Endoscope Tip Deflection Gear Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes face challenges in navigating tortuous body pathways and cavities during surgical procedures, particularly in urological applications, due to their rigid designs and the risk of cross-contamination and damage during sterilization.
Innovation Solution
A flexible endoscope system with a deflectable tip mechanism, utilizing a gear system and worm gear configuration, allows for precise control of the distal tip's deflection through a lever-operated mechanism, enabling navigation through non-linear pathways while minimizing cross-contamination risks and reducing the complexity of internal components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid endoscope design is used, then structural strength and durability are improved, but the ability to navigate tortuous body pathways deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is divided into a rigid handle portion and a flexible catheter portion with segmented construction. The catheter includes multiple layers (inner tube, intermediate layer, outer tube) that can articulate independently, allowing the distal tip to navigate tortuous pathways while the proximal handle remains rigid for structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope transitions from a completely rigid structure to a dynamically flexible structure. The catheter portion is designed with flexible materials and articulation mechanisms that allow it to bend and conform to body pathways, while the handle remains rigid. This dynamic segmentation resolves the contradiction between rigidity and flexibility.
2Ease of manufacture
If a reusable endoscope is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the risk of cross-contamination and damage during sterilization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent describes a reusable endoscope with a rigid handle and flexible catheter design that can withstand sterilization. The robust construction with reinforced layers and protective coatings enables the device to be sterilized multiple times without degradation, eliminating cross-contamination risks while maintaining cost-effectiveness through reusability.
3Ease of operation
If a complex internal mechanism is used to control tip deflection, then precision control is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex internal mechanism for controlling tip deflection is extracted from the catheter and relocated to the handle. The handle contains the articulation control mechanisms, while the catheter contains only the necessary flexible structure and articulation wires. This separation simplifies the catheter design and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining precision control.
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 system enhances the ability to visualize and access complex anatomical pathways with reduced friction and wear, preventing cross-contamination, and lowering manufacturing and operational costs by simplifying internal mechanisms and reducing waste.
Implementation Method 1
A gear system positioned in the interior volume is operatively coupled to the lever. The gear system includes a first gear coupled to the lever. The first gear is rotatable about a first axis as the lever is moved between a first position and a second position. A pinion is operatively coupled to the first gear. The pinion has an outer surface including a plurality of second teeth configured to cooperate with the plurality of first teeth such that the pinion rotates as the first gear rotates about the first axis.
Implementation Method 2
A worm gear is coaxially coupled to the pinion. The worm gear has at least one helical thread extending along a length of the worm gear. A gear nut is positioned about the worm gear. The gear nut cooperates with the at least one helical thread to move along the length of the worm gear as the worm gear rotates.
Implementation Method 3
A first quadrant contacts the first post such that as the gear nut moves in a first direction along a length of the worm gear the first post contacts the first quadrant to urge the first quadrant to pivot about a second axis. A second quadrant contacts the second post such that as the gear nut moves in a second direction opposite the first direction along a length of the worm gear the second post contacts the second quadrant to urge the second quadrant to pivot about a third axis collinear with the second axis.
Implementation Method 4
The shaft comprises a flexible material and an articulating distal end that is capable of four-way articulation. Two sets of articulation wires are connected to the distal end of the shaft and to gears in the detachment section of the elongation portion.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A control for an endoscope includes a housing defining an interior volume. A lever external to the housing extends through the housing into the interior volume. A gear system positioned in the interior volume is operatively coupled to the lever. The gear system includes a first quadrant and a second quadrant each configured to pivot about a corresponding axis to deflect a flexible distal tip portion of the endoscope in a corresponding direction.