Handheld Endoscope Assembly for Mobile Two-Handed Ear Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopic surgeries for ear treatments face challenges such as invasiveness, limited field of view, difficulty in three-dimensional manipulation, and the need for multiple operators due to fixed endoscope positioning, which hinders efficient performance of surgical operations like aspiration, grasping, traction, dissection, and division.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope assembly with a shaft, handle unit, and mounting unit that allows for a treatment or surgery tool to be mounted, enabling the endoscope to be operated with one hand while allowing a second tool to be manipulated by the other hand, with features like rotatable shaft portions and flexible couplings for enhanced maneuverability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the endoscope is fixed with a commercially-available endoscope holder to perform two-hand surgery, then surgical operations can be performed with both hands, but the field of view becomes fixed and the endoscope cannot be freely moved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the endoscope and surgical tool into a single integrated assembly, allowing the surgeon to hold the endoscope in one hand while the surgical tool is mounted on the same assembly. This merging eliminates the need for separate holders while enabling two-hand operations with maintained mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the imaging device holder and the surgical tool mounting platform. The mounting unit can accommodate various surgical tools, making the assembly versatile for different surgical operations while maintaining field of view mobility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a one-hand surgery is performed with the endoscope held in one hand, then the field of view is good and movable, but it is not easy to perform all surgical operations with one hand
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope and surgical tool are merged into a single handheld assembly, enabling the surgeon to control both the imaging and surgical functions simultaneously with one hand, while the other hand remains free for additional manipulation if needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to the control by allowing the surgical tool to be mounted at different positions and orientations on the endoscope assembly. This enables ergonomic positioning that accommodates different surgical gestures and hand positions.
3Ease of operation
If a three-hand surgery is performed with an assistant holding the endoscope, then two surgeons can perform surgical operations with both hands, but it is difficult to acquire skills and teamwork is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the endoscope holding function from the assistant's role and integrates it into the surgical tool assembly itself. The mounting unit is designed to be easily attached and adjusted by the surgeon, eliminating the need for assistant intervention in endoscope positioning.
4Ease of operation
If the endoscope is fixed with a holder, then two-hand surgery is enabled, but the holder is expensive and there are difficulties in observation due to operating field varying as patient moves
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope mounting function is merged into the surgical tool assembly itself, eliminating the need for separate expensive holders. The mounting unit is an integrated component that provides the same functionality at lower cost and complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope assembly (10) for operation assistance for a treatment or surgery tool. The endoscope assembly includes: an imaging element (11); a shaft (13) that is configured to accommodate the imaging element or is connected to the imaging element; a handle unit (14) extending from the shaft while expanding; and a mounting unit (15) attached to the shaft to mount a treatment or surgery tool.