Endoscope Viewing Direction Feedback via Marking Screens
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing endoscopes, users cannot visually determine the set viewing direction while viewing the image, as the rotational position of the pivoting mechanism is not displayed within the image field.
Innovation Solution
A mechanically coupled first marking panel indicates the set viewing direction by synchronously moving with the pivoting position of the deflection element, and a second non-rotatably connected marking screen on the endoscope shaft displays the rotational position, allowing users to determine the viewing direction by the angular distance between the two marking screens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rotary wheel is used to set the viewing direction, then the viewing direction can be adjusted, but the user cannot see which rotational position the rotary wheel has when viewing the image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by incorporating marking screens that visually indicate the current rotational position of the deflection element. The first marking screen rotates with the deflection element, while the second marking screen remains fixed on the endoscope shaft, providing visual feedback about the viewing direction through their relative positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses marking screens as intermediaries to transfer positional information. The marking screens act as mediators between the mechanical rotation of the deflection element and the user's visual perception, converting mechanical position into visible spatial information within the image field.
2Loss of information
If the first marking panel is mechanically coupled to the actuating element, then the viewing direction is displayed, but the movement of the marking panel is greater than the corresponding movement of the actuating element
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a copying mechanism where the first marking panel creates a visual copy of the deflection element's position. Instead of directly coupling the marking panel to the actuating element, the system copies the positional information through the rotation of the marking panel relative to the fixed marking screen, providing accurate positional feedback without direct mechanical linkage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the endoscope shaft is rotatably mounted on the handle, then the endoscope can be rotated, but the user cannot see the rotational position of the endoscope shaft when viewing the image
Solution Approach 1:
The second marking screen provides feedback about the endoscope shaft's rotational position. Since the second marking screen is non-rotatably connected to the endoscope shaft, its position relative to the first marking screen indicates the rotational position of the shaft, giving the user visual feedback about orientation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The endoscope has an endoscope shaft connected with a handle, and a projection lens (4) imaging an object as an image, where the object is provided in a viewing direction (5) of the lens in front of the shaft. The lens has a deflective prism (7) pivotally supported for adjusting the viewing direction. A marking diaphragm is mechanically coupled with an actuating element so that the diaphragm is moved with change of pivot adjustment of the prism and indicates the adjusted viewing direction by its visible position during examination of the image. A light source i.e. LED, is provided at a distal end of the endoscope shaft.