Endoscopic Sheath with Embedded LEDs for Sterilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endoscope technologies require costly replacement due to difficulties in sterilization and inadequate illumination delivery through thin protective sheaths, leading to inefficient and time-consuming cleaning processes.

Innovation Solution

A protective sheath for endoscopes equipped with embedded or mounted light sources, such as LEDs, and a power source, including batteries or wireless power reception, to provide illumination and power to light sources without the need for external connections, allowing for efficient sterilization and improved illumination without interfering with the endoscope's built-in lighting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If illumination LEDs are mounted on the endoscope, then illumination is provided, but the endoscope requires costly replacement and complex sterilization

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveilluminationVSAvoidsterilization difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The illumination system is segmented from the endoscope by mounting LEDs on the protective sheath rather than the endoscope itself. This allows the sheath with LEDs to be disposed of after single use, while the expensive endoscope remains sterilizable and reusable, resolving the contradiction between providing illumination and maintaining sterilization capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Illumination intensity

If LEDs are mounted on the endoscope, then illumination is provided, but replacement cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveilluminationVSAvoidreplacement cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The protective sheath with mounted LEDs is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after single use, while the expensive endoscope is reused. This resolves the contradiction by placing the illumination function on a cheap disposable element rather than on the expensive reusable endoscope.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If a protective lens is added to LEDs, then LED protection is improved, but sheath size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveLED protectionVSAvoidsheath size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding bulky protective lenses, the patent uses the existing thin protective sheath material to protect the LEDs. The sheath acts as a flexible protective barrier that shields LEDs without significantly increasing size, resolving the contradiction between LED protection and compact size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 solution enables cost-effective, efficient illumination and sterilization of endoscopes by integrating light sources and power sources within the sheath, reducing the need for frequent replacements and streamlining medical procedures.

Implementation Method 1

The system includes twenty eight LEDs mounted on a ceramic substrate having a cylindrical aperture, which allows light from a viewed object to reach a lens of the endoscope

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emitting diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentUS8360968B2Endoscopic sheath with illumination

Publication Date: 2013.01.29 COGENTIX MEDICAL

AI summary

A protective sheath adapted to cover an elongate medical probe. The sheath includes an elongate sheath adapted to receive an insertion tube of a medical probe and isolate the insertion tube from body tissue and at least one light generating element mounted on the sheath.