Endoscope Adjustable Viewing Angle Light Refraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopes with adjustable viewing angles face issues such as wastage of light capacity, potential photo-thermal or photo-chemical damage, and reduced image quality due to unnecessary illumination of objects outside the visual field, as well as discomfort from constant illuminating intensity across the visual field.
Innovation Solution
A controllable light-refracting device using a shapeable phase interface between two fluids with different refractive indices is positioned on the distal end of the endoscope, allowing adjustable refraction of illuminating light to match the selected viewing angle, reducing unnecessary illumination and improving image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the entire visual field is illuminated independently of the selected viewing angle, then the visual field is sufficiently illuminated, but light capacity is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a movable mirror or prism that can dynamically adjust its angle to redirect illuminating light only into the currently selected viewing angle. This dynamic adjustment ensures that light is concentrated where needed rather than distributed uniformly across all possible angles, resolving the contradiction between maintaining adequate illumination and reducing light capacity waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination system is designed to provide localized lighting only in the direction of the selected viewing angle rather than uniform illumination across the entire possible visual field. By making the illumination quality spatially selective and matched to the active viewing direction, the system avoids wasting light capacity while ensuring sufficient illumination where the observer is actually looking.
2Illumination intensity
If high intensity illuminating light is used, then the visual field is well illuminated, but photo-thermal or photo-chemical damage to tissue or objects can occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system concentrates high intensity illuminating light only in the direction of the selected viewing angle using a movable mirror or prism, rather than distributing it across the entire visual field. This localized concentration ensures adequate illumination of the observed area while minimizing exposure of surrounding tissue or objects to harmful high intensity light, thus preventing photo-thermal or photo-chemical damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable mirror or prism dynamically redirects the high intensity illuminating light beam to follow the selected viewing angle. This dynamic tracking ensures that high intensity light is always directed only where observation is occurring, preventing unintended exposure of other areas to harmful radiation while maintaining excellent illumination quality in the active field of view.
3Illumination intensity
If illuminating light is distributed to illuminate the entire visual field, then all areas are visible, but light capacity is wasted and image quality deteriorates due to dispersion and reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The movable mirror or prism dynamically adjusts to redirect illuminating light only into the currently selected viewing angle. This dynamic focusing of illumination prevents light dispersion and reflection issues that occur with broad distribution, maintaining high image quality by ensuring light is concentrated in the active observation direction rather than scattered across multiple angles where it could reflect off or disperse from various surfaces.
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 solution reduces light capacity on objects outside the visual field, minimizes photo-thermal damage, and adjusts illuminating intensity to user preferences, enhancing image quality and allowing for miniaturization of the endoscope.
Implementation Method 1
a controllable light-refracting device for controllable refraction of illuminating light by means of a shapeable phase interface between two fluids
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope includes a light outlet surface at the distal end of the endoscope and a controllable light-refracting device for controllable refraction of illuminating light by a shapeable phase interface between two fluids, such that the controllable light-refracting device is disposed at the distal end of the endoscope.