Endoscope Optical Waveguide Connector Sealing Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Endoscopes with vapor-tight and liquid-tight electronics housings face challenges in preventing vapor and liquid penetration through optical waveguides, leading to issues with sealing and reflections, which complicates production and imaging.

Innovation Solution

The optical waveguide is sealed at its proximal end with a connector, and optical fibers are bonded and ground, with a glass light-guiding element bridging the light source to the connector, ensuring vapor-tight and liquid-tight sealing without attachment lenses, using a metal sleeve and metallization for cohesive connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the optical waveguide is sealed off at its distal end with attachment lenses, then vapor and liquid penetration is prevented, but undesired reflections are generated and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidundesired reflections

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is extracted from the distal end of the optical waveguide and relocated to the proximal end where the optical waveguide connector is positioned. This removes the harmful attachment lenses from the imaging path while maintaining the sealing function at the connector interface between the optical waveguide and electronics housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If attachment lenses are used to seal the optical waveguide, then vapor and liquid penetration is prevented, but production and assembly costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The optical waveguide connector is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical connection between the optical waveguide and electronics housing, ensures vapor and liquid tight sealing, and maintains optical alignment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate attachment lenses, reducing production and assembly costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the electronics housing is sealed vapor-tight and liquid-tight, then electronics protection is improved, but sealing the light exit point becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectronics protectionVSAvoidsealing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing of the light exit point is merged with the connection structure of the optical waveguide connector. The connector itself is designed to provide the seal between the optical waveguide and electronics housing, combining the functions of light transmission, mechanical connection, and vapor/liquid tight sealing into a single integrated component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 simplifies and improves sealing, reduces production costs, and maintains optical clarity, allowing for reliable autoclaving and imaging without vapor or liquid ingress, enhancing the endoscope's design and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

an optical waveguide connector (9), with which a light exit point (10) from the electronics housing (3) is closed off in a vapor-tight and liquid-tight manner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVapor-tight and liquid-tight sealing:

Implementation Method 2

an optical waveguide (5) comprising optical fibers (4), the endoscope shaft (2) being formed on the electronics housing (3) or connected thereto

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission through optical fibers: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 3

a light-guiding element is mounted on the proximal ends of the optical fibers, which light-guiding element reliably transmits light, emitted from the light source, to the optical fibers of the optical waveguide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight guidance and transmission:

Implementation Method 4

The bonding and grinding of the proximal ends of the optical fibers can, on the one hand, favor the transfer of light from the light-guiding element into the optical fibers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBonding and grinding:

Implementation Method 5

the light-guiding element has a metallic coating

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMetallization:

Implementation Method 6

the sleeve and the light-guiding element can be welded, adhesively bonded and/or soldered to each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Implementation Method 7

a cohesive connection is provided for this purpose, preferably by welding, adhesive bonding and/or soldering

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCohesive connection:

Data Source

PatentUS10809522B2Endoscope

Publication Date: 2020.10.20 SCHOLLY FIBEROPTIC GMBH

AI summary

The electronic endoscope has an endoscope shaft (2) and an electronics housing (3), and also an optical waveguide (5) having optical fibers (4). The endoscope shaft (2) is formed on the electronics housing (3) or connected thereto, the electronics housing (3) being closed so as to be vapor-tight and liquid-tight from outside. The optical waveguide (5) extends between a distal end (6) of the endoscope shaft (2), directed away from the electronics housing (3), and a light source (7) arranged in the electronics housing (3). The optical waveguide (5) has, at its proximal end (8), an optical waveguide connector (9), with which a light exit point (10) from the electronics housing (3) is closed off in a vapor-tight and liquid-tight manner.