Endoscopic Surgery Device Interlocking Tool Movement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In existing endoscopic surgery devices, the treatment tool's operation requires complex back-and-forth movement to position within the endoscope's field of view, and there is a risk of interference between the treatment tool's operation part and the endoscope's proximal end during insertion, leading to potential image shake and operational challenges.
Innovation Solution
The endoscopic surgery device design allows the endoscope and treatment tool insertion parts to move interlockingly within the outer tube, with a limited range of motion for the treatment tool relative to the endoscope, ensuring the operation part does not interfere with the endoscope's proximal end, and includes a coupling mechanism with specific frictional forces to facilitate smooth movement without shaking the endoscopic image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the treatment tool is made longer to allow the treatment part to project beyond the outer tube for observation, then the treatment part can be observed by the endoscope, but the operation part may interfere with the proximal end of the endoscope during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment tool is divided into distinct functional segments: the insertion part with treatment part at the distal end, and the operation part at the proximal end. This segmentation allows the long insertion part to reach the treatment site while the operation part remains accessible for manipulation without interfering with the endoscope.
Solution Approach 2:
The operation part is positioned in a different spatial dimension (proximal end outside the outer tube) relative to the treatment part (distal end inside the body cavity). This dimensional arrangement allows both the long treatment tool and endoscope to coexist without interference during insertion and operation.
2Length of moving object
If the treatment tool insertion part is made longer than the endoscope insertion part, then the treatment part can be observed, but complex back-and-forth movement is required to position the treatment part within the field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope and treatment tool are inserted through the same outer tube and positioned coaxially, merging their pathways. This allows the treatment part to be automatically positioned within the endoscope's field of view without requiring complex independent positioning maneuvers.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer tube serves multiple functions: it guides both the endoscope and treatment tool into the body cavity, provides a common reference axis for positioning, and allows both instruments to move back and forth simultaneously. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall positioning operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the endoscope and treatment tool move independently, then each can be operated separately, but interference occurs between the operation part of the treatment tool and the proximal end of the endoscope
Solution Approach 1:
The outer tube acts as an intermediary structure that receives and guides both the endoscope and treatment tool. It provides a common reference frame and physical boundary that prevents the operation part of the treatment tool from interfering with the proximal end of the endoscope during insertion and operation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
According to the present invention, it is possible to allow an insertion part of an endoscope inserted into an outer tube and an insertion part of a treatment tool to move back and forth in interlock with each other, as well as possible to reliably prevent an operation part of the treatment tool from interfering with a proximal end of the endoscope at the time of operation of inserting the treatment tool into the outer tube. An endoscopic surgery device 1 of the present invention satisfies the following expressions: Lt ≤ Ls < Lh, and Lh ≥ Ls1 + Ls + t, where Lt is a length of the outer tube, Ls is a length of a hard part of the insertion part of the endoscope, Lh is a length of a hard part of the insertion part of the treatment tool, Ls1 is a minimum projection length of a distal end of the insertion part of the treatment tool with respect to a distal end of the insertion part of the endoscope, and t is an allowance amount.