Motorized Endoscope Angulation Controls for Reduced Hand Strain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopy procedures often require high pinch forces, repetitive hand motions, and awkward postures, increasing the risk of musculoskeletal injuries, particularly for operators with smaller hands or existing musculoskeletal diseases.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope system with an auxiliary control system featuring a joystick or sliders positioned for improved ergonomic operation, including knob motors and engagement discs that facilitate control of angulation knobs, reducing the need for costly new scope purchases and allowing seamless transition from manual to powered control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional manual control knobs are used, then device complexity is reduced, but operator ergonomic conditions deteriorate due to high pinch forces and repetitive hand motions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical knob operation with an electric motor-driven system. The motorized control knobs are actuated by a control stick or slider, substituting direct manual manipulation with an automated mechanical system that reduces operator physical strain while maintaining precise control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control stick or slider as an intermediary device between the operator and the control knobs. This intermediary mechanism translates operator input into motorized knob rotation, providing a more ergonomic interface that reduces direct hand strain on the knobs themselves.
2Ease of operation
If motorized control knobs are added, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases due to additional motors and components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the control system to perform multiple functions: the control stick/slider serves as both the primary input device and the actuation mechanism for the motors. The engagement discs serve dual purposes of motor drive transmission and Knob position sensing, reducing the need for separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines several functions into integrated components. The control stick and slider mechanisms are merged with the motor actuation system. The engagement discs integrate motor drive transmission with Knob position detection. This merging reduces the overall number of separate components despite adding motorization.
3Ease of manufacture
If existing endoscopes are retrofitted with auxiliary control systems, then cost is reduced, but adaptability challenges arise due to compatibility requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the auxiliary control system with universal compatibility features. The engagement discs are configured to work with standard endoscope control knobs, and the control system can be adapted to different endoscope models. This universality enables retrofitting existing equipment rather than requiring completely new systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a modular auxiliary control system that can be added as a separate unit to existing endoscopes. The control stick, motors, and engagement discs are segmented components that interface with the existing endoscope control knobs, allowing incremental integration without replacing the entire endoscope system.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an endoscope system. The endoscope system includes an insertion tube comprising a bendable tube segment at a distal end of the insertion tube, a body comprising a plurality of angulation control knobs configured to control positioning of the bendable tube segment of the insertion tube, and a control system comprising an input device, a knob motor positioned proximate to each angulation control knob, and a knob engagement disc releasably secured to each angulation control knob. The input device is communicatively coupled to each knob motor such that movement of the input device activates the knob motors and controls movement of the angulation control knobs via the knob engagement discs. The positioning of the input device facilitates improving one or more ergonomic conditions of a hand grip of an operator of the endoscope system.