Endoscope wire guide segmentation for bending stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope insertion portions face issues with unnecessary bending and potential damage to built-in members due to friction and repulsive forces generated by the wire guide, which can lead to improper bending operations and member damage.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope insertion portion incorporates a distal end side wire guide fixed to the bending portion and a proximal end side wire guide fixed to the insertion tube, with abutting portions that are perpendicular to the operation wire, preventing unnecessary bending and ensuring the wire guide functions as a tension rod without generating repulsive forces that could damage internal components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the wire guide is pushed into the insertion portion to function as a tension rod, then bending of the bending portion is prevented, but a repulsive force is generated that causes unnecessary bending
Solution Approach 1:
The wire guide is divided into two separate segments: a distal end side wire guide fixed to the bending portion and a proximal end side wire guide fixed to the insertion tube portion. This segmentation eliminates the repulsive force issue while maintaining the tension rod function, as each segment independently performs its function without pushing against the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful repulsive force generation mechanism is extracted from the system by changing the fixation method. Instead of pushing the wire guide into the insertion portion (which generates repulsive force), the wire guides are fixed at their respective ends, eliminating the source of the harmful effect while preserving the useful tension rod function.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the wire guide is fixed in the bending portion and insertion tube portion, then unnecessary bending is prevented, but the wire guide moves toward the central axis when the bending portion is bent, potentially crushing built-in members
Solution Approach 1:
The wire guide system is segmented into two independent parts fixed at different locations. This allows each segment to move independently during bending operations, preventing the wire guide from moving toward the central axis and crushing built-in members, while still maintaining overall bending stability through the combined action of both segments.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the wire guide system have different fixation characteristics: the distal end side wire guide is fixed to the bending portion allowing it to move with the bending section, while the proximal end side wire guide is fixed to the insertion tube portion providing stable anchoring. This local differentiation in fixation quality prevents harmful movements during bending.
3Ease of operation
If the wire guide functions as a tension rod to prevent bending, then bending control is improved, but friction with the operation wire causes damage to built-in members
Solution Approach 1:
The wire guide is segmented into two parts that can move independently relative to each other during operation wire movement. This segmentation reduces friction between the wire guide and operation wire, preventing damage to built-in members while maintaining effective bending control through the tension rod function of both segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire guide system transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic system where the distal end side wire guide can move with the bending portion while the proximal end side remains fixed. This dynamic configuration reduces friction during operation wire movement while maintaining bending control effectiveness.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~6A
AI summary
An endoscope insertion portion is characterized by comprising an insertion tube portion (16), a bending portion (14) which is connected to a distal end of the insertion tube portion (16), and is operated to be bent, an operation wire (36a) which is inserted through the bending portion (14) and insertion tube portion (16), and is operated to move forward and backward to operate the bending portion (14) to be bent, a distal end side wire guide (40a) which is provided over a distal end side of the operation wire (36a), and a portion of which is fixed to the bending portion (14), a proximal end side wire guide (40b) which is provided over a proximal end side of the operation wire (36a), and a portion of which is fixed to the insertion tube portion (16), a distal end side abutting portion (44a, 60a) provided at a proximal end of the distal end side wire guide (40a), and a proximal end side abutting portion (44b, 60b) which is provided at a distal end of the proximal end side wire guide (40b), and brought into abutment with the distal end side abutting portion (44a, 60a) when the operation wire (36a) is moved backward so that the bending portion (14) is bent.