Endoscope Imaging System Using Anamorphic Prism for Compact Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopes with small external diameters face challenges in maintaining imaging efficiency while minimizing patient trauma, as existing designs often compromise on size without adequate solutions for optical distortion and aspect ratio compatibility.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope camera system featuring a cylindrical enclosure with a right-angle transparent prism and anamorphic optics that optically distort images, which are then corrected by a processor to maintain the original aspect ratio, allowing for extremely small dimensions without reducing imaging efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the endoscope diameter is reduced to minimize patient trauma, then patient trauma is reduced, but imaging efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging array is mounted with its plane face parallel to the enclosure diameter, nesting the sensor plane within the cylindrical constraint. The right-angle prism is positioned to receive light from the optics and redirect it onto the imaging array, with the prism's hypotenuse facing the optics and the exit face mating with the imaging array's plane face, creating a compact nested arrangement that fits within the small diameter enclosure while maintaining functional imaging capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a right-angle transparent prism to redirect light paths in three-dimensional space. The prism's hypotenuse receives incoming radiation from the optics and reflects it to the exit face that mates with the imaging array, effectively using spatial dimensionality to accommodate the optical path within the constrained cylindrical diameter while preserving imaging efficiency
2Ease of manufacture
If standard optics are used in a small endoscope, then manufacturing is simplified, but optical distortion and aspect ratio compatibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs anamorphic optics that intentionally introduce asymmetric distortion with different magnifications in orthogonal directions (first magnification and second magnification orthogonal to and different from the first magnification). The optics-ratio of the first magnification to the second magnification is responsive to a prism-ratio of the first edge to the second edge of the rectangular entrance face, creating a controlled asymmetric optical path that can be precisely corrected
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a processor that applies an un-distortion factor to the distorted image to produce an undistorted image with the correct aspect ratio. The processor is configured to apply the un-distortion factor as a numerical factor, creating a feedback loop where the optical distortion is measured and then computationally corrected to achieve the desired imaging geometry
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
Enables the creation of endoscope cameras with millimeter dimensions that can produce undistorted images with standard aspect ratios, suitable for minimally invasive surgeries by correcting optical distortions through numerical factors, thus enhancing surgical precision and reducing patient trauma.
Implementation Method 1
a right-angle transparent prism having a rectangular entrance face, an exit face, and an hypotenuse configured to reflect radiation from the entrance face to the exit face
Implementation Method 2
In a disclosed embodiment the optics include gradient-index (GRIN) optics
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope camera, including a cylindrical enclosure having an enclosure diameter, and an imaging array mounted within the enclosure so that a plane face of the imaging array is parallel to the enclosure diameter. The camera includes a right-angle transparent prism having a rectangular entrance face, an exit face, and an hypotenuse configured to reflect radiation from the entrance face to the exit face. The entrance face has a first edge longer than a second edge, and the prism is mounted within the enclosure so that the first edge is parallel to the enclosure diameter and so that the exit face mates with the plane face of the imaging array. The camera further includes optics, configured to receive incoming radiation from an object, which are mounted so as to transmit the incoming radiation to the imaging array via the entrance and exit faces of the prism.