Multi-Camera Endoscope Tip Layout for Hidden Polyp Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopes often miss detecting pathological objects, such as polyps, located on the inner sides of body cavity folds due to limited field of view, leading to high false negative diagnoses.
Innovation Solution
A multi-camera endoscope design with a forward-facing camera and one or more side-facing cameras positioned within the tip section, allowing for overlapping fields of view to enhance detection of polyps and other pathologies by enabling 360-degree circumferential viewing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single forward-facing camera is used in the endoscope, then the device complexity is low, but the detection precision of pathological objects on inner sides of folds is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope camera system is segmented into multiple independent cameras positioned at different locations and orientations within the tip section. A first camera faces forward while second and third cameras face sideways, each capturing images from different perspectives. This segmentation allows comprehensive coverage of the body cavity including hidden areas on fold inner sides, directly resolving the detection precision limitation without requiring a single complex camera system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimension forward-facing view to a multi-dimensional viewing system by adding side-facing cameras at different angular positions. This dimensional expansion enables circumferential viewing around the endoscope shaft, capturing pathological objects that exist in three-dimensional space on fold inner sides, thereby improving detection precision while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular camera addition
2Reliability
If multiple cameras are added to the tip section, then the detection rate of hidden pathologies increases, but the ease of operation decreases due to larger tip section size
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cameras, light sources, and other functional elements are merged into a single integrated tip section assembly. The cameras are positioned to face different directions (forward and sideways) while sharing common structural support and housing within the tip section. This merging approach enables comprehensive 360-degree detection coverage without proportionally increasing the overall tip section size, maintaining ease of operation while improving detection rate
Solution Approach 2:
The tip section is designed as a multi-functional unit that simultaneously houses multiple cameras for different viewing angles, light sources for illumination, and other operational elements. This universal design allows the tip section to perform multiple functions (forward viewing, side viewing, illumination, navigation) within a compact integrated structure, improving detection rate while avoiding excessive size increase that would compromise ease of operation
Data Source
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AI summary
A multi-camera endoscope which includes an elongated shaft terminating with a tip section turnable by way of a bending section, wherein the tip section includes: a front-pointing camera and a discrete front illuminator associated therewith; a front fluid injector configured for cleaning at least one of said front-pointing camera and said discrete front illuminator; a side-pointing camera and a discrete side illuminator associated therewith; a side fluid injector configured for cleaning at least one of said side-pointing camera and said discrete side illuminator; a working channel configured for insertion of a surgical tool; and a pathway fluid injector for inflating and/or cleaning a body cavity into which the endoscope is inserted.