Endoscope Dual-View Illumination Optical System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopes face limitations in simultaneously observing a wide forward field of view and sideward field of view, with existing designs often compromising on illumination efficiency and evenness across the observation range.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope incorporates a first and second image pickup optical system for forward and sideward observation, respectively, along with a ring-shaped illumination optical system that uses a light guide and reflecting surfaces to efficiently distribute illumination light, ensuring even illumination across the observation range by diffusing and reflecting light within a ring-shaped portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a ring-shaped optical system member is provided to surround a forward-observing lens and illuminate the forward field of view, then the forward field of view is illuminated, but the illumination is not even across the observation range and the sideward field of view remains insufficiently illuminated
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination optical system is divided into multiple independent light guides: a first light guide for forward field illumination and second light guides for sideward field illumination. This segmentation allows each light guide to be optimized for its specific illumination task, achieving even illumination across both forward and sideward fields of view simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination optical system is designed to serve multiple functions: the first light guide illuminates the forward field of view while the second light guides illuminate the sideward field of view. This multi-functional design ensures comprehensive illumination coverage without requiring separate illumination systems for each field of view
2Illumination intensity
If multiple light guides are used for forward and sideward illumination, then comprehensive illumination is achieved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple light guides (first light guide for forward illumination and second light guides for sideward illumination) are merged into a single integrated illumination optical system. This combination achieves comprehensive illumination coverage while avoiding the complexity of completely separate illumination systems by sharing common structural elements and control mechanisms
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
This configuration allows for simultaneous observation of both forward and sideward fields of view with improved illumination evenness and increased light distribution, enhancing the overall observation capabilities of the endoscope.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide that guides illumination light emitted from a light source to the insertion portion
Implementation Method 2
two reflecting surfaces that are disposed at a position opposite to the incident surface, the two reflecting surfaces having inclinations in two directions with respect to a surface orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion, disposed so as to face each other, the two reflecting surfaces reflecting the illumination light incident from the light guide to the incident surface toward directions along tangent lines of the ring-shaped portion
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope according to the present invention includes: a first image pickup optical system for observing a first observation direction, a second image pickup optical system for observing an observation a second observation direction, a light guide guiding illumination light, and an illumination optical system including a ring-shaped portion illuminating the first observation direction, an incident surface being in contact with an end surface of the light guide to receive the illumination light, and two reflecting surfaces disposed at a position opposite to the incident surface, having inclinations in two directions with respect to a surface orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion, disposed so as to face each other, and reflecting the illumination light incident from the light guide toward directions along tangent lines of the ring-shaped portion of the illumination optical system, to cause the illumination light incident to inside of the illumination optical system.