Wide Angle Flexible Endoscope with Offset Optical Axis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current variable direction of view endoscopes are cumbersome, costly, and prone to disorientation due to complex mechanical mechanisms and inferior image quality, limiting their versatility and reliability in surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A flexible endoscope with a wide-angle lens system and solid state imager that allows for angular offset of the optical axis, enabling forward and retrograde viewing without moving parts, combined with image processing circuitry for standard viewing angles and region of interest selection, reducing mechanical complexity and improving image resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a movable image sensor or optical element is used to vary viewing direction, then variable viewing capability is achieved, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical movable image sensor or optical element with a fixed solid-state imager and uses image processing techniques (such as generating multiple views from a single wide-angle image or selectively capturing regions of interest) to achieve variable viewing capability. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical moving parts while maintaining the ability to change viewing directions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If tip articulation is used to change viewing direction, then viewing flexibility is improved, but the minimum insertion radius increases and maneuverability in confined spaces decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for tip articulation mechanisms by using a fixed solid-state imager combined with image processing. The system can generate different viewing angles (including sideways and backwards views) through software processing of the wide-angle field of view, eliminating mechanical bending requirements and reducing the minimum insertion radius to allow use in highly confined spaces.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex mechanical mechanisms are used for variable viewing, then viewing direction can be changed, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive mechanical mechanisms with a fixed solid-state imager and software-based image processing. This approach significantly reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating precision mechanical components, moving parts, and associated assembly requirements, while maintaining full variable viewing capability through digital image manipulation.
4Area of stationary object
If the field of view is expanded using wide-angle lens, then viewing coverage is improved, but image resolution decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wide-angle field of view into multiple regions of interest, each corresponding to a specific viewing direction (e.g., forward, sideways, backwards). The system can selectively focus on and enhance specific regions while maintaining overall wide-angle coverage, effectively providing both broad coverage and high resolution for areas of clinical interest through region-specific image processing.
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 flexible endoscope with enhanced viewing capabilities, reducing mechanical complexity, improving image resolution, and minimizing disorientation, allowing for safe and effective use in various surgical procedures with standard and non-standard viewing angles.
Implementation Method 1
a wide-angle lens system and solid state imager that allows for angular offset of the optical axis
Data Source
Figure 1A~1D
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A flexible endoscope having a wide-angle lens (15) that has an optical axis (160) that is angularly offset from a longitudinal axis (60) of the endoscope, such that the optical axis (160) resides at an angle greater than zero degrees to the longitudinal axis (60). The wide-angle lens (165) system simultaneously gathers an endoscopic image field at least spanning the longitudinal axis (60) and an angle greater than ninety degrees to the longitudinal axis (60). The endoscope includes an imager (155) comprising an imaging surface area that receives at least a portion of endoscopic image transmitted by the wide-angle lens system and produces output signals corresponding to the endoscopic image field and image forming circuitry that receives the output signal and produces an image signal. The wide-angle lens endoscope has a flexible distal end or tip (10).