Composite optical fiber and electronic endoscope
By setting a high-toughness rope core inside the fiber cladding and arranging fiber fibers around its outer periphery, a high-toughness composite fiber is solved, and the existing fiber optic fiber resistance is improved and the image quality of the endoscope is improved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202421988503.X
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-15
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-03
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-08-15
AI Technical Summary
The bending resistance of existing optical fibers is not high enough, and multiple bending will cause damage to the fiber fiber, affecting the brightness and image clarity of the endoscope.
By setting a high-toughness rope core inside the optical fiber cladding and arranging multiple fiber fibers around the outer periphery of the high-toughness rope core, the high-toughness composite fiber is formed to improve the bending resistance of the optical fiber.
It improves the bending resistance of optical fibers, avoids bending damage during production, packaging, assembly and other processes, and ensures the brightness and image clarity of the endoscope.
Smart Images
Figure CN222939289U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of medical devices, in particular to a composite optical fiber and an electronic endoscope. Background Art
[0002] An optical fiber is composed of a bundle of optical fiber filaments made of a transparent material (mostly quartz SiO2) and a cladding made of a material with a lower refractive index around it. The optical fiber can be applied to the field of communication technology for signal transmission; or applied to the field of medical device technology. For example, in the field of endoscope technology, it is mainly used as the light guiding core component of a flexible electronic endoscope.
[0003] In the related art, the existing optical fiber has insufficient anti-bending ability, and multiple bends will damage the optical fiber filaments. If the optical fiber filaments in a flexible electronic endoscope are damaged, during the light guiding process of the optical fiber, the light energy gradually attenuates, resulting in the brightness attenuation of the endoscope, and the clarity and color restoration of the detected image are affected. Summary of the Utility Model
[0004] The purpose of the embodiments of this application is to provide a composite optical fiber and an electronic endoscope to improve the anti-bending ability of the optical fiber. The specific technical solutions are as follows:
[0005] An embodiment of the first aspect of this application provides a composite optical fiber, including: a high-toughness rope core, multiple optical fiber filaments, and an optical fiber cladding; the high-toughness rope core is arranged inside the optical fiber cladding; the toughness of the high-toughness rope core is greater than a preset toughness value; the multiple optical fiber filaments are arranged between the high-toughness rope core and the optical fiber cladding, parallel to the high-toughness rope core, and the multiple optical fiber filaments are arranged around the periphery of the high-toughness rope core; the optical fiber cladding wraps around the periphery of the multiple optical fiber filaments; both ends of the multiple optical fiber filaments extend out of the optical fiber cladding to form a light receiving end and a light emitting end respectively; the area wrapped by the optical fiber cladding forms a cladding part.
[0006] In some embodiments of this application, the length of the high-toughness rope core is less than or equal to the length of the optical fiber cladding.
[0007] In some embodiments of this application, the proportion of the cross-section of the high-toughness rope core in the cross-section of the composite optical fiber is 10% to 50%.
[0008] In some embodiments of this application, in the cladding part, the optical fiber filaments, the high-toughness rope core, and the optical fiber cladding are fixedly connected by glue filled in the gap.
[0009] In some embodiments of this application, the optical fiber filaments at the light receiving end and the light emitting end respectively converge smoothly from the end of the cladding part towards the direction away from the cladding part to form an optical fiber bundle with a flat end face, and are fixedly bonded by glue.
[0010] In some embodiments of the present application, the minimum bending radius of the high-toughness rope core is less than or equal to 5 millimeters, and the maximum bending angle is greater than or equal to 360 degrees.
[0011] In some embodiments of the present application, the number of the high-toughness rope cores is one or more; the material is a high-toughness material, including stainless steel, aluminum, copper, tungsten, nickel, etc., and preferably stainless steel.
[0012] In some embodiments of the present application, the number of the high-toughness rope cores is multiple, and the multiple high-toughness rope cores are arranged around the outer periphery of one of the high-toughness rope cores; the multiple optical fiber filaments are arranged in the gaps between the respective high-toughness rope cores and in the gaps between the high-toughness rope cores and the optical fiber cladding.
[0013] In some embodiments of the present application, the cross-sectional shape of the high-toughness rope core is circular, rectangular or irregular, and preferably circular.
[0014] An embodiment of the second aspect of the present application provides an electronic endoscope, which is characterized by including an insertion part, an operation part, and the composite optical fiber according to any one of the embodiments of the first aspect; the insertion part has a hollow tube body, is arranged at one end of the operation part, the end of the insertion part away from the operation part is the endoscope light-emitting end, and a bending part is arranged in the area of the insertion part close to the endoscope light-emitting end; the inside of the operation part is communicated with an external light source; the composite optical fiber is arranged inside the tube body of the insertion part and inside the operation part; wherein, the light-emitting end of the composite optical fiber is located at the endoscope light-emitting end, and the light-receiving end extends into the operation part and is communicated with the external light source; at least the bending part is covered by the cladding part of the composite optical fiber.
[0015] The composite optical fiber provided by the embodiments of the present application forms a high-toughness composite optical fiber by arranging a high-toughness rope core inside the optical fiber cladding and arranging multiple optical fiber filaments around the outer periphery of the high-toughness rope core. Among them, the high-toughness rope core provides bending support for the optical fiber filaments, improving the anti-bending performance of the optical fiber; it also makes the straightness of the optical fiber higher in the natural state, avoiding bending damage during processes such as production, packaging, and assembly. Of course, it is not necessary for any product implementing the present application to achieve all the above-mentioned advantages simultaneously. Description of the Drawings
[0016] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the following drawings are only some embodiments of the present application, and those of ordinary skill in the art can also obtain other drawings based on these drawings.
[0017] Figure 1Schematic diagram of the composite optical fiber structure provided by the first aspect embodiment of the present application;
[0018] Figure 2 For Figure 1 Schematic cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the composite optical fiber cladding part shown;
[0019] Figure 3 For Figure 2 Another schematic cross-sectional view of the composite optical fiber cladding part shown;
[0020] Figure 4 For Figure 1 Enlarged schematic view of part A of the composite optical fiber shown;
[0021] Figure 5 For Figure 4 Another enlarged schematic view of the composite optical fiber shown;
[0022] Figure 6 For Figure 1 Schematic cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the composite optical fiber cladding part shown;
[0023] Figure 7 For Figure 6 Another schematic cross-sectional view of the composite optical fiber cladding part shown;
[0024] Figure 8 For Figure 1 Schematic cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the composite optical fiber cladding part shown;
[0025] Figure 9 For Figure 8 Another schematic cross-sectional view of the composite optical fiber cladding part shown;
[0026] Figure 10 For Figure 1 Schematic cross-sectional view of the fourth embodiment of the composite optical fiber cladding part shown;
[0027] Figure 11 For Figure 10 Another schematic cross-sectional view of the composite optical fiber cladding part shown;
[0028] Figure 12 Schematic diagram of the structure of the electronic endoscope provided by the first aspect embodiment of the present application;
[0029] Figure 13 For Figure 11 Schematic diagram of the internal structure of the electronic endoscope shown.
[0030] Explanation of reference numerals:
[0031] Composite optical fiber 1; light receiving end 101; light emitting end 102; cladding portion 103; high toughness rope core 11; optical fiber filaments 12; optical fiber cladding 13; optical fiber bundle 14; insertion portion 2; endoscope light emitting end 21; bending portion 22; operation portion 3; optical cable interface 31; optical cable 32; external light source 4. Detailed implementation manners
[0032] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the present application belong to the scope of protection of the present application.
[0033] As described in the background art, in the related art, the existing optical fiber has insufficient anti-bending ability, and multiple bends will damage the optical fiber filaments. During the light guiding process of the optical fiber after the optical fiber filaments are damaged, the light energy gradually attenuates, resulting in the attenuation of the brightness of the endoscope and affecting the clarity and color restoration of the detected image.
[0034] In view of this, the first aspect embodiment of the present application provides a composite optical fiber to improve the anti-bending ability of the optical fiber. Refer to Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 4 , Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the composite optical fiber provided by the first aspect embodiment of the present application; Figure 2 is Figure 1 a schematic cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the cladding portion of the composite optical fiber shown; Figure 4 is Figure 1 an enlarged schematic view of part A of the composite optical fiber shown.
[0035] As shown in Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 4 shown, the composite optical fiber includes: a high toughness rope core 11, a plurality of optical fiber filaments 12 and an optical fiber cladding 13; the high toughness rope core 11 is arranged inside the optical fiber cladding 13; the toughness of the high toughness rope core 11 is greater than a preset toughness value; the plurality of optical fiber filaments 12 are arranged between the high toughness rope core 11 and the optical fiber cladding 13, arranged parallel to the high toughness rope core 11, and the plurality of optical fiber filaments 12 are arranged around the outer periphery of the high toughness rope core 11; the optical fiber cladding 13 wraps around the outer periphery of the plurality of optical fiber filaments 12; both ends of the plurality of optical fiber filaments 12 extend out of the optical fiber cladding 13 to form a light receiving end 101 and a light emitting end 102 respectively; the area wrapped by the optical fiber cladding 13 forms a cladding portion 103.
[0036] The cladding part of the composite optical fiber is integrated by a high-toughness core 11, optical fiber filaments 12, and an optical fiber cladding 13. From the perspective of the composite effect of materials, the optical fiber filaments 12 are hard and brittle. Penetrating into the high-toughness core 11 changes the overall toughness of the optical fiber and improves the anti-bending performance of the optical fiber. From the perspective of structural mechanics, penetrating into the high-toughness core 11 provides bending support for the optical fiber filaments 12 and shares the radial force brought by bending.
[0037] The embodiment of the present application provides such a composite optical fiber. By arranging a high-toughness core 11 inside the optical fiber cladding 13, multiple optical fiber filaments 12 are arranged around the outer periphery of the high-toughness core 11 to form a high-toughness composite optical fiber. Among them, the high-toughness core 11 provides bending support for the optical fiber filaments 12, improving the anti-bending performance of the optical fiber; it also makes the straightness of the optical fiber higher in the natural state, avoiding bending damage during processes such as production, packaging, and assembly.
[0038] In some embodiments of the present application, such as Figure 2 shown, the length of the high-toughness core 11 is less than or equal to the length of the optical fiber cladding 13. In this way, the optical fiber cladding 13 and the optical fiber filaments 12 can wrap the high-toughness core 11 to prevent the high-toughness core 11 from affecting the light guiding of the optical fiber filaments 12.
[0039] In addition, since the high-toughness core 11 can conduct electricity, if it extends out of the optical fiber cladding 13, it may cause a short circuit of the light source or the leakage of the light source to the light output end 102; in addition, since the high-toughness core 11 cannot conduct light, it is easy to cause uneven light reception or light output at the light receiving end 101 or the light output end 102. Therefore, the length of the high-toughness core 11 is less than or equal to the length of the optical fiber cladding 13. Applying the embodiment of the present application can avoid causing safety regulations problems or affecting light emission.
[0040] In some embodiments of the present application, such as Figure 2 shown, the proportion of the cross-section of the high-toughness core 11 in the cross-section of the composite optical fiber is 10% to 50%. For the specific radius dimensions of the high-toughness core 11 and the cladding part 103 of the composite optical fiber, the present application does not make any limitations, as long as the above cross-section proportion is satisfied. Applying the embodiment of the present application, on the premise of ensuring the light flux of the optical fiber, the higher the proportion of the cross-section of the high-toughness core 11, the higher the overall toughness of the composite optical fiber and the better the anti-bending performance.
[0041] In some embodiments of the present application, refer to Figure 6 and Figure 8 , Figure 6 is Figure 1 a schematic cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the cladding part of the composite optical fiber shown; Figure 8 is Figure 1 a schematic cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the cladding part of the composite optical fiber shown. As Figure 2 , Figure 6 andFigure 8 As shown in Figure 8 , the cross-sectional shape of the high-toughness rope core 11 is circular, rectangular or irregular; preferably circular. Applying the embodiments of the present application, the uniform stress distribution of the circular cross-section enables the high-toughness rope core 11 to better withstand pressure and tension, with high strength and stability, so that the composite optical fiber can reduce local stress concentration when bearing loads, thereby improving the anti-bending performance of the optical fiber.
[0042] In some embodiments of the present application, the number of the high-toughness rope cores 11 is one or more; the minimum bending radius of the high-toughness rope core 11 is less than or equal to 5 mm, and the maximum bending angle is greater than or equal to 360 degrees. The material of the high-toughness rope core 11 is a high-toughness material, including stainless steel, aluminum, copper, tungsten, nickel, etc., preferably stainless steel. Specifically, aluminum wire, copper wire, tungsten wire, nickel wire, etc. are all metal wires with good toughness and temperature resistance. Considering cost, stainless steel wire with low cost is preferred.
[0043] In a specific embodiment, the high-toughness rope core 11 can adopt a 7*1 stranded stainless steel wire rope, which makes the overall straightness of the finished composite optical fiber relatively high, has higher assemblability and more excellent anti-bending ability. At the same time, the preparation method is simple, the process cost is low, and it can be quickly mass-produced and transformed.
[0044] In some embodiments of the present application, see Figure 10 , Figure 10 is Figure 1 a schematic cross-sectional view of the fourth embodiment of the composite optical fiber cladding part shown in Figure 1 . As shown in Figure 10 , the number of the high-toughness rope cores 11 is 5, the cross-section is circular, and multiple high-toughness rope cores 11 are arranged around the outer circumference of one of the high-toughness rope cores 11; multiple optical fiber filaments 12 are arranged in the gaps between the high-toughness rope cores 11 and in the gaps between the high-toughness rope cores 11 and the optical fiber cladding 13.
[0045] Figure 10 The shown embodiment is that 4 high-toughness rope cores 11 are arranged around the outer circumference of one high-toughness rope core 11. The present application does not limit the specific number of the high-toughness rope cores 11. As long as the total cross-sectional area of all the high-toughness rope cores 11 accounts for 10% to 50% of the cross-sectional area of the composite optical fiber, the effect of improving the anti-bending performance of the optical fiber can be achieved.
[0046] In some embodiments of the present application, see Figure 3 , Figure 7 , Figure 9 and Figure 11 , Figure 3 is Figure 2 another schematic cross-sectional view of the composite optical fiber cladding part shown in Figure 2 ; Figure 7 is Figure 6 another schematic cross-sectional view of the composite optical fiber cladding part shown in Figure 6 ; Figure 9 isFigure 8 Another cross-sectional schematic diagram of the composite optical fiber cladding part shown; Figure 11 is Figure 10 Another cross-sectional schematic diagram of the composite optical fiber cladding part shown.
[0047] As Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figures 6 to 11 shown, in the cladding part 103, the optical fiber filaments 12, the high-toughness rope core 11, and the optical fiber cladding 13 are fixedly connected by glue filled in the gap.
[0048] Specifically, between the optical fiber filaments 12 and the optical fiber cladding 13, it can be as Figure 2 , Figure 6 , Figure 8 and Figure 10 shown, having an annular gap, filled and fixed with glue, or it can be as Figure 3 , Figure 7 , Figure 9 and Figure 11 shown, the annular gap is filled with the optical fiber filaments 12, and glue is only filled in the gaps between the optical fiber filaments 12. Applying the embodiments of the present application can further improve the anti-bending ability of the optical fiber and the straightness of the optical fiber in the natural state.
[0049] In some embodiments of the present application, referring to Figure 5 , Figure 5 is Figure 4 Another enlarged schematic diagram of the composite optical fiber shown. As Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown, the optical fiber filaments 12 at the light receiving end 101 and the light emitting end 102 respectively converge smoothly from the end of the cladding part 103 in a direction away from the cladding part 103 to form an optical fiber bundle 14 with a flat end surface, and are fixedly bonded by glue.
[0050] In this embodiment, the optical fiber filaments 12 at the light receiving end 101 and the light emitting end 102 respectively converge smoothly from the end of the cladding part 103 in a direction away from the cladding part 103 to form an optical fiber bundle 14 with a flat end surface. Since the optical fiber bundle 14 is formed by smooth convergence with a flat end surface, sharp bending angles of the optical fiber bundle 14 can be prevented, and thus light guiding is not affected.
[0051] Specifically, the light receiving end 101 and the light emitting end 102 are only composed of the optical fiber filaments 12. The diameter of the optical fiber bundle 14 is smaller than the diameter of the cladding part 103, and no other materials are contained inside, which can avoid affecting the light output uniformity of the composite optical fiber. During actual production, after the optical fiber filaments 12 at the light receiving end 101 and the light emitting end 102 are fixedly bonded into the optical fiber bundle 14 by glue, the end surface is polished flat, which can reduce the influence of the light guiding path on the light source parameters and ensure the transmission quality and stability of the optical signal.
[0052] The second aspect of the present application provides an electronic endoscope. Refer to Figure 12 and Figure 13 , Figure 12 which is a schematic structural diagram of the electronic endoscope provided in the first aspect of the present application; Figure 13 is Figure 11 a schematic internal structure diagram of the electronic endoscope shown. As shown in Figure 12 and Figure 13 , the electronic endoscope includes an insertion portion 2, an operation portion 3, and the composite optical fiber provided in any embodiment of the first aspect of the present application.
[0053] In this embodiment, the insertion portion 2 has a hollow tube body, which is disposed at one end of the operation portion 3. One end of the insertion portion 2 away from the operation portion 3 is the endoscope light-emitting end 21, and a bending portion 22 is provided in the region of the insertion portion close to the endoscope light-emitting end 21.
[0054] In this embodiment, the inside of the operation portion 3 is communicated with an external light source 4; the composite optical fiber is disposed inside the tube body of the insertion portion 2 and inside the operation portion 3; wherein, the light-emitting end 102 of the composite optical fiber is located at the endoscope light-emitting end 21, and the light-receiving end 101 extends into the operation portion 3 and is communicated with the external light source 4; the cladding portion 103 of the composite optical fiber at least covers the bending portion 22.
[0055] Specifically, as shown in Figure 12 , the cladding portion 103 of the composite optical fiber at least covers the bending portion 22, so as to ensure that the bending portion 22 can be bent into an expected state under the control of the operator for observation, and can also ensure the anti-bending performance of the bending portion 22, thereby improving the service life of the electronic endoscope and ensuring the detection accuracy of the electronic endoscope.
[0056] A cable interface 31 communicating with the inside of the operation portion 3 is provided on the operation portion 3, and the external light source 4 is connected to the cable interface 31 through a cable 32. The light emitted by the external light source 4 enters the operation portion through the cable 32, and then is transmitted in the operation portion 3 and the insertion portion 2 along the composite optical fiber 1, and finally irradiates the object to be observed at the endoscope light-emitting end 21.
[0057] In this embodiment, the high-toughness core 11 embedded in the composite optical fiber can improve the anti-bending performance of the optical fiber and make the overall optical fiber straighter, so that the optical fiber inside the tube body of the bending portion 22 can be better controlled to achieve the expected wiring effect during the operation of the electronic endoscope, thereby avoiding being squeezed and damaged during the bending process. After multiple experiments, it is shown that the composite optical fiber 1 of the present application can ensure that the brightness of the electronic endoscope does not decay after at least 500 bends.
[0058] The embodiment of the present application provides such an electronic endoscope, which applies the composite optical fiber 1 provided in any embodiment of the first aspect. By arranging a high-toughness core 11 inside the optical fiber cladding 13, multiple optical fiber filaments 12 are arranged around the outer periphery of the high-toughness core 11 to form a high-toughness composite optical fiber. Among them, the high-toughness core 11 provides bending support for the optical fiber filaments 12, improving the anti-bending performance of the optical fiber; it also makes the straightness of the optical fiber higher in the natural state, avoiding bending damage during processes such as production, packaging, and assembly. In addition, the cladding portion 103 of the composite optical fiber at least covers the bending portion 22, which can ensure that the bending portion 22 is bent into the expected state under the control of the operator for observation, and can also ensure the anti-bending performance of the bending portion 22, thereby improving the service life of the electronic endoscope and ensuring the detection accuracy of the electronic endoscope.
[0059] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application are included in the protection scope of the present application.
Claims
1. A composite optical fiber, characterized in that: include: A high-tenacity rope core (11), a plurality of optical fiber filaments (12) and an optical fiber cladding (13); The high-tenacity rope core (11) is arranged inside the optical fiber cladding (13); the tenacity of the high-tenacity rope core (11) is greater than a preset tenacity value; The plurality of optical fiber filaments (12) are arranged between the high-tenacity rope core (11) and the optical fiber cladding (13), and are arranged in parallel with the high-tenacity rope core (11); the plurality of optical fiber filaments (12) are arranged around the periphery of the high-tenacity rope core (11); and the optical fiber cladding (13) is wrapped around the periphery of the plurality of optical fiber filaments (12); Both ends of the plurality of optical fiber filaments (12) extend out of the optical fiber cladding (13), respectively forming a light receiving end (101) and a light emitting end (102); the area wrapped by the optical fiber cladding (13) forms a cladding portion (103).
2. The composite optical fiber according to claim 1, characterized in that The length of the high-tenacity rope core (11) is less than or equal to the length of the optical fiber cladding (13).
3. The composite optical fiber according to claim 1, characterized in that The cross section of the high-tenacity rope core (11) accounts for 10% to 50% of the cross section of the composite optical fiber.
4. The composite optical fiber according to claim 1, characterized in that In the cladding portion (103), the optical fiber filament (12), the high-tenacity rope core (11) and the optical fiber cladding (13) are fixedly connected by glue filled in the gap.
5. The composite optical fiber according to claim 1, characterized in that The optical fiber filaments (12) at the light receiving end (101) and the light emitting end (102) are smoothly converged from the end of the cladding portion (103) toward a direction away from the cladding portion (103) to form an optical fiber bundle (14) with a smooth end surface, and are fixed by gluing.
6. The composite optical fiber according to claim 1, characterized in that The minimum bending radius of the high-tenacity rope core (11) is less than or equal to 5 mm, and the maximum bending angle is greater than or equal to 360 degrees.
7. The composite optical fiber according to claim 1, characterized in that The number of the high-tenacity rope cores (11) is one or more; the material of the high-tenacity rope cores (11) is stainless steel, aluminum, copper, tungsten or nickel.
8. The composite optical fiber according to claim 7, characterized in that The number of the high-tenacity rope cores (11) is multiple, and the multiple high-tenacity rope cores (11) are arranged around the outer circumference of one of the high-tenacity rope cores (11); the multiple optical fiber filaments (12) are arranged in the gaps between the high-tenacity rope cores (11) and in the gaps between the high-tenacity rope cores (11) and the optical fiber cladding (13).
9. The composite optical fiber according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cross-sectional shape of the high-tenacity rope core (11) is circular, rectangular or irregular.
10. An electronic endoscope, characterized in that: It comprises an insertion portion (2), an operation portion (3) and the composite optical fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 9; The insertion part (2) has a hollow tube body and is arranged at one end of the operating part (3); the end of the insertion part (2) away from the operating part (3) is an endoscope light-emitting end (21); and a bending part (22) is arranged in an area of the insertion part close to the endoscope light-emitting end (21); The interior of the operating portion (3) is in communication with an external light source (4); The composite optical fiber is arranged inside the tube body of the insertion part (2) and inside the operating part (3); wherein the light emitting end (102) of the composite optical fiber is located at the light emitting end (21) of the endoscope, and the light receiving end (101) extends into the operating part (3) and communicates with the external light source (4); the cladding part (103) of the composite optical fiber at least covers the bending part (22).