Reusable Single-Use Robotic Endoscope
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopes require stringent decontamination and disinfection procedures due to their reusable optical systems, which is costly and time-consuming, and there is a need for a solution that reduces the risk of cross-contamination and hospital-acquired diseases.
Innovation Solution
A compact robotic endoscope comprising a reusable portion and a single-use portion with an imaging module, motor control buttons, and a gear shaft system that allows for robotic rotation and angulation of the cannula, enabling efficient and safe medical procedures without the need for extensive decontamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a reusable optical system is used in endoscopes, then the device can be used multiple times, but stringent decontamination and disinfection procedures are required which adds significant expense in equipment and labor
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is divided into two distinct portions: a reusable portion containing the optical system and electronics, and a single-use portion containing the cannula and imaging module. This segmentation allows the expensive optical system to be reused while the single-use portion eliminates the need for decontamination procedures between uses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a single-use portion that is discarded after one use, eliminating the need for decontamination and disinfection procedures. This disposable component includes the cannula and imaging module, which are replaced rather than cleaned and reused, thereby reducing equipment and labor costs associated with decontamination.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a single-use portion is used, then the risk of cross-contamination and hospital-acquired diseases is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to the need for assembly and disassembly mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is segmented into reusable and single-use portions with clearly defined interfaces. The single-use portion includes a proximal end with electrical contacts and mechanical features that interface with corresponding features in the reusable portion, enabling straightforward assembly and disassembly without complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface between the single-use and reusable portions serves as an intermediary connection point. Electrical contacts and mechanical features at this interface enable reliable connection and disconnection, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining the benefits of single-use disposal to reduce cross-contamination risk.
3Measurement precision
If robotic control features are added, then the precision and capability of medical procedures is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic control features are merged into the single-use portion, which is already being discarded after one use. This includes a motor-driven mechanism for rotating and angulating the cannula, along with control buttons and electrical contacts. By integrating these robotic features into the single-use portion, the patent avoids adding complex robotic systems to the reusable portion, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity and cost while still providing enhanced procedural precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical endoscope that has a reusable portion to which either of two different single-use portions can be snapped in by hand to thereby form two different assembled endoscopes. When one of the single-use portions is assembled with the reusable portion, a motor in the reusable portion robotically rotates a cannula about a proximal end of the single use portion. When the other single-use portion is assembled with the reusable portion, the motor robotically angulates the distal end of the cannula. Another medical endoscope is single-use in its entirety and has motor-driven angulation of the cannula's distal end. Another has manually controlled angulation.