Modular Endoscope with Detachable Camera Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopes face challenges in sterilization and maintenance due to complex designs, requiring multiple devices for different procedures and leading to inventory management issues and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The development of modular endoscopes with detachable camera and control modules that can be easily cleaned and reused, combined with disposable insertion sheaths and shafts, allowing for customizable and cost-effective configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional endoscopes are designed as completely reusable units, then device reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture and cleaning access deteriorate due to difficult-to-reach crevices between components
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is divided into separate modules: a reusable distal portion containing the camera and a disposable proximal portion. This segmentation allows the distal portion to be easily cleaned and sterilized without disassembly, while the proximal portion is discarded after single use, eliminating cleaning access problems in complex internal structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The proximal portion of the endoscope is designed as a disposable component that is inexpensive and intended for single use. This eliminates the need for complex cleaning and sterilization of the proximal portion, while the reusable distal portion maintains reliability through proper sterilization protocols.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple endoscopes are maintained in inventory for different procedures, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope uses universal reusable distal portions that can be attached to different disposable proximal portions, allowing a single endoscope design to perform multiple procedures. This eliminates the need for maintaining separate endoscopes for different procedures while preserving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope system allows dynamic reconfiguration by attaching different proximal portions to the same distal portion based on procedure requirements. This provides flexibility and adaptability without requiring multiple permanent endoscope designs, reducing inventory complexity.
3Measurement precision
If expensive camera and control components are integrated into the endoscope, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of substance increases due to disposal of entire endoscopes
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is segmented into a reusable distal portion containing expensive camera and control components, and a disposable proximal portion. This allows the precision imaging components to be retained and reused across multiple procedures, while only the inexpensive proximal portion is discarded, significantly reducing waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The reusable distal portion with high-value camera components is recovered and sterilized for repeated use, while the disposable proximal portion is discarded after single use. This recovering approach maximizes the utilization of expensive components and minimizes material waste.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular endoscope system comprises a first modular section comprising imaging and illumination units, and a patient-insertable second modular section that can be detached to the first modular section via an attachment mechanism, wherein the first modular section is positionable at a distal end section of the second modular section and is configured to illuminate and image a portion of a patient anatomy. A method of using a modular endoscopy system comprises attaching a first modular section of the modular endoscopy system to a second modular section of the modular endoscopy system, positioning at least a portion of the modular endoscopy system within a patient, illuminating and imaging a portion of a patient anatomy via the first modular section, removing the modular endoscopy system from the patient, and detaching the second modular section from the first modular section after removal of the modular endoscopy system from the patient.