Endoscope Tip With LED Illumination and Copper Thermal Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscope designs face challenges in achieving good image quality, low power consumption, and cost-effective manufacturing while being portable and disposable, particularly in providing efficient illumination and optical path alignment for clear anatomical imaging within the body.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope design incorporates a tip member with a housing that supports light emitting devices and a prism for illumination, an elongated member with lenses for light transmission, and a flexible conducting member for power delivery, utilizing materials like copper or copper alloys for thermal conductivity and mechanical support, and a housing shape that aligns with the prism's cross-section for ease of assembly and manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional endoscope designs are used, then imaging functionality is provided, but image quality is insufficient and power consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines illumination and imaging functions into a single integrated tip member. The light emitting device and optical elements are merged into one compact unit, improving image quality through optimized optical path while reducing overall power consumption by eliminating separate illumination systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical illumination systems with light emitting devices (LEDs or similar) that convert electrical energy directly to light. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity and power consumption while maintaining or improving illumination quality for better imaging.
2Measurement precision
If complex endoscope designs are implemented to improve image quality, then imaging performance increases, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is divided into modular components: a tip member containing illumination and initial optics, an elongated member for light transmission, and a housing. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using optimized processes and then assembled, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The tip member housing serves multiple functions: it supports the light emitting device, houses the prism for light redirection, and provides structural protection. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying manufacturing while achieving good image quality through integrated optical design.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid endoscope structures are used, then optical alignment is maintained, but portability and disposability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an elongated member that is flexible yet maintains optical alignment. This flexible structure allows the endoscope to be portable and adaptable to different anatomical configurations while the internal optical elements remain properly aligned through precise manufacturing and structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated tip member design with its housing and optical elements is configured to be disposable. The compact, self-contained structure allows for cost-effective manufacturing of single-use units that maintain optical alignment during use, then are discarded after a single procedure, eliminating sterilization and realignment requirements.
4Adaptability or versatility
If separate illumination and imaging components are used, then functional flexibility is provided, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination device and imaging optical elements are merged into a single tip member assembly. This integration maintains functional flexibility by providing both illumination and imaging capabilities at the distal end, while significantly reducing assembly complexity compared to separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The tip member housing is designed as a universal component that simultaneously supports illumination (via the light emitting device), houses the prism for light redirection, and contains the initial optical elements. This multi-functional design provides functional versatility while simplifying the overall device structure and assembly process.
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 design enhances image quality, reduces power consumption, and simplifies manufacturing, making the endoscope more portable, disposable, and cost-effective while maintaining effective illumination and optical alignment for clear anatomical imaging.
Implementation Method 1
The tip member may comprise one or more light emitting devices configured to direct illumination to at least a portion of the target region
Implementation Method 2
a prism for redirecting light transmitted through the front window
Implementation Method 3
a prism for redirecting light transmitted through the front window
Implementation Method 4
A plurality of lenses may be disposed along an optical path in the elongated member so as to receive light from the prism that is transmitted through the front window
Implementation Method 5
the housing may have a shape that is similar to that of a cross-section of the prism and may comprise copper, a copper alloy, brass or bronze
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments comprise endoscopes (e.g., arthroscopes) for viewing inside a cavity of a body. The endoscopes may include a tip, at least one solid-state emitter such as light emitting diode (LED), located at the distal end of the endoscope, an elongated member. The elongated member may include a plurality of lenses for transmitting light received from the tip member and an elongated conducting member for providing electric power to the solid-state emitter. The elongated conducting member may include conducting lines embedded in a flexible elongated insulating membrane. The tip member and the elongated member may be configured to dissipate heat generated by the solid-state emitter.