Photoelectric composite endoscope cable with four-unit structure

Abstract

The utility model provides a photoelectric composite endoscope cable with a four-unit structure. The photoelectric composite endoscope cable comprises a protective layer, and an illumination unit, a first signal unit, a second signal unit and an image transmission unit which are arranged in the protective layer, the protective layer comprises a shielding layer, a metal armor layer and a biological sheath layer which are sequentially arranged from inside to outside; the diameter of the lighting unit is larger than the diameter of the first signal unit and the diameter of the second signal unit, and the diameter of the first signal unit and the diameter of the second signal unit are both larger than the diameter of the image transmission unit. The image transmission unit is arranged below the lighting unit, and the first signal unit and the second signal unit are adjacently arranged on the two sides of the image transmission unit respectively. The external diameter of the cable is controlled within 13mm by optimizing the spatial arrangement of the lighting unit, the first signal unit, the second signal unit and the image transmission unit and combining the triple protection design of the shielding layer, the metal armor layer and the biological sheath layer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of medical device technology, and in particular to a four-unit structure photoelectric composite endoscope cable. Background Technology

[0002] A medical endoscope is a precision medical device used to observe internal organs, cavities, or tissues of the human body. Its core principle involves image acquisition, signal conversion, and transmission media. It transmits light signals through glass fibers and images through fiber optic bundles, transmitting real-time images of the human body's interior to an external display.

[0003] Medical endoscopes have become core tools for modern clinical diagnosis and treatment. Their cables, as the core transmission component of the system, must efficiently transmit image signals, control commands, and power simultaneously within a limited space. Endoscopes are used in narrow cavities, requiring cables that are thin, flexible, and tensile-resistant, and must transmit high-definition images in real time, with high requirements for interference resistance.

[0004] However, traditional endoscopic cables have a large outer diameter and bulky structure with low integration. They generally use a single-layer shielding structure, which has low shielding effectiveness in high-frequency electromagnetic environments. The cables are prone to breakage when frequently bent and dragged during surgery, directly affecting the continuity of clinical operations and the lifespan of the equipment. This performance bottleneck not only restricts the reliability of endoscopic systems but also poses a potential risk to the intraoperative implementation of precise diagnosis and treatment. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of the above problems, this utility model embodiment is proposed to provide a four-unit structure photoelectric composite endoscope cable that overcomes or at least partially solves the above problems.

[0006] To address the aforementioned issues, this utility model discloses a four-unit photoelectric composite endoscope cable, comprising a protective layer and an illumination unit, a first signal unit, a second signal unit, and an image transmission unit disposed within the protective layer.

[0007] The protective layer comprises, from the inside out, a shielding layer, a metal armor layer, and a biological sheath layer;

[0008] The diameter of the illumination unit is larger than the diameters of the first signal unit and the second signal unit, and the diameters of the first signal unit and the second signal unit are both larger than the diameter of the image transmission unit.

[0009] The image transmission unit is disposed below the illumination unit, and the first signal unit and the second signal unit are respectively disposed adjacent to each other on both sides of the image transmission unit.

[0010] Preferably, the diameter ratio among the lighting unit, the first signal unit, the second signal unit, and the image transmission unit is 1:0.8:0.8:1.2.

[0011] Preferably, the shielding layer is composed of aluminum foil and a braided layer; the metal armor layer is made of stainless steel wire spirally woven; the biological sheath layer includes a braided layer, a wrapping tape, and an outer sheath layer arranged sequentially from the inside to the outside.

[0012] Preferably, the outer sheath layer is extruded from medical-grade silicone, and the thickness of the outer sheath layer is 1.2 mm.

[0013] Preferably, the lighting unit is composed of a glass optical fiber beam guide with an outer diameter of 5 mm.

[0014] Preferably, the first signal unit includes five wires and flame-retardant epoxy resin filling the gaps between the wires; the five wires are arranged in a star shape.

[0015] Preferably, the second signal unit includes four wires and a filler rod disposed adjacent to the four wires; the four wires and the filler rod are arranged in a star shape.

[0016] Preferably, the conductor is made of tin-plated copper wire.

[0017] Preferably, the image transmission unit includes an inner sheath, a tight sleeve, and four optical fibers, as well as aramid material filling the gaps between the four optical fibers.

[0018] The inner sheath covers the outer periphery of the tight sleeve, and the tight sleeve covers the outer periphery of the optical fiber.

[0019] Preferably, the overall outer diameter of the cable is 13mm, and the dynamic bending radius is ≤65mm.

[0020] This application has the following advantages:

[0021] In the embodiments of this application, addressing the issues of "large cable outer diameter and bulky structure with low integration" in the prior art, this application provides a solution for coordinating the arrangement of a lighting unit, a first signal unit, a second signal unit, and an image transmission unit to optimize space. Specifically, it includes a protective layer, and a lighting unit, a first signal unit, a second signal unit, and an image transmission unit disposed within the protective layer. The protective layer includes a shielding layer, a metal armor layer, and a biological sheath layer arranged sequentially from the inside out. The diameter of the lighting unit is larger than the diameters of the first signal unit and the second signal unit, and both the diameters of the first signal unit and the second signal unit are larger than the diameter of the image transmission unit. The image transmission unit is disposed below the lighting unit, and the first signal unit and the second signal unit are respectively disposed adjacent to each other on both sides of the image transmission unit. By arranging the lighting unit, the first signal unit, the second signal unit, and the image transmission unit into an integrated unit, the problem of large outer diameter and bulky structure caused by separate cables is solved, and the integration of the cable is improved. The cable is equipped with a shielding layer, a metal armor layer, and a biological sheath layer. The three-layer composite protection solves the problem of insufficient anti-interference of single-layer shielding structure in the endoscopic environment and enhances the independent shielding effectiveness of the four units. Attached Figure Description

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solution of this application, the drawings used in the description of this application will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of a four-unit photoelectric composite endoscope cable according to this utility model.

[0024] Figure 2 This is an enlarged view of the image transmission unit of a four-unit photoelectric composite endoscope cable according to this utility model;

[0025] 1. Illumination unit; 2. First signal unit; 3. Second signal unit; 4. Image transmission unit; 5. Metal armor layer; 6. Braided layer; 7. Packing tape; 8. Outer sheath layer; 9. Shielding layer; 10. Biological sheath layer; 11. Aramid material; 12. Optical fiber; 13. Tight sheath; 14. Inner sheath. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To make the objectives, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0027] The inventors discovered through analysis of existing technologies that traditional endoscope cables often adopt a split design, arranging the optical cable unit and the electrical cable unit side by side, which results in a large cable outer diameter and a bulky structure. In addition, existing cables generally use a single-layer shielding structure, and their shielding effectiveness is less than 40dB in a high-frequency electromagnetic environment. Although existing technologies attempt to improve anti-interference by adding a shielding layer and connecting it to the ground wire, this requires additional stripping of the shielding layer and complex welding, which is cumbersome and difficult to guarantee reliability. Furthermore, the internal optical fiber unit of the cable lacks tensile strength design, making it prone to breakage when frequently bent and dragged during surgery.

[0028] Reference Figure 1 The diagram shows a cross-sectional structural schematic of a four-unit photoelectric composite endoscope cable according to the present invention.

[0029] Specifically, it can include the following structures:

[0030] The device includes a protective layer, and an illumination unit 1, a first signal unit 2, a second signal unit 3, and an image transmission unit 4 disposed within the protective layer. The protective layer includes a shielding layer 9, a metal armor layer 5, and a biological sheath layer 10 arranged sequentially from the inside out. The diameter of the illumination unit 1 is larger than the diameters of the first signal unit 2 and the second signal unit 3, and the diameters of the first signal unit 2 and the second signal unit 3 are both larger than the diameter of the image transmission unit 4. The image transmission unit 4 is disposed below the illumination unit 1, and the first signal unit 2 and the second signal unit 3 are respectively disposed adjacent to each other on both sides of the image transmission unit 4.

[0031] In this embodiment of the application, addressing the issues of "large cable outer diameter and bulky structure with low integration" in the prior art, this application provides a solution for coordinating the lighting unit 1, the first signal unit 2, the second signal unit 3, and the image transmission unit 4 to optimize space. Specifically, it includes a protective layer, and the lighting unit 1, the first signal unit 2, the second signal unit 3, and the image transmission unit 4 disposed within the protective layer. The protective layer includes a shielding layer 9, a metal armor layer 5, and a biological sheath layer 10 arranged sequentially from the inside out. The diameter of the lighting unit 1 is larger than the diameters of the first signal unit 2 and the second signal unit 3, and the diameters of the first signal unit 2 and the second signal unit 3 are both larger than the diameter of the image transmission unit 4. The image transmission unit 4 is disposed below the lighting unit 1, and the first signal unit 2 and the second signal unit 3 are respectively disposed adjacent to each other on both sides of the image transmission unit 4. By arranging the lighting unit 1, the first signal unit 2, the second signal unit 3, and the image transmission unit 4 into an integrated arrangement, the problem of large outer diameter and bulky structure caused by separate cables is solved, and the integration of the cable is improved. The cable is equipped with a shielding layer 9, a metal armor layer 5, and a biological sheath layer 10. The three-layer composite protection solves the problem of insufficient anti-interference of single-layer shielding structure in the endoscopic environment and enhances the independent shielding effectiveness of the four units.

[0032] The following will further describe a four-unit photoelectric composite endoscope cable in this exemplary embodiment.

[0033] In one embodiment of this application, the diameter ratio among the lighting unit 1, the first signal unit 2, the second signal unit 3, and the image transmission unit 4 is 1:0.8:0.8:1.2.

[0034] In one specific implementation, when the diameter ratio of the illumination unit is 1, the diameter ratio of the first signal unit and the second signal unit is 0.8, and the diameter ratio of the image transmission unit is 1.2, a larger illumination unit can improve the illumination effect, while smaller signal units and image transmission units can reduce the overall size while ensuring transmission functionality, making the endoscope more flexible and applicable to more complex locations. Simultaneously, a reasonable diameter allocation can optimize the internal structural layout, enabling efficient space utilization, reducing interference between components, and improving the stability of signal transmission and imaging.

[0035] In one embodiment of this application, the shielding layer 9 is composed of aluminum foil and a braided layer; the metal armor layer 5 is made of stainless steel wire spirally woven; the biological sheath layer 10 includes a braided layer 6, a wrapping tape 7, and an outer sheath layer 8 arranged sequentially from the inside to the outside.

[0036] It should be noted that the metal armor layer 5 is made of 304 stainless steel wire with a diameter of 0.08 mm, spirally woven at a braiding angle of approximately 54° and a braiding density of ≥85%. 304 stainless steel wire is a type of metal wire made of austenitic stainless steel, belonging to general-purpose stainless steel. It has excellent corrosion resistance, high temperature resistance, and processing performance, and is widely used in the medical field.

[0037] As an example, the curved sections of gastrointestinal endoscopes use 304 stainless steel wire, which balances flexibility and fatigue resistance.

[0038] In one specific implementation, highly conductive aluminum foil can shield over 90% of external radio frequency interference by reflecting and absorbing electromagnetic waves. Using finer stainless steel wire significantly improves the flexibility of the armor layer 5 while maintaining strength, avoiding excessive overall rigidity caused by overly thick wires, allowing the endoscope tip to bend flexibly. A 54° braiding angle gives the armor layer both tensile strength and torsional resistance, preventing wire breakage due to twisting or bending during operation and extending its service life.

[0039] In one embodiment of this application, the outer sheath layer 8 is extruded from medical-grade silicone, and the thickness of the outer sheath layer 8 is 1.2 mm.

[0040] It should be noted that the outer sheath layer 8 is extruded from medical-grade silicone with a Shore hardness of 70A. The outer sheath layer 8 is approximately 1.2mm thick. Experimental data shows that the outer sheath layer 8 does not crack after 100 cycles of high-pressure steam sterilization at 132℃, which meets the recommended standard in YY / T 0698-2017 China Pharmaceutical Industry Standard and complies with the biocompatibility requirements of ISO 10993-5.

[0041] In one specific implementation, the outer sheath is made of medical-grade silicone, which has passed ISO 10993-5 tests for cytotoxicity, sensitization, and irritation, ensuring no adverse reactions upon contact with human tissue. It is suitable for endoscope sheaths used long-term or repeatedly. The silicone, with a Shore A hardness of 70A, combines flexibility and support, ensuring compliance when the endoscope tip bends while preventing image transmission delays caused by excessive deformation. The silicone shows no cracking after 100 sterilization cycles under saturated steam at 132℃, meeting the recommended standards in YY / T 0698-2017, the Chinese pharmaceutical industry standard, satisfying the hospital's need for repeated use and reducing the cost per use.

[0042] In one embodiment of this application, the lighting unit 1 is composed of a glass fiber optic beam guide with an outer diameter of 5 mm.

[0043] It should be noted that the outer protective layer of the glass fiber guide beam is a PTFE tube with a diameter of 0.1 mm. PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) is a synthetic polymer material. The numerical aperture of the glass fiber guide beam is 0.22 NA. Numerical aperture is an important optical parameter of optical fiber, which represents the light collection ability and transmission efficiency of the optical fiber.

[0044] In one specific implementation, the outer protective layer of the glass fiber guide beam is made of PTFE. PTFE is highly resistant to strong acids, strong alkalis, and organic solvents, ensuring that the guide beam does not degrade during long-term use in complex chemical environments, such as in disinfectants and bodily fluids. The PTFE sheath is flexible and can adapt to bending operations of the fiber in confined spaces, such as in human cavities, preventing the glass fiber from breaking due to repeated bending. Low NA indicates that the fiber has strict limitations on the angle of incident light, resulting in more concentrated light and reduced interference from scattered light. This makes it suitable for scenarios requiring highly directional illumination, such as precise illumination in endoscopes. The numerical aperture of low NA fiber is inversely proportional to the transmission distance; a 0.22NA design is more suitable for long-distance transmission, such as deep illumination in endoscopes, reducing light energy attenuation and ensuring consistent illumination brightness at the far end.

[0045] In one embodiment of this application, the first signal unit 2 includes five wires and flame-retardant epoxy resin filling the gaps between the wires; the five wires are arranged in a star shape.

[0046] It should be noted that the shielding layer 9, formed by the ETFE insulation material surrounding the conductor and the copper wire braid, provides a shielding effectiveness of ≥65dB. ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene) is a high-performance fluoropolymer material that combines flexibility, high temperature resistance, and excellent insulation properties.

[0047] In one specific implementation, ETFE wraps the conductors to prevent current leakage or external electromagnetic interference from affecting signal transmission. As an insulation layer, ETFE not only protects the internal conductors but also works synergistically with the copper wire braided shielding layer to enhance anti-interference capabilities. Suitable for medical equipment applications, its overall performance surpasses that of traditional materials, making it the preferred choice for modern high-reliability cable designs. The star arrangement makes the electromagnetic field distribution of the five conductors more symmetrical, reducing electromagnetic interference between adjacent conductors.

[0048] In one embodiment of this application, the second signal unit 3 includes four wires and a filler rod disposed adjacent to the four wires; the four wires and the filler rod are arranged in a star shape.

[0049] It should be noted that the shielding layer 9, composed of ETFE insulation and copper wire braiding around the conductor, plus FRP filler rods for support, achieves a shielding effectiveness of ≥65dB. FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastic) is a composite material made of fiber materials and a resin matrix. ETFE is a high-performance fluoropolymer material that combines flexibility, high temperature resistance, and excellent insulation.

[0050] In one specific implementation, ETFE wraps the conductors to prevent current leakage or external electromagnetic interference from affecting signal transmission. ETFE, as an insulating layer, not only protects the internal conductors but also works in conjunction with the copper wire braided shielding layer to enhance anti-interference capabilities. The star arrangement makes the electromagnetic field distribution of the four conductors more symmetrical, reducing electromagnetic interference between adjacent conductors. The star-shaped arrangement of the conductors and filler rods disperses bending stress, avoiding excessive stress at a single point. The rigid support of the filler rods, combined with the star-shaped symmetrical structure, reduces the risk of conductor fatigue fracture caused by vibration or impact.

[0051] In one embodiment of this application, the conductor is made of tin-plated copper wire.

[0052] It should be noted that the conductor is made of AWG tin-plated copper wire. AWG (American Wire Gauge) is a standard system used to express the cross-sectional area and diameter of conductors.

[0053] In one specific implementation, standardized wire diameter and tin plating work together to reduce loss and interference, and adapt to high-speed, high-frequency transmission.

[0054] Reference Figure 2 The image transmission unit of a four-unit photoelectric composite endoscope cable according to an embodiment of this application is shown in an enlarged view.

[0055] Specifically, it can include the following structures:

[0056] The image transmission unit 4 includes an inner sheath 14, a tight sleeve 13, and four optical fibers 12, as well as aramid material 11 filling the gaps between the four optical fibers 12; the inner sheath 14 covers the periphery of the tight sleeve 13, and the tight sleeve 13 covers the periphery of the optical fibers 12.

[0057] In one embodiment of this application, the image transmission unit is provided with an inner sheath, a tight sleeve, and aramid material filling the gaps between optical fibers to enhance tensile strength.

[0058] It should be noted that the image transmission unit 4 uses four MO3 optical fibers, with a double protective layer consisting of an ETFE tight-fitting sleeve and an inner sheath 14. The gaps between the four MO3 optical fibers are filled with aramid material 11, enhancing the tensile strength of the image transmission unit 4 to ≥120N. Experimental data shows that under a 50N tensile force, the outer diameter deformation rate of the image transmission unit 4 is 2.7%, and the breaking strength is >180N. The transmission performance of the image transmission unit 4 is as follows: attenuation of 2.8dB / km for 850nm wavelength fiber and 0.5dB / km for 1550nm wavelength fiber.

[0059] MO3 (Multi-mode Fiber) typically refers to a type of multi-mode fiber that conforms to specific industry standards. ETFE is a high-performance fluoropolymer material that combines flexibility, high-temperature resistance, and excellent insulation.

[0060] As an example, polyester fiber is chosen as the tensile filler material instead of aramid fiber. Polyester fiber is softer and more resistant to aging, but its tensile strength is only 1 / 3 that of aramid.

[0061] In one specific implementation, MO3 fiber in the image transmission unit significantly improves tensile strength and effectively enhances mechanical reliability through aramid material filling and a double protective layer design (ETFE tight-fitting jacket + inner sheath), preventing fiber breakage due to external forces. Furthermore, MO3 fiber, in conjunction with the ETFE protective layer, can withstand ethylene oxide sterilization or high-temperature steam. The "2.7% outer diameter deformation rate under 50N tensile force" demonstrates the material's excellent elasticity, allowing for rapid recovery after deformation and ensuring connection stability. The dual-wavelength low-attenuation design of image transmission unit 4 brings core advantages: 1550nm attenuation is only 0.5dB / km, breaking through the traditional application boundaries of multimode fiber and enabling ultra-long transmission distances; 850nm supports short-distance high-speed transmission, while 1550nm is compatible with long-distance transmission and wavelength division multiplexing, allowing for flexible adaptation to more scenarios.

[0062] In one embodiment of this application, the overall outer diameter of the cable is 13mm, and the dynamic bending radius is ≤65mm.

[0063] It should be noted that experimental data shows that when the dynamic bending radius of the cable is 65mm, the additional fiber loss is <0.3dB / m.

[0064] In one specific implementation, a 13mm outer diameter is suitable for the confined space of medical endoscopes, reducing the size and weight of the device. The dynamic bending radius is ≤65mm; the smaller the dynamic bending radius, the longer the cable lifespan under repeated bending, reducing fatigue fracture.

[0065] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, those skilled in the art, upon learning the basic inventive concept, can make other changes and modifications to these embodiments. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments as well as all changes and modifications falling within the scope of the present invention.

[0066] Finally, it should be noted that in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or terminal device that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or terminal device. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or terminal device that includes said element.

[0067] The above provides a detailed description of a four-unit photoelectric composite endoscope cable provided by this utility model. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principle and implementation of this utility model. The description of the above embodiments is only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core idea of ​​this utility model. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, there will be changes in the specific implementation and application scope based on the idea of ​​this utility model. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.

Claims

1. A photoelectric composite endoscope cable of a four-unit structure, characterized by, It includes a protective layer, and an illumination unit, a first signal unit, a second signal unit, and an image transmission unit disposed within the protective layer; The protective layer comprises, from the inside out, a shielding layer, a metal armor layer, and a biological sheath layer; The diameter of the illumination unit is larger than the diameters of the first signal unit and the second signal unit, and the diameters of the first signal unit and the second signal unit are both larger than the diameter of the image transmission unit. The image transmission unit is disposed below the illumination unit, and the first signal unit and the second signal unit are respectively disposed adjacent to each other on both sides of the image transmission unit.

2. The quad-structure photo-electric hybrid borescope cable according to claim 1, wherein, The diameter ratio among the lighting unit, the first signal unit, the second signal unit, and the image transmission unit is 1:0.8:0.8:1.

2.

3. The quad-structure photo-electric composite borescope cable of claim 1, wherein, The shielding layer consists of aluminum foil and a braided layer; the metal armor layer is made of stainless steel wire spirally woven; the biological sheath layer includes a braided layer, a wrapping tape, and an outer sheath layer arranged sequentially from the inside to the outside.

4. The quad-structure photo-electric composite borescope cable of claim 3, wherein, The outer sheath layer is extruded from medical-grade silicone, and the thickness of the outer sheath layer is 1.2 mm.

5. The quad-structure hybrid endoscopic cable of claim 1, wherein, The lighting unit is composed of a glass fiber optic beam guide with an outer diameter of 5 mm.

6. The quad-structure hybrid endoscopic cable of claim 1, wherein, The first signal unit includes five wires and flame-retardant epoxy resin filling the gaps between the wires; the five wires are arranged in a star shape.

7. The quad-structure hybrid endoscopic cable of claim 1, wherein, The second signal unit includes four wires and a filler rod disposed adjacent to the four wires; the four wires and the filler rod are arranged in a star shape.

8. The quad-structure photo-electric composite borescope cable according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The conductor is made of tin-plated copper wire.

9. The quad-structure hybrid endoscopic cable of claim 1, wherein, The image transmission unit includes an inner sheath, a tight sleeve, and four optical fibers, as well as aramid material filling the gaps between the four optical fibers. The inner sheath covers the outer periphery of the tight sleeve, and the tight sleeve covers the outer periphery of the optical fiber.

10. The quad-structure hybrid endoscopic cable of claim 1, wherein, The cable has an overall outer diameter of 13mm and a dynamic bending radius of ≤65mm.

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