Rotary Unit Taper Design for Endoscope Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope devices face challenges in efficiently navigating through body cavities with varying sectional areas due to limitations in their rotary units, which affect their insertion and removal properties.
Innovation Solution
The rotary unit is designed with a tubular main body and taper tubular portions, along with spirally wound fin and projecting portions, allowing it to rotate and adjust its diameter to match the changing luminal dimensions, enhancing insertion and removal capabilities by applying propelling forces in specific directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the rotary unit has a uniform diameter along its length, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot adapt to body cavities with varying sectional areas
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary unit is divided into multiple sections along its longitudinal axis, with each section having a different diameter. Specifically, it includes a first rotary section with a first diameter and a second rotary section with a second diameter, allowing each segment to adapt to different luminal dimensions while maintaining overall functional integration
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the rotary unit are given different diameters to match the local characteristics of the body cavity. The first rotary section has a larger diameter for wider luminal sections, while the second rotary section has a smaller diameter for narrower sections, optimizing adaptation to varying luminal dimensions
2Ease of operation
If the rotary unit rotates freely without directional control, then the operation is simple, but it cannot generate effective propelling force for insertion and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary unit incorporates asymmetric features including a driving fin with one-way clutch mechanism and a driving pawl with ratchet teeth. These asymmetric structures allow rotation in one direction to generate propelling force while preventing reverse rotation, enabling controlled bidirectional movement for efficient insertion and removal
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary unit employs dynamic control mechanisms including a driving fin that can engage or disengage from the luminal wall, and a one-way clutch that allows free rotation in one direction while providing mechanical advantage in the opposite direction. This dynamic behavior enables the unit to adapt its rotational characteristics based on operational needs
3Force
If the fin portion is rigid, then it provides strong propelling force, but it cannot adapt to different luminal shapes and sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The driving fin is constructed as a flexible component that can bend and deform to conform to the luminal wall surface. This flexibility allows the fin to maintain effective contact and generate propelling force while adapting to different luminal shapes and sizes, combining mechanical advantage with adaptability
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 design improves the endoscope's ability to navigate through body cavities with varying sectional areas, enhancing both insertion and removal properties by optimizing the interaction with the luminal walls.
Implementation Method 1
the rotary unit rotates in one of the directions around the longitudinal axis in a state that the fin portion is in contact with a luminal paries, whereby, for example, a propelling force toward the distal direction acts on the inserting section and the rotary unit
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary unit includes a first taper tubular portion which is contiguous to a first axial direction side of a unit main body portion and in which a first unit end of the rotary unit is positioned, an outer diameter of the first taper tubular portion becoming smaller toward the first axial direction. The rotary unit includes a first projecting portion extended on an outer peripheral portion of the first taper tubular portion with projecting toward an outer peripheral direction and wound toward a first around-axis direction as the first projecting portion extends from the first axial direction toward a second axial direction.