Endoscope Operation Switch Airtight Cable Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes with complex airtight structures for operation switches become cumbersome and heavy, complicating their design and increasing weight, which is undesirable for sterilization processes.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope design featuring an operation switch housed within a flexible cable's airtight space, sealed by a skin covering, with a base member and elastically deformable button portions for simplified airtight sealing, reducing the need for additional dedicated airtight structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complicated airtight structure is applied to seal the operation switch, then airtightness during sterilization is ensured, but the device complexity increases and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The operation switch is integrated into the airtight space formed by the skin covering the cable, rather than requiring a separate dedicated airtight structure. The switch housing is formed integrally with the cable covering, merging the sealing function with the structural function, thereby ensuring airtightness while simplifying the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The skin covering the cable serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical protection for the cable, forms the airtight space for sterilization, and houses the operation switch. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated structures, reducing complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If a complicated airtight structure is applied to seal the operation switch, then airtightness during sterilization is ensured, but the weight of the endoscope increases
Solution Approach 1:
The operation switch housing is formed integrally with the cable covering, merging multiple components into one. This integration eliminates the need for separate airtight structures, reducing material usage and overall weight while maintaining the necessary airtightness for sterilization processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable covering serves as both the structural protection and the airtight enclosure for the operation switch. This multi-functional design reduces the total amount of material needed, thereby reducing weight while ensuring reliable airtight sealing during autoclave sterilization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If switches are provided in the grip part or remote control unit, then remote control functions are achieved, but additional airtight structures are required increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The operation switch is integrated directly into the flexible cable structure, merging the control function with the cable assembly. This eliminates the need for separate grip part switches or remote control units with their own dedicated airtight structures, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining remote control functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an endoscope in which an operation switch included in the endoscope can be sealed with an airtight structure having a simple structure. A cable (16) of an endoscope (10) has a skin (52) that covers an outer periphery of the cable (16), the skin (52) defines an airtight space (17) inside the cable (16), and an operation switch (50) is disposed in the airtight space (17).