Endoscopic Camera Coupler With Liquid Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing couplers for endoscopic cameras face challenges such as compromised optical transmission quality due to fluid ingress, poor ergonomics, production complexity, and high costs, particularly when used in surgical procedures where maintaining sterility and clear vision is critical.
Innovation Solution
A coupler design that includes an optically transmissible and liquid-impermeable member between the eyepiece cap and camera, with a base and liquid barrier to prevent fluid entry, and a drape support system for maintaining sterility, allowing for easy exchange of endoscopes while maintaining a sterile barrier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a drape is firmly taped to the eyepiece cap to create a sterile barrier, then sterility is maintained, but the sterile barrier may be broken when removing the tape to change the endoscope
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler divides the sterile barrier system into separable components: the drape remains attached to the coupler while the endoscope can be independently exchanged at the eyepiece cap interface. This segmentation allows sterility maintenance without compromising endoscope exchangeability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupler acts as an intermediary component between the endoscope and camera, providing a sterile interface that allows endoscope changes while maintaining the sterile barrier. The liquid barrier and receiving portion enable this mediating function.
2Manufacturing precision
If fluids and humidity enter the optical path between coupler and eyepiece, then image quality deteriorates, but preventing fluid entry increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid barrier is implemented as a thin film or membrane structure within the receiving portion that flexibly prevents fluid entry while maintaining optical transmission. This thin-film approach provides effective fluid protection without significant structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optically transmissible and liquid impermeable member combines optical transparency with liquid barrier properties in a single composite component, achieving both image quality and fluid protection without requiring separate complex systems.
3Manufacturing precision
If a liquid barrier is added to prevent fluid entry, then optical transmission quality improves, but the receiving portion structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid barrier function is merged with the receiving portion structure itself, where the receiving portion is designed with integrated liquid barrier features rather than as a separate component. This integration provides fluid protection while minimizing structural complexity.
4Ease of operation
If the eyepiece cap insertion path allows multi-directional insertion, then ease of coupling improves, but liquid may enter between the eyepiece cap and optically transmissible member
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving portion has different structural characteristics at different locations: it allows easy insertion from the correct direction while having liquid barrier features that prevent fluid entry. This localized differentiation of properties resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and fluid protection.
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
The solution ensures clear and reliable optical transmission, maintains sterility, and improves ergonomics and production simplicity, reducing costs by preventing fluid ingress and supporting a sterile environment during surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
an optically transmissible and liquid impermeable member configured to be arranged in an optical path between the eyepiece cap and the camera
Implementation Method 2
a liquid barrier configured for hindering or preventing liquid from entering between the eyepiece cap and the optically transmissible and liquid impermeable member
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an endotherapy camera coupler. The coupler may detachably couple an endotherapy eyepiece cap to a camera and may support a drape for covering the camera. In one example, the coupler comprises an optically transmissible and liquid impermeable member configured to be arranged in an optical path between the eyepiece cap and the camera, a base holding the optically transmissible and liquid impermeable member in the optical path, a receiving portion for the eyepiece cap, wherein the receiving portion comprises a base-side receiving portion configured to receive the eyepiece cap along an insertion path extending in one direction, and a liquid barrier provided in the receiving portion and configured for hindering or preventing liquid from entering between the eyepiece cap and the optically transmissible and liquid impermeable member when the eyepiece cap is coupled to the camera. Other examples of devices and methods of use are described.