Endoscope Camera Connection Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endoscopes face difficulties in high-frequency surgeries where voltage pulses are transmitted to optical recording devices, leading to image deterioration or failure, particularly with CCD sensors, due to poor mechanical and electrical connections.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an electrical insulating body, such as a rotatable ring made of plastic materials like PEEK, between the camera connection and the main body to prevent voltage pulses from reaching the optical recording device, ensuring a secure mechanical and electrical insulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a locking mechanism with spring is used to mechanically fasten the optical recording device, then the device can be securely attached, but the mechanical connection properties deteriorate over time and the structure becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical connection propertiesVSAvoidlocking mechanism structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the spring component from the locking mechanism, extracting the problematic element that caused deterioration over time. The simplified mechanism without the spring maintains secure attachment while eliminating the complexity and reliability issues associated with spring-based locking systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Strength

If the main body is made electrically conductive for structural integrity, then the endoscope maintains mechanical strength, but voltage pulses are transmitted to the optical recording device causing image deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemain body structural integrityVSAvoidvoltage pulse transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an electrically insulating body as an intermediary component between the electrically conductive main body and the optical recording device. This mediator maintains the structural integrity of the conductive main body while blocking the transmission of voltage pulses to the optical recording device, thereby protecting against image deterioration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a complex locking mechanism with spring is used, then the optical recording device can be securely fastened, but the connection cannot be repeatedly released and re-established without impairment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidrepeated attachment and detachment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By removing the spring component from the locking mechanism, the patent enables repeated attachment and detachment of the optical recording device without the mechanical connection properties deteriorating. The simplified mechanism allows for multiple cycles of connection and release while maintaining connection stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 voltage pulses from interfering with image recording, allowing for reliable image capture during high-frequency surgeries without compromising mechanical connection properties, even with repeated use and sterilization.

Implementation Method 1

the camera connection has the electrical insulating body, which electrically insulates an optical recording device mechanically attached to the camera connection from the main body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP2862502B1Endoscope
Publication Date: 2021.06.02 HENKE SASS WOLF
  • EP2862502B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2862502B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An endoscope is provided with an endoscope shaft (2) and a main body (4) connected to the endoscope shaft (2), the main body having a camera connection (5) to which an optical recording device (6) can be mechanically attached, wherein the main body (4) is electrically conductive and the camera connection (5) has an electrical insulating body (14) which electrically insulates an optical recording device (6) mechanically attached to the camera connection (5) from the main body (4).