Segmented Endoscope Structure for Disposable-Reusable Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopes are costly due to their complex structure and high production costs, and sterilization procedures for reusable endoscopes used on patients with communicable diseases are time-consuming and expensive.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope design featuring an insertion tube with an elastic support unit, lens unit, and tubular sleeve unit, allowing for partial disposability and reusability, with components like the tubular sleeve and lens unit being disposable and the elastic support unit being reusable after sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional endoscopes with complex structures are used to obtain clear images or perform surgical procedures, then the imaging quality and functional capability are improved, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is divided into disposable components (insertion tube device, lens unit, tubular sleeve unit) and reusable components (control device with angulation control module and signal wire module). This segmentation allows the complex imaging and functional components to be disposed of after use, while the expensive control mechanisms are reused, resolving the contradiction between imaging quality and overall device cost.
2Productivity
If reusable endoscopes are used for patients with communicable diseases, then cost savings are achieved, but sterilization procedures become time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion tube device, lens unit, and tubular sleeve unit are designed as disposable components that can be discarded after a single use, particularly for patients with communicable diseases. This eliminates the need for time-consuming sterilization procedures while maintaining cost efficiency for non-communicable disease cases, where the reusable control device can be utilized again.
3Reliability
If single-use endoscopes are used for patients with communicable diseases, then infection risk is reduced, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the endoscope into disposable and reusable portions, the invention allows selective disposal of only the components that contact the patient (insertion tube, lens unit, tubular sleeve) while reusing the expensive control mechanisms. This reduces the overall cost of single-use endoscopes while maintaining infection control standards.
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
Reduces production costs and infection risk by enabling single-use for patients with communicable diseases while allowing partial reusability for others, thus lowering medical expenses.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring being deflectable and connected between the distal disk and the intermediate disk
Implementation Method 2
a second spring being deflectable and connected between the intermediate disk and the proximal disk
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope (100) includes an insertion tube device (2) and a control device (8). The insertion tube device (2) includes an elastic support unit (3), a lens unit (4), and a tubular sleeve unit (7). The elastic support unit (3) includes a distal disk (31), a proximal disk (33), an intermediate disk (32), first and second springs (34, 35) respectively connected between the disks (31, 32, 33). The lens unit (4) includes a lens seat (41) and a lens module (42). The tubular sleeve unit (7) is sleeved on the lens seat (41) and the elastic support unit (3). The control device (8) includes a grip (81), and an angulation control module (85) connected to the insertion tube device (2). The angulation control module (85) is operable to move the distal disk (31) and to deflect the first spring (34), thereby controlling angle of the distal disk (31).