Endoscope Image Pickup Heat Insulating Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Image pickup apparatuses for endoscopes face issues with high-temperature high-pressure steam sterilization, where the internal units, including image pickup devices and objective optical systems, are prone to breakdown or clouding due to direct exposure, necessitating a configuration that prevents steam entry while ensuring accurate positioning and heat dissipation.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a heat insulating member with lower thermal conductivity than metal between the retaining member's fixing portions and the exterior member's fixing parts, along with a heat dissipation plate and sheet, to prevent heat buildup and direct steam exposure, while maintaining the airtight and optical precision of the endoscope system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the image pickup unit is sealed inside an airtight case formed of resin, then the image pickup device is protected from high-temperature high-pressure steam, but the heat generated by the image pickup device cannot be efficiently dissipated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from steamVSAvoidheat dissipation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The exterior member is formed of metal material (such as stainless steel) that provides both airtightness and thermal conductivity, eliminating the need for separate resin sealing and heat dissipation pathways. The metal exterior member directly contacts the image pickup unit while maintaining steam protection and enabling efficient heat transfer to the heat dissipation structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing function and heat dissipation function are merged into a single metal exterior member structure. The airtight sealing is achieved through metal-to-metal contacts and sealing structures integrated into the exterior member, while the same metal structure provides thermal pathways for heat dissipation, eliminating the conflict between insulation and heat transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If the internal unit is directly fixed to the inner surface of the exterior member, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the heat from the image pickup device is transferred to the exterior member causing temperature increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidtemperature increase

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

A heat insulating member is introduced as an intermediary between the image pickup unit and the metal exterior member. This heat insulating member has thermal insulation properties that prevent heat transfer to the exterior member while maintaining the mechanical connection and positioning accuracy. The intermediary layer decouples the thermal pathway while preserving the mechanical pathway for secure mounting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a resin airtight case is used to seal the image pickup unit, then steam protection is achieved, but the structural strength and heat dissipation capability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteam protectionVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

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

This configuration effectively prevents breakdowns and clouding during sterilization, maintains optical precision, and reduces temperature within the endoscope, allowing for efficient heat dissipation and reuse of the exterior member.

Implementation Method 1

a heat insulating member provided between the at least one fixing portion of the retaining member and a fixing part of the inner surface of the exterior member, the heat insulating member being formed of a member with a lower thermal conductivity than metal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

the heat from the image pickup device has to be transferred to the exterior member via the retaining member, and has to be discharged outside the exterior member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10813542B2Image pickup apparatus for endoscope

Publication Date: 2020.10.27 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)

AI summary

An image pickup apparatus for an endoscope includes an exterior member; an internal unit including an image pickup unit; a fixing frame formed of metal and including at least one fixing portion configured to retain the internal unit and to fix the internal unit to an inner surface of the exterior member; and a washer provided between the at least one fixing portion and a screw hole of the inner surface, the washer being formed of a member with a lower thermal conductivity than metal, wherein the at least one fixing portion of the retaining member is fixed to the fixing part of the exterior member by a fixing member via the heat insulating member, and the heat insulating member covers an outer circumference of the fixing member.