Capsule Endoscope Positioning Member for Optical Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capsule endoscopes face challenges in reducing wall thickness and weight while maintaining water-tightness and a smooth outer surface for easy swallowing and smooth movement within the digestive tract, and require precise positioning of optical components to prevent flare.
Innovation Solution
A capsule endoscope design featuring a hemispherical optical dome portion and a cylindrical casing with a stepped structure for precise positioning of optical components, using UV bonding or laser welding for water-tightness and a smooth outer surface, and a positioning member to align the optical pupil center with the spherical center of the dome portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the wall thickness of the optical dome portion and cylindrical body portion is reduced to decrease the weight of the casing, then the weight decreases and density approaches that of digestive tract liquid, but the structural strength and water-tightness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction by integrating a positioning member made of a different material than the casing into the optical system assembly. This positioning member provides structural support and bonding surfaces that compensate for the reduced wall thickness, maintaining water-tightness and structural integrity while allowing the casing walls to be thinner and lighter.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning member acts as an intermediary element between the optical unit and the casing. It provides abutment surfaces for bonding the optical unit to the casing, distributing mechanical stresses and ensuring water-tight sealing without requiring thick casing walls, thus enabling weight reduction while maintaining strength.
2Volume of moving object
If the wall thickness of the casing is reduced to increase the inner space for high functionality, then the inner space increases, but the structural strength and water-tightness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning member serves as a structural reinforcement element that compensates for the thinned casing walls, enabling increased inner space while maintaining sufficient structural strength and water-tightness through the combined system of positioning member and optical unit assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning member acts as an intermediary structural element that provides bonding surfaces and mechanical support, allowing the casing walls to be thinner to increase inner space while the positioning member maintains the required structural integrity and water-tight sealing.
3Manufacturing precision
If abutment surfaces are provided on the optical dome portion for positioning, then the positioning precision of the optical unit is improved, but the wall thickness of the optical dome portion must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the positioning function into separate components: the positioning member provides dedicated abutment surfaces for precise positioning of the optical unit, while the optical dome portion maintains its thin wall thickness for weight reduction. The positioning surfaces are segmented from the main casing structure and integrated into the positioning member assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning member serves as an intermediary component that provides the necessary abutment surfaces for precise optical unit positioning without requiring the optical dome portion itself to be thickened. The positioning surfaces are located on the positioning member rather than on the thin-walled optical dome.
4Ease of operation
If the outer surface of the casing is made smooth to facilitate swallowing, then the ease of swallowing is improved, but the structural strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The smooth outer surface structure is achieved through composite construction where the positioning member and optical unit assembly provide internal structural support, allowing the outer casing surface to be smooth for ease of swallowing without compromising overall structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The casing employs a thin-walled smooth outer shell structure that facilitates swallowing, with the positioning member and internal assembly providing the necessary structural reinforcement to maintain strength despite the thin, smooth outer wall design.
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 design achieves reduced weight and wall thickness, ensuring accurate optical alignment, preventing flare, and facilitating easy swallowing and movement within the digestive tract while maintaining water-tightness and a smooth outer surface.
Implementation Method 1
a positioning member including: a first abutment surface configured to abut on an end surface of the opening edge portion; and a second abutment surface configured to abut on the information acquisition member
Implementation Method 2
using UV bonding or laser welding for water-tightness
Implementation Method 3
using UV bonding or laser welding for water-tightness
Data Source
AI summary
A capsule medical device configured to be introduced into a subject to acquire information about the subject is provided. The capsule medical device includes: a capsule-shaped casing including: a first casing including a hemispherical portion and a cylindrical portion; and a second casing that is a cylindrical casing where an opening edge portion having an opening is positioned at one end, the cylindrical portion of the first casing being fitted on an outer peripheral surface of the second casing on a side of the opening to incorporate an information acquisition member for acquiring information about the subject; and a positioning member including: a first abutment surface configured to abut on an end surface of the second casing on the side of the opening; and a second abutment surface configured to abut on the information acquisition member.