Endoscope Tip Assembly with Nested Camera and Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope tip part assemblies face challenges in achieving a smaller diameter for access to narrower body cavities while maintaining structural stability and electrical insulation, especially when both a camera and working channel are integrated, which complicates the design and increases material usage.
Innovation Solution
The method involves manufacturing a tip part assembly with a bendable bending section, a camera assembly, and a housing, where the camera module is attached to a distal end wall, and a circumferential wall is extruded to enclose the assembly, allowing for a smaller cross-sectional profile and improved insulation, with the option to include a working channel and light guide for enhanced functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the tip part assembly includes both a camera and a working channel extending through it, then the functionality is enhanced, but the cross-sectional extent increases making it harder to access narrow body cavities
Solution Approach 1:
The working channel is positioned within the internal cavity of the tip part assembly, nested alongside the camera module. This nested arrangement allows both the camera and working channel to coexist within the same distal tip region without significantly increasing the external cross-sectional dimensions, thereby maintaining access to narrow body cavities while providing enhanced functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera module is oriented with its optical axis extending radially outward from the longitudinal axis of the insertion tube, rather than being positioned only along the longitudinal direction. This dimensional reorientation allows the camera and working channel to be arranged in three-dimensional space more efficiently, reducing the radial footprint while maintaining both functions.
2Length of moving object
If the tip part assembly is made with a smaller diameter to access narrow body cavities, then accessibility is improved, but structural stability and electrical insulation become more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The tip part assembly employs a composite structure combining a flexible polymer outer sheath with an inner reinforcement element. This composite design allows the assembly to maintain structural stability and electrical insulation properties even with a reduced external diameter, as the reinforcement element provides mechanical support while the polymer sheath ensures electrical insulation and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The tip part assembly utilizes a flexible polymer sheath that is sufficiently thick to provide adequate electrical insulation and structural integrity, yet thin enough to maintain a small external diameter. The polymer material is selected to balance flexibility, insulation properties, and mechanical strength, allowing the assembly to be both insulated and structurally sound despite its compact size.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components are assembled into the tip part assembly, then functionality is improved, but the assembly process becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The camera module and working channel are integrated into a unified tip part assembly structure where they share common support elements and mounting features. This merging of functions into a single integrated assembly reduces the number of separate assembly steps and components required, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining enhanced functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The tip part assembly is designed as a multi-functional unit that accommodates both the camera module and working channel within a single housing structure. This universal design allows both functions to be performed by one integrated component rather than requiring separate assemblies, reducing overall device complexity and assembly costs while providing versatile functionality.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~3
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
This disclosure relates to a method of manufacture of a tip part assembly for an endoscope, the tip part assembly having a proximal end for being connected to other parts of the endoscope and a distal end positioned oppositely from the proximal end, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a bendable bending section, the bending section including a proximal end and a distal end, b) providing a camera assembly comprising a camera module, c) providing a substantially tubular circumferential wall, the circumferential wall comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the circumferential wall proximal end being positioned oppositely from the circumferential wall distal end, d) providing a distal end wall, e) arranging the camera module so that the camera module is held by or attached to the distal end wall, f) subsequent to step e), manufacturing a housing of the tip part assembly by adjoining the distal end wall to the distal end of the circumferential wall so that the housing comprises the circumferential wall and the distal end wall, and so that the circumferential wall and the distal end wall enclose a spacing, at least a portion of the camera module being housed in the spacing, and g) subsequent to step f), adjoining the distal end of the bending section and the proximal end of the housing, so that the tip part assembly comprises the bending section, the camera assembly, and the housing, the camera assembly being at least partly housed in the spacing, the distal end wall being positioned at the distal end of the tip part assembly.