Endoscope Cooling Sheath Design for High-Temperature Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional endoscopes are limited in their application due to temperature restrictions, as the insertion portion with a solid-state image sensor and illuminating means can only operate up to about 80°C, making them unsuitable for high-temperature environments like engine interiors where temperatures exceed 200°C.

Innovation Solution

An endoscope cooling device with an inner and outer sheath forming flow paths for a cooling fluid, along with a regulating mechanism to manage the distal end portion, allowing the cooling fluid to circulate and maintain the insertion portion's temperature within operational limits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the insertion portion is equipped with an observation portion and illuminating means, then the endoscope can perform observation functions, but the maximum allowable working temperature is restricted to about 80°C

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobservation functionVSAvoidmaximum allowable working temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling device is divided into multiple functional segments: an inner sheath for housing the insertion portion, an outer sheath for structural support and sealing, and a cooling fluid circulation system with separate flow paths. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to solve the temperature limitation problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A cooling fluid acts as an intermediary substance to transfer heat away from the insertion portion. The cooling fluid circulates through the flow paths formed between the inner and outer sheaths, absorbing excess heat and maintaining the observation portion within its operational temperature range, thus enabling the endoscope to function in high-temperature environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the endoscope is used in high-temperature environments like engine interiors, then industrial observation becomes possible, but the insertion portion overheats and cannot maintain observation functions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindustrial observation capabilityVSAvoidinsertion portion temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system performs preliminary cooling action by circulating cooling fluid through the flow paths before the observation portion becomes overheated. The cooling fluid absorbs heat proactively, preventing the insertion portion from reaching critical temperatures, thereby maintaining observation functionality in high-temperature industrial environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling device utilizes hydraulic principles by employing a liquid or gas cooling fluid that circulates through the flow paths formed by the inner and outer sheaths. The cooling fluid absorbs heat from the insertion portion through thermal conduction and convection, effectively managing thermal loads in industrial applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Temperature

If a cooling fluid circulation system is added to enable high-temperature operation, then the endoscope can function in high-temperature environments, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperating temperature rangeVSAvoidcooling system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inner sheath is nested within the outer sheath, creating concentric flow paths for the cooling fluid. This nested structure allows the cooling system to be integrated within the existing endoscope geometry without adding significant external complexity, while still providing effective cooling through the circulation of cooling fluid between the sheaths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 endoscope to operate effectively in high-temperature environments by maintaining the insertion portion's temperature, extending its application beyond conventional temperature limitations.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling fluid to flow between the outer circumferential face of the insertion portion and the inner circumferential face of the inner sheath

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the cooling fluid to circulate and maintain the insertion portion's temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS9046694B2Cooling apparatus for endoscope and endoscope system

Publication Date: 2015.06.02 EVIDENT CORP

AI summary

The endoscope cooling device is to cool an insertion portion having an observation portion at the distal end. The device is provided with an inner sheath into which the distal end portion of the insertion portion including the observation portion is inserted to form a first flow path of a cooling fluid between the outer circumferential face of the insertion portion and the inner circumferential face of the inner sheath, an outer sheath into which the inner sheath is inserted to form a second flow path of the cooling fluid between the outer circumferential face of the inner sheath and the inner circumferential face of the outer sheath, a regulating means for regulating the distal end portion in moving at least either through the inner sheath or the outer sheath, and a fluid supply means for supplying the cooling fluid to the first flow path and the second flow path.