Eccentric Optical Adapter for Endoscope Light Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopes with a single brightness stop for stereo optical systems face issues with light leakage due to longer optical paths, which can lead to flare formation and reduced image quality, necessitating longer rigid distal ends that complicate insertion into detection objects.
Innovation Solution
The optical adapter features eccentrically disposed incident optical systems with multiple apertures and relay lenses, accompanied by distal and proximal flare-cut stops and light-shielding portions to minimize light leakage and improve image quality by shielding unnecessary light, allowing for a shorter rigid distal end and enhanced insertion flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If one brightness stop is provided for two optical systems, then the device complexity is reduced, but light leakage occurs and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single brightness stop is segmented into multiple brightness stops, with each brightness stop corresponding to one optical system. This segmentation allows independent control of light intensity for each optical path, preventing light leakage between channels while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
Different brightness stops are provided at different locations in the optical path, with each brightness stop optimized for its specific optical system. This local optimization ensures that each optical channel has appropriate light control without affecting other channels, resolving the light leakage issue while keeping the overall structure organized.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the rigid distal end portion is made long to accommodate extended optical paths, then light leakage is reduced, but the ease of insertion into detection objects deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope design incorporates a flexible distal end portion that can dynamically bend and adapt to the insertion path, combined with a shortened rigid distal end portion. This dynamic flexibility allows the scope to navigate complex anatomical structures without requiring an excessively long rigid section, thereby preventing light leakage while maintaining ease of insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The problem is solved by transitioning from a purely longitudinal extension (lengthening the rigid portion) to a multi-dimensional solution that includes flexible bending capabilities in multiple directions. This allows the optical path to be extended through spatial flexibility rather than simply increasing the rigid length, resolving both light leakage prevention and insertion ease.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If two brightness stops are provided for left and right optical systems respectively, then light leakage is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple brightness stops are merged into a single integrated brightness stop assembly that controls light for both optical systems. This unified structure reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate brightness control mechanisms for each optical path, while still providing the necessary light leakage prevention through coordinated aperture control.
Solution Approach 2:
The brightness stop assembly is designed with multi-functionality, serving both optical systems simultaneously through a unified structure. This universal design provides light leakage prevention for both channels while avoiding the complexity increase that would result from completely separate brightness control systems.
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 configuration effectively reduces light leakage, improves image quality, and shortens the rigid distal end of the endoscope, facilitating easier insertion while maintaining precise measurement capabilities and reducing component costs.
Implementation Method 1
a relay lens 56 which relays incident light entering each of the plurality of incident optical systems to the corresponding aperture among the plurality of apertures of the brightness stop
Implementation Method 2
a distal light-shielding portion 60 which shields unnecessary light
Data Source
AI summary
This optical adapter for an endoscope includes a plurality of incident optical systems eccentrically disposed with each other, an optical axis of each of the plurality of incident optical systems being spaced away from an axis of the optical adapter for an endoscope with an interval; a brightness stop including a plurality of apertures corresponding to the plurality of incident optical systems respectively; a relay lens configured to relay incident light entering each of the plurality of incident optical systems to the corresponding aperture; and a distal light-shielding portion which is disposed more distally than the relay lens, wherein the plurality of incident optical systems, the relay lens, and the brightness stop are disposed in this order from a distal end side toward a proximal end side of the optical adapter for an endoscope along an incident direction of the incident light.