Solid-State Endoscope With Offset Wide-Angle Lens

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Solution Overview

Problem

Variable direction of view endoscopes face challenges such as complexity, cost, reduced robustness, inferior illumination, and image quality due to moving parts, and disorientation issues, limiting their adoption and effectiveness in surgical procedures.

Innovation Solution

A solid-state endoscope with a wide-angle lens system that incorporates f-sin(theta) distortion, allowing the optical axis to be angularly offset from the longitudinal axis, enabling simultaneous gathering of light rays over a 90-degree angle or more, and utilizing image selecting circuitry to provide standard viewing angles and alleviate user disorientation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a movable image sensor or optical element is used to vary viewing direction, then variable viewing angles are achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewing angle variabilityVSAvoidmechanical complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical movable image sensor or optical element with a solid-state imager and a wide-angle lens system that provides f-sin(theta) or f-theta distortion. This substitution eliminates moving parts while achieving variable viewing angles through optical design, thereby reducing device complexity and manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the optical parameters by using a wide-angle lens system with specific distortion characteristics (f-sin(theta) or f-theta) to achieve variable viewing angles. This parameter-based approach allows viewing direction changes without mechanical movement, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If a wide-angle lens system with angular offset is used, then viewing flexibility is improved, but information density uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewing flexibilityVSAvoidinformation density uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies f-sin(theta) or f-theta distortion in the wide-angle lens system, which is specifically designed to compensate for the non-uniform information density caused by angular offset. This parameter change in the optical system maintains viewing flexibility while correcting the distortion to achieve uniform information distribution across the imaging surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple fixed-angle endoscopes are used, then standard viewing angles are maintained, but device quantity and procedural complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewing angle accuracyVSAvoidnumber of endoscopes

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a single endoscope that can provide multiple standard viewing angles (0, 30, 45, and 70 degrees) through its wide-angle lens system and image selecting circuitry. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple separate fixed-angle endoscopes, reducing the quantity of instruments required while maintaining accurate standard viewing angles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic image selecting circuitry that can switch between different viewing angle regions within a single endoscope. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt between multiple standard angles, replacing the need for multiple static fixed-angle endoscopes and simplifying the procedural workflow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 provides a feasible, robust, and high-resolution variable direction of view endoscope that reduces the need for multiple instruments, offers reliable standard viewing angles, and maintains excellent imaging performance, enhancing surgical flexibility and diagnostic capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

the wide angle lens system simultaneously gathers light rays from an endoscopic image field, the endoscopic image field at least spanning the longitudinal axis and an angle greater than ninety degrees to the longitudinal axis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight gathering: Light

Implementation Method 2

said lens system redistributes the image field to even out an information density across the imaging surface area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical distortion (f-sin(theta) or f-theta): Lens

Data Source

PatentUS10092169B2Solid state variable direction of view endoscope

Publication Date: 2018.10.09 KARL STORZ IMAGING INC

AI summary

An endoscope with a wide angle lens that comprises an optical axis that is angularly offset from a longitudinal axis of the endoscope such that the optical axis resides at an angle greater than zero degrees to the longitudinal axis. The wide angle lens system simultaneously gathers an endoscopic image field, the endoscopic image field at least spanning the longitudinal axis and an angle greater than ninety degrees to the longitudinal axis. The endoscope includes an optical lens system to at least partially even out the information density across an imaging surface area of the imager.