Foldable Endoscope Camera PCB Layout for Steerable Tip Space Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited space within the steerable tip of an endoscope constrains the installation of rigid printed circuit boards (PCBs) housing camera and sensor components, exacerbating space limitations when multiple PCBs are used.
Innovation Solution
A flexible printed circuit board (PCB) is designed to transition from a two-dimensional to a three-dimensional configuration, allowing it to be mounted within the steerable tip, with reduced thickness and flexible regions to accommodate the camera, sensor, and wiring segments, ensuring proper alignment and data correlation between the camera and inertial measurement unit (IMU).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid printed circuit board (PCB) is used to house camera and sensor components, then component stability and alignment are improved, but the space required for installation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The PCB is divided into multiple planar segments (sensor segment, camera segment, wiring segment) connected by bent arms. This segmentation allows the board to conform to the limited space within the steerable tip while maintaining stable mounting surfaces for components on each planar segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The PCB transitions from a two-dimensional planar configuration to a three-dimensional folded configuration with bent arms extending between planar segments. This dimensional transformation enables the PCB to fit within the constrained volume of the steerable tip while preserving component stability on each planar surface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple rigid PCBs are installed to house camera and sensor components, then component functionality is improved, but space limitations are exacerbated
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional components (camera, sensor, wiring) that would traditionally require separate rigid PCBs are merged onto a single foldable PCB. The bent arms create distinct planar regions for each component type, enabling multiple functions to coexist within the limited space of the steerable tip.
Solution Approach 2:
The foldable PCB with its bent arms and multiple planar segments allows components to be nested within the constrained volume of the steerable tip. The three-dimensional folding configuration enables efficient space utilization by nesting different component planes within the available volume.
3Volume of moving object
If the PCB is made flexible to fit within the steerable tip, then space constraints are relieved, but mechanical stress on components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The PCB is segmented into rigid planar regions and flexible bent arm regions. The planar segments provide stable mounting surfaces for components, while the bent arms provide the necessary flexibility to fit within the steerable tip, isolating mechanical stress from the components.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the PCB have different mechanical properties: the planar segments are rigid to protect components from stress, while the bent arms are flexible to accommodate the curved path within the steerable tip. This local differentiation of mechanical properties resolves the contradiction between flexibility and component protection.
Data Source
AI summary
The technology relates to a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) that is incorporated into a steerable tip of an endoscope. The endoscope includes a working channel extending through the steerable tip; a foldable printed circuit board (PCB) extending at least partially around the working channel. The foldable PCB includes a planar sensor segment extending along a first plane, the sensor segment populated with at least one sensor; a planar camera segment extending along a second plane that is substantially orthogonal to the first plane and positioned distally from the sensor segment, the camera segment including an opening for the working channel and populated with a camera and at least one light source, wherein the planar camera segment is partially separated from the sensor segment by an aperture in the foldable PCB; and a bent arm extending between, and connecting, the sensor segment and the camera segment.