmation and improving operational efficiency without requiring electronic or optical feedback systems.
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 provides clear tactile actuation feedback and enhances fluid flow stability and connection durability, improving user experience and device reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the actuator button is collapsible to actuate the valve to open the first lumen
Implementation Method 2
a suction tube with a longer curved section for smoother fluid flow
Implementation Method 3
along with strengthening ribs to secure the suction arm to the valve housing
Data Source
AI summary
A suction valve (1) for an endoscope (2) is described. The suction valve comprises a valve housing (5) having a first lumen (8), a lower part (6) configured for mounting in a suction cylinder (4) of an endoscope (2), and an upper part (7), a suction arm (9) extending laterally of the upper part (7) of the valve housing (5) and having a second lumen (10) is fluidic communication with the first lumen (8), and an actuator comprising a valve to open and close the first lumen and an actuator button (18) operatively coupled to the valve, in which the actuator button is collapsible to actuate the valve to open the first lumen. The actuator button (18) is collapsible from an at-rest configuration in which a top surface of the actuator button comprises a first step (23) and a collapsed configuration in which the top surface of the actuator button comprises a first step (23) and a second step (24).