Two-Piece Rigid Medical Imaging Device for Small Incision Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical imaging devices face challenges in assembling optical and electrical components due to physical constraints, leading to potential damage and complexity, especially in rigid elongated members used in laparoscopes and endoscopes.
Innovation Solution
A thin medical imaging device with a rigid elongated member and a rigid distal member equipped with multiple cameras and illumination modules, allowing for a connected and secure configuration with overlapping fields of view, enabling effective imaging through small incisions during medical procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all cameras are housed in a rigid elongated member, then the device provides structural protection for components, but assembling optical and electrical components becomes complex and components may be damaged due to physical constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separate rigid members: a rigid elongated member containing the light source assembly, and a rigid distal member containing multiple cameras. This segmentation allows independent assembly of optical and electrical components in each member, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining structural protection. The two members are then connected to form the complete imaging device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cameras are installed in a compact rigid structure, then the device enables comprehensive imaging through small incisions, but the assembly process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cameras are installed in the rigid distal member as a separate assembly unit, allowing them to be positioned and secured independently before connection to the rigid elongated member. This segmentation simplifies the assembly process while maintaining the compact configuration needed for small incision access.
Solution Approach 2:
The cameras are arranged in a nested configuration within the rigid distal member, with cameras positioned at different depths and angles. This nesting allows multiple cameras to be housed in a compact space, enabling comprehensive imaging through small incisions without increasing overall device complexity.
3Length of moving object
If the distal member is made narrow (5-15mm width) to enable insertion through small incisions, then the device can access confined areas, but housing and securing multiple cameras becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The cameras are arranged in three-dimensional space within the narrow distal member, utilizing depth and angular positioning rather than only lateral placement. Cameras are positioned at different distances from the distal end and at various angles, allowing multiple cameras to be housed in a 5-15mm width structure while maintaining ease of manufacture through systematic spatial arrangement.
Data Source
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AI summary
The subject matter discloses a medical imaging device, comprising a rigid elongated member and a distal member provided in a width of approximately 5.0 to 15 millimeters connected to the rigid section in a rigid manner, said distal member comprises a front camera located on a front planar surface of the distal member and a second side camera located on a first lateral surface of the distal member.