An examination aid and endoscope device

Abstract

The application belongs to the technical field of medical equipment, and particularly relates to an examination auxiliary tool and an endoscope device, which comprises a shell, the shell comprises a first part, the shell is provided with a receiving cavity for receiving a camera at least at the first part, and at least the shell wall of the first part opposite to the light entrance side of the received camera is made of transparent material; the shell is configured so that at least the first part can be inserted into a preset interface of a low-temperature container of a superconducting magnet device, and the shell wall exposed to the low-temperature container is closed to isolate the receiving cavity from the inner cavity of the low-temperature container; by receiving the camera in the transparent shell wall of the shell and inserting the first part of the shell into the interface of the low-temperature container, the clear image collection of key areas such as exhaust ports is realized while ensuring the physical isolation of the camera and the extremely low-temperature inner cavity, and the personnel risk and tool damage problems in the prior art are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of medical equipment technology, specifically relating to an examination aid and an endoscope device. Background Technology

[0002] The superconducting coils of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device are housed in an ultra-low temperature, high-pressure container. After prolonged use, molecular-level permeation can lead to icing inside the container, potentially blocking the venting channels. If the superconducting magnet fails to quench, a large amount of the refrigerant (liquid helium) will evaporate into a gaseous state. If this gas is not promptly removed, it can cause serious safety accidents such as magnet rupture or explosion. Therefore, regular inspection of the internal icing is crucial. Currently, there is a lack of efficient and convenient dedicated inspection equipment. Existing methods rely solely on visual inspection using a glass cover and flashlight, and this must be done with the magnet inlet and outlet open, posing safety risks to personnel and easily damaging tools. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art described above, the purpose of this invention is to provide an inspection aid and endoscope device that facilitates the observation of the internal environment of the cryogenic container of a superconducting magnet device.

[0004] To achieve the above and other related objectives, the present invention provides an inspection aid for inspecting a superconducting magnet device, the inspection aid comprising: The housing includes a first portion, at least in the first portion of which is provided a receiving cavity for housing a camera, wherein at least the shell wall of the first portion opposite to the light-incoming side of the camera is made of a transparent material; the housing is configured such that at least the first portion can be inserted into a predetermined interface on the cryogenic container of the superconducting magnet device, and the shell wall of the housing exposed inside the cryogenic container is closed to isolate the receiving cavity from the inner cavity of the cryogenic container; A connecting component is disposed on the outside of the housing, the connecting component being configured to couple with the interface and seal the gap between the outer wall of the housing and the interface.

[0005] To achieve the above and other related objectives, the present invention also provides an endoscope device for inspecting a superconducting magnet device, the endoscope device comprising: Camera; The housing includes a first portion, at least in the first portion of which a receiving cavity is provided, in which the camera is received. At least the shell wall of the first portion opposite to the light-incoming side of the camera is made of a transparent material. The housing is configured such that at least the first portion can be inserted into a predetermined interface on the cryogenic container of the superconducting magnet device, and the shell wall of the housing exposed inside the cryogenic container is closed to isolate the receiving cavity from the inner cavity of the cryogenic container.

[0006] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the housing includes a tubular portion, a first end of which is closed, and the first end and a portion of the tubular wall adjacent to the first end constitute the first part; the camera is housed within the tubular portion, and the light-receiving side of the camera is disposed facing the first end.

[0007] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the first end is provided with a convex lens fixedly disposed relative to the tubular portion. The convex lens is disposed opposite to the light-inlet side of the camera along the axial direction of the tubular portion. The camera is movably disposed relative to the tubular portion along the axial direction of the tubular portion so that the focusing distance of the camera can be adjusted.

[0008] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, a mounting base is provided at the second end of the tubular portion opposite to the first end, and the camera is fixedly connected to the mounting base through a connector provided inside the tubular portion.

[0009] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the mounting base is movably connected to the second end along at least the axial direction of the tubular portion, so that the position of the camera in the axial direction of the tubular portion can be adjusted by the mounting base.

[0010] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the mounting base is threadedly connected to the second end.

[0011] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, a stop portion is provided on the outer wall of the tubular portion. The stop portion protrudes radially from the outer wall of the tubular portion. The stop portion includes a conical surface coaxial with the tubular portion, and the diameter of the conical surface gradually decreases from the second end to the first end.

[0012] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the stop portion has an end face at the large diameter end of the conical surface, and the small diameter end of the conical surface is smoothly connected to the outer wall of the tubular portion; the housing has at least one axially continuous transparent light guide portion from the end face to the first end, and the mounting base is provided with an illumination source, which is disposed opposite to the end face so that the light beam emitted by the illumination source can be transmitted to the first end through the transparent light guide portion.

[0013] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, a power supply module is provided in the mounting base, a control board is provided in the tubular portion, the control board is rigidly connected to the mounting base and electrically connected to the power supply module, the control board is rigidly connected to the camera and electrically connected to the camera, and the control board constitutes the connector.

[0014] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the mounting base is provided with a data transmission interface, which is electrically connected to the control board.

[0015] In an optional embodiment of the invention, a connecting component is further included, the connecting component being disposed on the outside of the housing, the connecting component being configured to couple with the interface and seal the gap between the outer wall of the housing and the interface.

[0016] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the connecting assembly includes a nut, a pressure ring, and a sealing ring. The nut is used for threaded connection with the interface. The pressure ring is used to be disposed between the nut and the interface. The sealing ring is used to be disposed between the end face of the pressure ring and the cross-section of the interface, or the sealing ring is used to be disposed between the end face of the pressure ring and the end face of the nut. The sealing ring is configured to deform when the nut is tightened to the interface to fill the gap between the outer wall of the housing and the interface.

[0017] To achieve the above and other related objectives, the present invention also provides a magnetic resonance system, comprising: A superconducting magnet device, the superconducting magnet device including a cryogenic container and a superconducting coil housed within the cryogenic container, the cryogenic container having an exhaust port and an inspection port located adjacent to the exhaust port; The endoscope device is installed at the access port.

[0018] The technical advantages of this invention are as follows: The endoscope device of this invention, by housing the camera within the transparent shell of the housing and inserting the first part of the housing into the cryogenic container interface, achieves clear image acquisition of key areas such as the exhaust port while ensuring physical isolation between the camera and the ultra-low temperature cavity. On the one hand, the sealed shell structure effectively prevents direct contact between the cryogenic gas and the camera, avoiding damage to the equipment due to extreme temperature environments and extending the service life of the inspection tool; on the other hand, the sealed connection between the housing and the interface keeps the cryogenic container closed throughout the inspection process, preventing accidental ejection of cryogenic gas from harming personnel and eliminating fogging interference caused by external moisture intrusion, thereby significantly improving operational safety and image acquisition efficiency, and solving the problems of personnel risks and tool damage caused by the need for open containers and visual observation in existing technologies. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the endoscope device provided in the embodiment of the present invention in its use state; Figure 2 This is a front view of the endoscope device provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the endoscope device provided in the embodiment of the present invention in its use state; Figure 4 This is a front view of the examination aid provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the inspection aid provided in the embodiment of the present invention in its use state. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The following specific examples illustrate the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. The present invention can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments and features described therein can be combined with each other.

[0021] It should be noted that the illustrations provided in the following embodiments are only schematic representations of the basic concept of the present invention. Therefore, the illustrations only show the components related to the present invention and are not drawn according to the actual number, shape and size of the components in the actual implementation. In the actual implementation, the form, quantity and proportion of each component can be arbitrarily changed, and the layout of the components may also be more complex.

[0022] The inspection aid and endoscope device provided by this invention are used to inspect superconducting magnet devices, for example, to check whether there is icing inside the cryogenic container of a superconducting magnet device. The superconducting magnet device can be, for example, a superconducting magnet device in a magnetic resonance system, which includes a superconducting coil housed within a cryogenic container filled with a refrigerant (such as liquid helium). A cold head is provided on the cryogenic container to replenish the cooling capacity and maintain the cryogenic state of the refrigerant. Under normal circumstances, the evaporation rate of the refrigerant is low, and the cooling capacity provided by the cold head is sufficient to reliquefy the evaporated refrigerant. However, when the superconducting magnet device experiences a quench, the temperature of the superconducting coil rises rapidly, causing a large amount of refrigerant to evaporate. At this time, the high-pressure gas needs to be discharged through the vent on the cryogenic container. However, due to molecular-level permeation, some impurity gases will enter the cryogenic container after long-term use. These impurity gases have relatively high freezing points, thus causing icing inside the cryogenic container, which can block the vent. If a quench occurs under these conditions, it can easily lead to safety accidents such as rupture or explosion of the cryogenic container. Some methods involve visual observation using a glass cover and flashlight, or direct insertion of an endoscope into the cryogenic container to check for icing. However, these methods require the container's inlet and outlet to be open, posing safety risks to personnel and exposing the instruments to extreme temperatures, which can easily damage them. Therefore, this invention provides an inspection aid and endoscope device, comprising a housing that can be inserted into the cryogenic container through a pre-existing interface, creating a channel isolated from the container's internal cavity. The housing is also sealed to the interface via a connecting component, ensuring the container remains closed during inspection. A camera can be inserted into the container through the channel formed by the housing, allowing for efficient image acquisition of the internal environment while effectively isolating the camera from the container's cavity to prevent damage due to extremely low temperatures. Furthermore, the sealed gap between the housing and the interface prevents the ejection of cryogenic gases during inspection, ensuring personnel safety and preventing fogging, thus improving work efficiency.

[0023] The technical solution of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments: Please see Figure 1-3As shown, the first embodiment of the present invention provides an endoscope device 100 for inspecting a superconducting magnet device, such as a superconducting magnet device for inspecting a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The superconducting magnet device includes a cryogenic container 200 and a superconducting coil 300 housed within the cryogenic container 200. The cryogenic container 200 has an exhaust port (not shown) and an interface 201 disposed adjacent to the exhaust port. The interface 201 can be, for example, a specially designed inspection port or another inherent interface 201 on the cryogenic container 200. The endoscope device 100 is mounted on the interface 201. The phrase "interface 201 adjacent to the exhaust port" in the present invention means that after the endoscope device 100 is mounted on the interface 201, it can cleanly acquire images of the internal environment of the cryogenic container 200 near the exhaust port.

[0024] Please see Figure 2 , 3 As shown, the endoscope device 100 includes a camera 20 and a housing 10; the housing 10 includes a first portion 101, and the housing 10 has a receiving cavity 102 at least in the first portion 101, the camera 20 is received in the receiving cavity 102, and the shell wall of the first portion 101 at least opposite to the light-incoming side of the camera 20 is made of a transparent material; the housing 10 is configured such that at least the first portion 101 can be inserted into a preset interface 201 on the cryogenic container 200 of the superconducting magnet device, and the shell wall of the housing 10 exposed inside the cryogenic container 200 is closed to isolate the receiving cavity 102 from the inner cavity of the cryogenic container 200.

[0025] The endoscope device 100 of the present invention houses the camera 20 within the transparent shell of the housing 10, and utilizes the interface 201 of the first part 101 of the housing 10 inserted into the cryogenic container 200. This ensures physical isolation between the camera 20 and the cryogenic cavity while enabling clear image acquisition of critical areas such as the exhaust port. On one hand, the sealed shell structure effectively prevents direct contact between the cryogenic gas and the camera 20, avoiding damage to the equipment due to extreme temperature environments and extending the service life of the inspection tool. On the other hand, the sealed connection between the housing 10 and the interface 201 keeps the cryogenic container 200 closed throughout the inspection process, preventing accidental ejection of cryogenic gas from harming personnel and eliminating fogging interference caused by external moisture intrusion. This significantly improves operational safety and image acquisition efficiency, solving the personnel risks and tool damage problems associated with open containers and visual observation in existing technologies.

[0026] It should be noted that the present invention does not strictly limit the specific implementation of the transparent area of ​​the housing 10. As an optional and easy-to-manufacture solution, the housing 10 can be made of a single piece of transparent material (such as transparent polycarbonate or acrylic) to simplify the processing technology and ensure structural strength. In some other embodiments, transparent material (e.g., a transparent window) can be provided only in a local area of ​​the first part 101 of the housing 10 opposite to the light-incoming side of the camera 20, while the rest of the housing 10 is made of non-transparent material. In addition, the overall structure of the housing 10 can be a single piece or designed as a multi-segment splicing structure (e.g., connected by threads or snaps) according to actual assembly or maintenance needs, as long as it ensures that the shell wall inserted into the cryogenic container 200 can form a closed isolation. All the above variations fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0027] Please see Figure 2 , 3 As shown, in an optional embodiment of the present invention, the housing 10 includes a tubular portion 11, the first end 111 of the tubular portion 11 is closed, and the first end 111 and a portion of the tube wall adjacent to the first end 111 constitute the first part 101; the camera 20 is housed in the tubular portion 11, and the light-incoming side of the camera 20 faces the first end 111. In this embodiment, the housing 10 is specifically configured as a tubular portion 11 closed at one end, and the camera 20 is housed inside it with the light-incoming side facing the closed end. The tubular structure can adapt to the circular hole or through hole style of most interfaces 201 on the superconducting magnet device, realizing quick and stable insertion and installation; at the same time, the slender tubular shape can obtain a longer extension distance in the narrow gap or complex structure inside the cryogenic container 200, allowing the camera 20 to flexibly approach distant targets. Thus, it avoids the problem of installation failure or poor sealing due to the mismatch of the housing 10 shape, and significantly expands the effective inspection range of the endoscope, improving the coverage and operational efficiency of icing investigation.

[0028] It should be understood that in other alternative embodiments, the shape of the housing 10 can be flexibly adjusted according to the geometric features of the interface 201 of the cryogenic container 200 and the limitations of the internal installation space. For example, the housing 10 can be set as an elliptical tube, a rectangular tube, or a polygonal tubular structure to adapt to non-circular interfaces 201 or narrow, irregularly shaped spaces; it can also be an arc-shaped tube or a gooseneck tube with a curved arc to bypass internal obstacles and provide directional observation of specific concealed areas (such as the back of the exhaust port or the root of the cold head); in some extremely compact situations, the housing 10 can even be designed as a flat, sheet-like or wedge-shaped structure, with a transparent window only on the light-inlet side of the camera 20. All of the above variations do not require the housing 10 to be limited to a specific shape, as long as the first part 101 of the housing 10 can be inserted into the interface 201, a closed channel for accommodating the camera 20 is formed internally, and at least the housing wall corresponding to the light-inlet side is transparent, these simple shape substitutions all fall within the protection scope of this invention.

[0029] Please see Figure 2 , 3 As shown, in an optional embodiment of the present invention, the first end 111 is provided with a convex lens 103 fixedly disposed relative to the tubular portion 11. The convex lens 103 is disposed opposite to the light-inlet side of the camera 20 along the axial direction of the tubular portion 11. The camera 20 is movably disposed relative to the tubular portion 11 along the axial direction of the tubular portion 11, so that the focusing distance of the camera 20 can be adjusted. In this embodiment, the convex lens 103 is fixedly disposed at the first end 111, and the camera 20 is movable and adjustable along the axial direction of the tubular portion 11. The convex lens 103 has a light-convexity converging effect, which can increase the field of view of the camera 20 and increase the amount of light entering. Thus, in complex environments where the light inside the cryogenic container 200 is dim and the distance of the observed target (such as the ice layer near the exhaust port) is not uniform, a clearer and wider inspection image can be obtained. At the same time, the axial movement adjustment function of the camera 20 allows the operator to accurately focus according to the actual shooting distance, overcoming the imaging blur problem that may be caused by the fixed focal length of the convex lens 103. Thus, through the coordinated operation of the fixed convex lens 103 and the movable camera 20, the imaging performance is improved by utilizing optical elements, and the object distance is compensated by mechanical adjustment, which significantly enhances the adaptability of the endoscope device 100 to different inspection positions and ice layer morphologies and improves the image acquisition quality.

[0030] It should be noted that the convex lens 103 can be part of the housing 10 and can be fixedly installed to the first end 111 of the tubular part 11 in various ways. In one specific embodiment, a rubber ring 104 is provided between the convex lens 103 and the inner wall of the first end 111 of the tubular part 11. The rubber ring 104 serves both as a buffer and a positioning function, preventing the convex lens 103 from loosening or being damaged due to low-temperature contraction or vibration, and also ensuring the sealing between the convex lens 103 and the tubular part 11, preventing low-temperature gas or impurity particles from seeping into the receiving cavity 102. In addition, the convex lens 103 can also be fixedly connected to the tubular part 11 by means of bonding, ultrasonic welding, or threaded tightening, as long as the connection is reliably sealed and the optical axis of the convex lens 103 is aligned with the light-inlet side of the camera 20. The above connection methods do not depart from the protection scope of this invention.

[0031] Please see Figure 2 , 3 As shown, in an optional embodiment of the present invention, a mounting base 30 is provided at the second end 112 of the tubular portion 11, which is opposite to the first end 111. The camera 20 is fixedly connected to the mounting base 30 through a connector provided inside the tubular portion 11. In this embodiment, the mounting base 30 is located outside the cryogenic container 200 (i.e., the second end 112), providing a stable mounting carrier for the auxiliary electrical components of the camera 20 (such as signal processing boards, power modules, or fill light drive circuits), preventing these sensitive components from being directly exposed to extremely low temperatures or humid environments and thus avoiding damage. At the same time, since the mounting base 30 is located in an external position accessible to the operator, the axial position of the camera 20 or its operating parameters can be changed by adjusting the mounting base 30 without opening the cryogenic container 200, greatly facilitating fine-tuning of the focusing distance and real-time optimization of imaging parameters. Thus, through the structural layout of the internal connector and the external mounting base 30, the safety of the auxiliary electrical components is protected, and convenient adjustment of the camera 20 is achieved without disassembling the equipment, significantly improving the flexibility and reliability of the inspection operation.

[0032] Please see Figure 2 , 3As shown, in an optional embodiment of the present invention, the mounting base 30 is movably connected to the second end 112 along at least the axial direction of the tubular portion 11, so that the position of the camera 20 in the axial direction of the tubular portion 11 can be adjusted by the mounting base 30. This embodiment, by setting the mounting base 30 and the second end 112 of the tubular portion 11 to be movably connected in the axial direction, allows the axial position of the camera 20 to be steplessly adjusted by means of the external mounting base 30. Specifically, when it is necessary to observe the exhaust port or icing area at different distances, the operator does not need to disassemble the equipment or reach into the cryogenic container 200; they only need to push, pull, or rotate the mounting base 30 from the outside to precisely change the relative distance between the camera 20 and the convex lens 103, thereby achieving continuous and precise focus adjustment in conjunction with the convex lens 103 described above. At the same time, this external adjustment method avoids the impact of repeatedly inserting and removing the entire housing 10 on the sealing of the interface 201, and also reduces the risk of damage to the camera 20 due to frequent direct force. Therefore, this structure transfers the position adjustment function from the dangerous cryogenic interior to the safe external operating end, which not only improves the precision and convenience of focusing, but also enhances the safety of the inspection process and the overall durability of the device.

[0033] Please see Figure 2 , 3 As shown, in an optional embodiment of the present invention, the mounting base 30 is threadedly connected to the second end 112. This embodiment, through the threaded connection structure between the mounting base 30 and the second end 112 of the tubular portion 11, transforms the axial position adjustment of the camera 20 into a helical feed motion of the rotating thread. The high-precision thread can convert the circumferential rotation of the mounting base 30 into a small axial displacement, thereby achieving fine, continuous, and stepless adjustment of the focusing distance of the camera 20, avoiding the positioning inaccuracies or slippage problems that may occur with push-pull adjustments. Simultaneously, the threaded connection has a self-locking characteristic, maintaining the stability of the camera 20's position after adjustment by relying on thread friction, preventing focus drift due to vibration or low-temperature contraction. Thus, this structure precisely couples rotational operation with axial displacement, significantly improving the repeatability and tactile feel of focus adjustment, while ensuring the long-term stability of imaging parameters during inspection. It is particularly suitable for precision inspection scenarios requiring repeated comparisons of icing conditions at different locations.

[0034] It should be noted that the above-described method of using a threaded connection to achieve axial adjustment is only a preferred example of the present invention, and not the only limitation. In other alternative embodiments, the mounting base 30 can also be movably connected to the second end 112 of the tubular portion 11 by axial translation. For example, a matching slide rail and slide groove structure can be provided between the mounting base 30 and the second end 112, and the adjusted position can be locked by positioning elements such as set screws and elastic buckles, or a linear motion pair such as a precision guide sleeve can be used to allow the mounting base 30 to move smoothly along the axis of the tubular portion 11. In addition, a quantitative feed can be achieved by combining an external push-pull handle or a micron-level displacement platform. The above axial translation scheme can also achieve continuous adjustment of the position of the camera 20, and is more convenient in some scenarios where rotational space is limited or linear operation is preferred. Any simple replacement based on the movable connection relationship to achieve external adjustment of the axial position of the camera 20 falls within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0035] Please see Figure 2 , 3 As shown, in an optional embodiment of the present invention, a stop portion 12 is provided on the outer wall of the tubular portion 11. The stop portion 12 protrudes radially from the outer wall of the tubular portion 11. The stop portion 12 includes a conical surface 121 coaxial with the tubular portion 11. The diameter of the conical surface 121 gradually decreases from the second end 112 to the first end 111. In this embodiment, a stop portion 12 with a conical surface 121 is provided on the outer wall of the tubular portion 11, and the diameter of the conical surface 121 gradually decreases from the second end 112 to the first end 111. When the housing 10 is inserted into the interface 201 of the cryogenic container 200, the conical surface 121 can form a conical fit with the end of the interface 201 or a preset connecting component. The self-aligning function of the conical surface automatically corrects the insertion angle and axial deviation of the housing 10, ensuring that the gap between the circumference of the tubular portion 11 and the inner wall of the interface 201 is evenly distributed, thereby avoiding problems such as poor sealing or jamming of the housing 10 due to misalignment. At the same time, the radially protruding stop portion 12 can precisely control the insertion depth of the housing 10, preventing the first end 111 from over-extending and colliding with internal components. Thus, through the guiding and centering function of the conical surface 121, the requirements for the operator's insertion accuracy are reduced, and a uniform installation reference is provided for the subsequent sealing components, significantly improving the convenience of assembly and the reliability of the sealing structure.

[0036] It is understood that the stop portion 12 is not limited to a conical structure; it only needs to have the basic stopping function of protruding radially to achieve axial limiting. In other alternative embodiments, the stop portion 12 can also be configured as a cylindrical flange, a rectangular flange, a polygonal truncated ring, multiple intermittently distributed protrusions, or a detachable clamp and positioning ring, etc. Regardless of the specific shape adopted, as long as the structure can abut against the corresponding part of the interface 201 of the cryogenic container 200, thereby controlling the insertion depth of the shell 10 and preventing it from excessively extending into the cryogenic container 200, it is an equivalent replacement for the stop portion 12 of the present invention and should fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0037] Please see Figure 2 , 3 As shown, in an optional embodiment of the present invention, the stop portion 12 is provided with an end face 122 at the large diameter end of the conical surface 121, and the small diameter end of the conical surface 121 is smoothly connected to the outer wall of the tubular portion 11; the housing 10 is provided with at least one axially continuous transparent light guide portion from the end face 122 to the first end 111, and the mounting base 30 is provided with an illumination source 32, which is disposed opposite to the end face 122 so that the light beam emitted by the illumination source 32 can be conducted to the first end 111 through the transparent light guide portion. In this embodiment, an end face 122 is provided at the large-diameter end of the conical surface 121 of the stop portion 12, and at least one axially continuous transparent light guide extends from the end face 122 to the first end 111. Simultaneously, an illumination source 32 is provided on the mounting base 30 opposite to the end face 122. The light beam emitted by the illumination source 32 first enters the end face 122 of the stop portion 12, and then is efficiently conducted along the transparent light guide integrated into the housing 10 to the first end 111, thereby providing active illumination for the observation area in front of the camera 20. This solves the problem of extremely dark light inside the cryogenic container 200, where clear imaging is impossible with only ambient light. Furthermore, the light guide is continuously distributed along the axial direction of the housing 10 and is integrated with the housing 10, avoiding the impact of additional lighting cables on sealing and insertion smoothness. The illumination source 32 is safely placed on the mounting base 30 outside the cryogenic container 200, which not only ensures that the camera 20 can capture high-brightness icing images in the dark environment, but also realizes the compact integration of the illumination system and the structure of the housing 10, significantly improving the practicality and reliability of the inspection device in narrow and deep cavity environments. In addition, the conical surface 121 not only plays a role in mechanical positioning and self-alignment, but also acts as an optical reflective surface. When the light beam enters from the end face 122, the inclined conical surface 121 can internally reflect or guide the diverging light, gather the light beam that may have been scattered to the circumference of the housing 10 and confine it within the axial channel defined by the transparent light guide, thereby reducing the lateral dispersion of light energy and improving the efficiency of directional transmission of light to the first end 111.

[0038] It should be noted that, to simplify the manufacturing process and reduce production costs, in a preferred embodiment, the tubular portion 11 and the stop portion 12 can be integrally molded from a transparent material (such as polycarbonate or acrylic). In this case, the entire housing 10 naturally possesses axially continuous light guiding capability, eliminating the need for additional locally transparent structures. In other alternative embodiments, one or more axially extending locally transparent areas can be reserved on the housing 10 as light guiding parts (e.g., transparent ribs are embedded in the tube wall of the non-transparent housing 10, transparent fiber bundles are buried, or a transparent coating is applied to the inner or outer wall of the housing 10), while the remaining part of the housing 10 is made of a non-transparent material (such as metal or dark engineering plastic), as long as at least one continuous transparent path capable of conducting light beams exists from the end face 122 of the stop portion 12 to the first end 111. Regardless of whether an overall transparent or partially transparent scheme is adopted, the directional transmission function of the light source beam from the external mounting base 30 to the first end 111 can be achieved, and these simple variations do not depart from the protection scope of this invention.

[0039] Please see Figure 2 , 3 As shown, in an optional embodiment of the present invention, a power supply module (not shown) is provided inside the mounting base 30, and a control board 40 is provided inside the tubular portion 11. The control board 40 is rigidly connected to the mounting base 30 and electrically connected to the power supply module. The control board 40 is also rigidly connected to the camera 20 and electrically connected to the camera 20. The control board 40 constitutes the connecting member. In this embodiment, a power supply module is provided inside the mounting base 30, and a control board 40 rigidly connected to the mounting base 30 is provided inside the tubular portion 11. The control board 40 is electrically connected to both the power supply module and the camera 20, and acts as a connecting member to achieve rigid fixation between the camera 20 and the mounting base 30. The control board 40 integrates electrical and mechanical connection functions. On the one hand, it acts as a circuit carrier to transmit electrical energy from the power supply module to the camera 20, reducing the use of internal flying wires or independent wire harnesses, and reducing assembly complexity and failure risk. On the other hand, as a rigid structural component, it directly bears and transmits the axial adjustment force of the mounting base 30 on the camera 20, avoiding the breakage of flexible wires due to bending fatigue during repeated adjustments. Meanwhile, the power supply module is placed inside the external mounting base 30, away from the extremely low temperature environment, ensuring the stable operation of the battery or power management circuit; the control board 40 is located inside the tubular part 11. The two are rigidly connected to form an integrated power and signal transmission link, which not only realizes the reliable follow-up of electrical connection when the camera 20 is adjusted, but also significantly improves the low temperature shock resistance and structural compactness of the entire endoscope device 100.

[0040] It is understood that, in addition to serving as an electrical connection carrier and mechanical connector, the control board 40 can also integrate various auxiliary circuit modules according to actual functional requirements. For example, the control board 40 can integrate an image signal processing unit for noise reduction, white balance correction, or gain adjustment of the raw image data acquired by the camera 20 to improve imaging quality in low-temperature, low-light environments; it can also integrate an illumination driving circuit for constant current driving of the illumination source 32 and to achieve stepless dimming or strobe illumination functions; the control board 40 can further integrate a video conversion module to achieve data transmission with an external display or mobile terminal. All of the above functional modules can be selectively integrated onto the control board 40 according to the needs of the inspection scenario. As long as the basic structure of the control board 40 as a rigid connector and its fixed relationship with the mounting base 30 and the camera 20 are not compromised, they all fall under equivalent embodiments of the present invention.

[0041] Please see Figure 2 , 3 As shown, in an optional embodiment of the present invention, the mounting base 30 is provided with a data transmission interface 201, which is electrically connected to the control board 40. In this embodiment, the mounting base 30 is provided with a data transmission interface 201 electrically connected to the control board 40. Through this data transmission interface 201, the image signal acquired by the camera 20 can be transmitted via cable to an external display or recording device, thereby achieving an overall non-magnetic design of the device. That is, the endoscope body does not contain a wireless transmission module, avoiding the interference of the strong magnetic field of the magnetic resonance imaging system on the electromagnetic signal in traditional wireless image transmission schemes. In addition, the external interface 201 also facilitates operators to observe the icing condition inside the cryogenic container 200 in real time in a safe area, without having to approach a magnet or be exposed to the risk of cryogenic gas eruption. Thus, through the configuration of the wired data interface 201 and the external image terminal, both the compatibility and safety of the endoscope in a strong magnetic field environment are ensured, and long-distance, high-definition real-time image monitoring is achieved, significantly improving the convenience and reliability of the inspection process.

[0042] Please see Figure 3As shown, in an optional embodiment of the present invention, a connecting component 13 is further included. The connecting component 13 is disposed on the outside of the housing 10. The connecting component 13 is configured to couple with the interface 201 and close the gap between the outer wall of the housing 10 and the interface 201. In this embodiment, a connecting component 13 is provided on the outside of the housing 10 for coupling with the interface 201 of the cryogenic container 200 and sealing the gap between the housing 10 and the interface 201. Specifically, the connecting component 13 can reliably fix the housing 10 to the interface 201 and form an airtight seal to prevent refrigerant gas (such as helium) or humid air inside the cryogenic container 200 from leaking outward or seeping inward through the gap between the housing 10 and the interface 201, thereby maintaining the closed state of the cryogenic container 200 throughout the inspection process. Compared with the prior art, which requires opening the inlet and outlet for visual observation or directly inserting an endoscope, this connecting component 13 avoids the risk of frostbite or suffocation to the operator due to accidental eruption of cryogenic gas, and also eliminates the interference of external moisture entering the inner cavity of the container, causing fogging or secondary icing of the viewing window.

[0043] Please see Figure 3 As shown, in an optional embodiment of the present invention, the connecting assembly 13 includes a nut 131, a pressure ring 132, and a sealing ring 133. The nut 131 is used for threaded connection with the interface 201. The pressure ring 132 is used to be disposed between the nut 131 and the interface 201. The sealing ring 133 is used to be disposed between the end face 122 of the pressure ring 132 and the cross-section of the interface 201, or the sealing ring 133 is used to be disposed between the end face 122 of the pressure ring 132 and the end face 122 of the nut 131. The sealing ring 133 is configured to deform when the nut 131 is tightened to the interface 201 to fill the gap between the outer wall of the housing 10 and the interface 201. This embodiment employs a connecting assembly 13 consisting of a nut 131, a pressure ring 132, and a sealing ring 133. The nut 131 is threadedly connected to the interface 201, compressing the pressure ring 132 and causing the sealing ring 133 to deform and fill the gap between the housing 10 and the interface 201. The axial locking force provided by the threaded connection can precisely control the compression of the sealing ring 133. When the nut 131 is tightened, the pressure ring 132 evenly transmits pressure to the sealing ring 133, forcing the sealing ring 133 to undergo controllable elastic or plastic deformation, thereby tightly fitting against the outer wall of the housing 10, the inner wall of the interface 201, and the contact end faces 122, forming multiple sealing interfaces. Compared with connection methods such as clamps or adhesives, this structure not only has self-locking and anti-loosening characteristics, which can resist the impact of instantaneous pressure fluctuations in the cryogenic container 200, but also allows the shrinkage of the sealing ring 133 in the low-temperature environment to be compensated by adjusting the torque of the nut 131, ensuring the sealing reliability after long-term use.

[0044] It is understood that the connecting assembly 13, consisting of nut 131, pressure ring 132, and sealing ring 133, is merely a preferred example of the present invention and not the only limitation. In practical applications, the specific form of the connecting assembly 13 can be adaptively designed according to the morphological characteristics, material, and usage environment of the interface 201 of the cryogenic container 200. For example, when the mating clearance between the interface 201 and the tubular part 11 is small and the coaxiality is high, the pressure ring 132 can be omitted, and the sealing ring 133 can be directly squeezed by the nut 131 to achieve sealing; or a completely different connecting structure can be used, such as: quick-connect snap-fit ​​connection, flange and bolt connection, or even a self-locking structure that does not require threaded operation, such as elastic expansion sleeve or airbag seal. All the above simple structural replacements that can achieve a detachable and airtight connection between the shell 10 and the interface 201 do not depart from the protection scope of the present invention.

[0045] Please see Figure 4 , 5As shown, a second embodiment of the present invention provides an inspection aid for inspecting a superconducting magnet device. The inspection aid includes a housing 10 and a connecting assembly 13. The housing 10 includes a first portion 101, and the housing 10 has at least a receiving cavity 102 for accommodating a camera 20 in the first portion 101. At least the shell wall of the first portion 101 opposite to the light-incoming side of the housed camera 20 is made of a transparent material. The housing 10 is configured such that at least the first portion 101 can be inserted into a preset interface 201 on a cryogenic container 200 of the superconducting magnet device, and the shell wall of the housing 10 exposed inside the cryogenic container 200 is closed to isolate the receiving cavity 102 from the inner cavity of the cryogenic container 200. The connecting assembly 13 is disposed on the outside of the housing 10 and is configured to couple with the interface 201 and close the gap between the outer wall of the housing 10 and the interface 201. The inspection aid provided in this embodiment has a housing 10 that forms a closed channel isolated from the inner cavity after being inserted into the interface 201 of the cryogenic container 200. The gap between the housing 10 and the interface 201 is sealed by the connecting component 13. At the same time, the housing 10 has a transparent shell wall at least in the first part 101, and the portion exposed inside the cryogenic container 200 is completely sealed. The aid itself does not contain a camera 20, but serves as a universal guide and protection channel, allowing the user to select any commercially available mature endoscope probe (such as a flexible or rigid industrial endoscope) to be inserted from the receiving cavity 102 of the housing 10. Thus, the isolation effect of the aid allows the camera 20 to complete image acquisition without contacting the extremely low temperature refrigerant and high pressure gas. The camera 20 can be connected to an external terminal device 1000 via a cable 21. Meanwhile, since the aid and the interface 201 are detachably sealed through the connecting component 13, the cryogenic container 200 remains closed throughout the inspection process, avoiding the safety risks caused by refrigerant eruption and preventing external moisture from entering and causing fogging of the viewing window. Therefore, this inspection aid decouples the channel isolation function from the probe selection, allowing users to safely and efficiently complete icing inspections using existing general-purpose equipment without the need for customized endoscopes, thus reducing implementation costs and technical barriers.

[0046] It should be noted that, Figure 4 , 5The inspection aid shown in the second embodiment can utilize many features from the first embodiment in terms of specific structural details, without being limited to the specific form shown in the drawings. For example, the housing 10 can also be provided with a tubular portion 11, and a stop portion 12 can be provided on the outer wall of the tubular portion 11. The stop portion 12 can be any structure with axial limiting function, such as a conical surface 121, a cylindrical surface, a rectangular flange, or a polygonal frustum, to control the depth of the housing 10 inserted into the interface 201. The specific form of the connecting component 13 can also be a combination of a nut 131, a pressure ring 132, and a sealing ring 133, which can be adapted to the morphological characteristics of the interface 201 of the cryogenic container 200. In addition, the housing 10 can be integrally formed from a transparent material, or it can only have a transparent light guide portion provided in a localized area. In scenarios requiring active illumination, an axially continuous transparent light guide portion can also be integrated on the housing 10, referring to the first embodiment, for use with an external light source. The references and equivalent substitutions of various feature details in the first embodiment are all within the protection scope of this invention, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0047] In summary, this invention, by housing the camera 20 within the transparent shell of the housing 10 and utilizing the interface 201 of the first part 101 of the housing 10 inserted into the cryogenic container 200, achieves clear image acquisition of critical areas such as the exhaust port while ensuring physical isolation between the camera 20 and the cryogenic cavity. On one hand, the sealed shell structure effectively prevents direct contact between the cryogenic gas and the camera 20, avoiding damage to the equipment due to extreme temperature environments and extending the service life of the inspection tool. On the other hand, the sealed connection between the housing 10 and the interface 201 keeps the cryogenic container 200 closed throughout the inspection process, preventing accidental ejection of cryogenic gas from harming personnel and eliminating fogging interference caused by external moisture intrusion. This significantly improves operational safety and image acquisition efficiency, solving the personnel risks and tool damage problems associated with open containers and visual observation in existing technologies.

[0048] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention. Any person skilled in the art can modify or alter the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or alterations made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and technical concept disclosed in the present invention should still be covered by the claims of the present invention.

[0049] Throughout this description, numerous specific details, such as examples of components and / or methods, are provided to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the invention. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without one or more of these specific details or by other devices, systems, components, methods, parts, materials, components, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations have not been specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. An examination aid, characterized in that, The inspection aid is used to inspect superconducting magnet devices and includes: The housing includes a first portion, at least in the first portion of which is provided a receiving cavity for housing a camera, wherein at least the shell wall of the first portion opposite to the light-incoming side of the camera is made of a transparent material; the housing is configured such that at least the first portion can be inserted into a predetermined interface on the cryogenic container of the superconducting magnet device, and the shell wall of the housing exposed inside the cryogenic container is closed to isolate the receiving cavity from the inner cavity of the cryogenic container; A connecting component is disposed on the outside of the housing, the connecting component being configured to couple with the interface and seal the gap between the outer wall of the housing and the interface.

2. An endoscope device, characterized in that, The endoscope device for inspecting a superconducting magnet device includes: Camera; The housing includes a first portion, at least in the first portion of which a receiving cavity is provided, in which the camera is received. At least the shell wall of the first portion opposite to the light-incoming side of the camera is made of a transparent material. The housing is configured such that at least the first portion can be inserted into a predetermined interface on the cryogenic container of the superconducting magnet device, and the shell wall of the housing exposed inside the cryogenic container is closed to isolate the receiving cavity from the inner cavity of the cryogenic container.

3. The endoscopic device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The housing includes a tubular portion, with a first end of the tubular portion being closed. The first end and a portion of the tubular wall adjacent to the first end constitute the first part. The camera is housed within the tubular portion, with the light-receiving side of the camera facing the first end.

4. The endoscopic device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first end is provided with a convex lens fixedly disposed relative to the tubular portion. The convex lens is disposed opposite to the light-inlet side of the camera along the axial direction of the tubular portion. The camera is movably disposed relative to the tubular portion along the axial direction of the tubular portion so that the focusing distance of the camera can be adjusted.

5. The endoscopic device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The second end of the tubular portion, which is opposite to the first end, is provided with a mounting base. The camera is fixedly connected to the mounting base through a connector provided inside the tubular portion. The mounting base is movably connected to the second end along at least the axial direction of the tubular portion, so that the position of the camera in the axial direction of the tubular portion can be adjusted by the mounting base.

6. The endoscopic device according to claim 5, characterized in that, A stop portion is provided on the outer wall of the tubular portion. The stop portion protrudes radially from the outer wall of the tubular portion. The stop portion includes a conical surface coaxial with the tubular portion. The diameter of the conical surface gradually decreases from the second end to the first end.

7. The endoscopic device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The stop portion has an end face at the large diameter end of the conical surface, and the small diameter end of the conical surface is smoothly connected to the outer wall of the tubular portion; the housing has at least one axially continuous transparent light guide portion from the end face to the first end, and the mounting base is provided with an illumination source, which is disposed opposite to the end face so that the light beam emitted by the illumination source can be transmitted to the first end through the transparent light guide portion.

8. The endoscopic device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The mounting base contains a power supply module, and the tubular section contains a control board. The control board is rigidly connected to the mounting base and electrically connected to the power supply module. The control board is also rigidly connected to the camera and electrically connected to the camera. The control board constitutes the connector. The mounting base is provided with a data transmission interface, which is electrically connected to the control board.

9. The endoscopic device according to claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes a connecting component disposed on the outside of the housing, the connecting component being configured to couple with the interface and seal the gap between the outer wall of the housing and the interface.

10. The endoscopic device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The connecting assembly includes a nut, a pressure ring, and a sealing ring. The nut is threaded to the interface. The pressure ring is disposed between the nut and the interface. The sealing ring is disposed between the end face of the pressure ring and the cross-section of the interface, or between the end face of the pressure ring and the end face of the nut. The sealing ring is configured to deform when the nut is tightened to the interface to fill the gap between the outer wall of the housing and the interface.

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