Endoscope Image Pickup Unit Guide Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope designs face challenges in miniaturization and efficient integration of optical and image pickup units, leading to increased diameter and reduced functionality, particularly in manufacturing small quantities of endoscopes with standardized image pickup units.
Innovation Solution
An ultra-small image pickup apparatus is developed, comprising an optical unit with a polygonal prism image pickup unit, where the optical unit and image pickup unit are accurately and stably fixed using guides, allowing for adjustable optical path length and minimizing the outer diameter, while maintaining high image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an optical unit is attached to a standard image pickup unit to manufacture endoscopes in small quantities, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but the diameter of the distal end portion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical unit is nested within the image pickup unit structure, with the optical unit's emission surface positioned inside the image pickup unit's light receiving surface. This nested arrangement allows the optical unit to be integrated without increasing the overall diameter, as the optical components are housed within the existing image pickup unit footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure extends in the optical axis direction (depth dimension) rather than increasing the radial dimension. By positioning the guide to extend from the emission surface toward the rear surface, the solution addresses the integration challenge in the depth dimension, maintaining a compact diameter while accommodating the optical unit.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the optical unit and image pickup unit are integrated with adjustable optical path length, then functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide acts as an intermediary component between the optical unit and image pickup unit. It provides a standardized interface that accommodates variations in optical path length without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms. The guide's contact surface with the image pickup unit and its emission surface positioning create a stable, adjustable connection that simplifies the overall integration.
3Length of moving object
If the outer diameter is minimized for ultra-small endoscopes, then invasiveness is reduced, but alignment precision between optical unit and image pickup unit becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure provides self-aligning functionality through its geometric design. The contact surface between the guide and image pickup unit, combined with the emission surface positioning, creates a self-aligned interface that automatically ensures precise optical axis alignment without requiring complex external alignment procedures. This self-service alignment mechanism maintains precision while minimizing diameter.
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 enables the production of ultra-small endoscopes with narrow distal ends, enhancing functionality and productivity by ensuring precise alignment and stable fixation of optical and image pickup units, thus facilitating low-invasive procedures with improved image quality.
Implementation Method 1
an image pickup device configured to photoelectrically convert light made incident from the optical unit and output an image pickup signal
Data Source
AI summary
An image pickup apparatus includes: an optical unit including an incident surface and an emission surface, in which a plurality of optical members are arranged around an optical axis; a polygonal prism image pickup unit including a light receiving surface, a rear surface and a plurality of side faces, in which a plurality of elements including an image pickup device configured to photoelectrically convert light made incident from the optical unit and output an image pickup signal are laminated; and at least one guide, a front portion of which is fixed to the emission surface of the optical unit and a rear portion of which is provided with a plurality of contact surfaces that are respectively in contact with and fixed to the plurality of side faces of the image pickup unit.