Endoscope Lens Rotation Assembly for Field of View Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopes face challenges in maintaining image quality during rotation, as the camera is often fixedly mounted, requiring complex optical and mechanical designs to adjust focus during repositioning or field of view changes.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope with a rotation assembly that includes a magnetically linked system allowing the imaging device to rotate within the tip, extending through the shaft and into the handle assembly, enabling torque application to change the field of view without compromising image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the camera is fixedly mounted in the endoscope, then the mechanical design is simplified, but the field of view cannot be changed without rotating the entire endoscope which rotates the image
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is divided into separate rotational components: the tip can rotate independently relative to the shaft, and the camera can rotate independently within the tip. This segmentation allows field of view adjustment without rotating the entire endoscope, resolving the contradiction between simplified mechanical design and field of view adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic rotational capabilities at multiple levels: the tip rotates dynamically relative to the shaft via a first rotation mechanism, and the camera rotates dynamically within the tip via a second rotation mechanism. This multi-level dynamic design enables flexible field of view adjustment while maintaining a relatively simple overall mechanical structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the camera components are rotatable to change field of view, then the adaptability is improved, but complicated optical and mechanical designs are required to maintain imaging focus during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation function is segmented into two independent mechanisms: a first rotation mechanism for rotating the tip relative to the shaft, and a second rotation mechanism for rotating the camera within the tip. This segmentation simplifies each individual rotation mechanism compared to a single complex mechanism, while achieving the same field of view adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The tip acts as an intermediary component between the shaft and the camera. It provides a rotating platform that carries the camera, allowing the camera to rotate relative to the shaft through the tip without requiring a direct complex connection. This intermediary structure simplifies the overall optical and mechanical design.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the entire endoscope is rotated to change field of view, then the imaging device orientation is maintained, but the image transmitted back to the monitor rotates along with the endoscope
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is segmented into rotatable sections: the tip rotates relative to the shaft, and the camera rotates within the tip. This allows the camera to maintain a fixed orientation relative to the shaft while the tip rotates to change the field of view, preventing image rotation on the monitor while achieving field of view adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of rotating the entire endoscope to change field of view (which rotates the image), the patent inverts the approach by rotating only the tip and camera components independently. The camera rotates in the opposite direction to the tip rotation, maintaining stable image orientation while achieving field of view change.
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 rotation assembly effectively changes the orientation of the imaging device, allowing for improved visualization during minimally invasive procedures by maintaining image quality and simplifying the mechanical design, enabling precise control over the field of view.
Implementation Method 1
The rotation assembly may include a magnet base disposed within the handle assembly and radially rotatable therein around the central longitudinal axis. The magnet base may include at least one magnet, and the rotation shaft may extend through the magnet base in fixed relation relative thereto. The rotation assembly may include a rotating ring disposed on the handle assembly and may be rotatable relative to the handle assembly. The rotating ring may include at least one magnet having a polarity opposite the polarity of the at least one magnet of the magnet base such that rotation of the rotating ring causes a corresponding rotation of the magnet base and the rotation shaft.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope includes a handle assembly, an elongate shaft extending distally from the handle assembly, a tip disposed at a distal end of the elongate shaft, an imaging device disposed within the tip, and a rotation assembly operably coupled to the imaging device for rotating the imaging device within the tip.