Medical Scope Cover With Pivotable Detent Elements
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical scoping devices face challenges in achieving complete visualization of the gastrointestinal tract due to anatomical folds, leading to incomplete examinations and potential complications, with existing solutions either providing insufficient visualization or causing patient discomfort due to large diameters during insertion and withdrawal.
Innovation Solution
A cover for the medical scoping device shaft featuring a tubular member with pivotably mounted projecting elements, where the detent on the base portion interacts with a contact region to limit distal movement, allowing controlled eversion and resistance to improve visualization and reduce discomfort by maintaining the projecting elements' position and preventing them from contacting the distal edge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the projecting elements are made freely pivotable to maximize fold opening, then visualization is improved, but the projecting elements may contact the distal edge causing discomfort and incomplete examination
Solution Approach 1:
The detent mechanism provides tactile feedback to the operator when the projecting elements reach their optimal position, allowing controlled pivotation to maximize fold opening while preventing excessive movement that would cause discomfort. The feedback loop ensures the elements stop at the precise moment they begin to contact the distal edge.
Solution Approach 2:
The detent acts as an intermediary element between the projecting elements and the distal edge, mediating the interaction by providing a mechanical stop that prevents direct contact. This intermediary structure allows the projecting elements to pivot freely within safe limits while blocking the harmful contact with the distal edge.
2Ease of operation
If the cover diameter is reduced to minimize patient discomfort during insertion, then ease of operation is improved, but the projecting elements may not have sufficient range of movement to effectively open folds
Solution Approach 1:
The projecting elements are designed with dynamic pivotability, allowing them to change position from a retracted state during insertion to an extended state during examination. The pivot joints enable the elements to adapt their configuration based on the operational phase, maintaining comfort during insertion while providing sufficient movement range for fold opening during examination.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is segmented into a fixed tubular portion and movable projecting elements. This segmentation allows the main body to maintain a small, comfortable diameter for insertion while the projecting elements can independently extend to provide fold opening capability when needed, resolving the contradiction between size and functionality.
3Measurement precision
If the projecting elements are made rigid to maintain position control, then visualization is improved, but the elements cannot adapt to different fold configurations during withdrawal
Solution Approach 1:
The projecting elements incorporate dynamic pivot joints that allow them to adapt to different fold configurations during withdrawal while maintaining position control. The elements can pivot to follow the contour of the folds, providing adaptability, while the detent mechanism ensures they return to and maintain their optimal positions for visualization.
Solution Approach 2:
The projecting elements change their angular position parameter through pivotation to adapt to different fold configurations. The pivot joints enable continuous adjustment of the elements' orientation, allowing them to conform to varying anatomical structures while the detent provides discrete position stabilization for optimal visualization.
Data Source
AI summary
A cover (1) for a shaft of a medical scoping device comprises tubular member (2) arranged for application on the distal tip of the medical scoping device. The cover (1) comprises a plurality of projecting elements (3) spaced apart circumferentially around the tubular member (2), each projecting element having a base portion (13) and an arm portion. The projecting elements are pivotably mounted on the tubular member about a pivot axis. The base portion (13) comprises a detent (20), and the tubular member comprises a contact region, for example a protuberance (23), said contact region being located such that pivoting movement of the projecting element for moving the arm portion in a distal direction can effect impacting of the detent (20) on the contact region (23).