Rod Lens Inversion System for Endoscope Chromatic Aberration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inversion systems in endoscopes face challenges in achieving high-quality imaging over a broad wavelength range due to complex production and alignment, particularly in correcting chromatic aberrations, which require extensive optical elements and are costly.
Innovation Solution
The use of a combination of two types of rod lenses (A and B) in the inversion system, where each type generates specific longitudinal and transversal chromatic aberrations, allowing partial compensation of transversal aberrations and simplifying the optical design to achieve cost-effective chromatic correction across a wide wavelength range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional inversion systems use multiple optical elements to correct chromatic aberrations, then imaging quality is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of rod lenses by introducing two different types (type A and type B) with distinct optical characteristics. Type A rod lenses have a first longitudinal chromatic aberration and first transversal chromatic aberration, while type B rod lenses have a second longitudinal chromatic aberration and second transversal chromatic aberration. By strategically combining these different lens types in inversion sets, the system achieves chromatic aberration correction without requiring multiple complex optical elements, thus resolving the contradiction between imaging quality and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite optical design by combining different rod lens types (A and B) within inversion sets. This composite approach allows the system to leverage the complementary aberration characteristics of different lens types to correct chromatic aberrations. The mixed inversion sets containing both type A and type B rod lenses create a composite optical system that achieves superior imaging quality while maintaining simpler device structure
2Manufacturing precision
If inversion systems use multiple different types of rod lenses to correct aberrations, then chromatic aberration correction is improved, but production and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the inversion system into standardized inversion sets that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Each inversion set is formed by combining two rod lenses (either type A-type A, type B-type B, or mixed type A-B), creating modular units that simplify production. This segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing processes and easier assembly, reducing the overall complexity despite using multiple lens types for aberration correction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning specific rod lens types to specific positions within inversion sets based on their optical characteristics. Type A and type B rod lenses are strategically placed in different inversion sets to create the desired aberration correction pattern. This localized optimization of lens types in specific positions enables effective chromatic aberration correction while maintaining manageable production and assembly complexity through standardized modular designs
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 approach enables efficient compensation of chromatic aberrations, particularly longitudinal ones, through the objective and camera unit, allowing for high-quality color correction from the visible to infrared ranges with a simplified and cost-effective rod lens system.
Implementation Method 1
an inversion system which is designed to relay light from the objective to the camera unit
Implementation Method 2
correcting longitudinal chromatic aberration (LCA) and transversal chromatic aberration (TCA), thus the deviation of a pixel in the longitudinal or transversal direction as a function of the wavelength of the light
Data Source
AI summary
To improve the imaging while simultaneously simplifying the manufacturing of a rigid endoscope (2), an inversion system (1) is used as a relay optical unit for the image transfer from an objective (3) to a proximally arranged camera unit (4) of the endoscope (2). The inversion system has an odd number of a first type A of rod lenses (7) and an even number of a second type B of rod lenses (7), which are each arranged on half of the inversion system (1) with respect to a center plane (9) of the inversion system (1).