Endoscope Wire Attachment Mechanism and Meandering Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endoscopes face difficulties in easily attaching and detaching the proximal end of the wire to the erecting operation mechanism, leading to wire meandering and reduced operability and insertion performance due to the complex configuration of the connecting tool within the narrow operation section.

Innovation Solution

An endoscope design featuring a flexible long wire body with a gap filling member that prevents meandering and facilitates easy attachment/detachment, utilizing a movable member and attachment member with a one-touch engagement mechanism, and a speed reduction mechanism to enhance the operability and insertion performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the connecting tool is housed in the narrow operation section, then the endoscope structure is compact, but the attachment/detachment operation of the wire becomes troublesome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation section sizeVSAvoidwire attachment/detachment operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The movable member is extracted from the narrow operation section and arranged to be exposed to the outside of the operation section. This allows the wire attachment/detachment operation to be performed easily in an accessible location while maintaining a compact endoscope structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the wire is inserted through the guide pipe, then the wire is protected, but washing becomes troublesome due to the small diameter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewire protectionVSAvoidwashing process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The wire channel is segmented into two parts: the guide pipe with small diameter for wire protection during operation, and the wire channel with large diameter for easy washing. The proximal end opening is provided in the operation section and the distal end opening is provided in the distal end part, creating a dual-purpose channel system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the wire body is flexible, then the wire can be easily inserted and operated, but the wire may meander in the wire channel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewire insertion and operationVSAvoidwire position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible wire body is used that can be easily inserted and operated. The flexibility allows the wire to navigate through the endoscope system while maintaining controllability during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The gap filling member acts as an intermediary between the flexible wire body and the wire channel. It prevents the wire from meandering by filling the space between the wire and channel walls, while still allowing the wire to move smoothly for operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11882998B2Endoscope

Publication Date: 2024.01.30 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

An endoscope is provided in which an attachment/detachment operation of the proximal end of a wire can be easily performed to/from an erecting operation mechanism and the wire can be prevented from meandering in a wire channel. An endoscope has an operation section 22 provided with an erecting operation lever, and a movable member 96 that moves in association with an operation of the erecting operation lever. The movable member 96 is arranged to be exposed to outside of the operation section 22. A wire 60 has a distal end side coupled to an erecting base, and a proximal end side coupled to an attachment member 98 that is attachable to and detachable from the movable member 96 by a one-touch operation. The wire 60 is configured of a wire body 60A and a gap filling member 60B.