T-Shaped Relay Adapter Minimizing Protrusion for Endoscope Processors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing relay adapters for connecting single-use endoscopes with different standards to reusable endoscope processors often protrude excessively, restricting operative space and requiring frequent attachment and detachment, which leads to faster deterioration of the endoscope processor receptacle.
Innovation Solution
A relay adapter with a T-shaped configuration, where the main body extends in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the first connector, and includes a grip for easy attachment and detachment, minimizing protrusion and reducing the need for frequent insertion and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional relay adapter is used to connect single-use endoscopes to reusable endoscope processors, then compatibility between different standards is achieved, but the adapter protrudes excessively from the receptacle, restricting operative space
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter body is configured to extend in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the first connector, creating a T-shaped configuration. This dimensional change allows the adapter to minimize protrusion from the receptacle while maintaining connection functionality between different endoscope standards.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the relay adapter protrudes excessively from the receptacle, then connection between different standards is maintained, but operative space is restricted and the adapter requires frequent attachment and detachment
Solution Approach 1:
By extending the adapter body in an direction intersecting the axial direction of the connector, the design minimizes the protrusion distance from the receptacle surface, thereby improving operative space while maintaining the T-shaped configuration for proper connection functionality.
3Productivity
If the relay adapter is frequently attached and detached from the receptacle, then single-use endoscopes can be replaced efficiently, but the receptacle deteriorates faster
Solution Approach 1:
The grip is provided on the adapter body to facilitate easy attachment and detachment operations. This preliminary design feature enables efficient endoscope replacement while reducing the force and wear applied to the receptacle during each operation, thereby extending receptacle lifespan.
4Ease of operation
If the relay adapter is designed for easy attachment and detachment, then operational efficiency is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The grip is strategically provided on the adapter body at a location that facilitates easy attachment and detachment without requiring complex mechanisms. This simple structural addition enables operational efficiency while maintaining overall adapter simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A relay adapter includes a first connector extending in a first direction, the first connector configured to be connected to a first receptacle of a power supply device; and a main body including: a lateral body extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a second receptacle configured to be connected to a second connector of a medical device; and a grip provided at least one of (i) in an end surface of the lateral body in the second direction or (ii) between the second receptacle and the end surface.