Deflection Prism for High-Resolution Endoscope Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Observation instruments with hollow bodies, used in endoscopes and exoscopes, face limitations in transmitting sufficient image information to high-resolution image sensors due to the size constraints of the optical lens system, which restricts the viewing angle and resolution, especially when the viewing direction deviates from the straight 0° direction.
Innovation Solution
A proximal deflection prism is arranged between the optical lens system and the image sensor, with a distal deflection prism extending laterally beyond the outer diameter of the cylindrical section of the lens system, allowing more image information to be coupled into the optical lens system and directed to the image sensor, thereby enhancing the resolution and viewing angle without increasing the shaft diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the optical lens system is made larger to improve image resolution and viewing angle, then the image quality improves, but the shaft diameter must be increased which prevents insertion through small openings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a deflection prism that extends laterally beyond the cylindrical section of the lens system, utilizing the radial dimension to redirect oblique light rays onto the image sensor. This allows the optical system to achieve a wide viewing angle (up to 90°) without increasing the axial length of the shaft, thereby maintaining compatibility with small insertion openings while improving image resolution through optimized light path geometry.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the optical lens system occupies more space to capture more image information, then the viewing angle improves, but less space remains for other components like light guides and intervention instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the hollow body into functionally distinct zones: the cylindrical section housing the lens system, the laterally extending deflection prism for oblique viewing, and the remaining annular space for light guides and intervention instruments. This segmentation allows each component to occupy its optimal space without interfering with others, achieving a viewing angle of up to 90° while preserving sufficient space for auxiliary components through strategic spatial distribution.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a distal deflection prism is added to enable oblique viewing, then the viewing direction flexibility improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the deflection prism directly with the lens system, forming a unified optical assembly where the prism's lateral extension naturally redirects oblique light rays onto the image sensor. This merged design eliminates the need for separate complex optical paths or additional moving parts, achieving viewing direction flexibility from 0° to 90° while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through functional integration.
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
This design enables the use of high-resolution image sensors with pixel sizes smaller than 3 µm, providing significantly sharper images and a large viewing angle, essential for observing hollow organs like bladders with high-resolution image quality, while maintaining a sufficient gap for other components like light guides.
Implementation Method 1
a distal deflection prism is arranged on the image entry side on the lens system, the distal deflection prism having a section extending laterally beyond the outer diameter of the cylindrical section of the lens system
Implementation Method 2
the distal deflection prism being located laterally in the same direction extends beyond the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the lens system, in which the image entrance plane of the image sensor is laterally offset to the cylindrical portion of the lens system to the outside
Implementation Method 3
an opto-electronic image pickup system being arranged in an end region of the hollow body, which has an optical lens system with a cylindrical section on the image entry side and then an image sensor, which has the optical lens system converts the image coming into electrical image signals
Data Source
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AI summary
The instrument (10) has an optical lens system (24) with a cylindrical section (26) whose external diameter is less than internal diameter of a hollow shank (12), so that interspace remains between shank inner side and lens system outer side. A distal deflection prism (22) is arranged on image entrance side of the lens system. The deflection prism includes a section (44) extending laterally beyond outer diameter of the cylindrical section of the lens system. An image entrance plane (50) of an image sensor (32) runs approximately parallel to an optical axis (34) of the lens system.