Endoscope With Flush Transparent Lid for Clogging Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes experience clogging issues at the distal end due to unevenness caused by obliquely emitted auxiliary measurement light, leading to foreign matter accumulation.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope design incorporates a transparent member with a flat surface flush with the distal end, housing the auxiliary measurement light optical system, and ensuring the optical axes of both systems intersect, with an airtight space between the light-emitting surface and the transparent member to prevent clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If auxiliary measurement light is emitted obliquely from a surface inclined with respect to the distal end surface, then the optical path can be compactly arranged, but unevenness is formed at the distal end part causing clogging by foreign matters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transparent member (lid) that covers the second hole portion from a new dimensional perspective, creating a flat distal end surface while maintaining the oblique optical path arrangement inside. This resolves the contradiction by separating the external surface geometry from the internal optical path configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent member acts as an intermediary element between the oblique auxiliary measurement light optical system and the external environment. It provides a flat surface that prevents clogging while allowing the oblique optical path to function internally, mediating between the conflicting requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the light-emitting surface is inclined to achieve oblique emission, then measurement functionality is improved, but the distal end surface becomes uneven leading to foreign matter accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent lid creates a new dimensional layer that flattens the distal end surface while enclosing the oblique optical system. This allows the measurement functionality to be maintained through the transparent member without exposing the uneven inclined surface to the external environment where foreign matter could accumulate.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent member serves as a protective intermediary that shields the inclined light-emitting surface from foreign matter while maintaining optical functionality. It allows light transmission while preventing direct exposure of the uneven surface to the examination environment.
3Reliability
If a transparent member with flat surface is introduced to eliminate unevenness, then clogging is prevented, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent member is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it creates a flat distal end surface to prevent clogging, serves as a protective cover for the auxiliary measurement light optical system, and maintains optical transparency for light transmission. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the protective cover function with the optical transmission function in a single transparent member. By combining these functions into one component rather than using separate parts, the structural complexity is minimized while achieving the desired clogging prevention.
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
Prevents clogging and condensation, allowing accurate measurement and display of measurement markers, enhancing the endoscope's functionality and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a transparent member which includes a flat surface flush with the distal end of the insertion part and is inserted into an optical path of the auxiliary measurement light emitted from the light-emitting surface
Data Source
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AI summary
There are provided an endoscope and an endoscope apparatus that do not have unevenness at a distal end part of an insertion part of the endoscope. An auxiliary measurement light optical system (30) of an endoscope (12) is housed in a second hole portion (20b). A transparent lid (22) is provided at a distal end of the second hole portion (20b) and the second hole portion (20b) is closed by the transparent lid (22), so that the auxiliary measurement light optical system (30) is housed behind the transparent lid (22). The transparent lid (22) is formed in the shape of a plate, and one end surface of the transparent lid (22) is formed of a flat surface (22a). The transparent lid (22) is disposed so that the flat surface (22a) is flush with the distal end of the second hole portion (20b).