Endoscope Image Sensor Heat Dissipation Without Skin Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endoscopes require separate members for heat dissipation, leading to a complicated configuration, and there is a risk of patient skin burning due to heat transfer from the heat generating components.

Innovation Solution

An endoscope design with a first heat dissipation member having a larger linear expansion coefficient than the heat generating portion and a second heat dissipation member, along with an intervention member and outer members with specific thermal conductivities, ensures efficient heat dissipation without direct contact with the patient's skin.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a regular metal sheath is used in the insertion section, then structural strength is maintained, but electrostatic charge accumulates causing image artifacts and potential electroporation of cells

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage quality and patient safetyVSAvoidelectrostatic charge accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the electrical parameter of the sheath material from conductive (metal) to electrostatic-dissipative (special plastic resin), allowing controlled discharge of electrostatic charge while maintaining structural integrity. This parameter change eliminates image artifacts and prevents cell electroporation without compromising the sheath's mechanical strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite material approach by incorporating electrostatic-dissipative plastic resin with specific properties into the sheath construction. This composite material combines the structural benefits of plastic with electrostatic-dissipative characteristics, creating a sheath that both maintains structural strength and prevents harmful charge accumulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If the distal end diameter is reduced to pass through catheters, then adaptability improves, but bending flexibility and structural strength deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to pass through cathetersVSAvoidbending flexibility and structural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a layered structural dimension to the distal end, with the electrostatic-dissipative sheath forming an outer layer and additional support structures forming inner layers. This multi-layered approach allows the distal end to maintain small outer diameter for catheter passage while internal structural layers provide bending flexibility and strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a nested structure where the electrostatic-dissipative sheath encompasses internal support elements and components. The sheath acts as an outer protective layer that contains and protects inner structural elements, allowing the distal end to achieve both small diameter and structural integrity through this nested arrangement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP4382026B1endoscope

Publication Date: 2026.05.20 HOYA CORPORATION

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AI summary

To provide an endoscope capable of appropriately dissipating heat of a heat generating portion with a simpler configuration. In an endoscope including an image sensor that generates heat during operation, and a shield pipe and a mold resin portion that are integrated with the image sensor and dissipate heat transferred from the image sensor in a case where the image sensor generates heat, the mold resin portion has a linear expansion coefficient larger than those of the image sensor and the shield pipe.