Disposable Opto-Electronic Endoscope Modules for Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopic illumination and vision technologies are limited by their complexity, cost, and sterilization capabilities, making them difficult to integrate with advanced imaging technologies and often non-autoclavable, which restricts their use in minimally invasive surgical procedures and diagnostic applications.
Innovation Solution
The development of removable, pluggable, and disposable opto-electronic illumination and vision modules using solid state light sources, imaging optics, and image capture devices, which can be easily integrated with existing medical devices, providing autoclavable and sterilizable solutions for minimally invasive surgical and diagnostic procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional endoscopic illumination and vision systems are used, then imaging functionality is provided, but the systems are complex, expensive, and non-autoclavable
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope system is divided into separate functional modules: a reusable rigid endoscope body and a disposable flexible endoscope assembly containing the illumination and vision modules. This segmentation allows the critical illumination and imaging components to be disposed of after single use, eliminating sterilization complexity while maintaining imaging functionality through the reusable shaft.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible endoscope assembly containing the illumination module and vision module is designed as a disposable component. This eliminates the need for complex sterilization procedures for these components, as they are discarded after single use. The reusable rigid endoscope body maintains imaging functionality while the disposable assembly provides simplified sterilization requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional endoscopic systems are used, then imaging is provided, but they require replacing entire devices for upgradability
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a reusable rigid endoscope body and a disposable flexible endoscope assembly. The flexible assembly can be easily replaced with newer models that have advanced imaging capabilities, while the reusable body remains unchanged. This allows upgradability without replacing the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The reusable rigid endoscope body serves as a universal platform that can accommodate different disposable flexible endoscope assemblies with varying imaging and illumination capabilities. This multi-functionality allows the same body to work with multiple generations of disposable modules, enabling upgradability without device replacement.
3Reliability
If solid state illumination and vision modules are used, then sterilization is enabled, but integration with existing medical devices is required
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is segmented into a reusable rigid body and a disposable flexible assembly. The rigid body, which requires autoclaving, is separated from the disposable flexible assembly containing solid state modules. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing by allowing the rigid body to be produced once and reused, while the flexible assembly with solid state modules can be manufactured with modern integrated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The solid state illumination and vision modules are extracted from the traditional rigid endoscope structure and placed in the disposable flexible assembly. This extraction allows the rigid body to be manufactured with simpler, more traditional materials suitable for autoclaving, while the flexible assembly incorporates modern solid state technology that would be difficult to integrate into the rigid structure.
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
These modules enable instant upgradability of illumination and image capture systems without replacing entire medical devices, enhance sterilization capabilities, and allow for advanced imaging functionalities like stereoscopic and depth-dependent imaging, improving surgical precision and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
Removable and pluggable OE illumination and vision modules can be plugged onto various designs of single use or reusable, articulating and non-articulating surgical medical device bodies
Implementation Method 2
imaging optics, and image capture devices, collectively referred to as Opto-Electronic (OE) illumination and vision modules
Implementation Method 3
one or more opto-electronic imaging systems for image capture in diagnostic or surgical endoscopic procedures
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments for providing removable, pluggable and disposable opto-electronic modules for illumination and imaging for endoscopy or borescopy are provided for use with portable display devices. Generally, various medical or industrial devices can include one or more solid state or other compact electro-optic illuminating elements located thereon. Additionally, such opto-electronic modules may include illuminating optics, imaging optics, and/or image capture devices. The illuminating elements may have different wavelengths and can be time-synchronized with an image sensor to illuminate an object for imaging or detecting purpose or other conditioning purpose. The removable opto-electronic modules may be plugged onto the exterior surface of another medical device, deployably coupled to the distal end of the device, or otherwise disposed on the device.