Illuminating device and endoscope equipment

Abstract

The present invention discloses an illumination device comprising an introducer and a plurality of light conductors. The introducer is used to introduce the light conductors into an inspected area. The distal ends of the plurality of light conductors are arranged circumferentially along the head of the introducer, and light is emitted through the distal ends of the light conductors to illuminate the inspected area. Because the distal ends of the plurality of light conductors are arranged circumferentially along the head of the introducer, light emitting positions distributed in multiple different directions can be formed at the head of the introducer. Compared with existing illumination solutions, light is emitted from multiple different directions at the head of the introducer to illuminate the inspected area, which can improve shadow problems and overexposure. The present invention also discloses an endoscope device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of lighting systems, and in particular to a lighting device. The present invention also relates to an endoscope device. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, electronic endoscopes use optical cables to guide light radiation energy from a light source through the scope into the cavity to be inspected. In order to ensure the uniformity of illumination, that is, the uniformity of brightness within the field of view, and to minimize the shadow caused by the protrusion of the clamp channel, the optical cable is divided into two or three bundles at the output end and arranged as far apart as possible at the head end of the scope. Each bundle of optical cables is equipped with a lens group (i.e., an illumination lens) at the end to solve the problem of excessive concentration of the light intensity emitted by the optical cable. However, this solution has the following defects: (1) Due to the limited light emission position of the scope head end 1, the shadow of the clamp channel protrusion 3 is still relatively obvious, as shown in Figure 1(a); (2) When the illumination lens 2 on one side is close to the cavity and the other side is far away, it is easy to cause overexposure of the image, as shown in Figure 1(b). Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention aims to provide an illumination device, which is applied to an endoscope device and can improve shadow problems and overexposure. The present invention also provides an endoscope device.

[0004] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0005] A lighting device includes an introduction body and multiple light conductors, wherein the introduction body is used to introduce the light conductor into the inspected area, and the ends of the multiple light conductors are arranged circumferentially along the head end of the introduction body so that light is emitted through the ends of the light conductors.

[0006] Preferably, the ends of the plurality of light conductors are evenly arranged along the circumference of the head end of the introduction body.

[0007] Preferably, the ends of the plurality of light conductors are arranged at the edge of the head end of the introducer.

[0008] Preferably, the plurality of light conductors are wound around the circumference of the introduction body, and the length of each light conductor decreases successively, so that the ends of each light conductor are arranged around the circumference of the head end of the introduction body.

[0009] Preferably, the plurality of light conductors form a bundle extending to the head end of the introducer and are circumferentially wound along the head end of the introducer.

[0010] Preferably, a dimming unit corresponding to the end of the light conductor is provided at the head end of the introducer and used for regulating the light emitted from the end of the light conductor.

[0011] Preferably, the dimming portion includes a groove capable of fixing the end of the light conductor.

[0012] Preferably, a reflective layer having a light-reflecting effect is provided on the inner side surface of the groove.

[0013] Preferably, the dimming unit further includes an optical element disposed at the opening of the groove and used for adjusting light.

[0014] An endoscope device comprises the lighting device described above.

[0015] As can be seen from the above technical solution, the present invention provides an illumination device comprising an introducer and multiple light conductors. The introducer is used to introduce the light conductors into the inspection area. The distal ends of the multiple light conductors are arranged circumferentially along the head of the introducer, and light is emitted through the distal ends of the light conductors to illuminate the inspection area. Because the distal ends of the multiple light conductors are arranged circumferentially along the head of the introducer, light output positions distributed in multiple different directions can be formed at the head of the introducer. Compared with existing illumination solutions, light is emitted from multiple different directions at the head of the introducer to illuminate the inspection area, which can significantly improve shadow problems and overexposure.

[0016] The endoscope device provided by the present invention can achieve the above beneficial effects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0018] FIG1( a ) is a schematic diagram of a shadow generated by a conventional endoscope;

[0019] FIG1( b ) is a schematic diagram showing an overexposure of an image produced by a conventional endoscope;

[0020] Figure 2 A top view of the head end of a lighting device provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the arrangement of light conductors of a lighting device provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 A longitudinal cross-sectional view of the head end of an inlet of a lighting device provided in yet another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of the present invention, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0024] An embodiment of the present invention provides a lighting device, comprising an introducer and multiple light conductors, wherein the introducer is used to introduce the light conductor into the inspected area, and the ends of the multiple light conductors are arranged circumferentially along the head end of the introducer so that light is emitted through the ends of the light conductors.

[0025] Multiple light conductors are introduced into the inspection area through an introducer. The ends of the light conductors are arranged at the head of the light introducer. Light propagates along the light conductors and is emitted from the ends, thereby illuminating the inspection area. The ends of the multiple light conductors are arranged circumferentially around the head of the introducer, creating light output positions distributed in multiple directions at the head of the introducer. Compared to existing lighting solutions, light is emitted from multiple directions at the head of the introducer to illuminate the inspection area, which can significantly improve shadow and overexposure issues.

[0026] The following describes the lighting device in detail with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings. This embodiment provides a lighting device comprising an introduction body and multiple light conductors. The introduction body is used to introduce the light conductors into the inspected area. Optionally, the introduction body can be a flexible cylindrical body that can extend in the longitudinal direction and can extend into the inspected area. The multiple light conductors can be enclosed within the cylindrical body.

[0027] The end of the light conductor extends to the head end of the introducer. Specifically, the ends of the various light conductors are arranged circumferentially along the head end of the introducer. Preferably, the ends of the plurality of light conductors are evenly arranged circumferentially along the head end of the introducer, so that the light emitting positions at various directions at the head end of the introducer are evenly distributed circumferentially, which helps to make the emitted light from various directions uniform, and can more advantageously improve the shadow problem and overexposure phenomenon.

[0028] Preferably, the ends of multiple light conductors can be arranged at the edge of the head end of the introducer, that is, the ends of multiple light conductors are arranged along the edge of the head end of the introducer, so that the distribution range of each light output position at the head end of the introducer is wider, which helps to reduce shadows and also helps to avoid overexposure.

[0029] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a top view of the head end of a lighting device provided in this embodiment, wherein the lighting device is described as including four light conductors. Figure 2As shown, the end of the light conductor 11, the end of the light conductor 12, the end of the light conductor 13 and the end of the light conductor 14 are arranged circumferentially along the head end of the introduction body 10. Specifically, the head ends of the various light conductors are arranged in sequence along the edge of the head end of the introduction body 10, and the various arrangement positions are evenly distributed along the circumference.

[0030] The lighting device shown in FIG1 is illustrated by taking four light conductors as an example. In actual applications, the number of light conductors used can be set according to actual application requirements. For example, when optical fibers are used as light conductors, the actual number of optical fibers used can be more than one thousand, which can ensure that the light output points of the optical fibers are evenly distributed along the entire edge of the head end of the introduction mirror.

[0031] In a specific implementation, multiple light conductors can be wound around the circumference of the introduction body, and the length of each light conductor can be reduced in sequence, so that the ends of each light conductor can be arranged around the head end of the introduction body. Preferably, multiple light conductors can be formed into a bundle extending to the head end of the introduction body, and each light conductor can be wound around the head end of the introduction body, which is convenient for arranging the light conductors inside the introduction body. Figure 2 and Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of light conductors for a lighting device provided in this embodiment. As can be seen from the figure, multiple light conductors 11, 12, 13 and 14 are formed into a bundle extending to the head end of the introduction body 10. After passing through the outlet 15 on the head end of the introduction body 10, each light conductor is wrapped along the edge of the head end of the introduction body 10, and the length of each light conductor decreases successively, so that the ends of each light conductor are arranged at various positions in sequence.

[0032] In practical applications, a clamp opening, a water vapor nozzle or an objective lens can be set in the middle area of the head end of the introducer.

[0033] Furthermore, the lighting device of this embodiment is provided with a dimming unit at the head end of the introducer, corresponding to the end of the light conductor, for adjusting the light emitted from the end of the light conductor. As an optional embodiment, the dimming unit may include a groove capable of fixing the end of the light conductor, and each light conductor is wound around the circumference of the introducer, and the light conductor can be inserted into the groove to fix the end of the light conductor. Figure 4 , Figure 4 A longitudinal cross-sectional view of the head end of an introduction body of a lighting device provided in another embodiment is shown. Each light conductor is inserted into a groove 16 to fix the end of the light conductor.

[0034] Preferably, a reflective layer having a light-reflecting effect is provided on the inner side of the groove. Light propagating along the light conductor is emitted through the end of the light conductor and enters the groove. The light is reflected multiple times by the reflective layer on the inner side of the groove before being emitted through the notch. Multiple reflections by the reflective layer on the inner side of the groove can make the emitted light intensity more uniform. Preferably, the inner side of the groove can be coated with a material having a high reflectivity.

[0035] Please refer to the preferred Figure 4 The light modulating unit may further include an optical element 17 disposed at the opening of the groove 16 for adjusting light. The optical element 17 may at least adjust the propagation direction or divergence angle of the light, so that the light emitted through the groove 16 is diffused and the light intensity is uniform, thereby uniformly emitting light at the edge of the head end of the introducer 10 to provide uniform illumination light to the inspected area. Optionally, the optical element may be made of an optical material that has a light diffusing effect.

[0036] Correspondingly, an embodiment of the present invention further provides an endoscope device, comprising the lighting device described above.

[0037] The illumination device employed in the endoscope apparatus of this embodiment includes an introducer and multiple light conductors. The introducer is used to introduce the light conductors into the inspection area. The distal ends of the multiple light conductors are arranged circumferentially along the introducer's tip, and light is emitted from the distal ends of the light conductors to illuminate the inspection area. Because the distal ends of the multiple light conductors are arranged circumferentially along the introducer's tip, light output positions can be formed at multiple different orientations at the introducer's tip. Compared to existing illumination solutions, light is emitted from multiple different orientations at the introducer's tip to illuminate the inspection area, thereby improving shadowing and overexposure.

[0038] The above is a detailed introduction to the lighting device and endoscope equipment provided by the present invention. Specific examples are used herein to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present invention. The description of the above embodiments is only intended to help understand the method and core concept of the present invention. It should be pointed out that, for those skilled in the art, without departing from the principles of the present invention, several improvements and modifications can be made to the present invention, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A lighting device, characterized in that: It includes an introducer and multiple light conductors, the introducer is used to introduce the light conductor into the inspected area, the ends of the multiple light conductors are arranged circumferentially along the head end of the introducer, so that light is emitted through the ends of the light conductors, the ends of the multiple light conductors are evenly arranged circumferentially along the head end of the introducer, the multiple light conductors are wound circumferentially along the introducer, and the lengths of each light conductor are reduced successively, so that the ends of each light conductor are arranged circumferentially along the head end of the introducer.

2. The lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that The ends of the plurality of light conductors are arranged at the edge of the head end of the introducing body.

3. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein The plurality of light conductors form a bundle extending to the head end of the introducer and are wound circumferentially along the head end of the introducer.

4. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein A light modulating portion corresponding to the end of the light conductor is provided at the head end of the introduction body and is used to adjust the light emitted from the end of the light conductor.

5. The lighting device according to claim 4, characterized in that The light modulating portion includes a groove capable of fixing the end of the light conductor.

6. The lighting device according to claim 5, characterized in that A reflective layer having a light-reflecting effect is provided on the inner side surface of the groove.

7. The lighting device according to claim 5, characterized in that The light modulating portion further includes an optical element disposed at the opening of the groove and used for modulating light.

8. An endoscope device, characterized in that: The lighting device comprises the lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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