Flexible Fin Endoscope Attachment for Lumen Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes face difficulties in navigating lumens with varying diameters due to rigid fin portions that do not adjust dimensions in response to external forces, leading to reduced insertability and removability, especially in small diameters, and increased burden on patients due to potential paries sandwiching between the attachment unit and the insertion section.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope features a rotatable attachment unit with a spirally extended fin portion whose dimensions from the longitudinal axis to the outer peripheral end vary with external forces, allowing propulsive forces to be applied in directions parallel to the longitudinal axis, and includes gap reduction portions to prevent paries sandwiching, enhancing flexibility and rotation properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the fin portion is made rigid with fixed dimensions, then the structure is simple and strong, but the insertability into lumens with varying diameters is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fin portion is designed to be flexible rather than rigid, allowing it to dynamically change its configuration. The fin can bend and deform in response to external forces from the lumen wall, enabling the attachment unit to adapt to lumens of different diameters while maintaining structural integrity during rotation
Solution Approach 2:
The dimensions of the fin portion change in response to external forces. When the attachment unit contacts the lumen wall, the fin bends and its effective radius changes, allowing the same fin structure to function in both small and large diameter lumens without requiring multiple configurations
2Force
If the fin portion dimension is increased to improve propulsive force, then the propulsive force increases, but the friction and patient burden increase in small lumens
Solution Approach 1:
The fin portion dynamically adjusts its effective dimension based on the lumen diameter. In small lumens, the fin bends inward reducing its radius and thus the propulsive force and friction. In large lumens, the fin maintains a larger effective radius to provide sufficient propulsive force, optimizing performance across different conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The fin is constructed as a flexible element that can bend and deform. This flexibility allows the fin to adapt its shape and size to match the lumen diameter, reducing excessive friction in small lumens while maintaining effective propulsive force generation in larger lumens
3Ease of operation
If the attachment unit is made to rotate freely, then the rotation properties are improved, but the risk of paries sandwiching between the attachment unit and insertion section increases
Solution Approach 1:
Gap reduction portions are provided at specific locations where the attachment unit contacts the insertion section. These localized modifications reduce gaps only at critical contact points, allowing free rotation elsewhere while preventing paries sandwiching at the attachment unit boundaries
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 configuration improves the insertability and removability of the endoscope by adjusting to lumen diameters, reducing friction and preventing paries sandwiching, thus enhancing the endoscope's ability to pass through both small and large lumens with increased propulsive force and reduced patient burden.
Implementation Method 1
the attachment unit is configured to allow propulsive force in one of directions parallel to the longitudinal axis to act on the insertion section by rotating in contact with a paries
Data Source
AI summary
An attachment unit rotates in directions around a longitudinal axis with respect to an insertion main body when rotary drive force is transmitted from a drive force transmission unit provided to an insertion section, and allows propulsive force in one of directions parallel to the longitudinal axis to act on the insertion section by rotating in contact with a paries. The attachment unit includes a fin portion which is spirally extended along the longitudinal axis and whose dimension from the longitudinal axis to an outer peripheral end vary in accordance with how external force different from the propulsive force acts in the directions parallel to the longitudinal axis in a state that the attachment unit does not rotate with respect to the insertion main body.