Segmented Endoscope Shaft with Helical Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rigid endoscopic instruments with lengths exceeding 500 mm pose challenges for cleaning and sterilization due to limited space in standard devices, requiring complex manual processes or specialized equipment.
Innovation Solution
A shaft design for rigid endoscopic instruments featuring a divisible outer shaft into two sections, allowing for easy disassembly and reconnection, enabling the instrument to be cleaned and sterilized in standard devices by dividing the length into manageable parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the shaft length is increased to accommodate longer access routes, then the instrument can reach deeper surgical sites, but the cleaning and sterilization becomes impossible in standard devices
Solution Approach 1:
The outer shaft is divided into a proximal section and a distal section that can be detachably connected. This segmentation allows each section to be cleaned and sterilized separately in standard devices, resolving the contradiction between long shaft length and cleanability in standard equipment.
2Ease of manufacture
If the shaft is made detachable for cleaning purposes, then the cleaning and sterilization becomes feasible, but the structural integrity and rigidity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The detachable connection is designed with preliminary engagement features (protrusions and recesses) that ensure stable connection before cleaning/sterilization operations. The connection mechanism maintains structural integrity during use while allowing separation when needed.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a
AI summary
The shaft (1) has an elongate outer shaft (2) and an elongate transmission element (13) arranged movably inside the outer shaft. The outer shaft has proximal portion (3) and distal portion (4) that are connected releasably to each other. A connection element is provided at the distal end of proximal portion and proximal end of distal portion of outer shaft. The connection elements of proximal and distal portions of outer shaft have respective complementary helices engaging in each other.