Endoscopic Ultrasonic Vibrator with Diffraction Grating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopic apparatuses require high power to remove contamination from the distal end's cover glass using ultrasonic vibration, without considering the driving state of the piezoelectric vibrator or the transmission of surface acoustic waves, leading to inefficiencies and potential faults.
Innovation Solution
An endoscopic apparatus with a diffraction grating on the transparent member at the distal end, which converts ultrasonic vibration into surface acoustic waves for contamination removal, includes an electrical energy generator, detector, and controller to ensure suitable energy supply and monitor the driving state of the ultrasonic vibrator, preventing faults and optimizing power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high power is supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator to remove contamination, then the contamination removal effect is improved, but the risk of fault and energy waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the detection unit continuously monitors the impedance of the piezoelectric vibrator and the controller adjusts the drive power accordingly. When contamination is detected, power is increased to enhance cleaning effectiveness; when contamination is removed or fault conditions are detected, power is reduced or stopped, preventing overheating and component damage. This closed-loop control resolves the contradiction by dynamically adjusting power based on actual cleaning needs and device state.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static high-power operation to dynamic power adjustment. The controller modifies the drive power in real-time based on feedback from the detection unit, which monitors impedance changes indicating contamination presence or fault conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain high cleaning effectiveness when needed while preventing fault conditions through timely power reduction.
2Productivity
If high power is supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator continuously, then the contamination removal capability is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic action by activating high-power ultrasonic vibration only when contamination is detected and deactivating or reducing power when contamination is removed or no contamination is present. The detection unit continuously monitors the environment, and the controller periodically adjusts power delivery based on these detections, ensuring energy is consumed only when necessary for contamination removal rather than continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service through the feedback mechanism where the detection unit autonomously monitors the cleaning status and the controller automatically adjusts power delivery without external intervention. When contamination is detected, the system self-activates high-power mode; when cleaning is complete or fault conditions arise, it self-deactivates or reduces power, eliminating the need for continuous energy input and optimizing energy consumption based on actual needs.
3Force
If high power is supplied without monitoring the driving state, then the ultrasonic vibration intensity is improved, but the risk of overheating and component damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback monitoring where the detection unit continuously measures the impedance of the piezoelectric vibrator, which changes with temperature and driving state. The controller uses this feedback to adjust drive power in real-time, reducing power when impedance changes indicate overheating or abnormal conditions. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining high vibration intensity when needed while preventing temperature-related damage through continuous monitoring and adaptive power control.
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 solution effectively removes contamination while optimizing energy usage and preventing faults in the ultrasonic vibrator, enhancing the safety and efficiency of the endoscopic procedure by ensuring suitable energy supply and monitoring the driving state.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic vibrator provided in the transparent member and configured to generate ultrasonic vibration
Implementation Method 2
convert the ultrasonic vibration into a surface acoustic wave propagating on a surface of the transparent member
Implementation Method 3
contamination on the transparent member is removed by applying ultrasonic vibration to the transparent member by means of a piezoelectric vibrator
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscopic apparatus includes an ultrasonic vibrator, a diffraction grating, an electrical energy generator, a detector, a determination unit, a controller. The diffraction grating converts the ultrasonic vibration into a surface acoustic wave propagating on a surface of the transparent member. The detector detects reflected electrical energy reflected from the energy supply system. The determination unit determines whether the electrical energy suitable to drive the ultrasonic vibrator has been supplied to the ultrasonic vibrator based on the reflected electrical energy detected by the detector. The controller controls the electrical energy output from the signal generator based on a determination result of the determination unit.