Flexible Tube Insertion Apparatus Buckling Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

During the insertion of a flexible endoscope into the intestine tract, the high bendability of the sigmoid colon and transverse colon makes it difficult to transmit pushing force to the distal end, leading to buckling and inefficient insertion due to the inability to determine the exact inhibition points.

Innovation Solution

A flexible tube insertion apparatus that includes a state detection section to monitor the bending state of the tube, a calculation section to determine the insertion state based on shape and characteristic information, and a display device to provide feedback on the necessary insertion force, helping the operator adjust the insertion force to prevent buckling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the flexible tube is made highly bendable to navigate the intestine tract, then the tube can follow the curved path of the intestine, but the pushing force cannot be effectively transmitted to the distal end, causing buckling and insertion inhibition

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebendabilityVSAvoidforce transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses shape detection devices to detect the actual shape of the flexible tube during insertion, calculates the insertion state including buckling conditions, and provides real-time feedback to the operator through display devices. This feedback loop enables the operator to adjust the pushing force and tube manipulation to prevent buckling while maintaining high bendability for navigating intestinal curves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Speed

If the operator applies more pushing force to overcome buckling, then the tube can be pushed forward, but the excessive force causes the tube to flex in unintended directions and creates insertion inhibition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion speedVSAvoidtube shape control

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The shape detection device continuously monitors the tube shape during insertion, and the calculation section computes the insertion state including any buckling or unintended flexing. This information is fed back to the operator, enabling precise control of pushing force to achieve appropriate insertion speed while maintaining correct tube shape and direction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system calculates the insertion state in advance based on the detected shape and tube characteristics, providing predictive information about potential buckling or shape control issues before they occur. This allows the operator to adjust the pushing force proactively to maintain proper tube shape and insertion direction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If a shape detection device is used to monitor the tube shape, then the operator can see the insertion shape, but the operator cannot determine which specific location causes insertion inhibition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshape informationVSAvoidinhibition location detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The calculation section processes the shape detection data to calculate the insertion state, identifying specific locations and causes of insertion inhibition such as buckling. This processed information is provided as feedback to the operator, enabling precise identification of inhibition locations and appropriate corrective actions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The calculation section acts as an intermediary between the shape detection device and the operator. It processes the raw shape information and tube characteristic data to compute the insertion state, identifying specific inhibition locations and causes, and presents this processed information to the operator in a comprehensible format for effective decision-making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Length of moving object

If the flexible tube is pushed through the sigmoid colon and transverse colon, then the tube can reach deeper locations in the intestine, but the high bendability of these regions causes the tube to buckle and resist further insertion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion depthVSAvoidinsertion smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The shape detection device and calculation section continuously monitor the tube shape and insertion state, providing real-time feedback about buckling conditions in the sigmoid colon and transverse colon regions. This enables the operator to adjust the pushing force and tube manipulation to maintain smooth insertion while achieving deeper penetration into the intestine.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11246474B2Flexible tube insertion apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)

AI summary

A insertion apparatus includes a flexible tube, a detection section that detects state information of the tube, a calculation section that calculates, based on the state information, shape information of the tube, and an input section that inputs characteristic information of the tube. The apparatus also includes a calculation section that calculates, based on the characteristic information, an operation state of a distal end of the tube, an calculation section that calculates an insertion state of the tube at a specific point closer to a proximal end than the distal end, based on the shape information, characteristic information, and operation state, and a measurement section that measures an actual operation state of the tube at the specific point.