Scanning Endoscope Vibration Damping Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scanning endoscopes face challenges in effectively suppressing vibrations that can affect image quality, particularly due to the lack of a robust mechanism to hold the actuator and optical fiber in place, leading to potential distortions and reduced precision in scanning.
Innovation Solution
The scanning endoscope incorporates a rigid tubular member with a holding portion and connection members that change shape in response to forces, providing a stable environment for the actuator and optical fiber, thereby minimizing vibrations and maintaining precise scanning trajectories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional fixed structure is used to hold the actuator, then the structure is simple, but vibrations cannot be effectively suppressed leading to poor image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The connection portion changes its physical state from rigid to flexible by deforming in the circumferential direction when subjected to force. This parameter change allows the structure to adapt to vibrations by absorbing mechanical stress through elastic deformation, thereby reducing vibration transmission to the actuator and improving image quality without requiring complex active vibration control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The connection portion is designed to dynamically respond to applied forces by deforming in the circumferential direction. This dynamic characteristic allows the structure to adaptively dampen vibrations during operation, transforming a static rigid connection into a dynamic vibration-absorbing mechanism that maintains actuator stability while keeping the overall structure relatively simple
2Measurement precision
If the holding portion is rigidly connected to the tubular member, then the position is stable, but vibrations are transmitted leading to reduced scanning precision
Solution Approach 1:
The connection portion undergoes parameter change by deforming in the circumferential direction under applied force. This deformation allows the connection to maintain holding stability through elastic recovery while simultaneously reducing vibration transmission, thereby preserving scanning precision without compromising the stability of the actuator positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The connection portion acts as an intermediary element between the tubular member and the holding portion. It mediates the transmission of forces by deforming to absorb vibrations while maintaining the positional relationship between components, thus protecting the scanning precision from vibration interference while preserving holding stability
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 significantly reduces the impact of vibrations on image quality, allowing for more accurate and stable scanning, enhancing the overall performance of the endoscope by maintaining the actuator and optical fiber in a balanced, vibration-reduced state.
Implementation Method 1
a connection portion that is interposed between the tubular member and the holding portion and is configured to hold the holding portion at a prescribed position inside the tubular member, and which changes shape in a circumferential direction which takes a longitudinal direction of the light guide portion as an axis when the tubular member or the holding portion receives a force
Data Source
AI summary
A scanning endoscope includes: a light guide portion configured to guide an illuminating light that is emitted from a light source portion and irradiate an object with the illuminating light; an actuator configured to drive so as to cause a distal end of a light guide portion to scan, in order to scan the guided illuminating light over an object; a holding portion configured to hold the actuator; a rigid tubular member having a space that encloses the light guide portion, the actuator and the holding portion; and a connection portion that is interposed between the tubular member and the holding portion, and is configured to hold the holding portion at a prescribed position within the tubular member and to change shape in a circumferential direction that takes a longitudinal direction of the light guide portion as an axis when the tubular member or holding portion receives a force.