Optical Fiber Length Adjuster for Endoscope Tension Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical fibers in flexible endoscopes face breakage due to varying lengths and repeated deformation, leading to reduced illumination and increased risk of buckling or breaking when the endoscope is curved or straightened, as the necessary fiber length changes, causing excessive tensile or compressive forces.
Innovation Solution
An optical fiber length adjuster with a holding portion that adjusts the optical fiber length based on applied force, using a combination of fixed and movable bobbins with elastic members to maintain constant tension, allowing the fiber to be wound and unwound as the endoscope is deformed, thereby preventing excessive force on the fiber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the optical fiber length is fixed to be short to reduce buckling in straight state, then the fiber may break when the endoscope is curved, but if the fiber length is made long to accommodate curved state, then excessive tensile force is applied when the endoscope is straight
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber length adjuster implements a dynamic length adjustment mechanism where the holding portion can change the effective length of the optical fiber based on the insertion portion's curvature state. When the insertion portion is curved, the adjuster increases the fiber length to prevent breaking; when straight, it decreases the length to prevent buckling and reduce tensile force, thus maintaining reliability under varying conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameter of optical fiber length dynamically. The holding portion adjusts the fiber length parameter in response to the insertion portion's deformation state, allowing the fiber to have different effective lengths for curved and straight states, thereby resolving the contradiction between preventing breakage and avoiding excessive tensile force.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the optical fiber is incorporated in the curvable insertion portion, then the necessary fiber length varies with curvature, but this causes repeated compression and pulling that increases the possibility of buckling or breaking
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber length adjuster implements a feedback mechanism where the holding portion senses the state of the insertion portion (curved or straight) and automatically adjusts the optical fiber length accordingly. This feedback control prevents repeated compression and pulling by maintaining appropriate fiber tension, thereby reducing the possibility of buckling or breaking while preserving adaptability to different curvature states.
3Device complexity
If one optical fiber is used instead of bundle fiber, then the device structure is simplified, but the optical fiber may break when bent causing illumination to reach zero
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber length adjuster makes the single optical fiber's effective length dynamic, allowing it to accommodate bending without breaking. By adjusting the fiber length in the holding portion based on the insertion portion's curvature, the system maintains illumination continuity while using a simplified single-fiber structure instead of a bundle.
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 optical fiber length adjuster automatically adjusts the fiber length to maintain constant tension, preventing breakage and buckling, ensuring consistent illumination even with repeated deformation of the endoscope, thus enhancing the reliability and performance of the optical fiber in varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member to wind and unwind the optical fiber
Data Source
AI summary
An optical fiber length adjuster includes an entrance and an exit 16 for an optical fiber, and a holding portion to hold the optical fiber so that the optical fiber is deformed. The holding portion is configured to decrease the length of the part of the optical fiber that is held, when tensile force applied to the optical fiber is increased, and increase the length of the part of the optical fiber that is held, when the tensile force applied to the optical fiber is decreased.