Electronic Endoscope Static Protection and Anti-Fogging Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic endoscopes experience fogging due to temperature and humidity differences, leading to condensation in the objective optical system, which existing anti-fogging techniques have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
An electronic endoscope design featuring a distal end with a metal frame holding an observation window, an earth member connected to the patient-side ground, and a static-protective member with a predetermined clearance from the metal frame to manage static electricity, incorporating an anti-fogging unit with a thermistor and insulating frame for thermal insulation and moisture prevention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a metal frame is disposed at the distal end portion to hold an observation window, then structural strength and positioning accuracy are improved, but static electricity accumulation occurs on the exposed metal surface
Solution Approach 1:
An insulating member is disposed between the metal frame and the distal end portion outer surface, acting as an intermediary that prevents direct contact while maintaining the metal frame's structural support function. This intermediary layer eliminates the harmful static electricity accumulation on the exposed metal surface.
Solution Approach 2:
An insulating coating or thin film layer is applied to the metal frame surface, providing electrical insulation while maintaining the mechanical strength and dimensional stability of the metal frame structure.
2Device complexity
If the distal end portion is exposed to maintain simplicity, then device complexity is reduced, but fogging and condensation occur due to temperature and humidity differences
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent insulating coating or thin film is applied to the observation window surface, providing thermal insulation to prevent temperature-induced condensation while maintaining optical transparency and not significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The distal end portion uses a composite structure combining metal frame for strength, insulating member for thermal and electrical insulation, and transparent coating for condensation prevention, achieving multiple functions without excessive complexity.
3Reliability
If an insulating member is disposed between the metal frame and distal end portion, then static electricity protection is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
A thin insulating coating is applied to the metal frame surface, providing electrical insulation while requiring minimal additional manufacturing steps compared to integrating a separate insulating member component.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating function is integrated into the existing metal frame structure through coating or surface treatment, combining multiple functions (structural support, electrical insulation, thermal insulation) into a single component to reduce assembly complexity.
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
Effectively prevents fogging and condensation on the observation window by maintaining a consistent temperature and managing static electricity, ensuring clear images during use in varying environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a static-protective member which is disposed in the distal end portion to have a predetermined clearance from the metal frame and is electrically connected to the earth member to let static electricity applied to the distal end portion flow to the earth member
Implementation Method 2
incorporating an anti-fogging unit with a thermistor and insulating frame for thermal insulation and moisture prevention
Implementation Method 3
incorporating an anti-fogging unit with a thermistor and insulating frame for thermal insulation and moisture prevention
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic endoscope includes a distal end portion of an insertion portion which incorporates electronic components, a metal frame which holds an observation window, an earth member which is connected to a patient-side ground of an external device, and a static-protective member which is disposed in the distal end portion to have a predetermined clearance from the metal frame and is electrically connected to the earth member to let static electricity applied to the distal end portion flow to the earth member. With the configuration, the electronic endoscope prevents occurrence of trouble, a fault, and the like in an electronic component incorporated in the distal end portion due to applied static electricity.