Endoscopic Imaging With Beam Splitter for Wide-Angle 3D Views
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes and borescopes are limited by their narrow field of view and require mechanical manipulation to change the viewing angle, leading to increased discomfort and prolonged procedures.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device with a combination of reflective and refractive optical components arranged in multiple planes, allowing simultaneous imaging in three dimensions without mechanical rotation, providing wide field views in axial and radial directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical manipulation is used to change viewing angle, then viewing angle can be changed, but procedure time increases and discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical rotation mechanisms with an optical solution using a beam splitter and curved mirror system. The beam splitter directs light from the imaging sensor at multiple angles simultaneously, eliminating the need for mechanical manipulation to change viewing angles during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension by using a curved mirror to reflect light from the imaging sensor to multiple locations on the target simultaneously. This allows the system to capture images at different angles in three-dimensional space without mechanical movement, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and time loss.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical manipulation is used to change viewing angle, then viewing angle can be changed, but patient discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical manipulation of the endoscope shaft by using an optical beam splitter and curved mirror system that captures multiple viewing angles simultaneously through light reflection, thereby preventing patient discomfort caused by mechanical movement during the procedure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional imaging systems are added to obtain radial views, then viewing capability improves, but device complexity and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple imaging functions into a single endoscope by integrating a beam splitter and curved mirror system that enables simultaneous axial and radial viewing capabilities through one imaging sensor, eliminating the need for separate imaging systems and reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging sensor serves multiple functions by capturing light reflected at different angles through the beam splitter and curved mirror system, providing both axial and radial views from a single sensor, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining enhanced viewing capability.
4Device complexity
If simple endoscope structure is used, then device complexity is reduced, but field of view becomes narrow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a curved mirror to expand the field of view by reflecting light from the imaging sensor to multiple locations on the target in three-dimensional space, effectively increasing the observable area without adding mechanical complexity to the endoscope structure.
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
Enables 3D imaging with increased depth perception and feature size measurement, reducing procedure time and discomfort by eliminating the need for mechanical manipulation and additional imaging devices.
Implementation Method 1
a beam splitter to transmit a first portion of imaging light from the target to the imaging sensor and reflect a second portion of imaging light from the target to the curved mirror
Implementation Method 2
a curved mirror to reflect the second portion of imaging light from the target back to the imaging sensor
Implementation Method 3
an axicon lens to create a ring-shaped beam path for illumination and imaging
Data Source
Figure 0
Figure 1A(a)~1A(c)
Figure 1B(a)~1B(c)
AI summary
An imaging device (010, 10, 110) comprises a first optical system (020, 20, 120) at a distal end of the imaging device, a second optical system (080, 80, 180) towards the proximal end of the imaging device, and a sensor (074, 74, 174) at the proximal end of the imaging device. The first and second optical systems and the sensor are aligned along a common longitudinal axis. The first optical system is or comprises one or more reflective and/or refractive optical components (24, 124; 22, 122) symmetrically and/or coaxially arranged with respect to the longitudinal axis, and the second optical system comprises one or more reflective and/or refractive optical components (24, 124; 22, 122) for focussing incident light towards the sensor. A calibration system (200) and method for calibrating such an imaging device, and a method of processing image data obtained from such an imaging device are also provided.