Rotatable Endoscope Shaft for 360-Degree Optical Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rigid endoscope technology is limited by fixed optical cables, restricting the rotation of the shaft and causing ergonomic deficiencies, making it cumbersome to view large areas without significant movement of the endoscope, which can lead to injuries and obstruction of instruments during medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A fully rotatable endoscope with an inclinable direction of view, allowing the shaft to rotate unlimitedly (360° or more) around its axis without a limit stop, enabling seamless object tracking with minimal shaft movement, and incorporating a receiver for energy transmission without external cables, facilitating easier handling and reduced space occupation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the shaft is fixedly connected to the coupling member, then the structure is simple and stable, but the rotation of the shaft is limited and cannot rotate 360 degrees or more
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is divided into a rotatable shaft member and a fixed coupling member, allowing independent rotation of the shaft while the coupling member remains stationary. This segmentation enables 360-degree or more rotation without requiring the entire endoscope to rotate, resolving the contradiction between rotation range and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the light guide and image guide into a single integrated shaft structure that can rotate independently. This merging allows the optical functions to be maintained while enabling unlimited rotation, addressing the contradiction between operational ease and device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If external optical cables are connected to the rotatable shaft, then light can be transmitted, but the optical fiber is wounded around the shaft when rotated by 360 degrees
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the optical cables from the rotatable shaft and connects them only to the fixed coupling member. This extraction eliminates the problem of fiber winding during rotation, as the cables remain stationary while the shaft rotates freely, resolving the contradiction between unlimited rotation capability and optical fiber integrity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the shaft is rotated significantly to view large areas, then the field of view can be adjusted, but unintended injuries to critical structures and the endoscope itself may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic rotation of the shaft member around its longitudinal axis, allowing the direction of view to be changed by rotating the shaft itself rather than moving the entire endoscope. This dynamic adjustment enables comprehensive field of view coverage while minimizing shaft displacement, thereby reducing the risk of injuries to critical structures.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the endoscope is moved significantly to achieve all-around view, then the observation area is increased, but the space occupied by the endoscope increases and instruments may be obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the shaft member to rotate independently around its longitudinal axis, allowing the optical axis to be oriented in different directions without moving the endoscope body. This dynamic rotation capability increases the observation area while keeping the endoscope position fixed, thereby reducing the space occupied and avoiding obstruction of other instruments.
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 solution enhances operability by allowing independent adjustment of the direction of view, reduces the risk of injuries, and minimizes the need for instrument obstruction, while maintaining compactness and efficient image transmission, suitable for both manual and automated systems.
Implementation Method 1
the shaft is configured to transmit light from the mounting end to the tip end and to transmit image information from the tip end to the mounting end
Implementation Method 2
The shaft member has a receiver configured to receive energy
Data Source
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AI summary
An endoscope (1) is provided. The endoscope (1) comprises a fixed coupling member (2), and a rotatable shaft member (3) including a shaft (4) having a shaft axis (C) extending in an axial direction (d1), wherein the shaft (4) has a tip end (5) and a mounting end (6), wherein the shaft (4) is configured to transmit light from the mounting end (6) to the tip end (5) and to transmit image information from the tip end (5) to the mounting end (6). The coupling member (2) and the shaft member (3) are connected to each other such that the shaft member (3) is unlimitedly rotatable by 360° or more about the shaft axis (C) relative to the coupling member (2). Further, the shaft member (3) has a receiver (7) configured to receive energy.