Endoscope Light Guide Segmentation for Cooling and Assembly

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Endoscopes face challenges in providing a cooling system for heat-generating light sources due to space constraints, particularly in the small diameter of the insert unit, and require efficient assembly and space utilization to maintain effective illumination and functionality.

Innovation Solution

The endoscope design incorporates a grip unit with a light source, a first and second light guide, and an optical connector, allowing the light to be guided from the light source through the optical connector and exit part, enabling efficient cooling and assembly by separating the light guides for connection, thus optimizing space use and assembly efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the light source is provided in the insert unit to achieve compact design, then the endoscope form factor is compact, but space for cooling system is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveendoscope form factorVSAvoidlight source cooling

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide is divided into a first light guide and a second light guide that are connected via an optical connector. This segmentation allows the light source to be positioned in the grip unit while the light guides extend to the insert unit, resolving the space constraint issue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of moving object

If the light source is provided in the insert unit to reduce space, then the endoscope is more compact, but assembly efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveendoscope form factorVSAvoidassembly efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The first light guide is connected to the light source and the second light guide is connected to the light exit part in advance, before assembling the insert unit into the grip unit. This preliminary connection improves assembly efficiency while maintaining the compact design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Temperature

If the light source is provided in the grip unit to improve cooling, then cooling efficiency is improved, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight source coolingVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide is segmented into two parts connected by an optical connector, allowing the light source to be in the grip unit while maintaining a simple assembly process through preliminary connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The optical connector serves as a universal interface that simplifies the connection between the first and second light guides, reducing assembly complexity despite the distributed light source configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Device complexity

If a single light guide is used to simplify the structure, then device complexity is reduced, but space use efficiency in the insert unit decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight guide structureVSAvoidspace use efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide is divided into two separate guides that can be optimally routed through the insert unit, improving space utilization while maintaining structural simplicity through the optical connector interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 design allows for effective cooling of the light source, improved assembly efficiency, and enhanced space use efficiency, enabling brighter illumination while maintaining a compact endoscope form factor.

Implementation Method 1

a first light guide (12) having a first entrance end (12a) located on a side of the light source (11) and a first exit end (12b) located on a side of the optical connection unit (14)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

an optical connection unit (14), wherein light that goes out from the first exit end (12b) enters a second entrance end (13a) of a second light guide (13) through the optical connection unit (14)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical coupling: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 3

a second light guide (13) having a second entrance end (13a) located on a side of the optical connection unit (14) and a second exit end (13b) located on a side of the light exit part (15)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20230355077A1Endoscope, endoscope system, and method of manufacturing endoscope

Publication Date: 2023.11.09 OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYST CORP

AI summary

An endoscope according to an embodiment includes a grip unit, an insert unit, a light source, a light exit part provided in the insert unit, a first light guide, a second light guide, and an optical connector disposed in the grip unit. The first light guide has a first entrance end located on the side of the light source and a first exit end located on the side of the optical connector. The second light guide has a second entrance end located on the side of the optical connector and a second exit end located on the side of the light exit part. The light that goes out from the first exit end enters the second entrance end through the optical connector.