Segmented Inner Tube for Medical Instrument Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatment-instrument insertion aids face challenges in preventing inner tube crushing and bending difficulties due to material limitations, where soft materials are prone to crushing and hard materials are inflexible.
Innovation Solution
A treatment-instrument insertion aid design featuring an inner tube with hard end portions and a soft intermediate section, along with an outer tube having alternating hard and soft sections, and a bendable bending member with a thin wall part, allows for easy bending and prevents crushing, while a cover made of soft material protects tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the inner tube is formed of a soft material, then the inner tube can be easily bent, but the inner tube may be crushed
Solution Approach 1:
The inner tube is designed with different material properties at different locations: the intermediate portion is made of soft material for easy bending during manipulation, while both end portions are made of hard material to prevent crushing. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between bendability and crush resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner tube is segmented into three distinct portions along its length: a soft intermediate portion and two hard end portions. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function - the soft portion provides flexibility for manipulation while the hard portions provide structural protection against crushing forces.
2Strength
If the inner tube is formed of a hard material, then the inner tube can resist crushing, but it may be difficult to bend the inner tube
Solution Approach 1:
The inner tube is designed with different material properties at different locations: the intermediate portion is made of soft material for easy bending during manipulation, while both end portions are made of hard material to prevent crushing. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between bendability and crush resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner tube is segmented into three distinct portions along its length: a soft intermediate portion and two hard end portions. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function - the soft portion provides flexibility for manipulation while the hard portions provide structural protection against crushing forces.
3Strength
If the outer tube is formed of a hard material, then the outer tube can prevent crushing, but it may be difficult to bend the outer tube
Solution Approach 1:
The outer tube is designed with different material properties at different locations: the intermediate portion is made of soft material for easy bending during manipulation, while both end portions are made of hard material to prevent crushing of the inner tube and maintain structural integrity. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between bendability and crush resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer tube is segmented into three distinct portions along its length: a soft intermediate portion and two hard end portions. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function - the soft portion provides flexibility for manipulation while the hard portions provide structural protection.
Data Source
AI summary
A treatment-instrument insertion aid (10) for aiding insertion of a treatment instrument into a body includes an inner tube (20) having flexibility into which the treatment instrument is insertable, and an outer tube (30) having flexibility into which the inner tube (20) is insertable. Both end portions (20B) of the inner tube (20) are formed of a hard material, and an intermediate portion (20A) between both the end portions (20B) is formed of a soft material.