Multi-Channel Endoscopic Shaft With Integrated Cooling Passages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical instruments face challenges in providing efficient heat dissipation for high-performance image sensors and illumination units, while maintaining a minimally invasive design and ensuring easy cleaning and reprocessing, particularly when multiple channels are required.
Innovation Solution
A spatula for an endoscopic instrument with a shaft designed using additive manufacturing, featuring integrated channels for surgical instruments, observation optics, and efficient heat dissipation through secondary channels, allowing for a one-piece construction with reduced manufacturing complexity and improved biocompatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple channels are provided in the shaft for surgical instruments and observation optics, then the functionality and versatility of the instrument is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is divided into multiple independent channels, each serving specific functions (surgical instrument passage, observation optic accommodation, illumination optic accommodation, fluid supply/drainage). This segmentation allows each channel to be optimized for its specific purpose while maintaining overall instrument versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft structure is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides multiple channels for different purposes (instrument passage, optics accommodation, fluid management). This universal design consolidates what could be separate components into a single integrated shaft, improving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the diameter or cross-sectional area of the probe part is reduced to minimize trauma, then the minimally invasive capability is improved, but the space available for multiple channels and components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Channels are arranged in a nested or compact configuration within the shaft, with smaller channels positioned within or adjacent to larger channels. This nesting approach maximizes the use of available space, allowing multiple channels to coexist in a minimized cross-sectional area, thereby reducing patient trauma while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The channels are arranged in three-dimensional space rather than simple linear sequences, utilizing vertical and radial dimensions to pack multiple channels into a compact footprint. This spatial optimization allows sufficient channel space within a reduced cross-sectional area of the probe.
3Measurement precision
If high-performance image sensors and illumination units are integrated, then the image quality and observation capability are improved, but the heat generation increases requiring efficient heat dissipation
Solution Approach 1:
A dedicated cooling channel acts as an intermediary thermal management system, positioned adjacent to the image sensor and illumination unit. This cooling channel facilitates heat transfer from the heat-generating components to a cooling medium, enabling high-performance sensors to operate without excessive heat accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft structure provides localized thermal management by positioning cooling channels specifically adjacent to heat-generating components (image sensor, illumination unit) rather than uniform cooling throughout. This localized approach efficiently addresses heat dissipation where needed while maintaining overall instrument performance.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the shaft is designed with multiple channels and integrated components, then the functionality is improved, but the cleaning and reprocessing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
Channels are designed as separate, accessible passages within the shaft structure, allowing cleaning solutions to flow through each channel independently. This segmentation enables thorough cleaning of each functional channel without requiring disassembly, maintaining versatility while facilitating reprocessing.
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure relates to a medical instrument for providing access to the interior of the body, in particular a spatula (12) for an endoscopic instrument (10), comprising a shaft (14) with an elongated base body (16), wherein the base body (16) extends between a distal end (30) and a proximal end (32) of the shaft (14), and a handle (20) coupled to the base body (16) of the shaft (14) at its proximal end (32), wherein the shaft (14) defines at least a first channel (40) and a second channel (42) extending through the shaft (14), wherein the first channel (40) provides a passage for surgical instruments through the shaft (14), wherein the second channel (42) is configured to accommodate an observation optic (46), and wherein the second channel (42) is adjacent to at least one secondary channel (78, 80) which is connected to the second channel (42) is connected.The disclosure also relates to a method for manufacturing such an instrument.