Microscope Light Guide Cable Routing to Prevent Twisting
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Solution Overview
Problem
In medical observation systems, the twisting of cable groups bound on the rotation axis of microscope units can lead to interference and damage, necessitating increased space within the microscope unit to prevent this, which in turn enlarges the device.
Innovation Solution
A medical observation system design featuring a support with multiple joints and arms that allows the microscope to rotate, with light guide cables and signal cables arranged along and perpendicular to the axis, and binding units positioned to manage cable displacement without increasing the microscope's size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cable group is bound on the rotation axis of the microscope unit, then the cable group is secured in position, but the cable group becomes twisted during rotation causing interference and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the cable binding location from the rotation axis (one-dimensional constraint) to the arm structure (two-dimensional placement). By positioning binding units on the arm at locations away from the rotation axis, the cable group can accommodate rotational movement without twisting, as the cables are routed through a path that allows angular displacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm structure serves as an intermediary element between the microscope unit and the base unit. The binding units are placed on this intermediary structure, allowing the cable group to be secured while the arm itself absorbs and manages the mechanical stresses during rotation, preventing direct transmission of twisting forces to the cables.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If cable arrangement space is ensured in the height direction to prevent cable interference during rotation, then cable interference is prevented, but the size of the microscope unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cable binding function from the microscope unit's rotation axis and relocates it to the arm structure. This separation allows the microscope unit to maintain a compact size without needing additional internal space for cable accommodation, as the cable management is handled by the external arm structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of allocating additional height direction space within the microscope unit, the patent utilizes the spatial dimension provided by the arm structure. The binding units are positioned on the arm in a location that naturally provides the necessary clearance for cable movement during rotation, eliminating the need to increase the microscope unit's volume.
3Ease of operation
If the microscope unit is kept compact in size, then portability and ease of operation are improved, but there is insufficient space to accommodate cable arrangement that prevents interference during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The arm structure acts as a mediator that resolves the spatial conflict between compact microscope design and cable safety. By placing binding units on the arm rather than within the microscope unit, the system achieves compact dimensions while the arm provides the necessary space and mechanical advantage to prevent cable interference during rotational movements.
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 prevents cable interference during rotation, maintains a compact microscope size, and ensures unobstructed user visibility, enhancing operational efficiency and sterility.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide cable inserted in the support and configured to guide illumination light to the microscope
Data Source
AI summary
A medical observation system includes: a microscope; a support including a first joint configured to hold the microscope such that the microscope is rotatable about a first axis parallel to an optical axis of the microscope; and a first arm configured to hold the first joint and extend in a direction different from a direction of the optical axis of the microscope; a light guide cable inserted in the support and configured to guide illumination light to the microscope; and a binder configured to bind the light guide cable, wherein at least a part of the light guide cable is arranged along the first axis in a first section, the light guide cable extends in a direction different from the first axis in a second section, and the binder is configured to bind the light guide cable in the second section.