Retroflexion Endoscope Surface Coloring for Exposure Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Endoscopes experience over- or underexposure during retroflexion manoeuvres, leading to poor image quality, which hinders effective inspection of body cavities.

Innovation Solution

The endoscope features a coloured area on its exterior surface, marked with an optimized colour, to reduce over- or underexposure during retroflexion, ensuring improved image quality by maintaining optimal exposure levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a retroflexion manoeuvre is performed to inspect the area surrounding the urethra or anatomy adjacent to the insertion tube, then the ability to inspect hard-to-reach areas is improved, but the image quality deteriorates due to over- or underexposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to inspect hard-to-reach areasVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a coloured area (typically grey or black) on the exterior surface of the insertion tube in the field of view of the vision device. This color modification reduces the reflectivity of the insertion tube surface, preventing overexposure of the image during retroflexion manoeuvres. The colored area absorbs excess light that would otherwise reflect into the camera, thereby maintaining optimal exposure levels and improving image quality while preserving the ability to perform retroflexion inspection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Ease of manufacture

If the exterior surface of the insertion tube is left with standard reflective material, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the image quality deteriorates due to light reflection causing overexposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing process simplicityVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the colored area only in specific locations on the insertion tube - specifically in the field of view of the vision device during retroflexion manoeuvres. This localized application means that only the portion of the insertion tube surface visible to the camera is treated, while the rest of the insertion tube maintains its standard reflective surface. This approach balances manufacturing complexity with image quality improvement, as the colored area is applied only where it is needed to prevent overexposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If a coloured area is added to the exterior surface of the insertion tube to reduce overexposure, then the image quality is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the exterior surface of the insertion tube by adding a colored area (typically grey or black) in the field of view of the vision device. This color modification reduces the reflectivity of the surface, preventing overexposure during retroflexion manoeuvres. The colored area absorbs excess light that would otherwise reflect into the camera, thereby maintaining optimal exposure levels and improving image quality while preserving the ability to perform retroflexion inspection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

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

The coloured area on the endoscope's exterior surface enhances image quality by preventing over- or underexposure, allowing clearer visualization of anatomical details during retroflexion manoeuvres.

Implementation Method 1

the exterior surface of the insertion tube includes a coloured area of a colour configured to reduce over- or underexposure of the vision device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3967209B1Endoscope for performing a retroflexion manoeuvre and manufacturing method thereof

Publication Date: 2026.02.18 AMBU AS

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AI summary

An endoscope capable of performing a retroflexion manoeuvre, comprising a handle having a control mechanism, a distal tip part having a vision device with a field of view, a bending section having a first state, a retroflexion state, an insertion tube including an exterior surface facing the surroundings of the endoscope, and at least one steering wire connecting the control mechanism with the bending section so that manipulation of the control mechanism causes the endoscope to perform a retroflexion manoeuvre by bending the bending section from the first state to the retroflexion state, wherein the exterior surface of the insertion tube includes a coloured area of a colour configured to reduce over- or underexposure of the vision device in the retroflexion state.