Fiber Bragg Grating Sensor for Endoscope Hood Force Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope hoods struggle to detect force applied during surgeries without narrowing the operating field, as current sensor technologies are not effectively integrated without obstructing the view.
Innovation Solution
A sensor-equipped hood with a fiber Bragg grating sensor is attached to the endoscope, allowing for stress detection by measuring wavelength changes based on fluctuations at fixed points, reducing the need for additional space and maintaining an unobstructed view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor is attached to the hood to detect force applied during surgery, then force detection capability is improved, but the operating field viewed through the hood is narrowed
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber Bragg grating sensor is embedded within the hood structure at a predetermined position, nesting the sensing function inside the existing hood geometry. This allows the sensor to detect force applied to the hood without adding external protrusions that would obstruct the surgical view, thus resolving the contradiction between force detection capability and operating field area
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical force sensing methods with a fiber Bragg grating-based optical sensing system. This substitution allows force detection through wavelength changes in reflected light rather than mechanical contact elements, enabling force measurement without mechanical protrusions that would narrow the operating field
2Measurement precision
If a sensor is attached to the endoscope to detect insertion portion shape, then detection function is improved, but the sensor cannot effectively detect force applied to the hood
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the fiber Bragg grating as an intermediary element that couples the mechanical force applied to the hood with optical wavelength changes. The grating acts as a mediator that converts mechanical deformation into optical signals, enabling effective force detection at the hood location without requiring direct mechanical sensing elements to contact the tissue
3Measurement precision
If the sensor is integrated into the hood structure, then force detection is enabled, but the hood structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensing function with the hood structure by embedding the fiber Bragg grating sensor within the hood at a predetermined position. This integration combines the structural and sensing functions into a single unified component, enabling force detection without adding separate external sensing devices that would increase overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in the physical parameters of the fiber Bragg grating (specifically wavelength shifts) to detect force application. By monitoring parameter changes in the optical domain rather than adding complex mechanical sensing mechanisms, the system achieves force detection with minimal impact on hood structure complexity
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 accurate detection of stress applied to the hood without narrowing the operating field, allowing for precise surgical procedures while maintaining clear visualization.
Implementation Method 1
a fiber Bragg grating sensor fixed to a first fixing point of the hood main body and having a Bragg grating. In the fiber Bragg grating sensor, the wavelength of reflected light at the Bragg grating changes based on fluctuation of the first fixing point in the hood main body
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a sensor-equipped hood capable of detecting force applied to the hood without narrowing an operating field viewed through the hood. A sensor-equipped hood protrudes from a tip end portion of an endoscope main body, and is attached to the tip end portion. The sensor-equipped hood includes a transparent tubular hood main body and a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor fixed to a first fixing point of the hood main body and having a Bragg grating. In the FBG sensor, the wavelength of reflected light at the Bragg grating changes based on fluctuation of the first fixing point in the hood main body.