Endoscope Thermal Reflector for Heat Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In endoscopic surgery, light guides often experience unavoidable losses when used with smaller endoscopes, leading to heat buildup at the connection point, which can cause discomfort and pose safety risks during surgery.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a thermal reflector with a translucent portion for light transmission and a reflective portion for reflecting excess light back into the light guide, reducing heat accumulation in the endoscope.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If light guides are used with smaller endoscopes, then the endoscope can perform surgical functions, but heat buildup occurs at the connection point due to unavoidable light losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful wasted light (which causes heat buildup) into a beneficial reflected light path by directing it back through the light guide. The reflector positioned at the connection point redirects unused light back into the light guide, transforming the harmful thermal energy into useful illumination that exits at the light post, thereby reducing heat buildup while maintaining compatibility with smaller endoscopes.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflector acts as an intermediary element between the light guide and the endoscope connection point. It mediates the light path by intercepting light that would otherwise be lost at the connection interface and redirecting it back through the system, solving the heat buildup problem without requiring changes to the endoscope or light guide themselves.
2Adaptability or versatility
If light guides are sized to work with the largest endoscopes, then they can accommodate various endoscope sizes, but unavoidable light losses occur when used with smaller endoscopes
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector serves as an intermediary device that recovers light losses at the connection point. By positioning the reflector at the interface between the light guide and endoscope, it intercepts light that would be lost due to geometric mismatch and redirects it back through the light guide, thereby reducing energy loss while preserving the ability to use larger light guides with smaller endoscopes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers light that would otherwise be discarded at the connection point. The reflector captures the wasted light and redirects it back through the light guide system, allowing the system to recover and reuse light energy that would normally be lost, thereby improving overall system efficiency when using larger light guides with smaller endoscopes.
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
The thermal reflector effectively reduces heat buildup at the connection point between the light guide and the endoscope, enhancing user safety and comfort during surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a reflective portion for reflecting light from the light guide back into the light guide
Implementation Method 2
a translucent portion for transmitting light from the light guide
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope system for use with a light guide having an endoscope; and a reflector configured for placement between the endoscope and the light guide. The reflector has a translucent portion for transmitting light from the light guide and a reflective portion for reflecting light from the light guide back into the light guide.