Endoscope Distal End with Segmented Observation Windows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopes face challenges in achieving effective cleaning of the observation windows and maintaining a clear field of view, especially in low-light environments within body cavities, due to the limited design of the air/water feeding nozzle and the arrangement of observation windows.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope insertion portion features a distal end with multiple observation windows of varying diameters, where the largest window is positioned closest to the air/water feeding nozzle, allowing for efficient cleaning and illumination, and a single air/water feeding nozzle is used to spray gas or liquid onto the outer surfaces of both observation lenses, ensuring a clean and clear field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the observation window diameter is increased to obtain enough photographing light, then the light level for fine observation is improved, but the insertion portion diameter increases making insertion more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single observation function into multiple observation windows of different diameters. The largest observation window is positioned closest to the air/water feeding nozzle to maximize light intake, while smaller observation windows are positioned farther away. This segmentation allows each window to serve specific observation needs without requiring all windows to be large, thus maintaining a compact insertion portion diameter while ensuring sufficient photographing light level through the largest window.
2Device complexity
If a single air/water feeding nozzle is used to clean multiple observation windows, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cleaning efficiency may be insufficient for windows at different positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single air/water feeding nozzle that serves multiple observation windows simultaneously. The nozzle is positioned to spray air or water toward the plurality of observation windows, with the largest window being closest to the nozzle. This universal cleaning approach maintains low device complexity while achieving adequate cleaning efficiency across all windows by leveraging the nozzle's ability to clean multiple surfaces from a single position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions the largest observation window closest to the air/water feeding nozzle, creating a local quality gradient where the primary cleaning action concentrates on the most critical window. This positioning ensures that the window requiring the most attention (the largest one with highest light-gathering capability) receives the most direct cleaning, while smaller windows farther away still benefit from the spray without requiring dedicated nozzles.
3Length of moving object
If multiple observation windows are positioned away from the air/water feeding nozzle, then the insertion portion diameter is reduced, but the cleaning effectiveness on distant windows deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the observation windows into different radial positions along the insertion portion, with the largest window closest to the air/water feeding nozzle and smaller windows positioned farther away. This segmentation allows the system to maintain a compact insertion portion diameter while ensuring that the most critical window (largest diameter) receives the most effective cleaning. The smaller windows, positioned farther from the nozzle, still achieve adequate cleaning through the spray's extended reach without compromising the overall compactness of the insertion portion.
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 the cleaning efficiency of the observation lenses, maintains a clear field of view, and reduces the diameter of the insertion portion, making it easier to insert and increasing the usable area within the body cavity while maintaining compatibility with existing endoscope systems.
Implementation Method 1
an air/water feeding portion for spouting out a gas or liquid toward the plurality of observation windows
Implementation Method 2
illumination light led by a light guide or the like is irradiated into the body cavity from an illumination window
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope insertion portion of the invention includes a plurality of observation windows having different outer diameters for leading incident light to a plurality of image pickup portions, and disposed on a distal end surface of the distal end portion; and an air/water feeding portion for spouting out a gas or liquid toward the plurality of observation windows, and disposed to the distal end portion. One of the plurality of observation windows having the largest outer diameter is disposed on the distal end surface at a position closest to the air/water feeding portion than the other of the plurality of observation windows.