Imaging Probe Lens Distal Positioning for Solder Heat Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging probes for diagnosing biological lumens, such as blood vessels, face challenges in minimizing the adverse effects of scattered joining materials and heat generated during the soldering process, which can impact lens performance and limit the size of the mountable lens.
Innovation Solution
The imaging probe design includes an imaging core with a drive shaft containing an optical fiber and a signal line, where the optical transceiver is positioned distally from the ultrasound transceiver, and both emit directions tilt towards the proximal end of the drive shaft, minimizing the impact of scattered joining materials and heat on lens performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the lens is arranged close to the drive shaft for compact design, then the device complexity is reduced, but the lens is exposed to harmful factors from scattered soldering material and heat during manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement from a lateral proximity (close to drive shaft) to an axial separation (distal end). By positioning the lens at the distal end of the imaging core, far from the soldering location near the drive shaft connection, the design uses the longitudinal dimension to isolate the lens from harmful manufacturing factors while maintaining compact overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the lens from the vicinity of the drive shaft and relocates it to the distal end of the imaging core. This separation removes the lens from the harmful environment created during soldering operations, allowing the lens to be positioned in a thermally and chemically safer zone while preserving the integrated design benefits.
2Measurement precision
If the lens size is increased to improve imaging quality, then the measurement precision is improved, but the lens becomes more vulnerable to damage from scattered joining material and heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by utilizing the axial dimension of the imaging core to position larger lenses at the distal end, away from the drive shaft soldering zone. This spatial reconfiguration in the longitudinal dimension allows increased lens aperture and size for improved imaging quality without exposing the lens to harmful soldering material and heat.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the lens from the constrained space near the drive shaft and relocates it to the distal end, creating physical separation from harmful factors. This extraction enables the use of larger, higher-quality lenses that would be vulnerable if positioned close to the soldering operations, thereby improving measurement precision without compromising lens safety.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the lens is positioned distally from the ultrasound transceiver, then the lens is protected from soldering harm, but the device length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the axial dimension of the imaging core to position the lens at the distal end, maximizing protection from soldering harm. By arranging components along the longitudinal axis rather than laterally, the design accommodates the increased length within the natural elongated structure of the imaging core, minimizing the impact on overall device dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the optical and ultrasound transceivers into a single integrated imaging core structure. By combining both transceiver types within one unified component, the patent reduces the need for separate housing and mounting structures, thereby minimizing the overall device length increase that would result from the distal positioning of the lens.
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 configuration effectively reduces the risk of lens damage from joining materials and heat, allowing for a larger lens size and improved accuracy in acquiring both IVUS and OCT images for the same cross-section, enhancing the diagnostic capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
based on interference light generated by interference between the received reflected light and reference light, a cross-sectional image of the blood vessel is generally visualized
Implementation Method 2
a catheter for diagnosis is used which acquires a tomographic image inside the biological lumen by using an ultrasound wave
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging probe is disclosed for diagnosis, which includes an imaging core having a drive shaft internally provided with an optical fiber and a signal line. The imaging probe for diagnosis includes an optical transceiver that is disposed in one end of the optical fiber, and an ultrasound transceiver that is joined to the signal line. The optical transceiver is arranged on a distal side of the imaging core from the ultrasound transceiver. An emitting direction of an ultrasound wave emitted from the ultrasound transceiver and an emitting direction of light emitted from the optical transceiver are substantially parallel to each other, and are directions, which further tilt to a proximal end of the drive shaft than a direction orthogonal to the drive shaft.