Disposable Endoscope Tip Structure With Integrated Nozzle Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope tip parts are prone to malfunction due to exposure to humidity, requiring complex sealing methods that increase manufacturing time and cost, and fluid nozzles are often separate components that complicate assembly and increase dimensions.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope tip part is integrally formed from a single polymer material, with a camera window and nozzle molded in one piece, providing a sealed and simplified structure that reduces external dimensions and manufacturing time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex sealing methods are used to protect electronics from humidity, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is integrally formed as a single piece containing all electronics, eliminating the need for separate sealing components. The integral construction merges the housing structure with the sealing function, providing humidity protection without adding complexity or manufacturing steps.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate nozzle components are used for fluid ejection, then fluid delivery function is improved, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is integrally formed with the housing as a single component. This merging of the nozzle with the housing structure eliminates separate assembly steps while maintaining the fluid ejection function through channels and openings built into the integral structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used in the tip part, then functional versatility is improved, but external dimensions and manufacturing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional components (housing, electronics enclosure, nozzle, fluid channels) are merged into a single integrally formed piece. This consolidation reduces the overall external dimensions of the tip part while maintaining all necessary functions through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The integral housing structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it encloses and protects electronics, provides structural support, delivers fluid through integrated channels, and maintains a compact form factor. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A tip part (2) for forming a tip of a disposable insertion endoscope, the tip part comprising: an exterior housing (9) having an open proximal end (3b) for connection to other parts of the endoscope, such as an insertion tube, the housing further having a front wall (11), wherein a circumferential wall (12) of the housing extends from a front end of the housing to the proximal end of the housing, the circumferential wall and the front wall enclosing an interior spacing (24) accommodating a vision sensor able to provide an image from light received from an object to be investigated; and a camera window (14) positioned at least partly in front of the vision sensor, the camera window being positioned in, positioned in front of, or forming part of the front wall so that light received from the object can pass through the window to the vision sensor; wherein the housing further comprises a nozzle (15) provided at the distal end of the tip part for flushing an exterior surface of the window with a liquid transferred to the nozzle through a liquid conduit (16) extending from the proximal end of the housing, through the interior spacing, and to the nozzle; and wherein the front wall and the circumferential wall are integrally formed from one polymer material and are in one piece, and the front wall and the nozzle are integrally formed from said one polymer material and are in one piece with each other.