Self-Cleaning Endoscope With Rotating Lens Protector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopes often suffer from lens obstruction due to condensate, blood, and debris during minimally invasive surgeries, requiring surgeons to withdraw the instrument for cleaning, which distracts and prolongs procedures.
Innovation Solution
A self-cleaning endoscope design featuring a rotatable lens protector driven by a motor and a fluid source, or a cleaning assembly with a ratchet mechanism and segmented cleaning ribbon, allows for in vivo lens cleaning without removing the endoscope.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the endoscope is removed from the patient to clean the lens, then the lens can be cleaned effectively, but the surgery is delayed and the patient remains under anesthesia longer
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope cleans its own lens using an integrated cleaning ribbon mechanism that can be activated during surgery. The cleaning ribbon is drawn across the lens through a ratchet mechanism that allows one-way motion, enabling the lens to be cleaned without removing the endoscope from the patient's body.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning ribbon is designed to move dynamically across the lens surface. The ratchet mechanism allows the ribbon to be drawn across the lens in one direction while preventing backward motion, creating a dynamic cleaning action that removes debris and condensate from the lens.
2Reliability
If a cleaning ribbon is introduced to clean the lens, then the lens can be cleaned in vivo, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is segmented into distinct functional components: a cleaning ribbon for wiping the lens, a ratchet mechanism for controlling ribbon motion, and a reel for storing and deploying the ribbon. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system manageability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning ribbon acts as an intermediary element between the cleaning mechanism and the lens. Rather than having the mechanism directly contact the lens, the ribbon serves as a mediating surface that transfers the cleaning action while allowing for easy deployment and retraction through the ratchet and reel system.
3Reliability
If the lens protector is made rotatable for self-cleaning, then cleaning can be performed without removal, but the device complexity and motor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lens protector is designed to rotate dynamically about the shaft axis. This rotation allows the lens protector to be brought into contact with the cleaning ribbon or cleaning fluid, enabling self-cleaning functionality. The rotational movement is controlled by a motor that can rotate the lens protector in a controlled manner to achieve effective cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens protector serves multiple functions: it protects the lens from damage, provides a surface for cleaning operations, and can be rotated to facilitate self-cleaning. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall device architecture.
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
Maintains clear visibility during surgeries by effectively removing debris and condensate from the lens without interrupting the procedure, reducing anesthesia time and hospital costs.
Implementation Method 1
a shaft extending longitudinally through the housing, the shaft operatively coupled to the lens protector and configured to rotate the lens protector about an axis of rotation coaxial with the shaft
Implementation Method 2
a fluid source in fluid communication with the shaft and configured to drive fluid through the shaft to an external surface of the lens protector
Implementation Method 3
a cleaning assembly with a ratchet mechanism and segmented cleaning ribbon, allows for in vivo lens cleaning without removing the endoscope
Data Source
AI summary
A self-cleaning endoscope and methods of using the same are described. The self-cleaning endoscope includes a housing having a distal end and a proximal end opposite the distal end, a lens positioned at the distal end of the housing, and a lens protector coupled to the distal end of the housing external to the lens. The self-cleaning endoscope also includes a shaft extending longitudinally through the housing. The shaft is operatively coupled to the lens protector and configured to rotate the lens protector about an axis of rotation coaxial with the shaft. The self-cleaning endoscope further includes a motor at the proximal end of the housing. The motor is operatively coupled to the shaft and configured to drive rotation of the shaft.