Ultrasound Endoscope Distal End Wiring Substrate Protection

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ultrasound endoscopes face challenges in minimizing the diameter of the distal end portion while reducing stress on wiring connections and improving resistance, which limits the degree of freedom in component arrangement and affects the overall size and functionality.

Innovation Solution

The ultrasound endoscope distal end portion incorporates an ultrasound transducer with a wiring substrate and a non-conductive restricting section, featuring a wiring holder that sandwiches the substrate to prevent movement and stress on the wiring connections, allowing for a more compact design and improved resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the diameter of the distal end portion is reduced, then the ultrasound endoscope can be miniaturized and inserted more easily, but the wiring connections become more vulnerable to stress and the arrangement of components becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediameter of distal end portionVSAvoidresistance of wiring connections

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wiring substrate is nested within the restricting section, with the bending portion of wires positioned inside the restricting section and the wiring substrate fitting into a groove of the restricting section. This nested arrangement protects the wiring connections while maintaining a compact distal end diameter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The restricting section acts as an intermediary protective structure between the external environment and the wiring connections. It provides mechanical protection and electrical insulation, shielding the vulnerable wiring substrate from stress and damage while allowing the overall diameter to be reduced.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the wiring substrate is exposed, then the arrangement of components is simpler, but the wiring connections are vulnerable to stress and external interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearrangement of componentsVSAvoidresistance of wiring connections

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wiring substrate is nested within the restricting section, with the bending portion of wires positioned inside the restricting section and the wiring substrate fitting into a groove of the restricting section. This nested arrangement protects the wiring connections while maintaining a compact distal end diameter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The restricting section acts as an intermediary protective structure between the external environment and the wiring connections. It provides mechanical protection and electrical insulation, shielding the vulnerable wiring substrate from stress and damage while allowing the overall diameter to be reduced.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the wires are arranged in a straight configuration, then the wiring connections are simpler, but the wires cannot accommodate bending and stress in the distal end portion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewiring configurationVSAvoidaccommodation of bending and stress

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The wires are designed with a bending portion that allows them to dynamically adapt to the curved and bent configuration of the distal end portion. The bending portion can flex and deform to accommodate changes in shape and stress, while the restricting section provides structural support to maintain the overall configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bending portion of the wires is pre-configured in a curved arrangement that anticipates the stress and deformation they will experience during insertion and operation. This preliminary shaping allows the wires to better withstand bending and stress without compromising electrical connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 enhances the degree of freedom in arranging components, reduces the size of the ultrasound endoscope, and prevents stress on wiring connections, thereby improving the resistance and functionality of the ultrasound endoscope.

Implementation Method 1

a restricting section that is disposed so as to cover the wiring substrate and is made of a non-conductive material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 2

a wiring substrate side fitting section that is provided on the wiring substrate and fits with the restricting section; and a first restricting section side fitting section that is provided in the restricting section and fits with the wiring substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical fitting: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 3

The ultrasound transducer unit has a function of converting an electrical signal to ultrasound, transmitting the ultrasound into the body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 4

receiving the ultrasound reflected in the body and converting the ultrasound to an electrical signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Converse Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS9504444B2Ultrasound endoscope distal end portion to accommodate bend wires and wiring substrate

Publication Date: 2016.11.29 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)

AI summary

An ultrasound endoscope distal end portion includes an ultrasound transducer provided at a distal end of an insertion portion, a wiring substrate electrically connected to the ultrasound transducer, a plurality of wires connected to the wiring substrate, a restricting section arranged so as to cover the wiring substrate, wiring substrate side fitting sections provided in the wiring substrate, a first restricting section side fitting section that is provided in the restricting section and fits with the wiring substrate side fitting sections.