Ultrasonic Endoscope Layout to Reduce Vignetting Without Diameter Growth
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Solution Overview
Problem
The ultrasonic endoscope's imaging unit optical axis is obliquely inclined, causing vignetting issues and difficulty in insertion due to the ultrasonic transducer's reflection, and traditional adjustments to avoid vignetting result in increased diameter.
Innovation Solution
The ultrasonic endoscope design aligns the imaging unit's optical axis closer to a direct vision direction by shifting the ultrasonic transducer and imaging unit regions in the longitudinal axis, maintaining a constant reflection range without increasing the endoscope's diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the imaging unit optical axis is inclined in direct vision direction, then the viewing direction is improved, but vignetting increases and insertion becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the contradiction by transitioning from a two-dimensional planar arrangement to a three-dimensional spatial configuration. The ultrasonic transducer is positioned on the distal end side while the imaging unit is positioned on the base end side along the longitudinal axis, creating a spatial separation that eliminates vignetting while maintaining direct vision capability. This dimensional arrangement allows both functions to coexist without interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The distal end portion is divided into functionally distinct regions: a first region containing the ultrasonic transducer and a second region containing the imaging unit. This segmentation separates the ultrasonic scanning function from the optical imaging function, allowing each component to be optimized independently while avoiding mutual interference, particularly the vignetting problem that occurs when components are clustered together.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the ultrasonic transducer disposition is changed to avoid vignetting, then the reflection problem is reduced, but the endoscope diameter increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of laterally displacing the ultrasonic transducer to avoid reflection, the patent utilizes the longitudinal dimension by positioning the imaging unit on the base end side and the ultrasonic transducer on the distal end side. This longitudinal separation effectively eliminates the reflection problem without requiring lateral displacement that would increase the endoscope diameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope is segmented into distinct functional zones along its length, with the imaging unit housed in a first region and the ultrasonic transducer in a second region. This segmentation allows compact packaging of components along the longitudinal axis, maintaining a small diameter while preventing harmful reflections through spatial separation.
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 allows for easier insertion and reduces vignetting while maintaining the endoscope's diameter, ensuring effective imaging and ultrasonic scanning without enlarging the distal end portion.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic transducer that is provided at the distal end portion and that emits an ultrasonic wave toward one side in a first direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis direction
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic endoscope includes: a distal end portion disposed on a distal end side of an insertion part extending along a longitudinal axis direction; an ultrasonic transducer configured to emit an ultrasonic wave toward one side in a first direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis direction; and an imaging unit disposed on a base end side with respect to the ultrasonic transducer. The distal end portion includes a first region having the ultrasonic transducer; and a second region disposed on the base end side of the first region and having the imaging unit. Bottom surface portions of the first and second regions are each disposed on the other side in the first direction opposite to the one side, and the bottom surface portion of the first region is disposed on the other side in the first direction with respect to the bottom surface portion of the second region.