Sealed Endoscope Imaging Assembly for Reuse Without Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
The difficulty in reusing the photoelectric assembly of endoscopes due to its direct contact with patient tissues during use, leading to high diagnostic and treatment costs.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope design featuring a sealing protective member that hermetically connects to the mounting cavity and tube body, enclosing the imaging unit within a sealed environment, preventing contamination and allowing for safe reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the endoscope is designed as a disposable whole unit to ensure hygiene, then cross-infection is prevented, but the high-cost photoelectric assembly cannot be reused leading to high diagnostic and treatment costs
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is divided into two separable parts: a disposable sheath that contacts the patient's body and a reusable photoelectric assembly that does not contact the patient. The sheath can be discarded after use to prevent cross-infection, while the expensive photoelectric assembly can be reused, thereby resolving the contradiction between hygiene and cost.
2Productivity
If the photoelectric assembly is made reusable to reduce costs, then production cost is reduced, but the assembly may be contaminated by patient tissues during use
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is divided into two separable parts: a disposable sheath that contacts the patient's body and a reusable photoelectric assembly that does not contact the patient. The sheath can be discarded after use to prevent cross-infection, while the expensive photoelectric assembly can be reused, thereby resolving the contradiction between hygiene and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
A disposable sheath acts as an intermediary barrier between the reusable photoelectric assembly and the patient's body tissues. The sheath prevents direct contact and potential contamination of the photoelectric assembly, allowing cost reduction through reuse while maintaining hygiene standards.
3Productivity
If the photoelectric assembly is isolated from patient contact to enable reuse, then the assembly can be reused to reduce costs, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is divided into two separable parts: a disposable sheath that contacts the patient's body and a reusable photoelectric assembly that does not contact the patient. The sheath can be discarded after use to prevent cross-infection, while the expensive photoelectric assembly can be reused, thereby resolving the contradiction between hygiene and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible disposable sheath is used to isolate the photoelectric assembly from patient contact. The sheath can be easily disposed of after use, enabling reuse of the photoelectric assembly without significant structural complexity increases.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope includes a main body, a sealing protective member and a photoelectric assembly, where the main body includes a first shell and a tube body, a mounting cavity is within the first shell, and the tube body is connected to a front end of the first shell, and an interior of the tube body is communicated with the mounting cavity; the sealing protective member is arranged within the first shell and the tube body, an interior of the sealing protective member is through-going, and two ends of the sealing protective member that are through-going are hermetically connected to the mounting cavity and the tube body, respectively; and the photoelectric assembly includes a mounting box and an imaging unit connected to the mounting box, the imaging unit is arranged within the sealing protective member, and the mounting box is arranged within the mounting cavity.