Medical Borescope Tip Assembly Integrating LED and Image Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laparoscopic systems require large equipment stacks for light and image processing, including fragile fiber optic cables and high-intensity xenon light sources that can be hazardous and require frequent adjustments, leading to increased costs and maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A portable medical borescope system with a disposable or single-use laparoscope body that integrates an LED light source and image sensor, using a dongle for image processing and outputting video to common display connectors like HDMI or USB, eliminating the need for external light sources and bulky processing equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional laparoscopic systems use high-intensity xenon light sources, then illumination intensity is sufficient, but the light sources become extremely hot and hazardous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the light source by replacing xenon arc lamps with LED technology. This substitution maintains sufficient illumination intensity while dramatically reducing operating temperature and eliminating the hazardous characteristics of high-intensity xenon sources. The LED light source operates at much lower temperatures and does not pose the same fire hazards to patient drapes or tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical/optical xenon light source system with an electronic LED illumination system. This replacement eliminates the need for complex optical coupling mechanisms and fiber optic light delivery systems, simplifying the overall system architecture while improving safety characteristics.
2Illumination intensity
If conventional laparoscopic systems use fiber optic cables for light delivery, then light can be transmitted to the laparoscope, but the cables are fragile and get in the way of medical practitioners
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the fiber optic light delivery cable from the system by integrating the light source directly into the laparoscope handle. This removal eliminates the fragility and interference issues associated with fiber optic cables while maintaining effective light delivery to the imaging optics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the light source, imaging sensor, and processing electronics into an integrated assembly within the laparoscope handle. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate light delivery cables and simplifies the system architecture, improving both reliability and ease of use.
3Measurement precision
If conventional laparoscopic systems use large equipment stacks for image processing, then video image processing capability is sufficient, but the system complexity and portability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the image processing electronics with the imaging sensor and light source into an integrated assembly within the laparoscope handle. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate, bulky image processing equipment stacks while maintaining full video image processing capability through onboard processing circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated handle assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it houses the LED light source for illumination, the imaging sensor for capturing visual data, and the processing electronics for real-time image processing. This multi-functional integration reduces overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive capabilities.
4Measurement precision
If conventional laparoscopic systems use rod lens tubes, then image transmission is effective, but the lenses are fragile and require costly repairs or replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the mechanical rod lens tube system with a digital imaging sensor-based system. Instead of transmitting images optically through fragile rod lenses, the imaging sensor captures light and converts it to digital signals for processing and display. This substitution eliminates the fragility and repair costs associated with rod lens tubes while maintaining effective image transmission.
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 high-quality imaging with reduced equipment complexity, increased portability, and cost-effectiveness, while ensuring safety by eliminating hazardous light sources and reducing maintenance needs, making it suitable for various medical and industrial applications.
Implementation Method 1
An LED light source may be positioned within the borescope at or near the distal end
Implementation Method 2
An image sensor may be positioned within the borescope at or near the distal end
Data Source
AI summary
Medical borescopes and related methods. In some embodiments, a medical borescope may comprise a handle and a tube extending from the handle. The tube may be partially, or wholly, defined by an at least substantially non-conductive material, such as a suitable plastic, ceramic, or other non-metallic material. A tip assembly may be positioned at a distal end of the tube. The tip assembly may comprise a light source, a lens assembly, a printed circuit board, and an image sensor.