Variable-Diameter Endoscope Shaft for Bending Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopes face a tradeoff between increasing length and diameter to minimize patient discomfort and preventing bending or flexing, which can damage components and instruments within the working section.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope design incorporates a working section with varying diameters, featuring a larger proximal section and a smaller distal section, reducing the length of the smallest diameter portion to minimize bending and flexing while allowing for reduced patient discomfort and improved optical performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the length of the working section is increased to reach deeper into the subject, then the ability to access deeper anatomical structures is improved, but the working section becomes more prone to bending and flexing under radial forces
Solution Approach 1:
The working section is divided into multiple segments with varying diameters. The proximal portion has a larger diameter to resist bending, while the distal portion has a smaller diameter for insertion. This segmentation allows each portion to serve its specific function optimally, resolving the contradiction between length and bending resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the working section are given different diameters (local quality variation). The proximal section has a larger diameter for structural rigidity, while the distal section has a smaller diameter for insertion. This local differentiation allows the working section to be both long and resistant to bending at critical locations.
2Ease of operation
If the diameter of the working section is decreased to reduce discomfort during insertion, then patient comfort is improved, but the working section becomes more susceptible to bending and flexing
Solution Approach 1:
The working section is segmented into a proximal portion with larger diameter and a distal portion with smaller diameter. The proximal portion maintains larger diameter for bending resistance, while the distal portion uses smaller diameter for comfort, resolving the contradiction through functional differentiation of segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The working section exhibits local quality variation with the proximal portion having larger diameter for structural support and the distal portion having smaller diameter for insertion comfort. This localized property assignment allows simultaneous optimization of both comfort and bending resistance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the length of the working section is increased to access deeper anatomical structures, then the scope of accessible areas is improved, but the components and instruments within the working section are more vulnerable to damage from radial forces
Solution Approach 1:
The working section is divided into segments where the proximal portion has larger diameter to protect components from radial forces, while the distal portion has smaller diameter for insertion. This segmentation enables long reach while protecting internal components through the larger proximal section.
Solution Approach 2:
The proximal portion with larger diameter acts as an intermediary protective structure that shields the components and instruments within the working section from radial forces. This intermediary section absorbs and distributes the radial forces before they reach the vulnerable internal components.
4Ease of operation
If the diameter of the working section is decreased to minimize discomfort, then ease of insertion is improved, but the optical quality and structural integrity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The working section is segmented into proximal and distal portions with different diameters. The proximal portion maintains larger diameter for optical quality and structural integrity, while the distal portion uses smaller diameter for ease of insertion, resolving the contradiction through functional segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The working section has local quality variation where the proximal portion maintains larger diameter for optimal optical performance and structural stability, while the distal portion has smaller diameter for insertion ease. This localized differentiation allows simultaneous optimization of all three parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope having a varied dimension working section is disclosed. The endoscope includes a housing, a working section, and a rod-lens optical system. The housing is at a proximal end of the endoscope. The working section is integral with and extends from the housing. The working section includes at least a first section and a second section. The first section is contiguous to the housing, and the second section is at a distal end of the endoscope. The rod-lens optical system is positioned at least partially in the first section of the working section and at least partially in the second section of the working section. The endoscope is defined such that the outer diameter of the first section is larger than the outer diameter of the second section.