Handheld Steerable Endoscope with Disposable Cannula

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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 fluid injection, which can lead to inefficiencies and increased risk of cross-contamination.

Innovation Solution

A portable, handheld, low-cost surgical endoscope with a steerable cannula and integrated imaging module, allowing for single-use or multiple-use configurations, including a bendable distal portion and a steering mechanism that can be manually controlled to bend in multiple directions, reducing the need for multiple operators and minimizing contamination risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional endoscopes are used, then imaging quality is maintained, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging qualityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies disposable endoscopes that are discarded after single use, eliminating the need for complex decontamination and disinfection procedures. This resolves the contradiction by replacing expensive, complex reusable endoscopes with simpler, single-use alternatives that maintain imaging quality without requiring stringent cleaning protocols between uses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the imaging and steering functions into separate modular components. The imaging module is separated from the steering mechanism, allowing each component to be optimized independently and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining functional performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional endoscopes with multiple operators are used, then procedural accuracy is maintained, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedural accuracyVSAvoidproductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple operators into a single integrated device. The endoscope incorporates combined imaging, lighting, fluid delivery, and steering capabilities in one unit, allowing a single operator to perform all necessary functions without requiring coordination between multiple specialists.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The endoscope is designed as a universal device capable of performing multiple functions including imaging, illumination, fluid injection, and steering. This multi-functional design enables one operator to handle all procedural requirements, improving productivity while maintaining accuracy through integrated control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If reusable endoscopes are used, then cost is reduced, but contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs disposable endoscopes that are manufactured at low cost and discarded after single use, eliminating the need for expensive decontamination and disinfection procedures. This approach reduces contamination risk while maintaining affordability, resolving the contradiction between cost and contamination risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Stability of the object's composition

If rigid endoscope structures are used, then imaging stability is maintained, but adaptability to different anatomical structures decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to anatomical structures

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates steerable, bendable sections in the endoscope shaft that allow dynamic adjustment of the distal tip orientation. This enables the rigid imaging module to remain stable while the flexible sections adapt to different anatomical structures, resolving the contradiction between imaging stability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20230320573A1Portable endoscope with steerable cannula

Publication Date: 2023.10.12 UROSEE CORP

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 multiple-use 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 multiple-use portions mate and un-mate with each other via physically separated mechanical and electrical connectors. The component of the endoscope can be supplied to users in different combinations of pre-assembled configurations, some in a sterile package. The single use portion can include grasper device that can be actuated by an operator using an actuation tab.