Endoscope Optical Unit Leakage Detection via Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical connector systems for endoscopes face challenges in accurately detecting light intensity and leakage, which affects the quality of light transmission and conversion, leading to potential abnormalities and inefficiencies in light guidance.
Innovation Solution
An optical unit with multiple incident entrances and emitters, incorporating a light coupler and separator, and a detector to measure leakage light, which guides primary light through a light guide path and calculates light intensity for optimal light conversion and emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a third fiber and monitor are arranged to detect light intensity in the conventional optical connector system, then light intensity detection is enabled, but the device complexity increases and light loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from a separate third fiber and monitor system, and instead uses the existing monitoring fiber to detect both coupling efficiency and light leakage. This eliminates the need for additional dedicated detection components while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring fiber is made multi-functional by using it for both light intensity detection and light leakage detection. The same fiber serves multiple purposes, reducing the need for separate dedicated fibers and monitors for each function.
2Measurement precision
If a third fiber and monitor are arranged to detect light intensity, then light intensity detection is enabled, but light loss increases due to additional optical paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for a third dedicated detection fiber by extracting the detection function into the existing monitoring fiber, thereby removing the additional optical path that would cause light loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring fiber serves itself by detecting both coupling efficiency and light leakage without requiring separate dedicated detection components, reducing overall system light loss.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple incident entrances and emitters are arranged in the optical unit, then light guidance flexibility improves, but detecting and measuring light leakage becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light leakage detection unit as an intermediary component that specifically monitors light leakage from the multiple incident entrances and emitters. This mediator enables accurate detection despite the complexity introduced by multiple light paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection function is segmented into separate detection units for different parameters (coupling efficiency and light leakage). Each incident entrance and emitter has corresponding detection capabilities, allowing independent monitoring of each light path.
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 allows for reliable detection of light intensity and leakage, enabling precise control of light emission and conversion, reducing light loss and improving the overall efficiency of the endoscope system.
Implementation Method 1
an optical element including the incident entrance, the emitter, a light coupler which is arranged in a case where a plurality of incident entrances are arranged
Implementation Method 2
a detector which directly or indirectly detects a leakage light leaking outside of the light guide path
Data Source
AI summary
An optical unit includes an optical element serving as a light guide path, which includes an incident entrance, an emitter, a light coupler which is arranged in the case where a plurality of incident entrances are arranged, and which couples a primary light, and a light separator which is arranged in the case where a plurality of emitters are arranged, and which separates the primary light to each of the emitters. The optical unit further includes a detector which directly or indirectly detects a leakage light leaking outside of the light guide path from the light guide path.