In-vivo Camera Cooling via High-Conductivity Support Tube
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Solution Overview
Problem
In endoscopic surgery, in-vivo monitoring cameras face challenges in effectively dissipating heat generated internally, leading to potential high temperatures and performance issues due to their small size and the need to avoid thermal conduction to the abdominal wall, which can cause burns.
Innovation Solution
An in-vivo monitoring camera system that includes a support tube with a cooling system to transfer and dissipate heat generated by the imaging unit, utilizing a high thermal conductivity material for the support tube and joining portion to efficiently manage heat transfer and prevent overheating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the in-vivo monitoring camera is made small to avoid interrupting surgery, then the camera size is reduced and surgical interruption is avoided, but heat discharge becomes ineffective and internal temperature rises
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is divided into two functional parts: the small imaging unit (camera) that remains inside the body for minimal invasiveness, and the cooling system that remains outside the body for effective heat dissipation. This segmentation allows the camera to be small while still achieving effective cooling through the separate cooling system connected via cable.
Solution Approach 2:
A cooling system acts as an intermediary between the imaging unit and the external environment. The cooling system receives heat from the imaging unit through thermal conduction and dissipates it to the external environment, enabling the small camera to maintain low internal temperature without requiring large size for heat dissipation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the camera surface is made of low thermal conductive material to prevent abdominal wall burns, then thermal burn risk is reduced, but heat discharge from the camera interior becomes ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The camera structure is segmented into an outer housing that contacts the abdominal wall (made of low thermal conductive material for safety) and an internal cooling structure (made of high thermal conductive material for effective heat discharge). This segmentation allows the housing to protect against burns while the internal structure efficiently conducts heat away from the imaging elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the camera have different thermal conductivity properties: the outer housing surface has low thermal conductivity to prevent burns, while the internal structures and cooling channels have high thermal conductivity to efficiently conduct heat away from the imaging unit. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between burn prevention and heat discharge.
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 effectively lowers the temperature of the imaging unit by dissipating heat through the support tube, improving performance and safety by preventing thermal burns and maintaining optimal operating conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a support tube for which one end part is introduced into a body; an imaging unit which joins with the support tube in the body; a cooling system which cools the support tube to which heat of the imaging unit is transferred
Data Source
AI summary
An in-vivo monitoring camera system that includes: a camera support tube (13) of which one end part is introduced into a body; a camera unit (11) which joins with the camera support tube in the body; a joining portion which joins the camera unit and the support tube to each other; a camera side cable (12) which is connected to the camera unit, and is drawn out toward the outside of the body through the camera support tube; a control system which is on the outside of the body, is connected to the camera side cable, and includes at least a display apparatus; and a cooling system (77) which cools the camera support tube to which heat of the imaging unit is transferred.