Endoscope Camera Drape Connecting Member with Reflection Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope camera drapes face challenges in maintaining airtightness, leading to potential contamination from airborne droplets, and existing connecting members can cause image quality degradation due to light reflection.
Innovation Solution
A connecting member with a reflection suppression section made of hydrophilic resin and polycarbonate, integrated into the endoscope camera drape, which suppresses light reflection and fogging, ensuring airtightness and clear image capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a simple transparent member is used as the connecting member, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but light reflection occurs causing image quality degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a transparent member with a reflection suppression coating layer. The connecting member consists of a base transparent material (such as optical resin or glass) coated with a low-reflection coating (such as fluororesin or anti-reflection coating), creating a composite structure that maintains transparency while suppressing light reflection to reduce image quality degradation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the connecting member by applying surface treatments or coatings that modify the refractive index and reflectivity characteristics. The reflection suppression section uses materials with specific optical properties (low refractive index coatings) to minimize light reflection at the air-transparent member interface, thereby improving image quality without compromising manufacturing feasibility
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the connecting member is designed to cover the endoscope camera, then protection from airborne droplets is improved, but light transmission and image capture are hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thin, transparent film or shell structure for the connecting member that covers the endoscope camera while maintaining optical transparency. The film is designed to be thin enough to allow sufficient light transmission for image capture while still providing a physical barrier against airborne droplets and contamination
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting member uses composite materials that combine protective properties with optical transparency. The material composition includes transparent polymers or coated surfaces that provide both barrier protection against contaminants and sufficient light transmission characteristics for medical imaging applications
3Ease of operation
If a through hole is provided in the grip for endoscope insertion, then ease of operation is improved, but airtightness deteriorates allowing airborne droplet intrusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible membrane or thin film structure around the through hole that can deform to maintain contact and sealing between the wall surface and the inserted endoscope. The flexible material conforms to the shape of the endoscope insertion section, creating an airtight seal while still allowing the endoscope to pass through for operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary sealing element or gasket material around the through hole that mediates between the rigid wall structure and the inserted endoscope. This intermediary component provides the sealing function, preventing airborne droplet intrusion while allowing the endoscope to be inserted and operated
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 protects the endoscope camera from airborne contamination and maintains image quality by reducing light reflection and fogging, enhancing the reliability of the endoscope camera drape system.
Implementation Method 1
a reflection suppression section which suppresses reflection of incident light passing through the connecting member
Implementation Method 2
made of hydrophilic resin and polycarbonate, which suppresses light reflection and fogging
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide a new and improved optical film, connecting member, endoscope camera drape, endoscope device, medical system, optical film production method, and connecting member production method capable of suppressing quality degradation of a captured image while also protecting the endoscope camera from airborne droplets. To solve the above problem, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical film provided on an endoscope camera drape including a drape section that covers a circumferential face of an endoscope camera, and a connecting member which is provided on a front end of the drape section and connects an endoscope and the endoscope camera, the optical film being provided on the connecting member, and including: a reflection suppression section configured to suppress a reflection of incident light incident on the endoscope camera from the endoscope.