Urological Resectoscope Insulating Element Diameter Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing urological resectoscopes have a restricted cutting loop size due to the insulating element's smaller inside diameter, which limits the resection efficiency, and the current designs either restrict the cutting loop size or require a narrower urethra for insertion.
Innovation Solution
The design aligns the outer stem's inside diameter with the insulating element's, increasing its inside diameter to allow a larger cutting loop, while maintaining a thicker wall to prevent interference during insertion, and incorporates a beveled bulge to prevent damage to tissues or the cutting loop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the insulating element's outside diameter is reduced to fit within the external stem, then the insulating element can be properly contained, but the cutting loop size is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating element is divided into two distinct zones: a first zone with a smaller outside diameter that fits within the external stem, and a second zone with a larger outside diameter that forms the cutting loop. This segmentation allows each zone to serve its specific function independently, resolving the contradiction between fitting constraints and cutting capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating element transitions from a uniform diameter structure to a variable diameter structure along its longitudinal axis. By changing the dimensional characteristic (diameter) along the length of the element, the design achieves both small diameter in the proximal zone for fitting and large diameter in the distal zone for cutting.
2Productivity
If the insulating element's inside diameter is increased to allow larger cutting loop, then cutting efficiency improves, but the insulating element cannot be properly contained within the external stem
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating element is segmented into a first zone with small outside diameter for containment and a second zone with large outside diameter for cutting. This segmentation allows the element to be properly contained in the proximal region while providing sufficient cutting capacity in the distal region.
Solution Approach 2:
Different zones of the insulating element have different diameters tailored to their specific functions. The first zone has small diameter for reliable containment, while the second zone has large diameter for efficient cutting. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between containment and cutting capability.
3Volume of moving object
If the external stem's outside diameter is increased to accommodate larger insulating element, then cutting loop size increases, but insertion through narrow body duct becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating element is segmented along its length with the first zone having small diameter for easy insertion through the narrow urethra, and the second zone having large diameter for forming the cutting loop. This longitudinal segmentation allows the external stem to maintain a small outside diameter for insertion while still providing a large cutting loop capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
A urological resectoscope (1) includes a tubular, metallic external stem (2) fitted with holes (3) in its distal end zone, a tubular insulating element (7, 27, 37, 47) being affixed distally to the external stem, further comprising a tubular internal stem (8) configured within the external stem and resting against it in sealing manner and an electrode support (13) longitudinally displaceable inside the internal stem and supporting a cutting loop (15) in the region of the insulating element (7, 27, 37, 47), the inside space of the internal stem (8) and the gap (12) between the stems (2, 8) being proximally connected to liquid hookups (10, 11), the insulating element (7, 27, 37, 47) being configured in longitudinally mutually overlapping manner within an affixation zone (6) and the insulating element (7, 27, 37, 47) exhibiting a wall thickness distally from the affixation zone (6) larger than the wall thickness of the external stem (2), wherein the inside diameter of the insulating element (27, 47) is the same as the inside diameter of the external stem (2).