Reusable Camera Rigid Endoscope Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reusable endoscopes face challenges in complicated cleaning and sterilization, risking cross-infection, while disposable endoscopes are costly.
Innovation Solution
A rigid endoscope device comprising a disposable endoscope body structure, a disposable antibacterial line mechanism, and a reusable camera mechanism, where the camera mechanism is inserted linearly into the endoscope body structure and isolated from the outside, and the light source is integrated within the endoscope body structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a reusable endoscope device is used, then cost is reduced, but cleaning and sterilization becomes complicated and cross-infection risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope device is divided into three separable modules: a reusable camera mechanism, a disposable endoscope body structure, and a disposable antibacterial line mechanism. This segmentation allows the camera mechanism to be reused while the other components are discarded after single use, resolving the contradiction between cost reduction and sterilization reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable components (endoscope body structure and antibacterial line mechanism) that are discarded after single use to eliminate sterilization requirements and cross-infection risks, while the expensive camera mechanism is preserved for repeated use, achieving both cost efficiency and sterilization reliability.
2Reliability
If a disposable endoscope device is used, then sterilization and cross-infection risk are eliminated, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the endoscope into reusable and disposable portions, the patent eliminates the need to dispose of the entire device after single use. Only the endoscope body structure and antibacterial line mechanism are discarded, while the camera mechanism is retained for future use, thereby reducing overall cost while maintaining sterilization reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent discards only the consumable components (endoscope body and antibacterial line) after single use, while recovering and reusing the camera mechanism. This selective discarding and recovery approach reduces waste and cost compared to complete disposal, while ensuring sterilization reliability through single-use of critical components.
3Reliability
If the camera mechanism is isolated from the outside, then sterility is ensured, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera mechanism is extracted and isolated within the disposable endoscope body structure, separated from the external environment. This extraction ensures sterility by preventing contact between the reusable camera and potentially contaminated external surfaces, while the isolation is achieved through a straightforward structural design that does not significantly increase complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A rigid endoscope device comprises a disposable tubular structure (2), a disposable anti-bacterial line mechanism (3) and a reusable photographing mechanism (1). A light source (5) is provided near the front end of the tubular structure (2). The tubular structure (2) is integrally formed with or is separable from the anti-bacterial line mechanism (3). The photographing mechanism (1) can be linearly inserted into the tubular structure (2) from the rear end of the tubular structure (2). The anti-bacterial line mechanism (3) can be linearly connected to the rear end of the tubular structure (2) and seals the rear end of the tubular structure (2), such that the photographing mechanism (1) inside the tubular structure (2) is isolated from the external environment. In the rigid endoscope device, a reusable photographing mechanism (1) is isolated from the external environment and is not in contact with people, such as a doctor or a patient, thereby effectively ensuring a sterile state thereof.