Medical Instrument with Fixed Imaging Device for Unobstructed View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical instruments inserted into body cavities often obstruct the view of the structure being treated, making procedures more difficult and risky due to the obstruction of the imaging system's field of view.
Innovation Solution
A medical instrument with an imaging device and objective lens fixed relative to the instrument head, ensuring the instrument's interaction point with the body structure remains in the imaging field of view, even during movement, by maintaining permanent alignment of the optical axis with the instrument head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the medical instrument is moved into the field of view of the endoscope's imaging system, then the instrument can be guided to the structure to be treated, but the instrument obscures the user's view of the structure being treated
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is divided into two separate components: one integrated in the endoscope for general visualization, and another integrated directly in the medical instrument for specialized viewing of the instrument tip and treatment area. This segmentation allows both functions to operate simultaneously without interference.
Solution Approach 2:
A second imaging device is introduced as an intermediary system that is integrated into the medical instrument itself. This intermediary imaging system provides a dedicated view of the instrument tip and treatment area, mediating between the instrument's operational needs and the user's visualization requirements.
2Loss of information
If the endoscope shaft is aligned with the imaging device and medical instrument, then the view of the structure is unobstructed, but this alignment cannot be maintained over longer periods since the instrument moves during processing
Solution Approach 1:
The second imaging device is merged with the medical instrument as an integrated unit. This combination ensures that the imaging function moves with the instrument, maintaining a stable and consistent view of the instrument tip and treatment area throughout the entire procedure without requiring continuous external alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device is pre-positioned and fixed within the medical instrument during manufacturing, establishing the correct alignment relationship between the instrument tip and imaging system before the procedure begins. This preliminary configuration ensures consistent viewing geometry throughout use.
3Measurement precision
If the medical instrument is made movable relative to the endoscope to align with the structure, then the instrument can be positioned accurately, but the alignment changes continuously during processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static external imaging arrangement to a dynamic integrated arrangement where the imaging device moves with the instrument. This dynamic configuration allows the instrument to be freely positioned and manipulated while maintaining a consistent, unobstructed view of the instrument tip and treatment area throughout the entire procedure.
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 allows for reliable visual control and unobstructed viewing of the interaction point between the instrument and the body structure, enhancing procedural safety and efficiency by preventing the instrument shaft from blocking the view of the treated area.
Implementation Method 1
The imaging system is used to record the information contained in the light reflected from a structure as an image
Implementation Method 2
at least one objective lens, wherein the instrument head and the imaging device are arranged on the instrument shaft fixed relative to each other
Data Source
AI summary
A medical instrument for processing structures of a human or animal body by holding, gripping, clamping, separating, or cutting a structure or bringing together several structures, the medical instrument comprising an instrument head configured to come into contact with the structure of the human or animal body and to process the structure; an elongated instrument shaft including a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the instrument head is arranged at the distal end; at least one actuating device arranged at the proximal end of the instrument shaft and configured to actuate the medical instrument; an imaging device arranged on or in the instrument shaft and including at least one image sensor and at least one objective lens, wherein the instrument head and the imaging device are arranged on the instrument shaft fixed relative to each other in the longitudinal direction of the instrument shaft.