Side-Viewing Endoscope Cap with Removable Elevator for ERCP Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopes used in ERCP procedures face challenges in preventing bacterial infections due to the complex elevator mechanism, which is difficult to clean and sterilize, leading to high infection rates.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope apparatus with a removable endcap featuring a side opening, an image sensor, and an elevator mechanism that deflects tools laterally, allowing for improved visualization and tool manipulation, along with a pull-wire system for controlled pivoting, facilitating easier cleaning and sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional elevator mechanism is used in the endoscope, then tool deflection capability is achieved, but cleaning and sterilization become difficult leading to high infection rates
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator mechanism is extracted from the endoscope body and placed within the removable endcap. This allows the elevator to be easily removed along with the endcap for separate cleaning and sterilization, eliminating the problem of difficult-to-clean internal mechanisms while maintaining tool deflection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope system is segmented into removable components, specifically the endcap containing the elevator mechanism. This segmentation allows the elevator to be accessed, cleaned, and sterilized independently from the main endoscope body, significantly improving ease of maintenance and reducing infection risk.
2Ease of operation
If a side-viewing camera is added to visualize lateral workspace, then tool manipulation capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side-viewing camera, elevator mechanism, and endcap are merged into a single removable assembly. This integration allows all lateral manipulation components to be managed as one unit, reducing overall device complexity while improving ease of operation during ERCP procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The endcap serves multiple functions: it houses the elevator mechanism for tool deflection, contains the side-viewing camera for lateral visualization, and provides a removable structure for simplified cleaning. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides for an endoscope apparatus. The apparatus may include endcap having a body and a side opening. The body may be configured to fit onto a distal end of an endoscope. The endoscope may include a forward-facing working port and a tool that is configured to be advanced out of the working port. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an image sensor disposed on the body of the endcap. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an elevator pivotably coupled to the body of the endcap. The elevator may be configured to be pivoted relative to the body such that the elevator deflects the tool toward the side opening of the endcap into the lateral workspace. In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a user interface and a pull-wire. The pull-wire may be coupled to the user interface and the elevator.