Endoscope Lighting Control Using Camera Extension and Photosensor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope systems lack precise control over lighting adjustments, leading to potential thermal damage due to inadequate feedback mechanisms, especially when navigating between different anatomical features with varying lighting requirements.
Innovation Solution
A scope system with a movable member and a camera within a lumen, where illumination characteristics are controlled by proximal/distal and rotational movements, using sensors and feedback systems to adjust lighting based on environmental conditions and user inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the camera extension is used to navigate to distant anatomical features, then the ability to reach distant targets is improved, but the lighting feedback accuracy deteriorates leading to inadequate brightness control
Solution Approach 1:
A photosensor is introduced as an intermediary device between the light source and the camera system. The photosensor directly measures the illumination characteristics at the distal end of the scope and provides accurate feedback to the lighting control system, independent of the camera extension position. This mediator resolves the loss of feedback accuracy that occurs when the camera is extended to distant anatomical features.
2Illumination intensity
If the lighting element brightness is increased to compensate for darker anatomical features, then the illumination of dark areas is improved, but thermal damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
A closed-loop feedback system is implemented where a photosensor continuously monitors the actual illumination characteristics at the distal end of the scope. The photosensor signals are processed by a lighting control system that automatically adjusts the lighting element brightness to maintain optimal illumination levels. This feedback mechanism prevents excessive brightness increases that could cause thermal damage while ensuring adequate illumination of dark anatomical features.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple lighting elements are distributed across the endoscope, then the versatility for different anatomical features is improved, but the lighting control precision deteriorates due to lack of coordinated adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is made dynamically adjustable through independent control of multiple lighting elements. The lighting control system can selectively activate and adjust the brightness of individual lighting elements based on real-time feedback from the photosensor and the specific anatomical requirements. This dynamic control enables precise coordination of multiple lighting elements to achieve optimal illumination for different anatomical features while maintaining overall lighting precision.
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
Enables precise lighting control, preventing thermal damage and improving image quality by dynamically adjusting illumination based on anatomical changes and user feedback.
Implementation Method 1
A photosensor on the elongate tube and/or the movable member configured to detect an indication of an illumination characteristic surrounding the distal surface
Implementation Method 2
A distal surface of the elongate tube includes a light
Data Source
AI summary
A scope system is provided including an elongate tube, a movable member extending longitudinally at least partially within a lumen of the elongate tube, and a light on a distal portion of the elongate tube, the light configured to be controlled by proximal or distal movement of the movable member relative to the elongate tube along a longitudinal axis and/or rotational movement of the movable member about the longitudinal axis.