Reusable Endoscope Imaging Unit Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and fragility of high-definition image sensors and lenses in disposable endoscopes make it difficult to achieve reliable endoscopic diagnosis and treatment, as they are expensive and prone to damage, limiting the reuse of these components.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope design that includes a reusable imaging unit with a detachable exterior cylinder and cable assembly, allowing for the collection and re-use of the imaging unit after single use, reducing costs and maintaining image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a high-definition image sensor and imaging lens are used in a disposable endoscope, then image quality is improved, but cost increases and the components become fragile and difficult to reuse
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is divided into disposable portions (insertion portion, distal tip piece, exterior cylinder) and reusable portions (imaging unit with image sensor and lens, cable). This segmentation allows the expensive imaging components to be separated and reused while the disposable portions are discarded after single use, resolving the contradiction between image quality and reusability.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging unit containing the expensive image sensor and lens is extracted as a separate reusable component from the disposable insertion portion. The exterior cylinder is designed to be detachable, allowing the imaging unit to be removed and reused in subsequent endoscopes, thereby maintaining high image quality while enabling component reuse.
2Ease of manufacture
If an inexpensive image sensor and imaging lens are used in a disposable endoscope, then cost is reduced, but image quality deteriorates and reliable endoscopic diagnosis cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the endoscope into disposable and reusable parts, the system can use inexpensive materials for the disposable insertion portion while incorporating expensive high-definition imaging components that are removed and reused, thus achieving both cost reduction and high image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable portions are discarded after single use while the valuable imaging unit is recovered and reused in subsequent endoscopes. This allows the system to use inexpensive disposable components while maintaining high image quality through the recovered expensive imaging components.
3Productivity
If the entire endoscope is designed as disposable, then reprocessing work and time are eliminated, but expensive imaging components are discarded and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is segmented into disposable portions that eliminate reprocessing needs and reusable imaging portions that are recovered and reused. This segmentation allows the system to achieve the productivity benefits of disposable design while avoiding the waste and cost increase of discarding expensive imaging components.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable insertion portion is discarded after single use, eliminating reprocessing work and time for that component. Meanwhile, the valuable imaging unit is recovered and reused in subsequent endoscopes, preventing component waste and reducing overall costs.
4Reliability
If a reusable endoscope design is used, then expensive imaging components can be reused, but reprocessing work and time are required
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the endoscope into reusable imaging portions and disposable insertion portions, the system can reuse expensive imaging components while eliminating reprocessing needs for the disposable portions, thus reducing overall reprocessing time while maintaining component reuse benefits.
Data Source
AI summary
To provide an endoscope or the like that can reuse an image sensor or the like. An endoscope includes: an imaging unit including an image sensor and an optical component that forms an image of light incident from a first end surface on the image sensor; a cable inserted into an insertion portion and having a first end connected to the imaging unit; an exterior cylinder covering a connected portion between the imaging unit and the cable; and a distal tip piece in which a housing portion having a shape fitted with a shape of the exterior cylinder is provided and which is arranged at a distal tip of the insertion portion.