Partial Prism Holder for Endoscope Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopes with lateral viewing directions face a conflict between achieving high image quality and large light intensity while maintaining a small outside diameter, as larger deflection prisms required for improved optical properties increase the endoscope shaft diameter.
Innovation Solution
A deflection prism assembly with a prism holder that partially encloses the deflection prism, allowing for enlargement in non-enclosed regions without increasing the circumference or diameter, featuring a first part for secure fixing and a second part for alignment, and utilizing an annular stop and adhesive gaps for precise alignment and fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a larger deflection prism is deployed to improve optical properties and increase light intensity, then the optical quality and light intensity are improved, but the outside diameter of the endoscope shaft increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional cylindrical prism holder that encloses the deflection prism in all directions to a partial enclosure design where the prism holder only surrounds certain regions of the lateral surface. This dimensional change allows the deflection prism to be enlarged in non-enclosed regions without increasing the overall outside diameter of the endoscope shaft, thereby improving light intensity while maintaining a compact size.
Solution Approach 2:
The prism holder is divided into different functional regions: regions that enclose the lateral surface for secure fixing and alignment, and regions that are omitted to allow deflection prism enlargement. This segmentation enables different parts of the deflection prism to serve different purposes - enclosed regions provide structural stability while non-enclosed regions maximize light entry area.
2Manufacturing precision
If a larger deflection prism is deployed to improve optical properties, then the field of view and image quality are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential enclosing regions from the conventional cylindrical prism holder, removing unnecessary material and structure. The prism holder is designed to enclose only certain regions of the lateral surface that are critical for fixing and alignment, while omitting regions where deflection prism enlargement is needed for improved optical properties.
3Quantity of substance
If the deflection prism is enlarged to increase light entry region, then more light enters the endoscope, but the circumference of the deflection prism assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection prism is designed with non-uniform enclosure: regions that need to be enlarged for light entry are left uncovered by the prism holder, while regions requiring structural support and alignment are enclosed. This local differentiation of quality allows the deflection prism to have maximum light entry area without proportionally increasing the overall assembly circumference.
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 design enhances optical properties and light intensity without enlarging the endoscope shaft, ensuring secure fixation and alignment while minimizing shear forces and maintaining a compact size.
Implementation Method 1
Distal deflection prisms which are constructed from multiple sub-prisms, are commonly deployed in endoscopes, in particular video endoscopes, of this type. The object of a deflection prism consists of deflecting the obliquely incident light so that, after exiting from the deflection prism, it runs parallel to the endoscope axis.
Data Source
AI summary
A deflection prism assembly for an endoscope having a lateral viewing direction, the deflection prism assembly including: a prism holder; and a deflection prism accommodated in the prism holder; wherein the deflection prism has a light outlet surface and an opposite light inlet surface arranged obliquely to the light outlet surface, the deflection prism further having a lateral surface extending between the light inlet surface and the light outlet surface; and the prism holder accommodates the deflection prism such that the prism holder surrounds less than all regions of the lateral surface of the deflection prism.