Beam-Splitter Endoscope Optics for Multi-Focus Imaging Without Moving Parts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopes with fixed optics and zoom objectives require movable parts for adjusting focus and magnification, which are expensive and prone to interference, limiting their handling and effectiveness in medical examinations.
Innovation Solution
A multi-sensor system with two or more image sensors, each with a common front optical unit and a beam splitter, allowing for non-dichroic light splitting and different focus points, enabling adjustable magnification without movable parts, and achieving high dynamic range imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If movable parts are used for adjusting focus and magnification in conventional endoscopes, then focus adjustment and magnification control are achieved, but the system becomes expensive and prone to interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging function into multiple fixed imaging devices, each with a specific focus point and magnification level. Instead of using movable parts to adjust a single imaging device, the system segments the imaging task across multiple devices with different optical characteristics (e.g., wide-angle with focus point at 3mm, telephoto with focus point at 12mm). This eliminates the need for mechanical adjustment mechanisms while achieving multiple imaging modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional imaging system where multiple imaging devices share common components (front optical unit, beam splitter, image sensor) but provide different imaging functions through their distinct optical characteristics. Each imaging device serves a specific function (wide-angle overview, telephoto detail), and the system can switch between these functions by selecting different imaging devices, making the overall system universal in its imaging capabilities without requiring mechanical adjustment parts.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple image sensors are used with different focus points, then depth of field and multi-zoom capability are improved, but the optical system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple imaging devices with different focus points and magnification levels into a single integrated optical system. The imaging devices share common components including the front optical unit, beam splitter, and image sensor, while maintaining their individual optical characteristics through separate rear optical units. This combining approach achieves extended depth of field and multi-zoom capability while minimizing overall system complexity through component sharing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the dimension of multiple focus points along the optical axis, creating a multi-dimensional imaging system. Instead of adjusting focus in a single imaging device, the system provides focus points at different distances (e.g., 3mm, 12mm, 30mm) by selecting different imaging devices. This dimensional approach to focus control achieves extended depth of field without requiring complex mechanical focus adjustment mechanisms.
3Reliability
If fixed optics are used without movable parts, then system reliability and cost are improved, but focus adjustment and magnification control are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic switching capability between multiple fixed imaging devices, allowing the system to adapt its imaging characteristics (focus point, magnification, viewing angle) based on the examination requirements. The switching mechanism enables the fixed optical system to dynamically change its effective parameters without mechanical adjustment of individual components, maintaining reliability while achieving versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves different imaging modes by selecting imaging devices with different fixed optical parameters (focal length, focus point distance, viewing angle). The system changes its effective parameters by switching between devices with pre-configured optical characteristics rather than mechanically adjusting parameters within a single device. This approach maintains the reliability of fixed optics while providing adaptability through parameter selection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides a high depth of field, multi-zoom capability, and high dynamic range imaging without mechanical adjustments, enhancing examination precision and reducing system complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
a common beam splitter. Respective rear optical units follow behind the beam splitter. The light flux may be split in a non-dichroic manner.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system includes a first image pickup and a second image pickup, a first imaging device imaging a first scene onto the first image pickup, a second imaging device imaging a second scene onto the second image pickup; wherein the first imaging device includes a front optical unit including a front lens, a beam splitter, and a first rear optical unit, wherein the second imaging device includes the front optical unit, the beam splitter, a second rear optical unit, a focus point of one of the imaging devices is a macro focus point, a focus point of the other imaging device is a wide-angle focus point, the macro focus point is within a range from 0 mm to 1 mm in front of the front lens and the wide-angle focus point is at least 3 mm in front of the front lens.