Endoscopic Shank Instrument with Movable Sensor Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical-endoscopic shank instruments face limitations in using auxiliary instruments due to restricted radial dimensions within the shank, which can't accommodate instruments with larger radial dimensions and require larger shank diameters that increase tissue trauma and limit access to narrow body cavities.
Innovation Solution
A shank instrument with a hollow, optionally flexibly bendable shank featuring an integrated housing for electronic picture sensors and light-emitting semiconductor elements, allowing the housing to move linearly from within the shank's lumen to outside, increasing the free space for auxiliary instruments and fluids, while maintaining optical observation and illumination capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the shank diameter is increased to accommodate auxiliary instruments with larger radial dimensions, then the variety of auxiliary instruments that can be used is improved, but the tissue trauma increases and access to narrow body cavities is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The housing containing the picture sensor and light means is made movable relative to the shank lumen. It can be positioned within the lumen during insertion to minimize tissue trauma, then moved to an extended position outside the lumen to provide adequate space for auxiliary instruments during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is moved from a one-dimensional position within the shank lumen to a two-dimensional position extended outside the lumen. This dimensional transition allows the housing to occupy different spatial volumes depending on the operational phase, resolving the contradiction between instrument variety and tissue trauma.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the housing for picture sensor and light means is extended outside the shank lumen to increase free space for auxiliary instruments, then the variety of auxiliary instruments is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing for the picture sensor and light means is merged with the shank structure through integrated guiding elements. The housing is guided by grooves formed in the shank, combining multiple functions into a unified structure and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Guiding elements in the form of grooves formed in the shank act as intermediaries between the housing and the shank structure. These grooves facilitate the movement of the housing while maintaining structural integrity and simplifying the connection mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the housing is moved linearly from within the shank lumen to outside, then the free space for auxiliary instruments is improved, but the alignment and operation efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed to maintain optimal alignment with the shank axis throughout its movement. The guiding grooves ensure that the housing moves along a predetermined path that preserves alignment, allowing the system to operate efficiently in both retracted and extended positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is pre-aligned with the shank axis through the guiding grooves before movement occurs. This preliminary alignment ensures that when the housing is extended or retracted, it maintains proper orientation for optimal operation of the picture sensor and light means.
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
This design enhances the variety of auxiliary instruments that can be used without increasing tissue trauma and allows access to narrower cavities by providing a compact and flexible solution for housing the observation and illumination components, ensuring alignment and efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
The carrier is configured in an elastically resilient manner, so that the carrier, given the action of a corresponding external force, is bendable in the direction transverse to its longitudinal extension and assumes its original shape again after the cessation of this force
Data Source
AI summary
A medical-endoscopic shank instrument includes a hollow shank (2), a distal side housing (8) in the hollow shank, an electronic picture sensor (14) and/or a light located in the housing. The housing is linearly movable to move the picture sensor and/or the light from within an inner lumen (22) of the hollow shank to outside the inner lumen. The housing is displaceable through an opening (20) formed on a peripheral wall of the hollow shank. An inner-lying outer side (26), opposite and away from the opening, is formed on a peripheral wall of the hollow shank and is supported on an elongate carrier (32) which is guided in the hollow shank. The elongate carrier (32) is configured elastically resiliently transverse to longitudinal extensions thereof and extends essentially over a whole length of the hollow shank and is fixed in a region of the proximal end/proximally of the hollow shank.