Diamond Prism Endoscope Viewing Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional swing prism endoscopes have a limited viewing direction range, typically less than 45 degrees, which is inadequate for many applications, especially when a wider range including directions parallel to the endoscope shaft is required.
Innovation Solution
A pivotable prism made of monocrystalline diamond, produced by chemical vapor deposition, is used in the swing prism endoscope, allowing for a greater viewing direction range up to 115 or 120 degrees by enabling compact dimensions and high transparency, refractive index, and low dispersion, along with antireflective coatings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional swing prism endoscope is used, then the device structure is simple and manufacturing cost is low, but the viewing direction range is limited to less than 45 degrees
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the prism from conventional materials (glass, plastic) to diamond, which has superior optical properties including higher refractive index and lower dispersion. This parameter change enables the prism to achieve a viewing direction range exceeding 90 degrees while maintaining compact dimensions, directly resolving the contradiction between viewing range and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs monocrystalline diamond produced by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), which is a composite material approach combining diamond crystalline structure with controlled growth methods. This allows achieving high optical transparency, low dispersion, and compact size simultaneously, enabling extended viewing range without proportionally increasing device complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If the viewing direction range is extended to include zero degrees and exceed 90 degrees, then the adaptability is improved, but the spatial requirements increase which may not fit conventional trocars
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the material parameter to diamond with its high refractive index and low dispersion properties, the patent achieves extended viewing range (0 to over 90 degrees) within a compact prism volume. The diamond material's optical characteristics allow light manipulation that achieves wide viewing angles without requiring large prism dimensions, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and volume constraints for conventional trocar compatibility
3Manufacturing precision
If monocrystalline diamond produced by CVD is used, then the optical properties (transparency, refractive index, dispersion) are improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies monocrystalline diamond produced by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) as the preferred manufacturing method. CVD allows precise control of crystal growth parameters to achieve high optical quality with low dispersion and high transparency. While CVD is more expensive than conventional methods, the patent justifies this by achieving superior optical performance that enables the extended viewing range function, balancing manufacturing precision requirements against cost considerations
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 diamond prism allows for a significantly expanded viewing direction range from zero to over 90 degrees, enhancing the adjustability and usability of the endoscope without increasing spatial requirements, surpassing previous swing prism endoscope capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a pivotable prism on the distal end of the shaft for adjustable diversion of light falling through the window into the shaft of the swing prism endoscope
Implementation Method 2
on whose border surfaces light impinging into the endoscope is broken up and reflected
Implementation Method 3
antireflective coatings
Implementation Method 4
monocrystalline diamond, which for example is generated by chemical vapor deposition (CVD)
Data Source
AI summary
A swing prism endoscope with adjustable viewing direction includes a shaft with a proximal end and a distal end and a window of a transparent material that seals an opening on the distal end of the shaft so that it is fluid-tight. In addition the swing prism endoscope includes a pivotable prism on the distal end of the shaft for adjustable diversion of light that falls through the window into the shaft of the swing prism endoscope onto an object lens, where the pivotable prism is made of diamond.