Medical Optical Instrument Mount With Integrated Stray-Light Shield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical instruments face challenges in minimizing stray light interference between illumination and optical elements due to their close proximity, which degrades image quality, and existing solutions require additional space or are difficult to produce.
Innovation Solution
The optical instrument employs a reshaped distal edge of the mount to hold the optical element with form-fit engagement, using a non-reshaped portion as stray-light protection, and is produced through methods like caulking to minimize space usage and maintain image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If optical means and illumination units are arranged close to one another in the distal region, then the instrument can be made more compact, but stray light from the illumination means enters the optical system and degrades image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The distal edge of the mount is segmented into two functional portions: a reshaped portion that provides form-fit engagement to secure the optical element, and a non-reshaped portion that acts as a stray-light protection barrier. This segmentation allows the single mount structure to simultaneously perform mechanical retention and optical isolation functions, blocking stray light paths while maintaining compact instrument dimensions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a stray-light stop is fitted externally onto the shaft to block stray light, then image quality is improved, but the stop takes up a great deal of space and changes the dimensions of the instrument
Solution Approach 1:
The stray-light protection function is merged with the existing mount structure by utilizing the non-reshaped portion of the distal edge. This integration eliminates the need for separate external stray-light stops, as the mount itself performs both mechanical support and optical shielding functions, thereby preventing additional space consumption and dimensional changes to the instrument.
Solution Approach 2:
The mount is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides mechanical retention through form-fit engagement and optical protection through its non-reshaped distal edge portion. This universal design allows a single structure to fulfill multiple roles, eliminating the need for additional dedicated stray-light blocking components that would increase instrument size.
3Reliability
If the distal edge of the mount is reshaped to hold the optical element with form-fit engagement, then secure mounting is achieved, but less distal edge remains available for stray-light protection
Solution Approach 1:
The distal edge is divided into functionally distinct segments: the reshaped portion provides form-fit engagement for secure optical element retention, while the non-reshaped portion maintains its original geometry to serve as an effective stray-light barrier. This segmentation strategy ensures that both mounting security and stray-light protection requirements are satisfied by different portions of the same structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the distal edge are given different geometric qualities tailored to their specific functions: the reshaped portion has modified geometry optimized for mechanical engagement and retention, while the non-reshaped portion maintains unmodified geometry optimized for blocking stray light paths. This local differentiation of properties allows each region to excel at its designated function.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical instrument for viewing living things for medical purposes comprises an instrument body (20, 30, 40, 50, 60), wherein the instrument body (20, 30, 40, 50, 60) accommodates at least one optical element (21, 31, 41, 51, 61) for receiving light from a region outside the instrument body (20, 30, 40, 50, 60) and at least one illumination unit (22, 23, 32, 42, 52a, 52b, 62) for illuminating this region. The optical element (21, 31, 41, 51, 61) is held in the instrument by a mount (25, 33, 43, 53, 63) whose distal edge extends beyond the optical element (21, 31, 41, 51, 61) and is reshaped in at least one portion in order to hold the optical element (21, 31, 41, 51, 61). Non-reshaped portions (27, 35, 45, 55a, 55b, 65) of the distal edge serve as a stray-light protection, which keeps illumination light away from the optical element (21, 31, 41, 51, 61). A method (70) for producing such an instrument is also proposed.