Flexible Endoscope Clutch Mechanism for Stable Tip Articulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopic systems require manual hand manipulation to maintain the stability and orientation of the endoscope, leading to physician fatigue and potential loss of optimal positioning during procedures, especially with steerable and articulatable distal tips that may return to an 'at-rest' position when steering forces are removed.
Innovation Solution
A non-motorized and non-ratcheting mechanism with a clutch mechanism that articulates the distal tip portion in response to manually applied force, locking in place when force is removed, and is actuatable by electrical signals to prevent unwanted movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a steerable and articulatable distal tip is used to enhance procedural versatility, then adaptability is improved, but the device requires continuous manual manipulation to maintain positioning, increasing physician fatigue and reducing ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch mechanism automatically locks the distal tip in its articulated position without requiring continuous manual manipulation. When the practitioner applies force to articulate the distal tip, the clutch disengages to permit movement, and when force is removed, the clutch automatically re-engages to lock the position, making the system self-servicing and eliminating the need for constant physician intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically transitions between locked and unlocked states based on applied force. The clutch mechanism detects when force is applied to the actuator and相应地 engages or disengages, creating a dynamic response that adapts to practitioner input while maintaining stability during procedures
2Device complexity
If a non-motorized and non-ratcheting mechanism is used to simplify the device, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability may be compromised without a locking mechanism to maintain distal tip position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex motorized or ratcheting locking mechanisms with a simpler clutch mechanism that uses electrical signals to control engagement. This substitution maintains reliability through the clutch's ability to lock the distal tip position while avoiding the complexity of motorized systems or traditional ratcheting mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch mechanism acts as an intermediary between the actuator and the drive mechanism. It mediates the transmission of force by selectively engaging or disengaging based on electrical signals, providing reliable position maintenance without requiring complex mechanical locking systems
3Ease of operation
If manual force is applied to articulate the distal tip, then ease of operation is improved, but the distal tip returns to at-rest position when force is removed, reducing stability
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch mechanism is pre-configured to automatically engage and lock the distal tip position as soon as manual force is removed. This preliminary locking action prevents the distal tip from returning to its at-rest position, ensuring stability is maintained without requiring continuous practitioner input
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscopic system may include an endoscope including a handle and an elongate shaft extending distally therefrom. The handle may include a non-motorized and non-ratcheting actuation mechanism configured to articulate a distal tip portion of the elongate shaft. The distal tip portion may be articulatable in response to a manually applied force exerted upon the actuation mechanism. Removal of the manually applied force may lock the distal tip portion in its then-current configuration. The non-motorized and non-ratcheting actuation mechanism may include a clutch mechanism actuatable in response to an electrical signal generated in response to sensing a user-applied force to the actuating mechanism by a strain gauge.