Transparent Distal Cap with Opaque Shields for Endoscope Imaging

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional endoscopes with opaque distal tips face challenges in efficiently delivering illumination light to internal body tissues while preventing stray light from reaching the image sensor, which can lead to reduced image quality and patient discomfort.

Innovation Solution

A transparent distal cap with an image sensor insert and thermally coupled illumination sources, including opaque shields to prevent stray light, and a thermistor for temperature compensation, is integrated into the imaging assembly, which is partially housed within a metal ring for electrical shielding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If an opaque distal tip is used, then stray light is blocked from reaching the image sensor, but illumination light delivery to internal body tissues is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination light deliveryVSAvoidstray light reaching image sensor

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The distal cap is made transparent in the regions where illumination light needs to pass through to reach the tissue, while opaque shields are strategically positioned in specific locations to block stray light paths to the image sensor. This local differentiation of transparency and opacity resolves the contradiction by allowing light delivery where needed while blocking it where harmful.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Opaque shields are introduced as intermediary elements between the illumination sources and the image sensor. These shields mediate the light paths by allowing illumination light to reach the tissue through the transparent cap while intercepting and blocking stray light before it can reach the image sensor, thus resolving the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If a transparent distal cap is used, then illumination light delivery is improved, but stray light may leak to the image sensor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination light deliveryVSAvoidstray light leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The distal cap is made transparent in the regions where illumination light needs to pass through to reach the tissue, while opaque shields are strategically positioned in specific locations to block stray light paths to the image sensor. This local differentiation of transparency and opacity resolves the contradiction by allowing light delivery where needed while blocking it where harmful.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Opaque shields are introduced as intermediary elements between the illumination sources and the image sensor. These shields mediate the light paths by allowing illumination light to reach the tissue through the transparent cap while intercepting and blocking stray light before it can reach the image sensor, thus resolving the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If illumination sources are placed close to the image sensor, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature monitoring accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly structureVSAvoidtemperature sensing

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A thermistor is introduced as an intermediary temperature sensing element positioned near the illumination sources. This thermistor provides accurate local temperature monitoring of the illumination sources independently, allowing the image sensor and illumination sources to be placed close together without compromising temperature measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The thermistor provides real-time temperature feedback from the illumination sources to the control system. This feedback mechanism allows the system to monitor and regulate the temperature of the illumination sources accurately, even when they are positioned close to the image sensor, thus maintaining measurement precision while reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 configuration enhances light delivery to tissues, reduces patient discomfort, and improves image quality by minimizing stray light and ensuring accurate temperature monitoring for illumination sources.

Implementation Method 1

The image sensor insert includes a cooling channel that is thermally coupled to one or more illumination sources in the image sensor insert

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a thermistor is used to sense the temperature of the illumination sources

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermistor effect: Thermistor

Implementation Method 3

the imaging assembly is partially fitted within a metal ring of an articulation joint to shield circuitry in the imaging assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Data Source

PatentUS8870753B2Imaging assembly with transparent distal cap

Publication Date: 2014.10.28 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

An imaging assembly for use in a medical imaging device such as an endoscope or the like. In one embodiment, the imaging assembly includes a transparent distal cap that is shaped to receive an image sensor insert. The image sensor insert has a cooling channel that supplies a cooling liquid or gas to one or more illumination sources.