Endoscope Pivotable Image Capture Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Stereo video endoscopes face challenges in maintaining a stable image basis during rotational adjustments of the viewing direction, leading to computational complexity and image artifacts.

Innovation Solution

An endoscope apparatus with a pivotable image capture device that is non-rotatable about the shaft's longitudinal axis, controlled by a pivot control device, allowing intuitive adjustment of the viewing direction while maintaining a stable image basis through a pivot joint and magnetic or elastic guidance systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the image capture device is made rotatable about the longitudinal axis to adjust viewing direction, then the viewing direction can be changed, but the image basis becomes unstable and rotates with the endoscope

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewing direction adjustmentVSAvoidimage basis stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of rotating the image capture device with the outer shaft to maintain alignment, the patent inverts the approach by making the image capture device non-rotatable about the longitudinal axis while the outer shaft rotates. This is achieved through a pivot joint device with a pivot axis coinciding with the longitudinal axis, allowing the imaging unit to pivot independently without rotating with the shaft, thus maintaining a stable image basis while enabling viewing direction adjustment through pivoting movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Stability of the object's composition

If digital rotation compensation is applied to correct image rotation, then the image can be stabilized, but computational complexity increases and artifacts appear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage basis stabilityVSAvoidcomputational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the digital/image-processing-based rotation compensation approach with a mechanical solution. By designing the image capture device with a pivot joint that has its pivot axis coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the outer shaft, the system mechanically prevents rotation of the image basis while allowing pivoting movements. This mechanical design eliminates the need for complex digital compensation algorithms, reducing computational complexity and avoiding image artifacts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If the image capture device is fixed rigidly to the distal end, then the structure is simple, but the viewing direction cannot be adjusted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidviewing direction adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a rigid fixed connection to a dynamic pivotable connection. The image capture device is coupled to the distal end of the outer shaft through a pivot joint device that allows pivoting movements about two orthogonal axes while preventing rotation about the longitudinal axis. This dynamic connection enables viewing direction adjustment while maintaining structural simplicity and a stable image basis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If the image capture device pivots freely about the longitudinal axis, then alignment is maintained, but the image basis rotates with the endoscope

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment maintenanceVSAvoidimage basis stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by making the image capture device non-rotatable about the longitudinal axis while allowing pivoting. The pivot joint device is designed with the pivot axis coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the outer shaft, creating a mechanical constraint that prevents rotation of the image basis. This allows the imaging unit to maintain alignment through pivoting movements without rotating with the outer shaft, thus achieving both ease of operation and image basis stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS12016532B2Endoscope with pivotable image capturing device

Publication Date: 2024.06.25 KARL STORZ SE & CO KG

AI summary

The present application relates to an endoscope apparatus including a shaft component with a proximal end and a distal end. The shaft component is arranged in an outer shaft. The endoscopy apparatus includes an image capture device having an objective lens for generating a real image and an image sensor for capturing the image and generating an image signal. The endoscopy apparatus includes a pivot joint device which couples the image capture device to the shaft component in a manner pivotable about two orthogonal axes but rigid in respect of a rotation about the longitudinal axis of the shaft component. The endoscopy apparatus includes a pivot control device to set a pivot position of the image capture device relative to the shaft component which depends on the rotational position of the image capture device and the shaft component relative to the outer shaft.