Multi-Channel Endoscope with Accessory Optics for Blind-Spot Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional minimally invasive endoscopes face issues with blind spots due to fixed optical channels and limited compatibility with different-sized surgical instruments, restricting their functionality and effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A multi-channel endoscope design featuring a main and accessory channel with integrated structure, allowing for interchangeable endoscopes and instruments, enabling observation from multiple angles and accommodating larger instruments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single traditional endoscope with fixed optical channel is used, then the structure is simple, but blind spots occur during observation and the instrument channel cannot accommodate different-sized instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The single endoscope is divided into two separate endoscopes: a main endoscope with instrument channel and an accessory endoscope with optical channel. This segmentation allows each endoscope to be optimized for its specific function while eliminating the compromise required in traditional single-endoscope designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The accessory endoscope is designed to provide optical observation functions that can supplement the main endoscope, creating a universal system that can handle both large and small instruments while maintaining comprehensive observation capabilities through multiple viewing angles.
2Loss of information
If the optical channel is fixed on one side of the instrument channel, then the structure is simple, but blind spots occur in observing instrument operation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of only lateral arrangement of optical and instrument channels, the invention utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement with the accessory endoscope positioned to provide observation from above or at angles, adding a vertical/dimensional aspect to the observation geometry and eliminating blind spots.
3Strength
If a large-sized instrument is used in the instrument channel, then mechanical strength is sufficient, but the instrument cannot be inserted smoothly due to size constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The optical observation function is extracted from the instrument channel and placed in a separate accessory endoscope. This extraction frees up the instrument channel to accommodate larger instruments with sufficient mechanical strength without being constrained by the space previously required for optical components.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope including a working channel and an accessory endoscope. The working channel includes a main channel, an accessory channel, and a handle. The main channel and the accessory channel are rigidly connected to the handle. The main channel and the accessory channel each include an inlet disposed on the handle. The accessory endoscope is disposed in the accessory channel. The accessory endoscope comprises an accessory cleaning channel and an accessory optical channel; and no instrument channel is disposed in the accessory endoscope.