Disposable Steerable Cannula Endoscope with Pistol-Grip Handle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopes are complex and expensive, requiring stringent decontamination and disinfection procedures, and often necessitate multiple operators for procedures like injecting fluids into tissues, which can be cumbersome and increase the risk of cross-contamination.
Innovation Solution
A portable, handheld endoscope with a steerable single-use disposable portion and a reusable portion, featuring a pistol-grip handle and lever system that allows for easy bending of the cannula, reducing the need for multiple operators and minimizing contamination risks through a low-cost, single-use design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional endoscope is used, then the image transmission quality is maintained, but the device complexity and cost increase, and stringent decontamination procedures are required
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is divided into two distinct segments: a reusable handle portion containing the image transmission system and a disposable cannula portion. This segmentation allows the complex image transmission components to be reused while the simple cannula is discarded after single use, reducing overall device complexity and contamination risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula is designed as a disposable, single-use component that is inexpensive and intended for one-time use only. This eliminates the need for complex decontamination procedures for the cannula portion, while the reusable handle maintains image transmission quality through its sophisticated lens and fiber optic systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple operators are used for fluid injection procedures, then the procedural capability is enhanced, but the ease of operation decreases and cross-contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges the endoscope functionality with an integrated syringe and needle assembly into a single unified unit. The syringe is attached directly to the cannula, and the needle can be inserted through the cannula tip, allowing one operator to perform all functions (endoscopy, fluid injection, and tissue access) simultaneously without requiring multiple operators or physical separation of components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a long needle assembly is used for fluid injection, then the injection capability is achieved, but the ease of operation decreases due to manual dexterity requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The needle assembly is nested within the cannula structure, with the needle inserted through the cannula tip and the syringe attached to the cannula. This nested configuration allows the needle to be positioned precisely at the distal tip without requiring a separate long external needle assembly, reducing the manual dexterity requirements for control and injection while maintaining full injection capability.
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 solution enables efficient, single-operator use of endoscopes with reduced contamination risks and costs, improving procedural efficiency and safety by allowing for easy bending of the cannula and integration of an image display on the handle.
Implementation Method 1
a finger-operated lever mounted to the endoscope for pivoting motion about a pivot axis transverse to the longitudinal axis
Implementation Method 2
Cables operatively connect the lever with a distal portion of the cannula to cause the bendable portion of the cannula to bend in response to pivoting the lever
Data Source
AI summary
A handheld endoscope has a disposable, single-use portion that includes a fluid hub, cannula, distal tip and is steerable by the operator though actuation of one or two levers. The endoscope also includes re-usable portion that has a handle and display module. The distal tip includes LED illumination and an imaging module that feeds live video to the display module that is rotatable to allow viewing by the operator and others. The single-use and re-usable portions mate and un-mate with each other via physically separated mechanical and electrical connectors. The single use portion can include grasper device that can be actuated by an operator using an actuation tab.