Ultrasound Endoscope Cable Structure for Thin, Reliable Connections
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The use of non-coaxial cables in ultrasound endoscopes leads to disconnection issues during connection to the wiring substrate due to the absence of a shield layer and outer coat for each signal wire, hindering the reduction in diameter.
Innovation Solution
The ultrasound endoscope employs a non-coaxial cable structure with a first cable bundle of signal and ground wires coated by a first shield layer, an outer coat, and optionally a resin layer, and is fixed by a fixing part to prevent disconnection, allowing for a reduction in diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a non-coaxial cable without shield layer and outer coat is used, then the diameter of the ultrasound endoscope is reduced, but the cable is likely to be disconnected at the time of connection to a wiring substrate
Solution Approach 1:
The cable structure is segmented into distinct functional layers: signal wires with individual insulation, a shield layer for electromagnetic protection, and an outer coat for mechanical protection. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function while contributing to the overall compact design.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable end is prepared in advance by exposing the signal wires before connection to the wiring substrate. This preliminary action ensures that the wires are ready for immediate bonding, preventing disconnection issues during the connection process.
2Reliability
If a coaxial cable with shield layer and outer coat is used, then the connection reliability is improved, but the diameter of the ultrasound endoscope increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable design optimizes the thickness and material properties of the shield layer and outer coat to provide sufficient protection while minimizing the overall diameter. By carefully controlling these parameters, the cable maintains reliability without excessive size increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable employs composite material structures, combining conductive materials for signal transmission, insulating materials for protection, and flexible materials for the outer coat. This composite approach achieves both mechanical reliability and compact dimensions.
3Reliability
If signal wires are individually insulated and bundled, then the electrical connection is improved, but the cable structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individually insulated signal wires are merged into a single bundled structure with a common shield layer and outer coat. This merging reduces the overall number of separate components while maintaining the electrical isolation and connection reliability of each wire.
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 solution effectively prevents disconnection of non-coaxial cables and achieves a reduction in diameter, ensuring stable electrical connections and efficient signal transmission.
Implementation Method 1
a distal end part that comprises piezoelectric elements configuring ultrasound transducers
Implementation Method 2
an ultrasound endoscope that observes a state inside a body of a subject by irradiating the inside of the body with ultrasonic waves
Implementation Method 3
receives reflected waves to capture video
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasound endoscope includes an insertion part including a distal end part having an ultrasound transducer array of ultrasound transducers, a cable inserted into the insertion part, and a substrate, including electrode pads, that electrically connects the ultrasound transducers and the cable, and is disposed in the distal end part. The cable has a non-coaxial cable including a first cable bundle consisting of signal wires and ground wires, and a first shield layer with which the first cable bundle is coated, and an outer coat with which a second cable bundle consisting of the non-coaxial cables is coated. Each first cable bundle is individually led out from the cable, and each signal wire of the first cable bundle is led out and electrically bonded to the corresponding electrode pad. The ultrasound endoscope further includes a fixing part that fixes relative positions of the substrate and each first cable bundle.