Endoscope Head Segmentation for Cardio-Float Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endoscopes are not suitable for sensitive areas of the body that require high-resolution optical detection without causing damage from external electrical currents, and they lack the flexibility to reach inaccessible areas such as the heart or brain.

Innovation Solution

An endoscope system with a flexible sheath and an earth-related, electrically conductive protective sheath that houses an image sensor and camera driver, providing high-resolution imaging and electrical insulation to prevent damage from external currents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a rigid endoscope with a camera at the proximal end is used, then high-resolution imaging is achieved, but the endoscope cannot be inserted into curved patient cavities or blood vessels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging resolutionVSAvoidflexibility for curved cavity insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The endoscope is divided into a rigid endoscope head containing the camera and a flexible sheath that can be inserted into curved cavities. The rigid head provides stable high-resolution imaging while the flexible sheath enables navigation through tortuous blood vessels and curved patient cavities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A flexible sheath is used to enclose the rigid endoscope head and electrical lines, allowing the overall device to bend and conform to curved anatomical structures while maintaining the rigidity of the imaging head for stable high-resolution capture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible endoscope with glass image guides is used, then the endoscope can reach curved areas, but the resolution is low and the image guides are brittle and can break

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility for curved cavity accessVSAvoidimaging resolution

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical image conduction system (glass image guides) is replaced with an electronic imaging system (camera with image sensor) that converts optical images into electrical signals. This substitution enables high-resolution imaging while allowing the use of flexible materials for the sheath, eliminating the brittleness issue of glass image guides.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If electrical lines are extended to the proximal end for power and data transmission, then the camera can function at the distal end, but electrical insulation is required to prevent damage to sensitive body areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera functionality at distal endVSAvoidelectrical current leakage to sensitive body areas

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An electrically insulating sheath material is introduced as an intermediary between the electrical lines and the patient's body. This intermediate layer prevents harmful electrical current leakage while allowing electrical signals to be transmitted to the camera for distal-end imaging functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sheath is constructed from composite materials that provide both mechanical flexibility for navigation and electrical insulation properties to protect sensitive body areas from electrical current leakage while allowing camera operation at the distal end.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 endoscope system achieves high-resolution imaging in sensitive areas while ensuring patient safety by limiting leakage current and providing mechanical and electrical shielding, allowing access to previously inaccessible areas such as the heart or brain.

Implementation Method 1

The endoscope head also has insulation that completely encloses at least the protective sheath and has a breakdown voltage of at least 1 kV. The flexible sheath forms the insulation.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Dielectric

Implementation Method 2

A camera with a distal viewing direction is arranged in the endoscope head. The endoscope head has a shielding, earth-related, electrically conductive protective sheath, within which an image sensor and a camera driver are arranged.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical shielding: Faraday Cage

Data Source

PatentUS20250049297A1Endoscope and endoscope system for cardio-float applications

Publication Date: 2025.02.13 ALLIED VISION FINNING GMBH

AI summary

An endoscope for cardio-float applications comprises an endoscope head and a flexible sheath. A camera with a distal viewing direction is arranged in the endoscope head. The endoscope head has a shielding, earth-related, electrically conductive protective sheath, within which an image sensor and a camera driver are arranged. The endoscope head also has insulation that completely encloses at least the protective sheath and has a breakdown voltage of at least 1 kV.