Universal Endoscope Camera Assembly With Offset Working Channel

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manufacturing costs of single-use endoscopes are high due to the need for diverse components and complex supply-chains, especially when producing procedure-specialized endoscopes in various sizes, and there is a need to reduce environmental impact associated with reusable endoscopes.

Innovation Solution

A universal camera module design with fixed dimensions is used across different endoscope sizes, combined with a transition piece that facilitates a longitudinal offset in the working channel, allowing a single camera module to be mass-produced and used across a range of endoscopes, and separate lighting modules are employed to optimize lighting configurations based on endoscope size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If diverse components and complex supply-chains are used for procedure-specialized endoscopes in various sizes, then endoscope functionality and specialization are improved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure-specializationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by using a single standardized camera module design across multiple endoscope types and sizes. The camera module is configured to fit within a standardized distal tip housing that can accommodate different working channel configurations, allowing one camera module design to serve multiple procedural specialties without requiring size-specific variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the endoscope into modular components: a standardized camera module, a distal tip housing, and a transition piece. This segmentation allows the camera module to be independently manufactured and then assembled into different endoscope configurations, reducing the need for custom components for each procedure type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If a standardized camera module is used across different endoscope sizes, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but accommodation in various tip sizes may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidaccommodation in tip sizes

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements nesting by placing the standardized camera module within a distal tip housing that provides the adaptive interface to different endoscope configurations. The camera module is nested within the housing, which then nests within different endoscope types, allowing the same camera module to accommodate various tip sizes through the intermediate housing structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The distal tip housing serves as an intermediary between the standardized camera module and the varying endoscope configurations. The housing adapts the fixed camera module dimensions to fit different endoscope sizes and working channel arrangements, mediating between the standardized component and the diverse applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Length of moving object

If working channel cross-section is decreased, then endoscope flexibility and access capability are improved, but tool movement through the working channel becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveendoscope flexibilityVSAvoidtool movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by transitioning from a two-dimensional cross-sectional reduction to a three-dimensional longitudinal solution. The transition piece creates a longitudinal offset that provides vertical clearance for tool passage, allowing the working channel to maintain a small cross-section for flexibility while enabling tool movement through the offset configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4595864A1Endoscope tip part with universal camera assembly

Publication Date: 2025.08.06 AMBU AS

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AI summary

An endoscope including a positioning interface or handle; an insertion tube extending distally from the positioning interface or handle; a lighting module; a camera module; and a tip housing comprising a transition piece and a middle portion. The transition piece includes a transition piece working channel having a distal working channel portion and a proximal working channel portion offset from a middle portion working channel of the middle portion. A working channel tube is mounted to the transition piece, preferably to the proximal working channel portion of the transition piece.