Endoscopy Adapter With Nested Optical Window
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope and camera head coupling systems face challenges in maintaining sterility during endoscopy procedures, requiring complex designs that compromise on image quality, handling, and sterility due to the need for sterile adapters and covers, especially in stereo endoscopy where high precision and anti-rotation are critical.
Innovation Solution
A simplified adapter design with concentric inner and outer walls, anti-rotation mechanisms, and a compact structure that allows for easy sterilization and handling, featuring a germ-proof optical window and adjustable coupling surfaces to ensure precise alignment and secure coupling of endoscopes and camera heads, reducing the risk of germ transmission and improving image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sterile intermediate adapter is used to separate sterile endoscope from non-sterile camera head, then sterility is maintained, but the optical path length increases and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is designed with a nested structure where the optical window is integrated within the adapter body, and the optical path is channeled through internal passages. This nesting approach minimizes the overall length by embedding optical components within the adapter's structural walls rather than adding external optical elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a linear optical path to a three-dimensional optical channel within the adapter walls. The optical window and internal passages create a spatial arrangement that reduces the axial length while maintaining optical functionality, effectively using volumetric space rather than linear extension.
2Reliability
If a complex sterile adapter system is used to maintain sterility, then infection risk is reduced, but device complexity increases and handling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter combines multiple functions into a single integrated component: the sterile barrier function, the optical transmission function, and the mechanical coupling function are all merged into one adapter body. This eliminates the need for separate sterile covers, optical windows, and coupling mechanisms that would otherwise be required.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is designed as a universal interface that can couple different endoscope types to camera heads while maintaining sterility. The standardized coupling surfaces and optical window configuration allow it to serve multiple purposes: sterile barrier, optical path, mechanical connection, and alignment reference.
3Reliability
If a long adapter is used to maintain sterility and accommodate optical paths, then sterility is preserved, but the overall system size increases and manageability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical components and transmission paths are nested within the adapter's wall structure and internal passages, eliminating the need for external optical elements that would increase the system's external dimensions. The sterile barrier is also integrated into the adapter body rather than requiring separate protective housings.
4Reliability
If conventional adapter designs are used, then sterility can be maintained, but coupling accuracy and anti-rotation performance are insufficient for stereo endoscopy
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter incorporates asymmetric coupling surfaces with specific geometric features such as non-circular profiles and keyed interfaces that prevent rotation. The optical window positioning and coupling surface geometry are asymmetrically designed to ensure precise angular alignment, which is critical for stereo endoscopy where maintaining the correct spatial relationship between optical axes is essential.
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 adapter enhances the sterility and handling of endoscope-camera head systems, improving image quality and reducing the risk of germ transmission while allowing for easier maintenance and alignment, particularly in stereo endoscopy, by providing a robust, compact, and user-friendly coupling mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
The coupling wall has an opening in which an optical window is arranged which is designed to transmit light
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an adapter (10) for the detachable and re-lockable coupling of an endoscope (14) with a camera head (12). The adapter (10) comprises an inner wall (18) and an outer wall (16), which are connected to each other via a connecting wall (22) extending between the inner wall (18) and outer wall (16) at or near their first axial ends (20) and are arranged at least a lateral distance from each other, so that a free space (24) open on a second axial side opposite the first axial ends (20) is formed between the inner wall (18) and the outer wall (16). Furthermore, the adapter (10) comprises a coupling wall (30) which closes a free space (28) enclosed by the inner wall (18) at or near a second axial end (26) of the inner wall (18), so that the free space (28) enclosed by the inner wall (18) is open on a first axial side opposite the second axial end (26) of the inner wall (18).One of the spaces (24, 28) is designed for coupling with at least a part of a distal camera head end (36). The other of the spaces (24, 28) is designed for coupling with at least a part of a proximal end of an endoscope (38).