Endoscope Light-Diverter with Multi-Axis Joint for Adjustable Viewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopes with fixed viewing angles are limiting in medical and non-medical applications, often requiring multiple replacements during procedures, necessitating an endoscope with an adjustable viewing angle within a predetermined range to enhance usability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope with a movable light-diverting device, including a prism, object lens, or mirror, is equipped with a jointed device allowing mobility beyond a single pivot axis, enabling adjustable viewing angles through pivot and translational movements, with mechanisms like dual pivot axes and elastic elements for precise positioning and automatic axis selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light-diverting device with the greatest possible cross-section is used to achieve high light intensity, then light intensity is improved, but the available structural space at the distal end becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The light-diverting device is made movable through a jointed mechanism that allows it to pivot about multiple axes. This dynamic configuration enables the device to achieve a larger effective cross-section for light collection while maintaining a compact form factor when not in use, resolving the contradiction between light intensity and available space.
Solution Approach 2:
The jointed device introduces additional degrees of freedom by enabling movement about multiple pivot axes rather than a single axis. This multi-dimensional movement capability allows the light-diverting device to optimize its cross-sectional area for light intensity while accommodating spatial constraints through articulated motion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a light-diverting device with mobility about multiple pivot axes is used to achieve a greater angular range, then angular range is improved, but the structural space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The jointed device employs a nested articulated structure where multiple pivot axes are arranged in a compact configuration. The light-diverting device can pivot about a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis in a nested arrangement, achieving multi-axis mobility while minimizing the overall structural footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
By introducing movement about multiple pivot axes rather than a single axis, the system achieves greater angular range through multi-dimensional motion. This allows the light-diverting device to access a broader viewing angle space without proportionally increasing the structural space required.
3Ease of operation
If the distal end of the endoscope is miniaturized to decrease shaft cross-section, then ease of operation is improved, but the available structural space for the light-diverting device becomes smaller
Solution Approach 1:
The jointed device enables the light-diverting component to dynamically adjust its configuration and cross-sectional area as needed. This allows the distal end to maintain a small overall size for ease of operation while the light-diverting device can expand its effective cross-section when required for optimal light intensity.
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 allows for a larger light-diverting device cross-section, increasing the angular range and light intensity while optimizing the light-diverting device's position within the structural space, enabling precise and adjustable viewing angles without the need for frequent endoscope replacement.
Implementation Method 1
The light-diverting device includes, for example, a prism or mirror, whose orientation determines in which direction (with respect to the distal end of the endoscope) observed objects are situated, or from which direction light falling onto the distal end of the endoscope is switched into an observation beam path and/or is diverted onto a light-sensitive image sensor.
Implementation Method 2
The light-diverting device includes, in particular, a prism, an object lens, a lens or a mirror
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope with a viewing angle that can be adjusted within a predetermined angular range includes a movable light-diverting device on the distal end of the endoscope on whose orientation the viewing angle of the endoscope depends, and a jointed device to movably hold the light-diverting device. The jointed device is configured for a movement of the light-diverting device that includes more than only a pivoting about a single pivot axis.