Oblique Rotating Wires Torque Transfer in Treatment Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing high-frequency treatment apparatuses face issues with proper transfer of rotational torque from the operation section to the distal treatment section due to the conductive line extending in longitudinal directions, leading to inefficient rotation and potential friction between rotating operation wires, which hinders smooth operation.

Innovation Solution

A treatment apparatus with a flexible tube section, a rotor, and rotating operation wires that extend obliquely to the rotor's outer surfaces, allowing for efficient rotation of the distal treatment section by changing the direction of the wires and reducing friction through a wire intersecting portion design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the conductive line extends in longitudinal directions to transfer rotational torque, then the structure is simple, but the rotational torque cannot be properly transferred and rotation follow-up deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidrotational torque transfer reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the arrangement of rotating operation wires from longitudinal extension to oblique extension along the rotor's outer surface. This spatial reconfiguration allows the wires to effectively transfer rotational torque by aligning with the rotational motion direction, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and torque transfer reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The wires are arranged to follow the curved outer surface of the rotor rather than extending straight in longitudinal directions. This curvature adaptation ensures the wires remain properly positioned during rotation, maintaining reliable torque transfer while preserving structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of operation

If rotating operation wires extend obliquely to reduce friction, then rotation smoothness improves, but the wire arrangement becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation smoothnessVSAvoidwire arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wires are positioned at specific oblique angles along different portions of the rotor's outer surface, creating locally optimized arrangements that reduce friction in critical rotation zones while maintaining overall structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the distal treatment section rotates ±180° or more, then treatment versatility improves, but friction between intersecting wires increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment versatilityVSAvoidfriction between wires
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By arranging wires obliquely along the rotor surface rather than allowing them to intersect in the longitudinal plane, the patent eliminates friction between wires during large-angle rotation, enabling ±180° or more rotation without harmful friction while maintaining treatment versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2532314B1Treatment apparatus
Publication Date: 2015.12.16 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)
  • EP2532314B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2532314B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2532314B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A rotor of a treatment apparatus includes a first outer surface, and a second outer surface spaced apart from the longitudinal directions axis of a flexible tube section by a distance smaller than that of the first outer surface in radial directions. The treatment apparatus includes a first rotating operation wire which extends to the first outer surface along a first oblique direction inclining from longitudinal directions to a first rotation direction, and a second rotating operation wire which extends to the second outer surface along a second oblique direction inclining from the longitudinal directions to a second rotation direction.