Video Endoscopic Device with Parallel Optical Arrangements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stereoscopic video endoscopes with rigid rod lens systems face challenges in adjusting components sensitively and maintaining high-resolution image quality with a small endoscope shaft diameter, limiting their convenience and versatility in medical applications.
Innovation Solution
A video endoscopic device featuring two parallel optical arrangements within the endoscope shaft, using collimating optical units and projection objectives to generate and project stereoscopic partial images onto an image sensor, allowing for adjustable lateral distance between images and improved image quality, with a camera head connected via a releasable coupling for interchangeable endoscopes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid rod lens systems are used for image transmission in stereoscopic video endoscopes, then image guidance can be achieved, but adjustment sensitivity and mechanical accuracy demands increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is divided into separate modular components: objectives at the distal end, rod lens systems for image transmission, and projection objectives at the proximal end. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates easier assembly and adjustment, reducing the mechanical accuracy demands while maintaining reliable image transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod lens systems serve multiple functions: they transmit images from the objectives, maintain collimated light beams, and enable flexible coupling between the endoscope shaft and camera head. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional adjustment mechanisms, improving ease of operation while ensuring reliable image transmission.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the endoscope shaft diameter is reduced for minimally invasive surgery, then patient benefit increases, but maintaining high-resolution image quality becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The optical components are arranged concentrically within the endoscope shaft: objectives at the distal end, rod lens systems positioned within the shaft diameter, and projection objectives at the proximal end. This nested arrangement maximizes the use of available space, allowing high-resolution imaging components to be accommodated within a small shaft diameter suitable for minimally invasive surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses collimated light beams with specific optical parameters that allow efficient transmission through the narrow shaft. By maintaining parallel light rays through the rod lens systems and using appropriate focal lengths for the objectives, the system achieves high-resolution image quality within the constraints of a small endoscope shaft diameter.
3Reliability
If conventional stereoscopic endoscope designs are used, then stereoscopic vision is achieved, but adaptation to human eye pupil size is required which limits versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical adaptation to human eye pupil size with an optical projection system. The projection objectives project the images onto an image sensor, and the stereoscopic effect is achieved through optical means rather than direct eye accommodation. This substitution allows the system to be adapted to various display formats and applications beyond direct ocular viewing, significantly improving versatility while maintaining stereoscopic vision capability.
4Loss of information
If two parallel optical arrangements are used for stereoscopic imaging, then depth information is provided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The two parallel optical arrangements for stereoscopic imaging are merged into a unified system at the proximal end through a common camera head with image sensor. The projection objectives from both optical paths are positioned to project onto the same sensor plane, combining the complex dual-path system into a single integrated imaging unit. This merging maintains the depth information from stereoscopic imaging while reducing overall device complexity compared to separate systems.
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 design eliminates the need for adaptation to human eye pupil size, enhances image quality and brightness, reduces mechanical accuracy demands, and allows for versatile stereoscopic systems with adjustable image separation, enabling effective use across various medical applications.
Implementation Method 1
a collimating optical unit, arranged at the proximal end of the optical arrangement, for generating a beam of at least approximately parallel light rays
Implementation Method 2
Each one of the at least two projection objectives is arranged and configured to image the beam of parallel light rays, generated by a respective collimating optical unit, on at least one focus in the at least one recording plane
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a video endoscopic device (10) comprising a camera head (28) and two parallel optical arrangements (16, 24, 26), each made of optical components (16, 17, 24, 26, 27), which are arranged coaxially with one another along a common first optical axis of the optical components (16, 17, 24, 26, 27) of a respective optical arrangement (16, 24, 26) and in the interior of an endoscope shaft (14). The optical components (16, 17, 24, 26, 27) transmit an optical image (38) from a distal end (20) of the respective optical arrangement (16, 24, 26) to a proximal end (18) of the respective optical arrangement (16, 24, 26). The camera head (28) is arranged adjacent to or adjoining the proximal ends (18) of the optical arrangements (16, 24, 26). The camera head (28) contains at least one image sensor (34) comprising a recording plane (32) and at least two projection objectives (30) of which each one has a second optical axis and is arranged and configured to project an image (38) onto the image sensor (34). The optical arrangements (16, 24, 26) each comprise a collimating optical unit (16), arranged at the respective proximal end (18) thereof, for generating an at least approximately parallel beam path (12) at the outlet (18) of the respective optical arrangement (16, 24, 26). The respective collimating optical unit (16) has a third optical axis that is arranged coaxially with the optical components (24, 26, 27) of the optical arrangements (16, 24, 26) or laterally offset by at most half a diameter of the collimating optical unit (16) from the common first optical axis of the optical components (24, 26, 27) of the optical arrangements (16, 24, 26). Each one of the at least two projection objectives (30) is arranged and configured to image the parallel beam path (12), generated by a respective collimating optical unit (16), on at least one focus (36) in the at least one recording plane (32) of the at least one image sensor (34). At least one of the projection objectives (30) is arranged so that the respective second optical axis has a lateral distance (42), measuring at most half a diameter of the projection objective (30), from the third optical axis of the collimating optical unit (16) which generates the parallel beam path (12), the at least one projection objective (30) being arranged and configured for imaging said parallel beam path on the at least one focus (36). As a result of which the parallel beam path (12) enters the at least one projection objective (30) with a lateral distance (42) from the second optical axis of the at least one projection objective (30).