Endoscope Signal Transmission via Coaxial Cable and Buffer Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Long signal lines in endoscope systems are prone to signal attenuation, leading to instability in imaging signals, particularly due to their length and susceptibility to electrical interference and noise.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope system incorporates a coaxial cable structure with a first conductor and a second conductor, where the second conductor is outside the first, along with an impedance conversion circuit and a buffer to convert and stabilize the signal, and a current-voltage conversion circuit to manage power and noise, enhancing signal transmission speed and reducing interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If a long signal line is used to transmit imaging signals from the distal end of the insertion portion, then the imaging signals can be transmitted over long distances, but the signal is easily attenuated and becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
A buffer circuit is introduced as an intermediary component between the imaging element and the main processing unit. The buffer circuit receives the imaging signal from the imaging element, maintains signal levels, and outputs a stabilized signal, thereby preventing signal attenuation and instability over long transmission distances
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces passive mechanical signal transmission through long cables with active electronic signal conditioning using a buffer circuit. This substitution of active electronic components for passive transmission media resolves the signal degradation issue inherent in long cable runs
2Reliability
If a coaxial cable with shield structure is used to prevent signal attenuation, then signal stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the signal conditioning function from the cable structure itself and places it in a separate buffer circuit component. This separation allows the use of simpler cable structures while maintaining signal stability through the dedicated buffer circuit, reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer circuit serves as an intermediary that handles signal conditioning tasks, allowing the use of simpler transmission cables. The buffer performs impedance matching and signal level maintenance that would otherwise require complex cable designs
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope system includes an imaging element, a voltage-current conversion circuit, a first coaxial cable, and an impedance conversion circuit. The imaging element generates a first voltage. The voltage-current conversion circuit is disposed inside or outside the imaging element and converts the first voltage into a first current. The first coaxial cable has a first conductor and a second conductor. The second conductor is disposed outside the first conductor. The first current is transmitted through the first conductor. The first current transmitted through the first conductor is input to the impedance conversion circuit. The impedance conversion circuit outputs a second current according to the first current. A second voltage according to the first current is input to the second conductor.