Slit Support Tube for Endoscopic Camera Cable Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopic surgery systems face issues with electrical connection failures due to foreign objects entering the joining portion between connector electrodes and cameras, and difficulty in achieving strong joint strength between communication cables and camera units, as well as limited flexibility in changing the camera unit's direction within the body.
Innovation Solution
An intracorporeal-monitoring camera system featuring a support tube with a slit for housing the cable, allowing secure placement and connection of the imaging portion within the body, and a control system with a display device for external control, enhancing the mechanical strength and reliability of the camera unit's positioning and connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the connector electrode is directly inserted in the abdominal wall and joined to the camera, then the camera can be positioned in the body, but foreign objects may enter the joining portion resulting in electrical connection failure
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is nested within the support tube, with the support tube acting as a protective outer structure. The cable runs through the interior space of the support tube from the body cavity to the external connector, physically isolating it from foreign objects while maintaining electrical connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support tube serves as an intermediary protective structure between the vulnerable cable connection points and the harmful external environment. It provides a controlled pathway that prevents direct exposure of electrical connectors to foreign objects while still allowing the cable to transmit signals.
2Ease of operation
If the communication cable is drawn out to the outside of the body and fixed through a hole in the abdominal wall, then the cable can be externalized, but it is difficult to gain joint strength between the cable and camera unit
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is nested within the support tube structure, which provides mechanical reinforcement. The support tube's rigid or semi-rigid structure protects the flexible cable and strengthens the overall assembly, allowing the cable to be externalized while maintaining joint strength through the composite structure.
3Ease of operation
If the communication cable is drawn out to the outside of the body, then the cable can be accessed externally, but it is difficult to change the direction of the camera unit from the outside of the body
Solution Approach 1:
The camera unit is made dynamically adjustable through the support tube structure. The support tube allows rotational and angular adjustments of the camera unit within the body cavity while maintaining a stable external connection point. This dynamic capability enables direction changes from the outside without compromising external access.
4Ease of manufacture
If a slit is formed in the support tube for cable placement, then the cable can be easily placed through the support tube, but the support tube structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The support tube is segmented by incorporating a slit that allows the cable to pass through. This segmentation creates distinct functional zones: the slit opening for cable access, the interior passage for cable routing, and the external opening for cable exit. While adding a feature, it maintains structural integrity and provides a straightforward manufacturing approach.
Data Source
AI summary
An intracorporeal-monitoring camera system provided with a support tube whose one end is introduced in a body, an imaging portion that is joined to the support tube in the body, a joining portion that joins the imaging portion and the support tube together, a cable that is connected with the imaging portion and drawn out to an outside of the body through the support tube, and a control system that is provided on the outside of the body, connected with the cable, and includes at least a display device. A slit is formed in the support tube so that the cable is placed in the support tube from a side of the support tube.