Endoscope Suction Valve Structure for Smooth Sealing Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suction valves for endoscopes experience pressing jam and rebound jam due to friction between the sealant ring and the inner wall of the endoscope, leading to operational difficulties and potential injuries during medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A suction valve design featuring an outer shell, a shaft, and multiple second sealant rings, where the shaft moves downward to align openings, minimizing friction between the outer shell and the endoscope's inner wall, and utilizing a spring mechanism and cushioned caps to prevent unintentional suction and improve sealing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sealant ring is kept tight against the inner wall of the endoscope for sealing, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but friction between the sealant ring and inner wall increases, causing pressing jam and rebound jam
Solution Approach 1:
The suction valve is divided into two functional parts: the outer shell that remains stationary for sealing, and the movable shaft that performs the suction action. This segmentation allows the sealing function and the suction function to be decoupled, eliminating friction during operation while maintaining effective sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the sealant ring movable on the endoscope inner wall, the invention inverts the design by making the shaft movable within the stationary outer shell. The sealing interface is inverted from being between the sealant ring and endoscope wall to being between the outer shell and endoscope wall, where the outer shell remains fixed.
2Reliability
If the sealant ring size is strictly controlled to ensure sealing, then sealing consistency is improved, but manufacturing complexity and quality control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is separated from the suction mechanism by using a stationary outer shell with integrated sealing structure. This eliminates the need for precisely controlling the sealant ring dimensions, as the sealing is provided by the rigid outer shell rather than a flexible sealant ring that requires tight tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the sealing mechanism from relying on elastic deformation and friction of a sealant ring to using a rigid mechanical seal through the outer shell. This parameter change from elastic sealing to rigid sealing eliminates the need for strict size control of sealing components.
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 design eliminates pressing jam and rebound jam, allowing for smoother operation without hand fatigue, reduces the need for lubricants, and ensures consistent sealing without strict size control requirements for sealant rings, enhancing safety and usability during endoscopic procedures.
Implementation Method 1
the pressing part comprises a first cap and a spring; the spring is sleeved on the shaft, with one end of the spring being attached within the outer shell, and the other end of the spring butting against the first cap
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed in the present application is a suction valve and an endoscope. The suction valve comprises an outer shell, a shaft, and two or more second sealant rings. The outer shell is hollow, and is provided with a pressing part on the top and a first opening in the side wall. The shaft is embedded into the outer shell, and is connected with the pressing part. The shaft is provided with a second opening at the bottom and a third opening in the side wall respectively, and the second opening is in communication with the third opening. The two or more second sealant rings are each sleeved on the shaft. As the pressing part is pressed, the shaft moves downward, such that the third opening is in communication with the first opening, thereby solving the problem that the existing suction valve needs to be sealed by keeping tightness between the sealant ring and the inner wall of the endoscope, but as the suction valve is pressed for suction operation, frictions in opposite directions would be generated at the seal ring and the inner wall of the endoscope, thus resulting in pressing jam as well as rebound jam, which seriously affects the staff's operation.