Radiopaque Instrument Elevator for Disposable Endoscopes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes, particularly single-use duodenoscopes, face challenges in providing a robust and cost-effective instrument elevator that can adjust the angle of instruments accurately while maintaining structural integrity for disposable use.
Innovation Solution
The development of an instrument elevator for endoscopes that features a radiotransparent tip part housing and an optionally radiopaque elevator, made from materials like polyoxymethylene (POM), with a control wire system that includes bends and a sleeve element to enhance strength and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a robust instrument elevator is provided to withstand significant stress, then structural integrity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument elevator is divided into multiple segments: a shaft portion, a blade portion, and a control wire system with bends and sleeve elements. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for strength and function while reducing overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The elevator is designed as a dynamic system where the blade portion can pivot around a pivot axis to adjust the instrument angle. The control wire system with bends and sleeve elements provides dynamic control while maintaining structural integrity under stress
2Strength
If a robust instrument elevator is provided to withstand significant stress, then structural integrity is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator components are designed to be disposable, made from cost-effective materials like polyoxymethylene (POM) that provide sufficient strength for single-use applications. This eliminates the need for expensive, reusable materials while maintaining structural integrity during the procedure
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the elevator into manageable components (shaft, blade, control wire system), each part can be manufactured separately using cost-effective processes and assembled, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost
3Illumination intensity
If the tip part housing is made radiotransparent for imaging, then imaging quality is improved, but structural strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The tip part housing is made radiotransparent in the regions where imaging is required, while other portions of the endoscope can use radiopaque materials for strength. This local differentiation allows optimal imaging quality in critical areas without compromising overall structural strength
Solution Approach 2:
The housing may use composite material structures that combine radiotransparent materials (for imaging areas) with radiopaque reinforcement elements, achieving both good imaging quality and sufficient structural strength in the tip part
Data Source
AI summary
A medical visualisation device including an instrument elevator having a guide surface for engagement with an instrument protruding through a tip part instrument channel and a X-ray transparent housing. The instrument elevator is radiopaque and pivotable around a pivot axis to adjust a guide angle between the guide surface and a longitudinal axis. The pivot axis being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a viewing direction. A control wire being coupled to the instrument elevator to transfer a force exerted on the control wire to the instrument elevator to adjust the guide angle.