Endoscope Tip Merging Projection and Illumination Windows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopes face challenges in measuring the three-dimensional shape of subjects with high precision due to the limited diameter of the insertion section, which restricts the size and efficiency of the projection and illumination windows, leading to insufficient illumination and image quality.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope apparatus incorporates a pattern projection section that projects a light and dark pattern onto the subject, utilizing a single projection window at the tip surface, allowing for a reduced diameter insertion section while enhancing illumination and image quality through a direct-view or side-view objective optical system and a pattern generator that adjusts the intensity distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the insertion section diameter is reduced for compact design, then the endoscope becomes more compact and easier to insert, but the projection and illumination windows become smaller leading to insufficient illumination and reduced image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (projection window and illumination window) into a single integrated window structure at the tip of the insertion section. This merging allows the compact insertion section to maintain adequate illumination intensity and projection capability despite the reduced diameter, as the single window serves dual purposes rather than requiring separate dedicated openings.
2Volume of moving object
If the insertion section diameter is reduced for compact design, then the endoscope becomes more compact and easier to insert, but the projection and illumination windows become smaller leading to reduced image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (projection window and illumination window) into a single integrated window structure at the tip of the insertion section. This merging allows the compact insertion section to maintain adequate illumination intensity and projection capability despite the reduced diameter, as the single window serves dual purposes rather than requiring separate dedicated openings.
3Measurement precision
If multiple projection windows are used to improve measurement precision, then the three-dimensional shape measurement accuracy improves, but the insertion section diameter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (projection window and illumination window) into a single integrated window structure at the tip of the insertion section. This merging allows the compact insertion section to maintain adequate illumination intensity and projection capability despite the reduced diameter, as the single window serves dual purposes rather than requiring separate dedicated openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The single window at the tip of the insertion section serves multiple functions: it acts as both the projection window for emitting fringe patterns and the illumination window for providing observation illumination. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated openings, maintaining measurement precision while keeping the insertion section compact.
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 enables high-precision three-dimensional shape measurement with improved image brightness and reduced positional deviations, allowing for efficient analysis using a single sheet of fringe image, even in a compact endoscope design.
Implementation Method 1
an objective optical system arranged at a tip surface of the insertion section, the objective optical system forming an image of the subject on the imaging section
Implementation Method 2
a pattern projection section projecting a light and dark pattern onto the subject, the light and dark pattern being a pattern with an intensive distribution in which a light portion and a dark portion are alternately arranged
Implementation Method 3
an illumination section emitting illumination light that illuminates an observation visual field of the imaging section
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope apparatus measures a subject using a pattern projection image of the subject on which a light and dark pattern of light is projected. The endoscope apparatus includes an insertion tube having a central axis, an image sensor, an objective optical system configured to form an image of the subject on the image sensor, an illumination light source, a pattern projector configured to project the light and dark pattern onto the subject, a projection window for the pattern projector, and an observation window for the objective optical system. The objective optical system has a prism configured to direct light incident through the observation window to a direction toward the image sensor, and the objective optical system is disposed such that an optical axis of the light directed by the prism and incident on the image sensor is offset relative to the central axis of the insertion tube.