Endoscope Light Guide Connection Detection for Safe Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope devices emit illumination light even when the endoscope is not connected to the light guide, necessitating a limitation in light generation to ensure safety, which hinders the enhancement of image visibility.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope device with a light source unit, insertion member, light receiving unit, and control unit that determines the connection state between the light guide and insertion member based on reflected light, allowing safe light emission only when connected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the amount of light generated by the light source device is increased to enhance visibility, then the visibility of the endoscopic image is improved, but the light amount emitted from the distal end may exceed the safe range when the endoscope is not connected to the light guide
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary connection determination by emitting test light through the light guide before allowing illumination light emission. This preliminary action ensures the light guide is properly connected to the insertion member, preventing excessive light emission into the living body when disconnected. The system only permits high-intensity illumination after confirming proper connection through the test light procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the light receiving unit to determine connection state. The light receiving unit detects reflected light from the target region and provides feedback to the control unit about the connection status. Based on this feedback, the control unit decides whether to emit illumination light at high intensity, thus preventing excessive light emission when disconnected while maintaining high visibility when properly connected.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the light source device emits illumination light without confirming connection to ensure safety, then excessive light emission is prevented, but the visibility of the endoscopic image cannot be enhanced
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary connection determination by emitting test light through the light guide before allowing illumination light emission. This preliminary action ensures the light guide is properly connected to the insertion member, preventing excessive light emission into the living body when disconnected. The system only permits high-intensity illumination after confirming proper connection through the test light procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the light receiving unit to determine connection state. The light receiving unit detects reflected light from the target region and provides feedback to the control unit about the connection status. Based on this feedback, the control unit decides whether to emit illumination light at high intensity, thus preventing excessive light emission when disconnected while maintaining high visibility when properly connected.
3Reliability
If a pressure-based detection method is used to determine insertion state, then the connection state can be detected, but the system cannot prevent light emission when the endoscope is not connected to the light guide
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary light-based detection system between the insertion member and the control unit. The light guide acts as an intermediary that transmits test light to the distal end, and the light receiving unit at the distal end provides feedback about the connection state. This intermediary optical detection system is more reliable for preventing light emission than pressure-based methods, as it directly detects whether the light guide is properly connected to the insertion member.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the light receiving unit to determine connection state. The light receiving unit detects reflected light from the target region and provides feedback to the control unit about the connection status. Based on this feedback, the control unit decides whether to emit illumination light at high intensity, thus preventing excessive light emission when disconnected while maintaining high visibility when properly connected.
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
Prevents excessive light emission when the endoscope is not connected, enabling increased illumination for improved visibility without safety risks.
Implementation Method 1
illumination light generated by a light source device is guided to the inside of the endoscope via a light guide
Implementation Method 2
The illumination light guided into the endoscope travels inside the endoscope and is emitted from the distal end of the endoscope into the living body
Implementation Method 3
a light receiving unit configured to receive reflected light reflected by the target region of the subject and incident from the distal end
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope device includes a light source that supplies first light having in a first emission pattern that changes with time and a second light that is at least partially superimposed on the first light and changes in a second emission pattern with time, an optical system including an insertion member, that illuminates a target region of a subject with light from the light source, a camera configured to receive reflected light reflected by the target region, and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to detect whether reflected light of third light changing in a combined pattern obtained by combining the first emission pattern and the second emission pattern is received. When the reflected light of the third light is received, the control circuit is configured to determine that the light guide and the insertion member are connected.