Multiple-Diameter Endoscope Working Section for Deflection Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Endoscopes face a tradeoff between increasing length and diameter to minimize patient discomfort and reducing bending/flexing, which can cause components and instruments to fail.

Innovation Solution

The endoscope features a working section with multiple diameters, including a larger proximal section and a smaller distal section, designed to minimize bending and flexing while allowing for reduced insertion trauma.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the length of the working section is increased to reach deeper into the subject, then the viewing capability is improved, but the working section deflects more under radial forces causing components to fail

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelength of working sectionVSAvoidcomponent failure due to deflection

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The working section is divided into multiple sections with different diameters - a larger diameter proximal section and a smaller diameter distal section. This segmentation allows the proximal section to provide structural support and resist deflection, while the distal section maintains flexibility for deep insertion, thus resolving the contradiction between length and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the working section are given different diameters to perform different functions. The proximal section has a larger diameter for structural integrity and force resistance, while the distal section has a smaller diameter for flexibility and deep access. This local differentiation allows the system to simultaneously achieve both deep insertion capability and resistance to deflection-induced component failure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the diameter of the working section is decreased to reduce patient discomfort, then the insertion trauma is reduced, but the working section bends more under radial forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient discomfortVSAvoidbending and flexing of working section

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The working section is segmented into proximal and distal sections with different diameters. The distal section has a smaller diameter to minimize patient discomfort during insertion, while the proximal section has a larger diameter to provide structural support and resist bending, thus resolving the contradiction between patient comfort and structural stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The working section employs local quality by varying the diameter along its length. The distal portion has a smaller diameter specifically where patient contact occurs to reduce discomfort, while the proximal portion has a larger diameter where structural rigidity is needed to prevent excessive bending and maintain component stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Length of moving object

If the length of the working section is increased to reach deeper into the subject, then the insertion trauma is reduced, but the working section deflects more causing instruments to fail

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelength of working sectionVSAvoidinstrument failure due to deflection

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The working section is divided into multiple sections with different diameters - a larger diameter proximal section and a smaller diameter distal section. This segmentation allows the proximal section to provide structural support and resist deflection, while the distal section maintains flexibility for deep insertion, thus resolving the contradiction between length and instrument reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the working section are given different diameters to perform different functions. The proximal section has a larger diameter for structural integrity and force resistance, while the distal section has a smaller diameter for flexibility and deep access. This local differentiation allows the system to simultaneously achieve both deep insertion capability and resistance to deflection-induced component failure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12458220B2Endoscope with a multiple diameter working section

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

An endoscope having a multiple diameter working section is disclosed. The endoscope includes a housing, a working section, and a rod-lens optical system. The housing is at a proximal end of the endoscope. The working section is integral with and extends from the housing. The working section includes at least a first section and a second section. The first section is contiguous to the housing, and the second section is at a distal end of the endoscope. The rod-lens optical system is positioned at least partially in the first section of the working section and at least partially in the second section of the working section. The endoscope is defined such that the outer diameter of the first section is larger than the outer diameter of the second section.