Endoscope Distal-End Transparent Lid to Prevent Clogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes experience clogging issues at the distal end due to unevenness caused by obliquely emitted auxiliary measurement light, leading to foreign matter accumulation.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope design includes a transparent member with a flat surface flush with the distal end, housing the auxiliary measurement light optical system, and a transparent lid to maintain airtightness, ensuring the distal end remains smooth and prevents clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If auxiliary measurement light is obliquely emitted from a surface inclined with respect to the distal end surface, then the optical path can be compactly arranged, but unevenness is formed at the distal end part causing clogging by foreign matters
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent member (lid) is introduced as an intermediary component to cover the second hole portion. This lid has a flat distal end surface that is substantially flush with the distal end surface of the insertion part, preventing foreign matter accumulation while allowing the auxiliary measurement light optical system to maintain its oblique emission configuration inside the covered space.
2Reliability
If a transparent lid is added to cover the second hole portion, then the distal end surface becomes flush and clogging is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent lid serves multiple functions simultaneously: it covers the second hole portion to prevent foreign matter clogging, maintains a flush distal end surface, and acts as a protective enclosure for the auxiliary measurement light optical system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the auxiliary measurement light optical system is housed in a separate second hole portion, then the image pickup optical system and measurement light system are separated for independent optimization, but the distal end structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary measurement light optical system is nested within the second hole portion, which is itself part of the overall distal end structure. The transparent lid then encapsulates both the image pickup optical system (in the first hole portion) and the auxiliary measurement light optical system (in the second hole portion), creating a compact nested arrangement that reduces overall structural 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
Prevents clogging and maintains the integrity of the distal end, allowing accurate measurement and imaging without interference from foreign matters.
Implementation Method 1
a transparent member that includes a flat surface flush with the distal end of the insertion part and is inserted into an optical path of the auxiliary measurement light emitted from the light-emitting surface
Data Source
AI summary
An auxiliary measurement light optical system of an endoscope is housed in a second hole portion. A transparent lid is provided at a distal end of the second hole portion and the second hole portion is closed by the transparent lid, so that the auxiliary measurement light optical system is housed behind the transparent lid. The transparent lid is formed in the shape of a plate, and one end surface of the transparent lid is formed of a flat surface. The transparent lid is disposed so that the flat surface is flush with the distal end of the second hole portion.