Overtube Cleaning Mechanism for Endoscopic Surgery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Endoscopic surgery is hindered by foreign matter adhering to the observation window of endoscopes, causing impaired visibility and increased surgery time due to the need to extract and clean the endoscope during procedures.

Innovation Solution

An overtube with a fluid passage and positioning mechanism allows for the removal of foreign matter from the observation window without extracting the endoscope, using a fluid supply and discharge port to clean the window while maintaining the endoscope's position within the overtube.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the endoscope insertion part is extracted from the overtube to clean the observation window, then the observation window can be cleaned effectively, but the surgery time is lengthened and surgical efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidsurgery time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

A cleaning device is introduced as an intermediary tool between the overtube and the endoscope insertion part. This cleaning device includes a cleaning member that can be supplied through the overtube to clean the observation window without requiring extraction of the endoscope insertion part, thus maintaining surgical efficiency while achieving effective cleaning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The manual cleaning process (extraction and wiping) is replaced by an automated cleaning mechanism where a cleaning member is supplied through the overtube and actuated to clean the observation window, substituting the mechanical extraction operation with a fluid or mechanical cleaning system that operates in-situ

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If the distal end of the endoscope insertion part is positioned at the distal-end-side end of the fluid supply and discharge port, then cleaning can be performed, but the visual field is hindered by remaining cleaning water

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning accessibilityVSAvoidvisual field clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning mechanism performs a preliminary action by positioning the distal end of the endoscope insertion part at a specific location (first position) that is closer to the base end side than the distal-end-side end of the fluid supply and discharge port. This preliminary positioning prevents cleaning water from obstructing the visual field while still allowing effective cleaning to occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows dynamic positioning of the endoscope insertion part along the longitudinal axis of the overtube. The positioning mechanism enables the distal end to be positioned at different locations: at the first position during cleaning to avoid water obstruction, and at other positions during observation or treatment to optimize visual field and access

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the endoscope insertion part is inserted again into the overtube after cleaning, then the surgical procedure can continue, but foreign matter may re-adhere to the observation window

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical continuityVSAvoidvisual field clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning member remains supplied through the overtube and maintains continuous cleaning action. Even when the endoscope insertion part is inserted back into the overtube, the cleaning member is still present and active, preventing re-adhesion of foreign matter to the observation window, thus ensuring continuous visual field clarity throughout the surgical procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method enables effective cleaning of the observation window without disrupting the surgical field, ensuring an uninterrupted and efficient surgical process by maintaining the endoscope's position and clarity of the visual field.

Implementation Method 1

a fluid passage having a fluid supply and discharge port opening to an inside of the endoscope insertion passage on a distal end side thereof, and a base-end-side connection port connected to a fluid supply and suction device that supplies and suctions a fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid supply and suction: Pump

Data Source

PatentUS10456024B2Overtube and endoscopic surgical device

Publication Date: 2019.10.29 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

A distal end of an endoscope insertion passage of an overtube is provided with a fluid supply and discharge port. When an observation window of the endoscope insertion part inserted through the endoscope insertion passage is cleaned, an operator can set a distal end surface at a predetermined positioning position using a positioning mechanism, without extracting the endoscope insertion part from the endoscope insertion passage. A concave cleaning storage part that communicates with the fluid supply and discharge port is formed inside the endoscope insertion passage on the distal end side. Cleaning water is supplied from the fluid supply and discharge port to remove foreign matter from the observation window, and stored in the cleaning storage part, and then, the cleaning water stored in the cleaning storage part is suctioned from the fluid supply and discharge port.