Self-locking Endoscope Angle Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopic devices lack precise and accurate angle adjustment mechanisms, leading to low operational precision, increased physical burden on medical personnel, and potential safety risks due to repeated angle adjustments and twisting of steering wires during minimally invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
A self-locking angle adjustment mechanism for endoscopes, comprising an endoscope angle adjustment steel wire, a rotation handle, and a self-locking rotation device with a spring and conical surfaces, allowing for stepless locking and reduced labor strength, enabling precise and ergonomic operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If repeated angle adjustment is performed during operation, then the endoscope can be repositioned, but the steering steel wire twists and bends leading to low angle adjustment sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The steering steel wire is divided into multiple independent segments that can rotate relative to each other through bearing structures. This segmentation allows the wire to bend and adjust angles without twisting along its entire length, maintaining flexibility while preventing the cumulative twisting that reduces sensitivity in conventional designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic bearing structures that enable the steel wire segments to rotate freely at connection points. This dynamic capability allows the wire to adapt to repeated angle adjustments without accumulating torsional stress, thereby maintaining high angle adjustment sensitivity even after multiple repositioning operations.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the doctor maintains a holding position for a long time, then the endoscope position is stable, but the physical strength of the doctor is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-locking mechanisms at the angle adjustment nodes that automatically maintain the endoscope position without requiring continuous manual force. Once the desired angle is achieved, the locking structure holds the position stable, freeing the doctor from maintaining constant physical effort while preserving position stability throughout the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The angle adjustment mechanism includes pre-designed locking structures that engage automatically when the steel wire reaches the desired angle. This preliminary preparation of locking mechanisms allows the system to maintain stability autonomously after the initial positioning action, eliminating the need for continuous manual force application.
3Ease of operation
If negligent change in hand grip position occurs, then the turning angle of the front end is altered, but surgical safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms through the self-locking angle adjustment nodes that provide tactile and mechanical confirmation of the current bending angle. This feedback system ensures that even if the hand grip position changes negligently, the locked angle remains stable and predictable, preventing unintended alterations in the front end turning angle and maintaining surgical safety.
4Ease of operation
If conventional angle adjustment device is used, then the front end of the endoscope can be turned, but the operation precision is not high
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the steel wire into multiple segments with independent rotation capabilities at each node, the system achieves fine-grained control over the endoscope's bending angle. Each segment can be adjusted independently, allowing for precise angular control that significantly improves measurement precision compared to conventional single-wire adjustment devices.
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
The mechanism provides reliable positioning, reduces physical strain on medical personnel, enhances surgical safety, and allows for precise control of the endoscope's bending angle, improving the accuracy and efficiency of minimally invasive procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a spring (14), which is capable of driving the rotation shaft (7) to move towards a direction of the conical cylinder (15) or driving the conical cylinder (15) to move towards a direction of the rotation shaft (7), and is capable of forcing the inner conical surface (16) to closely fit with the outer conical surface (17) for self-locking
Implementation Method 2
an outer conical surface (17) is provided at an external surface of the rotation shaft (7), a conical cylinder (15), which matches the outer conical surface, is sleeved to the outer conical surface, an inner wall of the conical cylinder (15) is an inner conical surface (16), and the inner conical surface (16) corresponds to the outer conical surface (17)
Data Source
AI summary
A self-locking angle adjustment mechanism for an endoscope includes: an endoscope angle adjustment steel wire (5), a rotation handle (2), an endoscope handle (3) and a self-locking rotation device, wherein: an outer conical surface is provided at an external surface of the rotation shaft (7), a conical cylinder is sleeved onto the outer conical surface; a spring (14), which can drive the rotation shaft to move towards a direction of the conical cylinder or drive the conical cylinder to move towards a direction of the rotation shaft, and can force the inner conical surface to closely fit with the outer conical surface for self-locking, is located along an axial direction of the rotation shaft or conical cylinder. Through the present invention, the flexible sheath is locked stepless at any position, meeting free positioning requirement of endoscope during surgeries, reducing labor strength during surgeries, avoiding patient injuries caused by misoperations.