Endoscope System with Optical Fiber Backup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscope systems face challenges in transmitting high-definition images due to the fragility of optical fibers, which can lead to signal loss or degradation, necessitating a backup transmission method that compromises image quality with lower bit rates.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope system that includes an image pickup apparatus outputting digital signals, electrooptic converters converting these signals to optical signals, multiple optical transmitting members for parallel transmission, and a metal transmitting member for backup, with a transmission amount changer adapting the signal for efficient metal wire transmission, ensuring continuous high-quality image capture even with optical fiber abnormalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical fiber is used to transmit high-definition image signals, then transmission speed and image quality are improved, but the optical fiber becomes fragile and may break or degrade during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission system is divided into multiple independent channels: optical fiber channels for high-speed transmission and metal wire channels for backup transmission. This segmentation allows the system to utilize the strengths of both transmission media without being solely dependent on the fragile optical fiber, resolving the contradiction between transmission reliability and optical fiber strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes transmission parameters by switching between optical fiber and metal wire based on the operational state. When optical fiber degradation or breakage is detected, the system transitions to metal wire transmission with adjusted data parameters, maintaining reliable operation despite the fragility of optical fibers.
2Productivity
If optical fiber transmission is used for high-definition images, then transmission speed is improved, but image quality deteriorates when optical fiber abnormalities occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares backup transmission paths using metal wires before optical fiber abnormalities occur. This prior cushioning ensures that when optical fiber degradation or breakage is detected, the system can immediately switch to alternative transmission paths, preventing image quality loss and maintaining continuous high-definition imaging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Metal wire transmission serves as an intermediary backup system between the optical fiber transmission and the final image output. This intermediary path allows the system to maintain image quality by routing signals through the metal wire when optical fiber transmission fails, thus preventing direct loss of image information.
3Reliability
If multiple transmission modes are implemented for redundancy, then transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The metal wire transmission system serves multiple functions: it acts as a backup transmission path, a monitoring reference for optical fiber health, and an alternative high-speed transmission channel. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated backup systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while improving transmission reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms to monitor optical fiber transmission quality and automatically trigger switches to metal wire transmission when abnormalities are detected. This feedback-based automation reduces manual intervention and system management complexity, allowing multiple transmission modes to operate cohesively without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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 enhances transmission speed, maintains image quality by switching to metal wire transmission during optical fiber failures, and reduces data loss, allowing for high-definition image observation without substantial quality decline.
Implementation Method 1
an electrooptic converter configured to convert the digital signals of the plurality of systems outputted from the image pickup apparatus to optical signals respectively and output the optical signals
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of optical transmitting members provided so as to respectively transmit the optical signals of the plurality of systems outputted from the electrooptic converter
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope system includes: a CMOS image pickup device configured to output digital signals of a plurality of systems; E/O converters configured to convert the digital signals of the plurality of systems to optical signals respectively; optical fibers configured to transmit the optical signals of the plurality of systems respectively; a transmission amount changer configured to convert a data amount of the digital signal of at least one system; and a metal wire configured to transmit the digital signal, the data amount of which is converted by the transmission amount changer.