Handheld Endoscope with Side-Mounted Disposable Cannula
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopes require expensive and complex lens systems for image transmission, necessitating stringent decontamination procedures and posing risks of cross-contamination, while existing disposable solutions may not fully address these issues effectively.
Innovation Solution
A portable, handheld endoscope design featuring a reusable handle with a rotatable display module and signal processing circuits, combined with a single-use disposable portion that includes a cannula with an imaging and illumination module, allowing for easy sterilization and electrical connectivity for image transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a complex lens system is used for image transmission in conventional endoscopes, then image quality is improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies disposable endoscope components with simplified imaging systems. Instead of using expensive, complex reusable lens systems requiring stringent decontamination, the invention uses disposable portions that can be sterilized by steam and discarded after single use, eliminating the need for complex optical components while maintaining adequate image quality for diagnostic purposes.
2Measurement precision
If reusable endoscopes with complex lens systems are used, then image transmission quality is improved, but decontamination difficulty and cross-contamination risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs disposable endoscope portions that are sterilized by steam and then discarded after single use. This eliminates the need for complex decontamination procedures and completely prevents cross-contamination between patients, as each patient receives a sterile, disposable endoscope portion rather than a reusable device requiring cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope is divided into reusable and disposable portions. The reusable handle contains electronics and control components, while the disposable portion includes the imaging module and cannula. This segmentation allows the critical imaging components to be discarded after single use, eliminating contamination risks associated with reusable optical systems.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If disposable endoscopes are used, then cross-contamination risk is reduced, but manufacturing cost must be lowered to be economically viable
Solution Approach 1:
The invention designs disposable endoscope portions with simplified structures that are cost-effective to manufacture. By eliminating complex lens systems and using straightforward imaging modules that can be sterilized by steam, the manufacturing cost is reduced to levels that make single-use disposal economically viable, thereby enabling widespread adoption of disposable endoscopes to prevent cross-contamination.
4Ease of operation
If a reusable handle with integrated display and electronics is used, then functionality and ergonomics are improved, but sterilization difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is segmented into a reusable handle containing electronics, display, and control components, and a disposable portion containing the imaging module and cannula. The reusable handle is designed to be sterilized by steam, while the disposable portion is discarded after single use. This segmentation allows the handle to maintain integrated functionality and ergonomics while being compatible with standard sterilization processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A handheld endoscope has a disposable, single-use portion that includes a distal tip, cannula, housings, and a proximal port that is connected to a substantially straight working channel. The cannula is rotatable about the main longitudinal axis of the cannula. The endoscope also includes a re-usable portion that has a handle and display module. The single-use and re-usable portions mate and un-mate with each other via physical side-mounting arrangement as well as separate electrical connectors. The handle can house imaging system electronics that support manual and auto imaging modes which can be selected via touch screen control on the display module. The re-useable portion is sealed with various o-rings and/or gaskets and can be highly fluid resistant to facilitate disinfecting and/or sterilization.