Endoscope Holding Frame Asymmetric Wall Thickness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endoscopes with thin holding frames face issues of reduced strength and loss of top/bottom symmetry, leading to potential optical axis inclination and deviation between the optical axis and the image sensor's center, due to unbalanced deformation.

Innovation Solution

The endoscope design features a holding frame with frame wall portions of varying thickness, where the thickness on one axis is smaller than on a perpendicular axis, maintaining strength and symmetry while allowing efficient use of internal space by adjusting the thickness of frame wall portions adjacent to and opposite the treatment tool channel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the entire frame wall of the holding frame is made thinner to reduce insertion unit diameter, then the inside capacity can be utilized more efficiently, but the strength of the holding frame lowers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinside capacity utilizationVSAvoidholding frame strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The holding frame employs non-uniform frame wall thickness distribution, with thinner walls positioned away from the treatment tool channel and thicker walls positioned adjacent to it. This local differentiation allows the frame to maintain sufficient strength in critical areas while reducing material usage and increasing inside capacity in non-critical areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Length of stationary object

If only the bottom wall of the holding frame is made thinner to reduce diameter, then the insertion unit diameter is reduced, but the holding frame loses top/bottom symmetry causing optical axis inclination and deviation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion unit diameterVSAvoidholding frame symmetry

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of uniformly thinning the bottom wall, the invention applies localized thickness reduction only to specific frame wall portions that do not compromise the symmetry between top and bottom walls. This selective approach reduces diameter while preserving the holding frame's symmetric structure and preventing optical axis deviation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces asymmetric thickness distribution in specific regions of the holding frame, where frame wall portions adjacent to the treatment tool channel have different thicknesses compared to other regions. This controlled asymmetry allows diameter reduction while maintaining overall structural balance and symmetry in critical areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS10261308B2Endoscope equipped with image sensor at tip portion

Publication Date: 2019.04.16 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

An endoscope includes, in a tip portion of an insertion unit: an image sensor having a photodetecting surface as defined herein; an imaging optical system as defined herein; a holding frame as defined herein; and a tip portion of a treatment tool channel as defined herein, and, in a cross section taken perpendicularly to the optical axis, a thickness, on a first axis that intersects the optical axis and a center of the treatment tool channel, of frame wall portions, located on two respective sides of the optical axis and intersecting the first axis, of at least a portion of the holding frame is smaller than a thickness, on a second axis that is perpendicular to the optical axis and the first axis, of frame wall portions, located on two respective sides of the optical axis and intersecting the second axis, of the at least portion of the holding frame.