Endoscope Optical Design with Incidence-Side Focus for Clear Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endoscopes face issues with uneven light distribution leading to reduced viewing angles and potential image contamination due to body fluids adhering to emission surfaces, resulting in unclear observations.

Innovation Solution

The endoscope design includes a first positive lens that concentrates light onto an internal focus point on the incidence side, utilizing a rod lens and positive lenses to uniformly illuminate a wide area and maintain image clarity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a lens with strong refractive power is used to widen light distribution, then the viewing angle is improved, but light density becomes uneven and temperature rises on the emission side

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight distributionVSAvoidemission side temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by positioning the focus point at a specific location within the lens (on the incidence side from the center) rather than uniformly distributing light. This creates localized light concentration at the focus point while maintaining lower light density and temperature on the emission side, resolving the contradiction between strong refractive power and temperature control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Illumination intensity

If the focus point is located on the emission side to concentrate light, then illumination intensity is improved, but body fluids adhere to the emission surface causing image contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight concentrationVSAvoidbody fluid adhesion

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by locating the focus point on the incidence side rather than the emission side. This reversal maintains light concentration functionality while moving the focus point away from the emission surface, preventing body fluid adhesion and image contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Use of energy by moving object

If light is concentrated at the center of the lens, then illumination efficiency is improved, but the field of view becomes narrow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight concentration efficiencyVSAvoidfield of view

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of focus point location from the conventional center/emission side position to a specific position on the incidence side. This parameter change enables the light to be concentrated efficiently while still providing wide field of view illumination, as the diverged light after passing through the lens covers a broader area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enables wide illumination and clear observation by reducing light loss and preventing image tinging from body fluids, ensuring a clear and comprehensive view of the target region.

Implementation Method 1

a first positive lens configured to concentrate light emitted from a light source onto an internal focus point and to emit the concentrated light to irradiate an object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS12446763B2Endoscope

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYST CORP

AI summary

An endoscope of the present invention includes a first positive lens configured to concentrate light emitted from a light source onto an internal focus point and to emit the concentrated light to irradiate an object. The focus point is located on an incidence side from an intermediate point on an optical axis of the first positive lens.