Endoscope lighting system and endoscope

Abstract

The utility model relates to an endoscope lighting system and an endoscope, the endoscope lighting system comprises a first lighting module, a beam splitter and a second lighting module, the first lighting module and the beam splitter are arranged along a first light path, the second lighting module and the beam splitter are arranged along a second light path, and the beam splitter is obliquely arranged relative to the first light path and the second light path respectively; light rays irradiated to the beam splitter by the first illumination module along the first light path and light rays irradiated to the beam splitter by the second illumination module along the second light path are combined to form a first illumination light path and a second illumination light path. By means of the light splitting characteristic of the beam splitter, the light irradiated to the beam splitter is partially reflected, the remaining light is transmitted, the light irradiated to the beam splitter by the first illumination module and the second illumination module can be fully utilized, waste of light energy is avoided, and the illumination efficiency is improved. When the first illumination module or the second illumination module adopts a multi-color light source such as a narrow-band light source, spectral beam combination of multiple wavelengths can be realized, the utilization rate of light energy is improved, and a high color rendering index effect is obtained.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of endoscopes, in particular to an endoscope lighting system and an endoscope. Background Art

[0002] Endoscope light sources can be used to provide illumination for intracavitary inspections. In related technologies, endoscope light sources have evolved from single white light sources to five-color narrowband light sources, and the number of light sources is expected to continue to increase as technology develops.

[0003] Currently, the multi-color light source used in endoscopes generally adopts a solution such as that disclosed in patent CN112515615B, which combines the light paths of multiple light sources through multiple dichroic mirrors and then couples them into a single optical fiber bundle. The optical fiber bundle is then split into two or three to achieve dual or triple illumination points.

[0004] The transmittance of a dichroic mirror is 90%-95%. When the same light beam passes through a dichroic mirror multiple times, the light energy is significantly reduced. This disadvantage is particularly pronounced when multiple light sources are combined. Furthermore, a dichroic mirror has a semi-reflective, semi-transmissive wavelength range of 10-30nm between its reflection and transmission wavelengths. When beam combining using a dichroic mirror alone, light in this wavelength range is lost due to reflection or transmission. Consequently, some wavelengths of light are lost from the visible light band used for illumination, resulting in a reduction in the light rendering index (LRI) and overall lighting efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0005] The embodiments of the present invention provide an endoscope lighting system and an endoscope to improve the indication and lighting efficiency of the lighting light.

[0006] An endoscope lighting system, comprising:

[0007] A first lighting module, a beam splitter, and a second lighting module, wherein the first lighting module and the beam splitter are arranged along a first optical path, the second lighting module and the beam splitter are arranged along a second optical path, and the beam splitters are tilted relative to the first optical path and the second optical path, respectively; the light irradiated from the first lighting module to the beam splitter along the first optical path is combined with the light irradiated from the second lighting module to the beam splitter along the second optical path to form the first lighting optical path and the second lighting optical path.

[0008] In one embodiment, the light irradiated by the first lighting module along the first light path to the beam splitter and transmitted by the beam splitter is combined with the light irradiated by the second lighting module along the second light path to the beam splitter and reflected by the beam splitter to form a first lighting light path; the light irradiated by the first lighting module along the first light path to the beam splitter and reflected by the beam splitter is combined with the light irradiated by the second lighting module along the second light path to the beam splitter and transmitted by the beam splitter to form a second lighting light path.

[0009] In one embodiment, the first illumination module includes at least two first light sources and at least one first dichroic mirror, wherein one of the first light sources and all the first dichroic mirrors are located on the first optical path, and the remaining first light sources are located on one side of the first optical path and correspond one-to-one to the first dichroic mirrors; the first dichroic mirrors are arranged obliquely relative to the first optical path, and the light from the first light source on the first optical path that is irradiated to the first dichroic mirror is combined with the light from the remaining first light sources that is irradiated to the corresponding first dichroic mirrors and then irradiated to the beam splitter.

[0010] In one embodiment, at least two first dichroic mirrors are arranged at intervals along the first optical path, the first light source includes a first light-emitting element located on the first optical path, and a second light-emitting element and a third light-emitting element arranged at intervals from the first optical path, the third light-emitting element being closer to the beam splitter than the second light-emitting element; the first dichroic mirror is located between the first light-emitting element and the beam splitter, the sum of the number of the second light-emitting elements and the third light-emitting elements is equal to the number of the first dichroic mirrors and is arranged accordingly, the light emitted by the first light-emitting element is sequentially transmitted through all the first dichroic mirrors and then irradiated to the beam splitter; the light emitted by the second light-emitting element is reflected by the corresponding first dichroic mirror, and then transmitted through the first dichroic mirror between the corresponding second light-emitting element and the beam splitter and then irradiated to the beam splitter; the light emitted by the third light source is reflected by the corresponding first dichroic mirror to the beam splitter.

[0011] In one embodiment, the second illumination module includes a second light source and a second dichroic mirror, at least two of the second dichroic mirrors are arranged at intervals along the second optical path, and the second dichroic mirrors are arranged obliquely relative to the second optical path; the second light source includes a fifth light-emitting element located on the second optical path, and a sixth light-emitting element and a seventh light-emitting element arranged at intervals from the second optical path, the seventh light-emitting element being closer to the beam splitter than the sixth light-emitting element; the second dichroic mirror is located between the fifth light-emitting element and the beam splitter, the sum of the number of the sixth light-emitting element and the seventh light-emitting element is equal to the number of the second dichroic mirrors and is arranged correspondingly, the light emitted by the fifth light-emitting element is sequentially transmitted through all the second dichroic mirrors and then irradiates the beam splitter; the light emitted by the sixth light-emitting element is reflected by the corresponding second dichroic mirror, and then transmitted through the second dichroic mirror between the corresponding second dichroic mirror and the beam splitter and then irradiates the beam splitter; the light emitted by the seventh light-emitting element is reflected by the corresponding second dichroic mirror and then irradiates the beam splitter.

[0012] In one embodiment, the endoscope illumination system includes a first light-guiding optical fiber arranged in the first illumination light path, a second light-guiding optical fiber arranged in the second illumination light path, a first coupling mirror group arranged between the beam splitter and the first light-guiding optical fiber, and a second coupling mirror group arranged between the beam splitter and the second light-guiding optical fiber, the first coupling mirror group being used to couple the light of the first illumination light path into the first light-guiding optical fiber, and the second coupling mirror group being used to couple the light of the second illumination light path into the second light-guiding optical fiber.

[0013] In one embodiment, at least two splitters are provided in the first illumination optical path, and the splitters are beam splitters. The transmission-reflection ratio of any of the splitters is (n+1):1, where n is the number of the splitters between the corresponding splitter and the first light-guiding optical fiber.

[0014] In one embodiment, the first optical path is orthogonal to the second optical path, the first illumination optical path is coaxial with the first optical path, and the second illumination optical path is orthogonal to the first illumination optical path.

[0015] In one embodiment, the endoscope lighting system includes any one of the following solutions:

[0016] The first lighting module is the same as the second lighting module;

[0017] The first lighting module includes an X-polarized light source, and the second lighting module includes a Y-polarized light source;

[0018] The first lighting module includes at least two light sources with different central wavelengths, and the second lighting module includes at least two light sources with different central wavelengths.

[0019] An endoscope comprises an imaging module and any one of the above endoscope lighting systems, wherein at least one of the first lighting light path and the second lighting light path is used to illuminate the imaging module.

[0020] In one embodiment, the endoscope includes a first light exit portion and a second light exit portion, the first light exit portion and the second light exit portion are arranged around the periphery of the imaging module, and the light of the first illumination light path is coupled to the first light exit portion, and the light of the second illumination light path is coupled to the second light exit portion, and the first light exit portion and the second light exit portion respectively include at least one of an optical fiber filament and an optical fiber bundle.

[0021] The above endoscope lighting system can be used for illuminating an endoscope. The endoscope lighting system includes a first lighting module, a beam splitter, and a second lighting module. The first lighting module and the beam splitter are arranged along a first optical path, and the second lighting module and the beam splitter are arranged along a second optical path. The beam splitters are tilted relative to the first optical path and the second optical path, respectively. The light irradiated from the first lighting module to the beam splitter along the first optical path is combined with the light irradiated from the second lighting module to the beam splitter along the second optical path to form the first lighting optical path and the second lighting optical path. By utilizing the light-splitting characteristics of the beam splitter, part of the light irradiated to the beam splitter is reflected, and the remaining light is transmitted. The light irradiated from the first lighting module and the second lighting module to the beam splitter can be fully utilized to avoid wasting light energy and improve lighting efficiency. Since the reflected light and the transmitted light of the beam splitter have the same spectral components, when the first lighting module and the second lighting module use the same light source and one of them fails unexpectedly, the first lighting light path and the second lighting light path can still illuminate normally, thereby serving as a backup light source and improving the working reliability of the entire endoscope; when the first lighting module and the second lighting module are in normal use, the lighting brightness can be increased. When the first lighting module or the second lighting module uses a multi-color light source, such as a narrow-band light source, compared to the prior art solution of using a dichroic mirror for beam combining, it can achieve spectral beam combining of more wavelengths, improve light energy utilization, and obtain a high rendering index effect. When the first lighting module and the second lighting module use different polarized light sources, the above-mentioned endoscope lighting system can also achieve beam combining of light with different polarizations, thereby improving the convenience of use. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] 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.

[0023] Figure 1is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of an endoscope lighting system of the present application;

[0024] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the positions of the first light emitting portion, the second light emitting portion, and the imaging module of the endoscope of the present application;

[0025] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of an endoscope lighting system of the present application;

[0026] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of the endoscope lighting system of the present application;

[0027] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an endoscope lighting system in the related art;

[0028] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a fourth embodiment of an endoscope lighting system of the present application;

[0029] Figure 7 is a curve diagram of the transmittance of a dichroic mirror in the related art;

[0030] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of another endoscope lighting system in the related art;

[0031] Figure 9 for Figure 8 Spectrum diagram of combined light of the endoscope illumination system shown;

[0032] Figure 10 for Figure 6 The output spectrum of the first lighting module of the endoscope lighting system is shown;

[0033] Figure 11 for Figure 6 The output spectrum of the second lighting module of the endoscope lighting system is shown;

[0034] Figure 12 for Figure 6 The total spectrum of the combined light of the endoscope illumination system shown;

[0035] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of a fifth embodiment of an endoscope lighting system of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] To facilitate understanding of the present invention, a more comprehensive description of the present invention will be provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to facilitate a more thorough and comprehensive understanding of the disclosure of the present invention.

[0037] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it may be directly attached to the other element or there may be an intermediate element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only.

[0038] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. The terms used herein in the specification of this invention are intended only to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0039] First embodiment

[0040] refer to Figure 1 In the first embodiment of the present application, an endoscope lighting system 10 is disclosed. As a part of an endoscope (not shown), the endoscope lighting system 10 can provide lighting during an endoscopy. Figure 2 The endoscope may include an imaging module C0 and the above-mentioned endoscope lighting system 10. The light emitted by the endoscope lighting system 10 can be irradiated onto physiological tissue, thereby providing an illumination light source for imaging by the imaging module C0. The endoscope lighting system 10 includes a first illumination module 11, a beam splitter 12, and a second illumination module 13. The first illumination module 11 and the beam splitter 12 are arranged along a first optical path 10a, and the second illumination module 13 and the beam splitter 12 are arranged along a second optical path 10b. The beam splitter 12 is tilted relative to the first optical path 10a and the second optical path 10b, respectively. The light emitted by the first illumination module 11 along the first optical path 10a and the light emitted by the second illumination module 13 along the second optical path 10b and the beam splitter 12 are combined to form a first illumination optical path 10c and a second illumination optical path 10d.

[0041] Specifically, the light irradiated by the first lighting module 11 along the first optical path 10a to the beam splitter 12 and transmitted by the beam splitter 12 is combined with the light irradiated by the second lighting module 13 along the second optical path 10b to the beam splitter 12 and reflected by the beam splitter 12 to form a first lighting optical path 10c; the light irradiated by the first lighting module 11 along the first optical path 10a to the beam splitter 12 and reflected by the beam splitter 12 is combined with the light irradiated by the second lighting module 13 along the second optical path 10b to the beam splitter 12 and transmitted by the beam splitter 12 to form a second lighting optical path 10d.

[0042] The beam splitter 12 has the characteristic of partially reflecting the incident light and transmitting the remaining light. For example, its transmission-reflection ratio is 1:1, that is, 50% of the incident light is reflected and 50% is transmitted. In other embodiments, the beam splitter 12 can have a different transmission-reflection ratio.

[0043] The first lighting module 11 and the second lighting module 13 can be identical, for example, both including a white light source. In this embodiment, because the reflected light and the transmitted light of the beam splitter 12 have the same spectral components, when one of the first lighting module 11 and the second lighting module 13 fails unexpectedly, the first lighting optical path 10c and the second lighting optical path 10d can still illuminate normally, thereby playing a redundant role and improving the operating reliability of the entire endoscope. When the first lighting module 11 and the second lighting module 13 are operating normally, the loss of light energy by the beam splitter 12 is negligible, thereby improving the brightness of the illumination.

[0044] Of course, in other embodiments, the first illumination module 11 and the second illumination module 13 may be different. For example, the first illumination module 11 may include an X-polarized light source, while the second illumination module 13 may include a Y-polarized light source. In such an embodiment, the endoscope illumination system 10 can combine light beams of different polarizations, improving ease of use.

[0045] In other embodiments, the first lighting module 11 includes at least two light sources with different central wavelengths, and the second lighting module 13 includes at least two light sources with different central wavelengths. For example, the first lighting module 11 and the second lighting module 13 each include at least two narrow-band light sources. Exemplarily, the first lighting module 11 includes a violet light source (central wavelength 405-425nm) and a blue light source (central wavelength 440-490nm), and the second lighting module 13 includes a green light source (central wavelength 500-580nm) and an orange light source (central wavelength 580-610nm). Different biological tissues have different reflectivity, transmittance, absorption parameters, scattering coefficients, etc. for light of different wavelengths. The multi-color narrow-band light sources of the first lighting module 11 and the second lighting module 13 can be coupled into the light-guiding optical fiber after being combined by the beam splitter 12, and are suitable for lighting scenarios of more physiological tissues.

[0046] In the first embodiment, the first optical path 10a is orthogonal to the second optical path 10b, the first illumination optical path 10c is coaxial with the first optical path 10a, and the second illumination optical path 10d is coaxial with the second optical path 10b, or in other words, the second illumination optical path 10d is orthogonal to the first illumination optical path 10c. The endoscope illumination system 10 may further include a first coupling lens assembly 14 and a first light guide fiber 15 arranged on the first illumination optical path 10c, and a second coupling lens assembly 16 and a second light guide fiber 17 arranged on the second illumination optical path 10d. The first coupling lens assembly 14 couples light from the first illumination optical path 10c into the first light guide fiber 15, and the second coupling lens assembly 16 couples light from the second illumination optical path 10d into the second light guide fiber 17. The first coupling lens assembly 14 may include one or more lenses, and the second coupling lens assembly 16 may also include one or more lenses to couple light into the light guide fibers. The first light guide fiber 15 and the second light guide fiber 17 can thus achieve dual illumination point illumination. By dividing either the first light-guiding optical fiber 15 or the second light-guiding optical fiber 17 into two or three, three-illumination-point illumination or more-illumination-point illumination can be achieved.

[0047] In other embodiments, more beam splitters 12 may be provided, for example, more than three beam splitters 12. The reflected light and transmitted light of each beam splitter 12 may respectively form a beam of illumination light path, and multi-illumination point illumination may be obtained through the coupling lens group and the light-guiding optical fiber.

[0048] refer to Figure 2 In some embodiments, the endoscope includes a first light exit portion C1 and a second light exit portion C2. The first light exit portion C1 and the second light exit portion C2 are arranged around the periphery of the imaging module C0, and the light of the first illumination light path 10c is coupled to the first light exit portion C1, and the light of the second illumination light path 10d is coupled to the second light exit portion C2. The first light exit portion C1 and the second light exit portion C2 each include at least one of an optical fiber and an optical fiber bundle. The first light exit portion C1 can be the end of the first light-guiding optical fiber 15, and the second light exit portion C2 can be the end of the second light-guiding optical fiber 17. That is, the first light exit portion C1 is a portion of the first light-guiding optical fiber 15, and the second light exit portion C2 is a portion of the second light-guiding optical fiber 17. Of course, in other embodiments, the first light exit portion C1 can be an optical fiber or an optical fiber bundle connected to the first light-guiding optical fiber 15, and the second light exit portion C2 can be an optical fiber or an optical fiber bundle connected to the second light-guiding optical fiber 17. Figure 2 The difference in cross-sectional dimensions between the first light guide portion C1 and the second light guide portion C2 is for schematic distinction only. In actual applications, the cross-sectional dimensions of the first light guide portion C1 and the second light guide portion C2 may be the same, for example, the first light guide portion C1 and the second light guide portion C2 may be the same optical fiber filament or optical fiber bundle.

[0049] By utilizing the light-splitting characteristics of the beam splitter 12, part of the light irradiated to the beam splitter 12 is reflected, and the remaining light is transmitted. The light irradiated to the beam splitter 12 by the first lighting module 11 and the second lighting module 13 can be fully utilized to avoid the waste of light energy and improve the lighting efficiency. Since the reflected light and the transmitted light of the beam splitter 12 have the same spectral components, when the first lighting module 11 and the second lighting module 13 use the same light source and one of them fails unexpectedly, the first lighting light path 10c and the second lighting light path 10d can still illuminate normally, thereby playing a redundant role and improving the working reliability of the entire endoscope; when the first lighting module 11 and the second lighting module 13 are working normally, the lighting brightness can be increased. When the first lighting module 11 or the second lighting module 13 uses a multi-color light source, it can achieve spectral combination of multiple wavelengths, improve the utilization rate of light energy, and obtain a high color rendering index effect, that is, make the endoscope lighting system 10 close to the color reproduction effect of the standard light source.

[0050] Second embodiment

[0051] refer to Figure 3 In a second embodiment of the present application, an endoscope lighting system 20 is disclosed that can be used to illuminate an endoscope (not shown) of an endoscope, which includes a first lighting module 21, a beam splitter 22, and a second lighting module 23. The first lighting module 21 and the beam splitter 22 are arranged along a first optical path 20a, and the second lighting module 23 and the beam splitter 22 are arranged along a second optical path 20b, and the beam splitter 22 is tilted relative to the first optical path 20a and the second optical path 20b, respectively. The first lighting module 21 irradiates the beam splitter 22 along the first optical path 20a, and the light transmitted through the beam splitter 22 is combined with the light irradiated by the second lighting module 23 along the second optical path 20b to the beam splitter 22 and reflected by the beam splitter 22 to form a first lighting optical path 20c; the first lighting module 21 irradiates the beam splitter 22 along the first optical path 20a, and the light reflected by the beam splitter 22 is combined with the light irradiated by the second lighting module 23 along the second optical path 20b to the beam splitter 22 and transmitted by the beam splitter 22 to form a second lighting optical path 20d.

[0052] In the second embodiment, the light of the first illumination light path 20c can be coupled into the first light guide fiber 25 through the first coupling lens group 24, and the light of the second illumination light path 20d can be coupled into the second light guide fiber 27 through the second coupling lens group 26, which will not be repeated here.

[0053] The transmission-reflection ratio of the beam splitter 22 can be 1:1, or other transmission-reflection ratios.

[0054] The first lighting module 21 and the second lighting module 23 may be the same or different. For details, please refer to the first embodiment and will not be described again here.

[0055] The difference from the first embodiment is that the first illumination light path 20c of the second embodiment is provided with at least two splitters 28, each of which is a beam splitter. The transmission-reflection ratio of each splitter 28 is (n+1):1, where n is the number of splitters 28 between the corresponding splitter 28 and the first light-guiding fiber 25. For example, when there are two splitters 28 in the first illumination light path 20c, the transmission-reflection ratios of each splitter 28 along the direction of the first illumination light path 20c pointing toward the first light-guiding fiber 25 are 2:1 and 1:1, respectively. For example, when there are three splitters 28 in the first illumination light path 20c, the transmission-reflection ratios of each splitter 28 along the direction of the first illumination light path 20c pointing toward the first light-guiding fiber 25 are 3:1, 2:1, and 1:1, respectively. This arrangement ensures that the brightness of the illumination light path corresponding to each splitter 28 is substantially uniform, thereby achieving more uniform illumination and reducing light energy loss and process complexity when splitting the illumination light paths. In particular, in this embodiment, the splitter 28 can be arranged between the first coupling lens group 24 and the first light-guiding optical fiber 25, without having to set a coupling lens group for each light-guiding optical fiber, thereby reducing the number of optical devices and lowering the cost of the endoscope lighting system 10.

[0056] In the related art, multi-point illumination of an endoscope generally adopts the method of coupling the light emitted by the light source into a single glass or quartz fiber bundle through a dichroic mirror, and then dividing the single fiber bundle into two or at least two sub-fibers, each sub-fiber corresponding to one illumination point, thereby obtaining dual illumination points or more illumination points. A glass or quartz fiber bundle is generally formed by combining a large number of glass or quartz fiber filaments. When dividing the glass or quartz fiber filaments into two or more groups, the grouping process is relatively complex and the cost is high. However, using this embodiment of the present application, each illumination light path split from the first illumination light path 20c can use an independent light-guiding fiber, such as a single plastic optical fiber, or a single bundle of glass or quartz optical fibers, to simplify the optical path process and reduce the cost of the endoscope illumination system 20. Of course, the second illumination light path 20d can also be split into multiple illumination light paths using this principle, which will not be repeated here.

[0057] By utilizing the light-splitting characteristics of the beam splitter 22, part of the light irradiated to the beam splitter 22 is reflected, and the remaining light is transmitted. The light irradiated to the beam splitter 22 by the first lighting module 21 and the second lighting module 23 can be fully utilized to avoid the waste of light energy and improve the lighting efficiency. Since the reflected light and the transmitted light of the beam splitter 22 have the same spectral components, when the first lighting module 21 and the second lighting module 23 use the same light source and one of them fails unexpectedly, the first lighting light path 20c and the second lighting light path 20d can still illuminate normally, thereby serving as a backup light source and improving the working reliability of the entire endoscope; when the first lighting module 21 and the second lighting module 23 are in normal use, the lighting brightness can be increased. When the first lighting module 21 or the second lighting module 23 uses a multi-color light source, compared with the solution of using a dichroic mirror for beam combining in the prior art, it can achieve spectral beam combining of more wavelengths, improve the utilization rate of light energy, and obtain a high color rendering index effect, that is, make the endoscope lighting system 20 close to the color reproduction effect of the standard light source.

[0058] Third embodiment

[0059] refer to Figure 4 The endoscope illumination system 30 of the third embodiment of the present application also includes a first illumination module 31, a beam splitter 32, and a second illumination module 33. The first illumination module 31 and the beam splitter 32 are arranged along a first optical path 30a, and the second illumination module 33 and the beam splitter 32 are arranged along a second optical path 30b. The beam splitter 32 is tilted relative to the first optical path 30a and the second optical path 30b, respectively. The first illumination module 31 irradiates the beam splitter 32 along the first optical path 30a. The light transmitted by the beam splitter 32 is combined with the light irradiated by the second illumination module 33 along the second optical path 30b and reflected by the beam splitter 32 to form a first illumination optical path 30c. The first illumination module 31 irradiates the beam splitter 32 along the first optical path 30a. The light reflected by the beam splitter 32 is combined with the light irradiated by the second illumination module 33 along the second optical path 30b and transmitted by the beam splitter 32 to form a second illumination optical path 30d.

[0060] The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the first illumination module 31 may include at least two first light sources 311 and at least one first dichroic mirror 313. One of the first light sources 311 and all of the first dichroic mirrors 313 are located on the first optical path 30a, while the remaining first light sources 311 are located on one side of the first optical path 30a and correspond one-to-one with the first dichroic mirrors 313. The first dichroic mirrors 313 are arranged at an angle relative to the first optical path 30a. Light from the first light sources 311 on the first optical path 30a that strikes the first dichroic mirrors 313 is then reflected or transmitted before striking the beam splitter 32.

[0061] Specifically, in Figure 4In the illustrated embodiment, the first illumination module 31 includes three first light sources 311 and two first dichroic mirrors 313. The two first dichroic mirrors 313 are spaced apart along the first optical path 30a. The first light source 311 may include a first light-emitting element 3111 located on the first optical path 30a, and a second light-emitting element 3113 and a third light-emitting element 3115 spaced apart from the first optical path 30a. The third light-emitting element 3115 is closer to the beam splitter 32 than the second light-emitting element 3113. The first dichroic mirrors 313 are located between the first light-emitting elements 3111 and the beam splitter 32. The total number of the second light-emitting elements 3113 and the third light-emitting elements 3115 is equal to the number of the first dichroic mirrors 313 and are arranged correspondingly.

[0062] Illustratively, the first light-emitting element 3111 is a violet light source (central wavelength 405-425 nm), the second light-emitting element 3113 is a green light source (central wavelength 500-580 nm), and the third light-emitting element 3115 is a red light source (central wavelength 610-640 nm). Two first dichroic mirrors 313 are spaced apart and arranged between the first light-emitting element 3111 and the beam splitter 32, and the second light-emitting element 3113 and the third light-emitting element 3115 correspond one-to-one to the two first dichroic mirrors 313. The light emitted by the first light-emitting element 3111 is sequentially transmitted through all (here two) first dichroic mirrors 313 and then irradiated to the beam splitter 32; the light emitted by the second light-emitting element 3113 is reflected by the corresponding first dichroic mirror 313, and then transmitted through the first dichroic mirror 313 between the corresponding second light-emitting element 3113 and the beam splitter 32, and then irradiated to the beam splitter 32; the light emitted by the third light-emitting element 3115 is reflected by the corresponding first dichroic mirror 313 to the beam splitter 32, thereby forming a first illumination light path 30c and a second illumination light path 30d, and can be further coupled to the first light-guiding optical fiber 35 through the first coupling mirror group 34, and coupled to the second light-guiding optical fiber 37 through the second coupling mirror group 36.

[0063] In this embodiment, the second illumination module 33 may include a second light source 331 and a second dichroic mirror 333. The second light source 331 may further include a fourth light-emitting element 3311 and a fifth light-emitting element 3313 corresponding to the second dichroic mirror 333. For example, the fourth light-emitting element 3311 is a blue light source (with a central wavelength of 440-490 nm), and the fifth light-emitting element 3313 is an orange light source (with a central wavelength of 580-610 nm). Light emitted by the fourth light-emitting element 3311 is transmitted through the second dichroic mirror 333 and then irradiated onto the beam splitter 32. Light emitted by the fifth light-emitting element 3313 is reflected by the corresponding second dichroic mirror 333 and then irradiated onto the beam splitter 32. The reflected light from the second illumination module 33 through the beam splitter 32 and the transmitted light from the first illumination module 31 through the beam splitter 32 can be combined to form a first illumination light path 30c, which can be further coupled to the first light-guiding fiber 35 via the first coupling lens assembly 34. The transmitted light of the second illumination module 33 and the reflected light of the first illumination module 31 can be combined to form a second illumination light path 30 d and further coupled to the second light guide fiber 37 through the second coupling lens assembly 36 .

[0064] refer to Figure 5 In the related art, when the beam splitter 32 is not used, the first light emitting element 3111, the second light emitting element 3113, the third light emitting element 3115, the fourth light emitting element 3311 and the fifth light emitting element 3313 need to act on the first dichroic mirror 313 four times, and each action will cause light energy loss. Figure 4 With the beam splitter 32 shown, the first light emitting element 3111 (purple light) only needs to act on the first dichroic mirror 313 twice, and the fourth light emitting element 3311 (blue light) only needs to act on the second dichroic mirror 333 once, thereby significantly reducing the light energy loss of each light source.

[0065] Fourth embodiment

[0066] refer to Figure 6The endoscope illumination system 40 of the fourth embodiment of the present application also includes a first illumination module 41, a beam splitter 42, and a second illumination module 43. The first illumination module 41 and the beam splitter 42 are arranged along a first optical path 40a, and the second illumination module 43 and the beam splitter 42 are arranged along a second optical path 40b. The beam splitter 42 is tilted relative to the first optical path 40a and the second optical path 40b, respectively. The first illumination module 41 irradiates the beam splitter 42 along the first optical path 40a. The light transmitted by the beam splitter 42 is combined with the light irradiated by the second illumination module 43 along the second optical path 40b and reflected by the beam splitter 42 to form a first illumination optical path 40c. The first illumination module 41 irradiates the beam splitter 42 along the first optical path 40a. The light reflected by the beam splitter 42 is combined with the light irradiated by the second illumination module 43 along the second optical path 40b and transmitted by the beam splitter 42 to form a second illumination optical path 40d.

[0067] The difference from the third embodiment is that the first light source 411 of the first lighting module 41 is provided with four, namely, a first light-emitting element 4111, a second light-emitting element 4113, a third light-emitting element 4115, and a fourth light-emitting element 4117, which are arranged in sequence. The fourth light-emitting element 4117 is closer to the beam splitter 42 than the third light-emitting element 4115. Exemplarily, the first light-emitting element 4111 is a violet light source (central wavelength 400-420 nm), the second light-emitting element 4113 is a blue light source (central wavelength 440-460 nm), the third light-emitting element 4115 is a broad-spectrum green light source (central wavelength 530-550 nm), and the fourth light-emitting element 4117 is a red light source (central wavelength 620-640 nm). The first dichroic mirrors 413 are set to three and arranged side by side between the first light-emitting element 4111 and the beam splitter 42. The three first dichroic mirrors 413 are arranged at intervals along the first optical path 40a and the first dichroic mirrors 413 are arranged at an angle relative to the first optical path 40a. The three first dichroic mirrors 413 correspond one-to-one to the second light-emitting element 4113, the third light-emitting element 4115, and the fourth light-emitting element 4117.

[0068] The second lighting module 43 has three second light-emitting elements 431, namely, a fifth light-emitting element 4311, a sixth light-emitting element 4313, and a seventh light-emitting element 4315, which are arranged in sequence. The seventh light-emitting element 4315 is closer to the beam splitter 42 than the sixth light-emitting element 4313. For example, the fifth light-emitting element 4311 is a violet light source (central wavelength 420-440 nm), the sixth light-emitting element 4313 is a blue light source (central wavelength 460-490 nm), and the seventh light-emitting element 4315 is a red light source (central wavelength 600-620 nm). Two second dichroic mirrors 433 are correspondingly arranged and arranged between the fifth light-emitting element 4311 and the beam splitter 42. The total number of the sixth light-emitting elements 4313 and the seventh light-emitting elements 4315 is equal to the number of the second dichroic mirrors 433 and are arranged accordingly. Specifically, the two second dichroic mirrors 433 are spaced apart along the second optical path 40 b and tilted relative to the second optical path 40 b . The two second dichroic mirrors 433 correspond one-to-one to the sixth light emitting element 4313 and the seventh light emitting element 4315 .

[0069] The light emitted by the fifth light-emitting element 4311 is transmitted through all the second dichroic mirrors 433 in sequence and then irradiates the beam splitter 42. The light emitted by the sixth light-emitting element 4313 is reflected by the corresponding second dichroic mirror 433, and then transmitted through the second dichroic mirror 433 corresponding to the seventh light-emitting element 4315 and then irradiates the beam splitter 42. The light emitted by the seventh light-emitting element 4315 is reflected by the corresponding second dichroic mirror 433 to the beam splitter 42.

[0070] In the scheme of combining multi-color light sources, as shown in the fourth embodiment, the dichroic mirror has different transmittances for different wavelengths of light when combining the spectrum. There is also a 10-20nm transition zone outside the transmission spectrum and the reflection spectrum. The overall transmittance is as follows: Figure 7 shown.

[0071] Figure 8 The figure shows an endoscope illumination system in the related art. The first light-emitting element 4111 is a violet light source (central wavelength 400-420nm), the second light-emitting element 4113 is a blue light source (central wavelength 440-460nm), the third light-emitting element 4115 is a broad-spectrum green light source (central wavelength 530-550nm), and the fourth light-emitting element 4117 is a red light source (central wavelength 620-640nm). Three dichroic mirrors 483 are interspersed between the first light-emitting element 4111 and the coupling lens assembly 481. After being acted upon by the three dichroic mirrors 483, the first light-emitting element 4111, the second light-emitting element 4113, the third light-emitting element 4115, and the fourth light-emitting element 4117 are coupled to the light-guiding fiber 485 through the coupling lens assembly 481. Since the transmittance of the transition zone of the dichroic mirror 483 is not high, the spectrum of the illumination light obtained from the light-guiding fiber 485 is concave and the number of spectra is small. The combined light path and the spectrum after combining are shown in FIG. Figure 9 This concave spectrum cannot achieve a high CRI, and the number of spectral beam combinations is also limited.

[0072] And adopt Figure 6 The fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 4 shows an embodiment in which a beam splitter 42 is added to achieve more spectral beam combining and a higher CRI. The output spectrum of the first lighting module 41 is shown in FIG. Figure 10 As shown, the output spectrum of the second lighting module 43 is as follows Figure 11 As shown, after the beams are combined by the beam splitter 42 with a transmission-reflection ratio of 1:1, the total spectrum is as shown in Figure 12 The CRI of the entire spectrum can reach over 97, and the number of combined spectra increases exponentially, which means that high CRI lighting is obtained.

[0073] Fifth embodiment

[0074] refer to Figure 13 The endoscope illumination system 50 of the fifth embodiment of the present application also includes a first illumination module 51, a beam splitter 52, and a second illumination module 53. The first illumination module 51 and the beam splitter 52 are arranged along a first optical path 50a, and the second illumination module 53 and the beam splitter 52 are arranged along a second optical path 50b. The beam splitter 52 is tilted relative to the first optical path 50a and the second optical path 50b, respectively. The first illumination module 51 irradiates the beam splitter 52 along the first optical path 50a. The light transmitted by the beam splitter 52 is combined with the light irradiated by the second illumination module 53 along the second optical path 50b and reflected by the beam splitter 52 to form a first illumination optical path 50c. The first illumination module 51 irradiates the beam splitter 52 along the first optical path 50a. The light reflected by the beam splitter 52 is combined with the light irradiated by the second illumination module 53 along the second optical path 50b and transmitted by the beam splitter 52 to form a second illumination optical path 50d.

[0075] The difference from the fourth embodiment is that the first lighting module 51 is an X-polarized light source, and the second lighting module 53 is a Y-polarized light source. The first lighting module 51 may include a first light-emitting element 5111, a second light-emitting element 5113, a third light-emitting element 5115, a fourth light-emitting element 5117, and a fifth light-emitting element 5119. For example, the first light-emitting element 5111 is a violet light source (center wavelength 400-420 nm), the second light-emitting element 5113 is a blue light source (center wavelength 440-460 nm), the third light-emitting element 5115 is a broad-spectrum green light source (center wavelength 530-550 nm), the fourth light-emitting element 5117 is an orange light source (center wavelength 580-610 nm), and the fifth light-emitting element 5119 is a red light source (center wavelength 620-640 nm). Four first dichroic mirrors 513 are disposed between the first light-emitting element 5111 and the beam splitter 52. The second light-emitting element 5113, the third light-emitting element 5115, the fourth light-emitting element 5117, and the fifth light-emitting element 5119 correspond one-to-one to the four first dichroic mirrors 513. The second illumination module 53 may include a sixth light-emitting element 5311, a seventh light-emitting element 5313, an eighth light-emitting element 5315, a ninth light-emitting element 5317, and a tenth light-emitting element 5319. For example, the sixth light-emitting element 5311 is a violet light source (central wavelength 420-440 nm), the seventh light-emitting element 5313 is a blue light source (central wavelength 460-490 nm), the eighth light-emitting element 5315 is a green light source (central wavelength 500-580 nm), the ninth light-emitting element 5317 is an orange light source (central wavelength 580-610 nm), and the tenth light-emitting element 5319 is a red light source (central wavelength 600-620 nm). Four second dichroic mirrors 533 are arranged between the sixth light-emitting element 5311 and the beam splitter, and the seventh light-emitting element 5313 , the eighth light-emitting element 5315 , the ninth light-emitting element 5317 and the tenth light-emitting element 5319 correspond one-to-one to the four second dichroic mirrors 533 .

[0076] After passing through the beam splitter 52 with a transmission-reflection ratio of 1:1, the Y-polarized light of the multi-wavelength combination enters the first light-guiding fiber 55 through the first coupling lens group 54, and then enters the second light-guiding fiber 57 through the second coupling lens group 56; after passing through the beam splitter 52 with a transmission-reflection ratio of 1:1, the X-polarized light also enters the first light-guiding fiber 55 through the first coupling lens group 54, and then enters the second light-guiding fiber 57 through the second coupling lens group 56. Both the first light-guiding fiber 55 and the second light-guiding fiber 57 contain X-polarized light and Y-polarized light, which can uniformly illuminate human tissue with X-polarization and Y-polarization. No further details will be given here.

[0077] The technical features of the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. In order to make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-mentioned embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0078] The above-described embodiments merely represent several implementations of the present invention. While the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the utility model patent. It should be noted that a person skilled in the art would be able to make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these modifications and improvements fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present utility model patent shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An endoscope lighting system, characterized in that: include: A first lighting module, a beam splitter, and a second lighting module, wherein the first lighting module and the beam splitter are arranged along a first optical path, the second lighting module and the beam splitter are arranged along a second optical path, and the beam splitters are tilted relative to the first optical path and the second optical path, respectively; the light irradiated from the first lighting module to the beam splitter along the first optical path is combined with the light irradiated from the second lighting module to the beam splitter along the second optical path to form the first lighting optical path and the second lighting optical path.

2. The endoscope lighting system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light irradiated by the first lighting module along the first optical path to the beam splitter and transmitted by the beam splitter is combined with the light irradiated by the second lighting module along the second optical path to the beam splitter and reflected by the beam splitter to form a first lighting optical path; the light irradiated by the first lighting module along the first optical path to the beam splitter and reflected by the beam splitter is combined with the light irradiated by the second lighting module along the second optical path to the beam splitter and transmitted by the beam splitter to form a second lighting optical path.

3. The endoscope lighting system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first illumination module includes at least two first light sources and at least one first dichroic mirror, wherein one of the first light sources and all the first dichroic mirrors are located on the first optical path, and the remaining first light sources are located on one side of the first optical path and correspond one-to-one to the first dichroic mirrors; the first dichroic mirrors are arranged obliquely relative to the first optical path, and the light from the first light source on the first optical path that is irradiated to the first dichroic mirror is combined with the light from the remaining first light sources that is irradiated to the corresponding first dichroic mirrors and then irradiated to the beam splitter.

4. The endoscope lighting system according to claim 3, characterized in that: At least two first dichroic mirrors are arranged along the first optical path at intervals. The first light source includes a first light emitting element located on the first optical path, and a second light emitting element and a third light emitting element arranged at intervals from the first optical path. The third light emitting element is closer to the beam splitter than the second light emitting element. The first dichroic mirror is located between the first light-emitting element and the beam splitter. The sum of the number of the second light-emitting elements and the third light-emitting elements is equal to the number of the first dichroic mirrors and is arranged accordingly. The light emitted by the first light-emitting element is sequentially transmitted through all the first dichroic mirrors and then irradiated to the beam splitter; the light emitted by the second light-emitting element is reflected by the corresponding first dichroic mirror, and then transmitted through the first dichroic mirror between the corresponding second light-emitting element and the beam splitter before irradiating to the beam splitter; the light emitted by the third light-emitting element is reflected by the corresponding first dichroic mirror to the beam splitter.

5. The endoscope lighting system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second illumination module includes a second light source and a second dichroic mirror, at least two of the second dichroic mirrors are spaced apart along the second optical path and are tilted relative to the second optical path; the second light source includes a fifth light emitting element located on the second optical path, and a sixth light emitting element and a seventh light emitting element spaced apart from the second optical path, the seventh light emitting element being closer to the beam splitter than the sixth light emitting element; The second dichroic mirror is located between the fifth light-emitting element and the beam splitter. The sum of the number of the sixth light-emitting element and the seventh light-emitting element is equal to the number of the second dichroic mirrors and is arranged accordingly. The light emitted by the fifth light-emitting element is sequentially transmitted through all the second dichroic mirrors and then irradiated to the beam splitter; the light emitted by the sixth light-emitting element is reflected by the corresponding second dichroic mirror, and then transmitted through the second dichroic mirror between the corresponding second dichroic mirror and the beam splitter before irradiating to the beam splitter; the light emitted by the seventh light-emitting element is reflected by the corresponding second dichroic mirror to the beam splitter.

6. The endoscope lighting system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that: The endoscope illumination system includes a first light-guiding optical fiber arranged in the first illumination light path, a second light-guiding optical fiber arranged in the second illumination light path, a first coupling mirror group arranged between the beam splitter and the first light-guiding optical fiber, and a second coupling mirror group arranged between the beam splitter and the second light-guiding optical fiber. The first coupling mirror group is used to couple the light of the first illumination light path into the first light-guiding optical fiber, and the second coupling mirror group is used to couple the light of the second illumination light path into the second light-guiding optical fiber.

7. The endoscope lighting system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first illumination optical path is provided with at least two splitters, each of which is a beam splitter. The transmission-reflection ratio of any of the splitters is (n+1):1, where n is the number of the splitters between the corresponding splitter and the first light-guiding optical fiber.

8. The endoscope lighting system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The first optical path is orthogonal to the second optical path, the first illumination optical path is coaxial with the first optical path, and the second illumination optical path is orthogonal to the first illumination optical path.

9. The endoscope lighting system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: This includes any of the following options: The first lighting module is the same as the second lighting module; The first lighting module includes an X-polarized light source, and the second lighting module includes a Y-polarized light source; The first lighting module includes at least two light sources with different central wavelengths, and the second lighting module includes at least two light sources with different central wavelengths.

10. An endoscope, characterized in that: The endoscope lighting system comprises an imaging module and the endoscope lighting system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein at least one of the first lighting light path and the second lighting light path is used to illuminate the imaging module.

11. The endoscope according to claim 10, wherein: The endoscope includes a first light exit portion and a second light exit portion, the first light exit portion and the second light exit portion are arranged around the periphery of the imaging module, and the light of the first illumination light path is coupled to the first light exit portion, and the light of the second illumination light path is coupled to the second light exit portion, and the first light exit portion and the second light exit portion respectively include at least one of an optical fiber filament and an optical fiber bundle.

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