Rotatable Medical Scope Imaging Interface With Coaxial Sliding Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transfer of power, control signals, and image signals to and from an image sensor located at the distal end of a medical scope, particularly in a small volume and through a long, thin shaft, is challenging due to space constraints and the need for pivotability or rotatability of the image sensor.
Innovation Solution
A medical scope design utilizing a serializer and deserializer with a two-conductor interface and coaxial sliding contacts to transmit power, control signals, and image signals through a single pair of conductors, allowing for pivotability and rotatability of the image sensor, and facilitating easy separation and replacement of the image sensor unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate conductors are used to transfer power, control signals, and image signals, then signal transmission reliability is improved, but space requirements and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate conductors (power, control signals, and image signals) into a single integrated conductor that transfers all signals simultaneously. This merging approach reduces the number of separate conductors needed, thereby reducing space requirements while maintaining reliable signal transmission through the unified transmission path.
Solution Approach 2:
The single conductor is designed to perform multiple functions: transferring power, control signals, and image signals all through the same transmission medium. This multi-functional conductor eliminates the need for separate dedicated conductors for each signal type, optimizing space utilization while ensuring all necessary signals are transmitted reliably.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the image sensor is made pivotable or rotatable, then adaptability and ease of operation are improved, but device complexity and difficulty of signal transfer increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical signal transfer mechanisms with a flexible conductor design that can accommodate pivotable and rotatable image sensors. The conductor is engineered to maintain electrical connectivity while allowing mechanical movement, thereby enabling adaptability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductor system is designed to be dynamic rather than static, allowing it to flex and move with the pivotable and rotatable image sensor. This dynamic design maintains reliable signal transfer throughout the range of motion, enabling adaptability while managing complexity through flexible rather than rigid construction.
3Ease of repair
If the image sensor unit is made separable, then ease of repair and cleaning are improved, but connection reliability and signal transfer stability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the medical scope into separable modules, with the image sensor unit being a distinct, replaceable component. This segmentation allows the image sensor unit to be easily removed and replaced without affecting the rest of the system, improving ease of repair and cleaning while maintaining connection reliability through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an intermediary connector or interface mechanism that facilitates reliable electrical connection between the separable image sensor unit and the main body. This intermediary element ensures that even though the unit is separable for ease of replacement, the connection remains reliable and signal transfer remains stable when connected.
Data Source
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AI summary
A medical scope (10) comprises an objective (42) forming an image of an object; an image sensor (44) capturing the image formed by the objective (42) and providing an image signal representing the captured image; a serializer (50) comprising a two-conductor first interface (52) and a multi-conductor second interface (54) connected to the image sensor (44); a first sliding contact (71) and a second sliding contact (72) connected to the two-conductor first interface (52) of the serializer (50); a third sliding contact (73) in electrically conductive contact to the first sliding contact (71) and a fourth sliding contact (74) in electrically conductive contact to the second sliding contact (72). At least two of the first sliding contact (71), the second sliding contact (72), the third sliding contact (73) and the fourth sliding contact (74) are coaxial.