The lens design of the endoscope camera module directly affects its application performance in different fields. In particular, the difference between lenses with and without steel sleeves shows significant adaptability differentiation in medical and industrial scenarios. Based on the parameters of two 12MP endoscope camera modules, 12.5mm without steel shell (medical use) and 14.5mm with steel shell (industrial use), this article analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of the steel sleeve design and the selection logic from the perspective of actual application scenarios.
I. Medical Field: Precise Adaptation and Scenario Limitations of Non - Steel Shell Design
The core requirements of medical endoscopes are cavity compatibility, operational safety and imaging accuracy. The 12.5mm module without a steel shell shows targeted advantages in this field. From the parameter perspective, the 12.5mm lens diameter can be adapted to most conventional endoscope channels (such as the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory tract). The design without a steel shell makes the lens lighter and slimmer, which can reduce the patient's discomfort when inserted into the cavity, conforming to the core principle of "minimally invasive" in medical operations. At the same time, the surface of the lens without a steel sleeve is easier to clean and disinfect, and can be processed through strict medical procedures such as high - temperature sterilization to avoid the risk of cross - infection, which is the basic requirement of medical scenarios.
In terms of waterproof performance, although the medical endoscope module without a steel shell has no physical protection of the steel shell, waterproofing is achieved through integrated sealing design and special hose wrapping. The module adopts an integrated structure, and the connection between the lens and the sensor is treated with a special sealing process, which can resist the erosion of body fluids and cleaning fluids. The outer layer is matched with a medical - grade flexible hose (such as silicone material). The hose can not only further enhance the waterproof performance, but also reduce the friction when inserted into the cavity through its soft characteristics, taking into account the patient's comfort while solving the waterproof problem. This design not only meets the medical waterproof standards such as IP68, but also avoids the discomfort caused by the rigid contact of the steel shell, which is a typical solution for waterproof and minimally invasive needs in medical scenarios.
However, the non - steel shell design also has limitations in the medical field. Due to the lack of physical protection of the steel sleeve, the lens has weak anti - collision ability. Extra care must be taken during equipment transportation and cleaning, otherwise the lens may be worn due to slight collision, affecting the 12MP high - definition imaging effect (the capture of details under 3840x3104 resolution depends on the optical integrity of the lens). In addition, for a few special medical scenarios (such as hard tissue contact in orthopedic minimally invasive surgery), the durability of the lens without a steel shell may be insufficient, requiring additional customized protective measures.
II. Industrial Field: Protective Advantages and Adaptation Constraints of Steel Shell Design
The core challenges faced by industrial endoscopes are harsh environment tolerance and long - term stability. The 14.5mm module with a steel shell accurately meets these needs through structural optimization. The core value of the steel shell lens lies in physical protection: the parameters clearly state that it is "structurally strong and wear - resistant, and can adapt to harsh environments such as collisions and dust in industrial sites". This is crucial for industrial scenarios. In mechanical maintenance and pipeline detection, the module may frequently contact metal debris, oil stains or be rubbed by the inner wall of the pipeline. The steel sleeve can effectively protect the optical components of the lens and ensure the imaging stability of the 1.12μmx1.12μm pixel size and F2.2 aperture. At the same time, the 14.5mm diameter combined with the steel shell structure can be adapted to most industrial endoscope channels, taking into account both protection and versatility.
However, the steel shell design also brings certain constraints. The 14.5mm diameter is about 16% larger than 12.5mm. When detecting tiny industrial cavities (such as thin tubes inside precision instruments), it may not be able to enter due to size limitations, affecting the detection coverage. In addition, the steel sleeve increases the weight of the lens, which may increase operational fatigue during hand - held operation or long - distance endoscope detection, indirectly affecting detection efficiency.
III. Core Differences and Selection Criteria: Precise Matching Based on Scenario Needs
The difference between with and without a steel shell is essentially a trade - off between "protection priority" and "scenario adaptability". When making a choice, it is necessary to closely focus on the field characteristics and specific scenario parameters:
1. Core Difference Comparison
Protection Ability: Steel shell (14.5mm) > Non - steel shell (12.5mm). The steel sleeve can resist wear and collision, while the non - steel sleeve depends on environmental cleanliness.
Size Flexibility: Non - steel shell (12.5mm) > Steel shell (14.5mm). The small diameter is more suitable for narrow spaces (medical cavities, tiny industrial cavities).
Cleaning Difficulty: Non - steel shell < Steel shell. The smooth surface without a steel sleeve is easier to sterilize and disinfect, and the joints of the steel sleeve need additional treatment for oil stains and dust.
Durable Cycle: Steel shell > Non - steel shell. The average trouble - free operation time of the steel sleeve module is longer in industrial scenarios.
Waterproof and Comfort: The non - steel shell achieves waterproofing through hose + sealing, with higher comfort; the steel sleeve relies on its own sealing, and the rigid contact has low comfort.
2. Suggestions on Selection Criteria
Non - steel shell modules are preferred for medical scenarios: When the detection target is a conventional cavity (such as gastroscope, bronchoscope) and needs to meet the requirements of minimally invasive and easy disinfection, the 12.5mm non - steel shell module is the best choice. Its 3.5cm~Infinity depth of field and autofocus function can adapt to the observation of lesions at different depths. The illumination of 8 LED lamp beads can cope with the dim environment in the cavity. Moreover, the 12MP high - definition imaging can meet the diagnostic - level detail requirements. The waterproof design with a flexible hose also takes into account safety and comfort.
Steel shell modules are preferred for industrial scenarios: In scenarios such as mechanical maintenance and pipeline detection where there are collisions and dust, the 14.5mm module with a steel shell is more reliable. The steel shell protection, combined with the structural accuracy of SMT technology and AA process, can ensure long - term stable operation. The 30FPS frame rate and 80.9° field of view can smoothly capture dynamic defects inside the equipment.
Compromise choice for special scenarios: If medical use needs to take into account slight protection (such as orthopedic endoscopes), a non - steel shell module with surface strengthening treatment can be selected; if industrial use needs to detect tiny cavities, a smaller diameter (such as 12mm steel shell) can be customized on the basis of the steel shell design to balance protection and size.
IV. Conclusion: Scenarios Define Needs, Details Determine Adaptation
The choice of steel shell for endoscope camera modules is not an absolute distinction between advantages and disadvantages, but a precise matching of scenario needs and technical parameters. The medical field focuses on "minimally invasive, clean and precise". The small - diameter design (12.5mm) without a steel shell, combined with a hose waterproof scheme, not only meets the compatibility and waterproof requirements of human cavities, but also reduces patient discomfort through flexible contact. The industrial field focuses on "durability, stability and damage resistance". The structure with a steel shell (14.5mm) can cope with harsh environmental challenges by virtue of rigid protection. When making a choice, it is necessary to closely focus on the space limitations (diameter adaptation), environmental characteristics (protection needs) and core functions (imaging, frame rate, compatibility) of specific scenarios, so that technical parameters can serve the actual application value, so as to maximize the efficiency of endoscope detection.
