Enhanced Flexible Tube Insertion Support Apparatus with Operator Feedback and Safety Features

An improved flexible tube insertion support apparatus that provides tactile feedback to operators, adjusts twisting operations in real-time, and alerts operators to potential twisting operation failures, enhancing the safety and efficiency of flexible tube insertion procedures.

The original patent described a flexible tube insertion support apparatus that generated propriety information regarding twisting operations based on external force quantities. However, it lacked operator feedback mechanisms, real-time adjustment capabilities, and safety features to prevent twisting operation failures. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing a vibration module for tactile feedback, a motorized drive system for real-time adjustments, and a warning module for alerting operators to potential failures.

The enhanced flexible tube insertion support apparatus comprises a processor that generates propriety information regarding twisting operations based on external force quantities. The apparatus also features a vibration module that provides tactile feedback to operators based on the generated propriety information, enabling them to adjust their twisting operations accordingly. Additionally, the apparatus includes a motorized drive system that adjusts the twisting operation of the flexible tube in real-time based on the propriety information. Furthermore, a warning module is integrated to alert operators when the propriety information indicates a risk of twisting operation failure. The apparatus can be used in conjunction with a sensor module that detects the force quantity of an external force applied to the flexible tube and transmits the detected force quantity to the control device for generating propriety information.

The new claims introduce the vibration module, motorized drive system, and warning module, which provide a non-obvious improvement over the original patent by enhancing operator feedback, real-time adjustment capabilities, and safety features. These features collectively enable more efficient and safer flexible tube insertion procedures.

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include using different types of feedback mechanisms, such as visual or auditory cues, or integrating the apparatus with other medical devices, such as endoscopes or robotic systems. Variations could also include using different algorithms for generating propriety information or adjusting the twisting operation based on operator preferences or specific medical procedures.

The enhanced flexible tube insertion support apparatus has significant commercial potential in the medical device industry, particularly in the fields of endoscopy, gastroenterology, and minimally invasive surgery. The apparatus could be marketed to hospitals, clinics, and medical research institutions, offering improved safety, efficiency, and patient outcomes in flexible tube insertion procedures.