Rotatable Endoscope Head With Cable Compensation for Articulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopes face challenges in rotating the distal end to position the camera or optical system favorably for examination and manipulation, which is not possible while maintaining the articulating functionality of the elongate tube.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope features a rotatable head at the distal end with an articulating assembly, where the steering cable is connected to the head, and a compensating unit adjusts the effective length of the steering cable based on the head's rotation angle, using sensors and motors to ensure independent rotation and articulation without interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the head is made rotatable relative to the flexible elongate tube, then the camera or optical system can be positioned favorably for examination and manipulation, but the articulating functionality of the elongate tube is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is divided into functionally independent segments: the head assembly with rotation capability and the elongate tube with articulation capability. The head can rotate independently about the longitudinal axis while the elongate tube maintains its articulation functionality through separate steering cables, allowing both functions to operate without interfering with each other
Solution Approach 2:
A compensating unit acts as an intermediary between the head rotation mechanism and the steering cables. This compensating unit includes a cable storage means that compensates for changes in steering cable length caused by head rotation, thereby maintaining the articulation functionality while allowing head rotation
2Ease of operation
If the steering cable is connected to the rotatable head, then the head rotation can be controlled, but the effective length of the steering cable changes due to spiraling, altering the articulation degree
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback through a sensor that detects the rotation angle of the head. This rotation angle information is fed to a control unit that automatically adjusts the amount of cable stored in the cable storage means, compensating for the length changes caused by rotation and maintaining precise articulation control
Solution Approach 2:
The cable storage means is pre-configured to compensate for the expected cable length changes due to head rotation. By anticipating the length变化 and storing/releasing cable accordingly, the system maintains constant effective cable length for articulation control despite head rotation
Data Source
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AI summary
An endoscope having a distal end (9), a proximal end (7) and a longitudinal axis extending from the proximal end (7) to the distal end (9), the endoscope comprising: - a flexible elongate tube (19), - an illumination source (10) positioned at the distal end (9) for illuminating a lumen of a patient, - an image sensor (8) for capturing images within the illuminated lumen of the patient, - a working channel (6) extending through the elongate tube (19) and terminating at the distal end (9), - an articulation assembly including at least one steering cable (13) operably coupled to the distal end (9) such that movement of the at least one steering cable (13) induces the flexible elongate tube (19) to articulate relative to the longitudinal axis, is characterized by a head (1) being arranged at the distal end (9), said head (1) carrying at least the illumination source (10) and the image sensor (8) and comprising a distal section of the working channel (6), said head (1) being rotatable relative to the flexible elongate tube (19) about the longitudinal axis.