Light-Transmitting Endoscope Sheath for Reduced Diameter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rigid endoscopes with protective sheaths have an increased diameter when sterilized, leading to prolonged sterilization times and potential deterioration, and existing protective sheaths that cover the invasive part increase the assembly's diameter, making them less suitable for insertion into patients.
Innovation Solution
A protective sheath with a rigid cylindrical tubular part made of light-transmitting material, coated with a material of lower refractive index, and equipped with a diffusion spacer and angular correction lens to actively guide and diffuse light, allowing the endoscope to have a smaller diameter invasive part and reducing the need for external light guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protective sheath is added to cover the invasive part of the endoscope, then sterilization is eliminated and contamination is prevented, but the overall diameter of the assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective sheath is merged with the light transmission function by making the sheath material itself light-transmissive. This combines the protective function with the optical function, eliminating the need for a separate light guide mechanism and reducing the overall assembly diameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective sheath performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides sterilization protection, transmits light to illuminate the examination area, and maintains structural integrity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components that would increase diameter.
2Strength
If a rigid protective sheath is used to protect the endoscope, then structural integrity is improved, but the diameter of the invasive portion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective sheath uses a thin-walled rigid cylindrical structure made of light-transmissive material that provides sufficient structural protection while maintaining a small diameter. The thin wall design reduces the overall diameter compared to traditional thick protective housings.
3Illumination intensity
If the endoscope includes integrated light guidance mechanisms, then illumination is provided, but the diameter and complexity of the invasive portion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guidance function is merged into the protective sheath itself. The sheath material and structure serve dual purposes: protection and light transmission. This eliminates separate light guide components and simplifies the overall device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective sheath serves itself by being made of light-transmissive material that inherently guides light from the proximal to distal end. The sheath's own structural properties enable light transmission without requiring additional dedicated light guiding components.
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
The solution enables a smaller diameter endoscope assembly with effective light guidance, reducing the need for high-powered light sources and enhancing safety and rigidity, while allowing for quicker sterilization and reduced downtime between uses.
Implementation Method 1
the rigid cylindrical tubular part is treated so as to guide light from a light source from its proximal end to its distal end
Implementation Method 2
the core is then coated on both its inner and outer surfaces with a material having a lower refractive index than the primary material
Implementation Method 3
the distal end of the cylindrical tubular part has means for diffusing and/or directing light guided by the cylindrical tubular part
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
This protection for an endoscope comprises a sheath with a rigid cylindrical tubular part (8), and an associated flexible sleeve. The rigid cylindrical tubular part (8) is made of a material permitting transport of light. The rigid cylindrical tubular part (8) is treated in such a way as to guide the light from a light source at its proximal end (10) to its distal end (12). The distal end (12) of the cylindrical tubular part (8) has means (14, 16) for diffusing and/or orienting the light guided via the cylindrical tubular part (8). The endoscope according to the invention is designed to use a protection according to the invention in order to illuminate the cavity to be examined in the patient's body.