Endoscope Valve Unit with Electric Drive for Pressure Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Endoscopes face challenges in maintaining uniform pressure between their exterior and interior cavities during cleaning and sterilization processes, leading to potential breakdowns and contamination risks due to pressure differences.

Innovation Solution

An endoscope system with a valve unit that is switched from a closed to an open position using an electrically powered drive force generation section, ensuring communication between the exterior and interior cavities is established only when necessary, preventing pressure differences and contamination during use, cleaning, and sterilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a valve unit is used to block communication between the outside and inner cavity during cleaning, then contamination is prevented, but pressure differences cause breakdown during sterilization

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecontaminationVSAvoidbreakdown

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical press-force-based valve switching mechanism with an electrically-driven mechanism. A drive force generation section, powered by electricity from the peripheral device, actuates the valve unit to switch between open and closed positions. This eliminates reliance on external mechanical pressure and enables precise control of the valve state independent of pressure differences between the inner cavity and outside environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the valve unit is kept closed during cleaning, then cleaning liquid inflow is prevented, but the operation force becomes great during use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning liquid inflowVSAvoidoperation force

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical press-force-based valve switching mechanism with an electrically-driven mechanism. A drive force generation section, powered by electricity from the peripheral device, actuates the valve unit to switch between open and closed positions. This eliminates reliance on external mechanical pressure and enables precise control of the valve state independent of pressure differences between the inner cavity and outside environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If mechanical press force is used to switch the valve unit, then the structure is simple, but the system requires external force application and is less automated

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestructureVSAvoidautomatic valve switching

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical press-force-based valve switching mechanism with an electrically-driven mechanism. A drive force generation section, powered by electricity from the peripheral device, actuates the valve unit to switch between open and closed positions. This eliminates reliance on external mechanical pressure and enables precise control of the valve state independent of pressure differences between the inner cavity and outside environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically switches the valve unit state based on connection status with the peripheral device. When the connection portion is connected to the peripheral device, electric power is supplied to the drive force generation section, which automatically actuates the valve unit to the open position without requiring external manual intervention or application of mechanical force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 effectively prevents pressure differences and contamination, ensuring the endoscope operates smoothly and reducing the risk of breakdowns by maintaining uniform pressure and controlling the flow of gases and liquids within the endoscope.

Implementation Method 1

a drive force generation section to which an electric power is supplied from the peripheral device only when the connection portion is connected to the peripheral device, and which is configured to generate a drive force to drive the valve unit by a supply of the electric power

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9901243B2Endoscope and endoscope system

Publication Date: 2018.02.27 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)

AI summary

A valve unit is switchable to an open position at which an outside of an exterior portion and an inner cavity communicate with each other and a closed position at which a communication between the outside of the exterior portion and the inner cavity is blocked in an endoscope. In the endoscope, an electric power is supplied to a drive force generation section only when a connection portion of an universal cord is connected to a peripheral device, and the drive force generation section generates a drive force to drive the valve unit by a supply of the electric power. The valve unit moves from the closed position to the open position by the drive force generated by the drive force generation section.