Endoscope Tube with Variable Blade Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscope treatment instrument channels face issues with durability due to abrasion and damage from inserted instruments, and operability challenges due to the rigidity of metal nets, leading to buckling and deformation problems.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope apparatus features a tube with distinct rigid and flexible areas, where the first area has lower rigidity than the second, incorporating a block body with inclined openings for connection, allowing for improved load dispersion and assembly ease through a multi-layer structure with varying blade layer densities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a metal net is embedded in the tube to prevent buckling and deformation, then the structural strength is improved, but the tube becomes prone to abrasion and damage from treatment instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different blade layer densities at different locations: a first blade layer with lower density is placed at the connection portion where treatment instruments contact, providing softer protection against abrasion, while a second blade layer with higher density is placed at the distal end, providing stronger structural support. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between strength and durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining multiple blade layers (first and second blade layers) with different densities within a single tube. This composite approach allows the tube to simultaneously exhibit both abrasion resistance at critical contact points and structural strength at load-bearing regions, resolving the contradiction between strength and durability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the connection portion is hardened to prevent buckling and deformation, then the structural stability is improved, but the operability during assembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the connection portion softer than other parts by using a first blade layer with lower density, which improves assembly operability by allowing easier deformation during connection. At the same time, the distal end uses a second blade layer with higher density to maintain structural stability. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between stability and ease of operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single uniform structure is used throughout the tube, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the tube cannot simultaneously achieve both flexibility and rigidity in different regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by using different blade layer densities in different regions: a first blade layer with lower density for flexibility in the connection portion, and a second blade layer with higher density for rigidity in the distal end. This allows the tube to adapt to different functional requirements while still being manufactured as an integrated structure, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and adaptability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A tube 30 provided in an endoscope apparatus 1 according to the present invention comprises a first area T1 provided inside a rigid region 6, 3 in the endoscope apparatus 1 and a second area T2 provided inside a flexible portion 7, 8 of the endoscope apparatus 1, and a rigidity of the first area T1 is set lower than a rigidity of the second area T2 to reduce a load by contact with an treatment instrument being inserted and thereby suppress damage and improve durability and also operability in assemble with a connection part.