Endoscope illumination assembly and endoscope system

Abstract

The application provides an endoscope illumination assembly and an endoscope system. The first light emitting element of the endoscope illumination assembly is configured to emit first light having a first spectral distribution, the second light emitting element is configured to emit second light having a second spectral distribution, and the third light emitting element is configured to emit third light having a third spectral distribution, the third spectral distribution being adjacent to the first spectral distribution and the second spectral distribution and having an overlap above half-peak. The first light, the second light and the third light are combined by a light combination assembly and then enter a fiber channel. The light combination assembly is configured to have a transmittance of the part of the third light within a target waveband range and the parts of the first light and the second light outside the target waveband range greater than or equal to 90%. The two endpoints of the target waveband range are determined according to a first junction point and a second junction point, so as to facilitate good imaging effects in different observation modes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of endoscope technology, specifically to an endoscope illumination assembly and an endoscope system. Background Technology

[0002] An endoscope is a medical device that provides imaging examination and treatment for tissues inside cavities. During the imaging process of an endoscopic imaging device, a light beam generated by a light source is projected onto the surface of the tissue inside the cavity through the endoscope's fiber optic channel, thereby acquiring an image of the surface of the tissue inside the cavity using the endoscope's imaging device.

[0003] To meet diverse observation needs, the endoscope's light source can emit light with different spectra. Combinations of these different spectra can create various observation modes. Specifically, the endoscope's light source can include multiple light-emitting elements, a beam combining component, and a converging component. Each light-emitting element emits light of different wavelengths. These rays are combined into a single beam by the beam combining component and then converged by the converging component before entering the endoscope's fiber optic channel. Thus, in practical applications, one or more light-emitting elements can be illuminated in response to different observation modes.

[0004] However, as the number of observation modes increases, the number of light-emitting components also gradually increases. Using a beam combining component to combine multiple light rays with different spectra in a multispectral light source can easily lead to poor imaging results in some observation modes. Utility Model Content

[0005] In order to at least partially address the problems existing in the prior art, according to one aspect of this application, an endoscope illumination assembly is provided.

[0006] The endoscope illumination assembly includes a light source and a light guide assembly. Light emitted from the light source is incident on the optical fiber channel of the endoscope via the light guide assembly. The light source includes a first light-emitting element, a second light-emitting element, and a third light-emitting element. The first light-emitting element emits a first light ray with a first spectral distribution, the second light-emitting element emits a second light ray with a second spectral distribution, and the third light-emitting element emits a third light ray with a third spectral distribution. The third spectral distribution is adjacent to the first spectral distribution and the second spectral distribution, and overlaps with each other above the half-peak. The light guide assembly includes a light combining assembly. The first, second, and third light rays are combined by the light combining assembly and then incident on the optical fiber channel. The light combining assembly is configured such that the transmittance of the portion of the third light ray within the target wavelength range and the portions of the first and second light rays outside the target wavelength range are greater than or equal to 90%. The two endpoints of the target wavelength range are determined by a first boundary point and a second boundary point. The first boundary point is the boundary between the first spectral distribution and the third spectral distribution, and the second boundary point is the boundary between the second spectral distribution and the third spectral distribution.

[0007] The endoscope illumination assembly of this application can emit a first light beam, a second light beam, and a third light beam. The third spectral distribution of the third light beam is adjacent to the first spectral distribution of the first light beam and the second spectral distribution of the second light beam, and overlaps with each other above the half-peak. After passing through the light combining assembly, the portion of the third light beam within the target wavelength range and the portions of the first and second light beams outside the target wavelength range can be incident on the optical fiber channel. The two endpoints of the target wavelength range are determined according to the intersection points between the third spectral distribution and the first and second spectral distributions, respectively. This allows light in the wavelength range near the peak wavelength of each light beam (especially the light in the third light beam near the peak wavelength) to be incident on the optical fiber channel. For each observation mode, the light in the wavelength range near the peak wavelength of each light beam is usually the core part affecting its imaging effect. Therefore, the endoscope illumination assembly of this application allows light in the wavelength range near the peak wavelength of each light beam to be incident on the optical fiber channel, which is beneficial to balancing the imaging effect in different observation modes and enabling each observation mode to obtain a good imaging effect. Furthermore, light in the band near the peak wavelength of each ray usually has a higher proportion of optical power in its spectral distribution. Allowing this portion of light to enter the optical fiber channel can also improve the light utilization rate of each light-emitting component.

[0008] For example, the light combining component is configured such that the transmittance of the portion of the third ray located outside the target wavelength range and the transition band is less than or equal to 10%, wherein the transition band comprises two bands located on either side of the target wavelength range and having a wavelength span in the range of [10 nm, 20 nm].

[0009] For example, the first light-emitting element is constructed as a green light, the second light-emitting element is constructed as a red light, and the third light-emitting element is constructed as an amber light; the red light emits narrow-band red light, the green light emits wide-band green light, and the amber light emits wide-band amber light.

[0010] For example, the target band range is located within the band range defined by the first boundary point and the second boundary point.

[0011] For example, the light source also includes a fourth light-emitting element, which is constructed as a blue lamp. When the red, amber, green, and blue lamps emit light simultaneously in a preset ratio, the light emitted by each lamp is combined into white light by a light-combining component. The average color rendering index Ra of the white light is ≥90, and the color temperature is in the range of 3000K-7000K. When the amber lamp emits light alone, the radiant power of the beam incident on the optical fiber channel via the light-combining component is greater than or equal to 45% of its radiant power directly incident on the optical fiber channel without passing through the light-combining component.

[0012] For example, the peak wavelength of narrowband red light is in the range of [615nm, 630nm]; the peak wavelength of broadband amber light is in the range of [595nm, 605nm].

[0013] For example, the light combining component includes at least two light combining elements, wherein during the process of the third light ray emanating from its respective corresponding light-emitting element and incident on the optical fiber channel, the number of light combining elements through which the third light ray passes is less than the number of light combining elements through which either the first light ray or the second light ray passes.

[0014] For example, at least two light combining elements include a first light combining element and a second light combining element. The first light ray and the second light ray are combined by the second light combining element, and then combined with the third light ray by the first light combining element. The first light combining element has the following optical characteristics: it reflects light rays located within the target wavelength range and transmits light rays located outside the target wavelength range, or it transmits light rays located within the target wavelength range and reflects light rays located outside the target wavelength range.

[0015] For example, a first light-combining element has a first light-combining film formed on the side near the optical fiber channel, and a third light-emitting element is disposed corresponding to the first light-combining film; the first light-combining film has the optical properties of reflecting light within the target wavelength range and transmitting light outside the target wavelength range.

[0016] According to another aspect of this application, an endoscope system is also provided, including the endoscope illumination assembly as described above.

[0017] The endoscope system of this application includes the endoscope illumination assembly as described above. Since the endoscope illumination assembly has the beneficial effects described above, the endoscope system including the endoscope illumination assembly as described above will necessarily also have the beneficial effects described above.

[0018] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of this application. In order to better understand the technical means of this application and to implement it in accordance with the contents of the specification, and to make the above and other objects, features and advantages of this application more obvious and understandable, the following are specific embodiments of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of this application will become more apparent from the more detailed description of the embodiments of this application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are used to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of this application and form part of the specification. They are used together with the embodiments of this application to explain this application and do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals generally represent the same components or steps.

[0020] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of an endoscope illumination assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of this application is shown;

[0021] Figure 2A schematic diagram of the spectra of a first ray, a second ray, a third ray, and a fourth ray according to an exemplary embodiment of this application is shown;

[0022] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the optical characteristics of the first light combiner 21 shown;

[0023] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of an endoscope system according to an exemplary embodiment of this application is shown.

[0024] The components indicated by the reference numerals in the figures are as follows:

[0025] 1. Light source; 11. First light-emitting element; 111. First ray; 12. Second light-emitting element; 121. Second ray; 13. Third light-emitting element; 131. Third ray; 14. Fourth light-emitting element; 141. Fourth ray; 2. Light guide assembly; 21. First light combiner; 22. Second light combiner; 23. Third light combiner; 24. Converging assembly; 3. Fiber optic channel; 31. Light receiving port; 4. Main unit; 5. Display screen; 6. Endoscope. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application more apparent, exemplary embodiments according to this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments of this application. It should be understood that this application is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described herein. Based on the embodiments of this application described herein, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without inventive effort should fall within the protection scope of this application.

[0027] In the following description, numerous details are provided to enable a thorough understanding of this application. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the following description merely illustrates preferred embodiments of the application, and that the application can be implemented without one or more of these details. Furthermore, to avoid confusion with this application, some technical features well-known in the art have not been described in detail.

[0028] As mentioned earlier, with the increase in observation modes, the number of light-emitting components also gradually increases. Using a light-combining component to combine multiple light rays with different spectra into a multispectral light source can easily lead to poor imaging results in some observation modes.

[0029] To address the aforementioned problems, the inventors of this application conducted detailed research and analysis and discovered that: A light-combining assembly typically includes one or more light-combining elements. Each element combines light rays with different spectra by transmitting a portion of the light (within a specified wavelength range) and reflecting another portion (outside the specified wavelength range). Furthermore, to achieve higher luminous brightness, some of the light-emitting elements emit broadband light. However, as the number of light-emitting elements increases with the number of observation modes, there is significant overlap between the wavelengths of the light emitted by some of the light-emitting elements (especially noticeable between broadband light and light rays with peak wavelengths close to it). Typically, only a portion of the wavelength range emitted by these light-emitting elements can be incident on the fiber optic channel via the light-combining assembly, and the portion of adjacent wavelengths that can be incident on the fiber optic channel is inversely proportional to the wavelength of the light emitted (i.e., the more of a certain wavelength that can be incident on the fiber optic channel, the less of its adjacent wavelengths can be incident on the fiber optic channel). Different observation modes require different wavelengths of light emitted from each light source. To achieve better imaging in observation mode 1, more light emitted from light source x needs to be incident on the fiber optic channel. However, this results in less light emitted from light source y (whose spectral distribution overlaps significantly with that of light source x) being incident on the fiber optic channel, leading to a deterioration in imaging in observation mode 2. Therefore, the main reason why multispectral light sources often exhibit poor imaging in certain observation modes is that the wavelengths of light emitted from some light sources overlap considerably. This overlap can cause spectral imbalance after passing through the light combining component, making it difficult to balance the imaging effects across different observation modes.

[0030] Based on this, this application provides an endoscope illumination assembly that emits a first light beam, a second light beam, and a third light beam. The third spectral distribution of the third light beam is adjacent to the first spectral distribution of the first light beam and the second spectral distribution of the second light beam, and overlaps with each other above the half-peak. After passing through a light combining assembly, the portion of the third light beam within the target wavelength range and the portions of the first and second light beams outside the target wavelength range can be incident on the optical fiber channel. The two endpoints of the target wavelength range are determined according to the intersection points between the third spectral distribution and the first and second spectral distributions, respectively. This allows light in the wavelength range near the peak wavelength of each light beam (especially the light in the third light beam near the peak wavelength) to be incident on the optical fiber channel. For each observation mode, the light in the wavelength range near the peak wavelength of each light beam is usually the core part affecting its imaging effect. Therefore, the endoscope illumination assembly of this application allows light in the wavelength range near the peak wavelength of each light beam to be incident on the optical fiber channel, which is beneficial for balancing the imaging effect in different observation modes and enabling each observation mode to obtain a good imaging effect. Furthermore, light in the band near the peak wavelength of each ray usually has a higher proportion of optical power in its spectral distribution. Allowing this portion of light to enter the optical fiber channel can also improve the light utilization rate of each light-emitting component.

[0031] To fully understand the embodiments of this application, a detailed structure will be presented in the following description. Obviously, the implementation of the embodiments of this application is not limited to the specific details familiar to those skilled in the art. Preferred embodiments of this application are described in detail below; however, other embodiments may be available in addition to these detailed descriptions.

[0032] One embodiment of this application provides an endoscope illumination assembly that can balance the imaging effect in different observation modes, ensuring good imaging results in each mode and improving the light utilization rate of each light-emitting element. The following will describe in detail an endoscope illumination assembly according to an embodiment of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the endoscope illumination assembly includes a light source 1 and a light guide assembly 2. Light emitted from the light source 1 is incident on the optical fiber channel 3 of the endoscope 6 via the light guide assembly 2. The light source 1 includes a first light-emitting element 11, a second light-emitting element 12, and a third light-emitting element 13. The first light-emitting element 11 emits a first ray 111 with a first spectral distribution, the second light-emitting element 12 emits a second ray 121 with a second spectral distribution, and the third light-emitting element 13 emits a third ray 131 with a third spectral distribution. The third spectral distribution is adjacent to the first and second spectral distributions and overlaps with them above the half-peak. The light guide assembly 2 includes a light combining assembly. The first ray 111, the second ray 121, and the third ray 131 are combined by the light combining assembly and then incident on the optical fiber channel 3. The light combining component is configured such that the transmittance of the portion of the third ray 131 located within the target wavelength range and the portions of the first ray 111 and the second ray 121 located outside the target wavelength range is greater than or equal to 90%. The two endpoints of the target wavelength range are determined based on a first boundary point and a second boundary point. The first boundary point is the boundary point between the first spectral distribution and the third spectral distribution, and the second boundary point is the boundary point between the second spectral distribution and the third spectral distribution.

[0034] The aforementioned first light-emitting element 11, second light-emitting element 12, and third light-emitting element 13 can emit light of different colors; that is, the first light ray 111, the second light ray 121, and the third light ray 131 can each have a corresponding spectral distribution. Specifically, in this embodiment, the third spectral distribution is adjacent to the first spectral distribution and the second spectral distribution, and overlaps with them above the half-peak. Specifically, "adjacent to the first spectral distribution and the second spectral distribution" means that the peak wavelengths of the first, third, and second spectral distributions increase or decrease sequentially. "Half-peak" specifically refers to the position at the half-peak after normalizing the relative intensities of the first, second, and third spectral distributions, i.e., the position with a relative intensity of 0.5. For example, Figure 2 The dashed lines in the diagram can represent the half-peak lines of the spectrum. The green solid line represents the first spectral distribution, the yellow solid line represents the third spectral distribution, and the red solid line represents the fourth spectral distribution. The first and third spectral distributions overlap above this half-peak line, as do the second and third spectral distributions. In other words, the first boundary point between the first and third spectral distributions, and the second boundary point between the second and third spectral distributions, are located above the half-peak lines. For example,... Figure 2In the spectral distributions shown, the second and third spectral distributions have two intersection points, both located above the half-peak line, indicating a significant overlap between them. Unless otherwise specified below, the second intersection point referred to in this application specifically refers to the intersection point between the peak wavelength of the second ray 121 and the peak wavelength of the third ray 131. Similarly, in other embodiments, if the first and third spectral distributions also have two or more intersection points, the first intersection point referred to in this application specifically refers to the intersection point between the peak wavelength of the first ray 111 and the peak wavelength of the third ray 131.

[0035] The first light ray 111 emitted by the first light-emitting element 11, the second light ray 121 emitted by the second light-emitting element 12, and the third light ray 131 emitted by the third light-emitting element 13 are combined into a single beam after passing through the light-combining component. This beam is then focused by the converging component 24 onto the receiving port 31 of the fiber optic channel 3, and subsequently transmitted through the fiber optic channel 3 to illuminate the target tissue. The first light-emitting element 11, the second light-emitting element 12, and the third light-emitting element 13 can be any one or more of LED lights, LD lights, xenon lights, etc. In practical applications, any one or more of the first light-emitting element 11, the second light-emitting element 12, and the third light-emitting element 13 can be illuminated according to the observation mode. The beam after passing through the light-combining component consists of the light emitted by the illuminated light-emitting elements.

[0036] The light combining assembly may include one or more light combining elements, each of which has the optical characteristic of transmitting a portion of light (within a specified wavelength range) and reflecting another portion of light (outside the specified wavelength range). The specified wavelength range corresponding to each light combining element can be set according to the arrangement position of each light-emitting element. When these light combining elements are combined together, the transmittance of the portion of the third light ray 131 within the target wavelength range and the portions of the first light ray 111 and the second light ray 121 outside the target wavelength range is greater than or equal to 90%. That is, at least 90% of the portion of the third light ray 131 within the target wavelength range can be guided to the optical fiber channel 3 by the light combining assembly, and at least 90% of the portions of the first light ray 111 and the second light ray 121 outside the target wavelength range can also be guided to the optical fiber channel 3 by the light combining assembly. The two endpoints of the target wavelength range are determined based on the aforementioned first and second boundary points. The wavelengths are adjusted by floating towards the shortwave or longwave side using the first and second boundary points as a reference. Therefore, the light combining component in this embodiment allows most of the light in the first ray 111, second ray 121, and third ray 131 located near their respective peak wavelengths (especially the light in the third ray near its peak wavelength) to be incident on the fiber optic channel 3. This helps balance the imaging effect under different observation modes, ensuring good imaging results in each mode. Furthermore, the light in the band near its peak wavelength in each ray typically has a higher proportion of optical power in its spectral distribution. Injecting this portion of light into the fiber optic channel 3 also improves the light utilization rate of each light-emitting element.

[0037] It is understandable that the third spectral distribution is located between the first and second spectral distributions and has a lot of overlap with both the first and second spectral distributions. Therefore, when the third ray 131 passes through the light combining component, compared with the first ray 111 and the second ray 121, the third ray 131 may have more loss (i.e., more rays in the third ray 131 are cut off by the light combining component), which may easily lead to insufficient brightness.

[0038] Therefore, in some embodiments, the light combining component is configured such that the transmittance of the portion of the third ray 131 located outside the target wavelength range and transition band is less than or equal to 10%, wherein the transition band comprises two bands, located on either side of the target wavelength range, and both bands have wavelengths spanning the range of [10 nm, 20 nm]. The transmittance of the light within the transition band in the third ray 131 gradually decreases with increasing distance from the target wavelength range; conversely, the transmittance of the light within the corresponding transition bands in the first ray 111 and the second ray 121 gradually increases with increasing distance from the target wavelength range. For example, as... Figure 3As shown, taking the first optical combiner 21 as an example, which reflects light within the target wavelength range and transmits light outside the target wavelength range, and the target wavelength range is [565nm, 610nm], transition bands with a wavelength span of 15nm can be formed on both sides of the target wavelength range, namely the range [550nm, 565nm] and the range [610nm, 625nm]. The transmittance of light located in the transition band can gradually decrease as it approaches the target wavelength range, making it easier for light closer to the target wavelength range to be reflected by the first optical combiner 21 to the optical fiber channel 3.

[0039] In the above embodiments, by setting transition bands on both sides of the target wavelength range, some light rays in the third light ray 131 that are outside the target wavelength range can also be guided to the optical fiber channel 3 by the light combining component, thereby increasing the bandwidth of the part of the third light ray 131 that can be incident on the optical fiber channel 3 and improving its illumination brightness; by setting the wavelength span of each transition band in the range of [10nm, 20nm], the influence on the wavelengths of the first light ray 111 and the second light ray 121 that can be incident on the optical fiber channel 3 can be reduced, which is beneficial to balancing the imaging effect under different observation modes.

[0040] Specifically, in some embodiments, the first light-emitting element 11 is configured as a green light, the second light-emitting element 12 is configured as a red light, and the third light-emitting element 13 is configured as an amber light; the red light emits narrow-band red light, the green light emits broadband green light, and the amber light emits broadband amber light. Broadband light can be, for example, light with a half-width at half-maximum (FWHM) greater than 25 nm, while narrow-band light is light with a FWHM less than or equal to 25 nm. The peak wavelength of amber light is located between and close to the peak wavelengths of green and red light; therefore, the spectral distribution of broadband amber light typically overlaps significantly with the spectral distributions of narrow-band red light and broadband green light.

[0041] In one example, such as Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the green solid line represents the spectral distribution of green light (i.e., the first spectral distribution), the red solid line represents the spectral distribution of red light (i.e., the second spectral distribution), and the yellow solid line represents the spectral distribution of amber light (i.e., the third spectral distribution). The intersection point between the spectral distributions of green light and amber light can be determined as the first boundary point, and the intersection point between the spectral distributions of red light and amber light can be determined as the second boundary point. The spectral distribution of amber light overlaps with the spectral distributions of green light and red light, respectively. The light rays in amber light that are within the target wavelength range (i.e., light rays near their peak wavelengths) can be combined by the light combining component with the light rays in green and red light that are outside the target wavelength range (i.e., light rays near their respective peak wavelengths). Therefore, when the amber lamp, red lamp, or green lamp is lit, the light rays near the peak wavelengths of each lamp can be incident on the fiber optic channel 3, which is beneficial for obtaining good imaging results for observation modes containing these lights.

[0042] In some embodiments, the target band range is located within the band range defined by the first boundary point and the second boundary point.

[0043] The two endpoints of the target wavelength range can correspond to the first boundary point and the second boundary point respectively, or they can be located between the first boundary point and the second boundary point. For example, the first boundary point can be Anm (nanometer), and the second boundary point can be Bnm (nanometer). If the target wavelength range is [anm, bnm], then anm ≥ Anm, bnm ≤ Bnm.

[0044] In the above embodiments, since green light has a significant impact on the color rendering and luminous flux of the beam after beam combining, it is not advisable to excessively extract green light. Therefore, the imaging effect under each relevant observation mode can be used as a constraint, and the short-wavelength end point a of the target wavelength range can be selected from the first boundary point A in a direction gradually approaching the peak wavelength of amber light. Red light is a narrowband light, and its spectral distribution overlaps significantly with that of amber light. To avoid excessive loss of red light, the long-wavelength end point b of the target wavelength range can be selected from the second boundary point B in a direction gradually approaching the peak wavelength of amber light, using the imaging effect under each relevant observation mode as a constraint. This makes it easier to balance the imaging wavelength requirements among amber, green, and red light, ensuring good imaging effects for all observation modes including these lights.

[0045] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the light source 1 also includes a fourth light-emitting element 14, which can emit a fourth ray 141 with a fourth spectral distribution. Specifically, the fourth light-emitting element 14 is constructed as a blue lamp and can emit narrowband blue light. When the red lamp, amber lamp, green lamp, and blue lamp emit light simultaneously according to a preset ratio, the light emitted by each lamp is combined into white light by the light-combining component. The average color rendering index Ra of the white light is ≥90, and the color temperature is in the range of 3000K-7000K. When the amber lamp emits light alone, the radiant power of the beam incident on the optical fiber channel 3 through the light-combining component is greater than or equal to 45% of its radiant power directly incident on the optical fiber channel 3 without passing through the light-combining component.

[0046] The endoscope illumination assembly provided in this embodiment can have a white light observation mode and an amber light observation mode. In white light observation mode, an amber lamp, a green lamp, a blue lamp, and a red lamp can be lit simultaneously, and each lamp emits light according to a preset ratio. The emitted amber, green, blue, and red light can be combined into white light after passing through a light combining assembly. The preset ratio can be expressed as the ratio of luminous flux or radiant power among the lamps when the red, amber, green, and blue light are combined to form standard white light. For example, the preset ratio can be red light: amber light: green light: blue light = 0.5:0.5:1:0.5. In amber light mode, an amber lamp can be lit alone. After passing through the light combining assembly, only most of the light rays within the target wavelength range and a small amount of light rays outside the target wavelength range can enter the optical fiber channel 3.

[0047] In order to ensure good imaging results in both white light and amber light observation modes, the aforementioned target wavelength range is configured such that:

[0048] (1) The average color rendering index Ra of the above white light is ≥90, and the color temperature is in the range of 3000K-7000K. White light with a high color rendering index and appropriate color temperature can accurately reproduce the true color of the target tissue, enabling doctors to observe the color and details of the target tissue more accurately and clearly, thereby significantly improving the accuracy of doctors' diagnosis.

[0049] (2) When the amber lamp emits light alone, after the amber light passes through the light combining component, it is necessary to ensure that the radiation power of the light beam incident on the optical fiber channel 3 is greater than or equal to 45% of the radiation power of the light beam that is directly incident on the optical fiber channel 3 without passing through the light combining component. This ensures that the amber light has sufficient radiation power and reduces the light loss of the amber light.

[0050] It is understandable that, in some embodiments, in order to improve the overall brightness of the image and supplement other detailed information, the green light, amber light and red light can be lit simultaneously in amber light mode, with the amber light emitted by the amber light as the main light and the green light emitted by the green light and the red light emitted by the red light as the auxiliary light.

[0051] In the above embodiments, the red, amber, green, and blue lights can emit light simultaneously according to a preset ratio and be combined into white light by a light combining component. By limiting the color rendering index and color temperature of the white light, the illumination effect of the endoscope illumination component can be effectively guaranteed. Furthermore, when the amber light emits light alone, by ensuring the radiation power of the amber light, the illumination effect of the endoscope illumination component in the amber light observation mode can be guaranteed.

[0052] In some embodiments, the peak wavelength of narrowband red light is in the range of [615nm, 630nm]; the peak wavelength of broadband amber light is in the range of [595nm, 605nm].

[0053] Among them, when the peak wavelength of broadband amber light is in the range of [595nm, 605nm], it can better highlight deeper and thicker blood vessels and bleeding points under the mucosa; when the peak wavelength of narrowband red light is in the range of [615nm, 630nm], it has a more suitable distance from the peak wavelength of amber light, making it easier to mix white light with a high color rendering index, thus making it easier to obtain white light and amber light that meet the requirements.

[0054] For example, such as Figure 2 As shown, the peak wavelength of broadband green light is 510nm, the peak wavelength of broadband amber light is 595nm, the peak wavelength of narrowband red light is 630nm, the first boundary between broadband green light and broadband amber light is located at 565nm, and the second boundary between broadband amber light and narrowband red light is located at 625nm. Referring to the table below, to achieve good imaging results in both the white light and amber light observation modes, the target wavelength range was first set to [565nm, 625nm]. Simulations showed that the average color rendering index (CRI) of the white light after passing through the light combining component was 85, the color temperature was 5609K, and the light extraction efficiency of the amber light was 80%. Since the average CRI of the obtained white light did not reach 90, [565nm, 625nm] was used as a reference to adjust the two endpoints of the target wavelength range. Finally, when the target wavelength range was set to [565nm, 610nm], white light with an average CRI Ra≥90 and a color temperature in the range of 3000K-7000K, as well as amber light with a light extraction efficiency of 53% (≥45%), could be obtained. Therefore, [565nm, 610nm] can be used as the target wavelength range, and the optical characteristics (or filtering characteristics) of each light combining element in the light combining component can be further determined by combining the arrangement of each lamp.

[0055]

[0056] In some embodiments, the light combining assembly includes at least two light combining elements, wherein during the process of the third ray 131 being emitted from its respective corresponding light-emitting element and incident on the optical fiber channel 3, the number of light combining elements passed by the third ray 131 is less than the number of light combining elements passed by either the first ray 111 or the second ray 121.

[0057] like Figure 1As shown, the shape of the light-combining element can be plate-shaped, and the plate-shaped light-combining element can be inclined at 45° to facilitate the reflection or transmission of the first light ray 111, the second light ray 121, and the third light ray 131. This application does not limit the specific positions of the first light-emitting element 11, the second light-emitting element 12, the third light-emitting element 13, and the light-combining element, as long as the number of light-combining elements through which the third light ray 131 passes is less than the number of light-combining elements through which either the first light ray 111 or the second light ray 121 passes.

[0058] In the above embodiments, the first light ray 111, the second light ray 121, and the third light ray 131 can respectively illuminate the light combining member, and be combined into a beam by reflection or transmission through the light combining member to be incident on the optical fiber channel 3. The number of light combining members through which the third light ray 131 passes can be less than the number of light combining members through which either the first light ray 111 or the second light ray 121 passes, thereby reducing the energy loss of the third light ray 131 when passing through the light combining member, effectively ensuring the energy intensity of the third light ray 131, improving the light utilization rate of the third light ray 131, reducing the energy consumption of the third light ray 131, and improving the imaging effect of the endoscope illumination assembly.

[0059] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, at least two light combining elements include a first light combining element 21 and a second light combining element 22. The first light ray 111 and the second light ray 121 are combined by the second light combining element 22, and then combined with the third light ray 131 by the first light combining element 21. The first light combining element 21 has the following optical characteristics: it reflects light rays within the target wavelength range and transmits light rays outside the target wavelength range, or it transmits light rays within the target wavelength range and reflects light rays outside the target wavelength range.

[0060] Specifically, such as Figure 1 As shown, the first light combiner 21 and the second light combiner 22 can be arranged at intervals along the optical axis of the optical fiber channel 3. The third light emitter 13 and the first light emitter 11 can be arranged on the sides of the optical axis, corresponding to the two light combiners respectively, and the second light emitter 12 can be arranged on the optical axis. The second light ray 121 can be transmitted through the second light combiner 22, and the first light ray 111 can be reflected by the second light combiner 22, thus combining into a single beam. This beam can be transmitted through the first light combiner 21 and, together with the third light ray 131 reflected by the first light combiner 21, form another beam, which then enters the optical fiber channel 3. In this way, the third light ray 131 passes through fewer light combiners than the first light ray 111 and the second light ray 121, meaning the third light ray 131 only needs to pass through one light combiner, thereby effectively reducing the energy loss of the third light ray 131.

[0061] The first light combiner 21 can have the aforementioned target wavelength range, thereby reflecting or transmitting light of different wavelengths according to the target wavelength range. Specifically, when the first light ray 111, the second light ray 121, and the third light ray 131 respectively illuminate the first light combiner 21, the first light combiner 21 can reflect a portion of the third light ray 131 that is within the target wavelength range (wherein a portion of the third light ray 131 that is outside the target wavelength range fails to enter the optical fiber channel 3 because it passes through the first light combiner 21), and transmit a portion of the first light ray 111 and the second light ray 121 that is outside the target wavelength range (wherein a portion of the first light ray 111 and the second light ray 121 that is within the target wavelength range fails to enter the optical fiber channel 3 because it is reflected by the first light combiner 21).

[0062] It is understandable that, under other arrangement methods, the first light combiner can also transmit a portion of the third ray 131 that is within the target wavelength range, and reflect a portion of the first ray 111 and the second ray 121 that is outside the target wavelength range.

[0063] In the above embodiments, the optical characteristics of the first light combiner 21 can correspond to the target wavelength range, thereby accurately reflecting and transmitting light of a specific wavelength, achieving more precise spectral control, and being easy to process.

[0064] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, a first light-combining element has a first light-combining film formed on the side near the optical fiber channel 3, and a third light-emitting element 13 is disposed corresponding to the first light-combining film; the first light-combining film has the optical characteristics of reflecting light within the target wavelength range and transmitting light outside the target wavelength range.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the first light-combining film can be formed on the side of the first light-combining member 21 near the optical fiber channel 3, so that the third light ray 131 can be directly reflected by the first light-combining film on the first light-combining member 21 without refraction inside the first light-combining film, further reducing the light loss of the third light ray 131 incident on the optical fiber channel 3, and further improving the imaging effect of the endoscope illumination assembly.

[0066] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1As shown, the light source 1 may also include a fourth light-emitting element 14, and the light guide assembly 2 may also include a third light-combining element 23. When the first light-emitting element 11, the second light-emitting element 12, the third light-emitting element 13, and the fourth light-emitting element 14 are respectively configured as green light, amber light, red light, and blue light, the first light-combining element 21, the second light-combining element 22, and the third light-combining element 23 may be arranged at intervals on the optical axis of the fiber optic channel 31. The amber light 12 may be arranged on the side of the optical axis corresponding to the first light-combining element 21, the green light 13 may be arranged on the side of the optical axis corresponding to the second light-combining element 22, the blue light 14 may be arranged on the side of the optical axis corresponding to the third light-combining element 23, and the red light 11 may be arranged on the optical axis. The red light transmitted through the third light-combining element 23 and the blue light reflected by the third light-combining element 23 are combined and then transmitted through the second light-combining element 22, and combined with the green light reflected by the second light-combining element 22, and then combined with the amber light reflected by the first light-combining element 21. Thus, the number of light combining elements that red and blue light pass through is greater than the number of light combining elements that green light passes through, which in turn is greater than the number of light combining elements that amber light passes through.

[0067] In the above embodiments, prioritizing the reduction of amber light loss is beneficial for balancing the imaging effects of various imaging modes. Secondly, reducing green light loss is beneficial for improving image brightness and color rendering in relevant imaging modes. Furthermore, the amber, green, and blue lights are all located beside the optical axis, while the red light is located on the optical axis. This allows the red light to be relatively far away from the other lights, preventing the red light emitted by the red light from shifting due to heat generated by other lights, thereby improving the accuracy and consistency of the red light spectrum.

[0068] According to another aspect of this application, an endoscope system is also provided, including the endoscope illumination assembly described above. The endoscope illumination assembly can be disposed within the endoscope, for example, in the endoscope's connector or operating section; or it can be disposed outside the endoscope, for example, in an endoscope light source device or an integrated endoscope unit detachably connected to the endoscope. The following description uses the example of the endoscope illumination assembly being disposed within an endoscope light source device.

[0069] like Figure 4 As shown, the endoscope system may further include an endoscope 6, a main unit 4, and a display screen 5, with the endoscope 6, display screen 5, and light source 1 respectively communicating with the main unit 4. Specifically, the components in the endoscope system can be connected via wired or wireless means, and this application does not impose any specific limitations on this.

[0070] The light emitted by the aforementioned endoscope illumination assembly enters the fiber optic channel 3 of the endoscope 6 and can then illuminate the target tissue from the front end of the endoscope 6. The light returning from the target tissue can be captured by the camera of the endoscope 6 and converted into an image signal, which is then transmitted to the host 4. The host 4 can process the received image signal and transmit it to the display screen 5 for image display.

[0071] The endoscope system of this application includes the endoscope illumination assembly as described above. Since the endoscope illumination assembly has the beneficial effects described above, the endoscope system including the endoscope illumination assembly as described above will necessarily also have the beneficial effects described above.

[0072] While exemplary embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that these exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Various changes and modifications can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this application. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this application as claimed in the appended claims.

[0073] For ease of description, the term "connection" may be used herein to describe the relationship between one or more elements or features shown in the figure and other elements or features. It should be understood that "connection" may include direct connections or indirect connections via other elements or features, and this document is intended to encompass all such cases.

[0074] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to this application. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, parts, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0075] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of this application described herein can be implemented in sequences other than those illustrated or described herein.

[0076] This application has been described through the above embodiments; however, it should be understood that the above embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit this application to the scope of the described embodiments. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that this application is not limited to the above embodiments, and many more variations and modifications can be made based on the teachings of this application, all of which fall within the scope of protection claimed in this application. The scope of protection of this application is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An endoscope illumination assembly, comprising a light source and a light guide assembly, wherein light emitted from the light source is incident on the optical fiber channel of the endoscope via the light guide assembly, characterized in that, The light source includes a first light-emitting element, a second light-emitting element, and a third light-emitting element. The first light-emitting element is used to emit a first light ray with a first spectral distribution, the second light-emitting element is used to emit a second light ray with a second spectral distribution, and the third light-emitting element is used to emit a third light ray with a third spectral distribution. The third spectral distribution is adjacent to the first spectral distribution and the second spectral distribution, and has an overlapping portion above the half-peak. The light guide component includes a light combining component, wherein the first light beam, the second light beam, and the third light beam are combined by the light combining component and then incident into the optical fiber channel; The light combining component is configured such that the transmittance of the portion of the third ray within the target wavelength range and the portions of the first and second rays outside the target wavelength range is greater than or equal to 90%. The two endpoints of the target wavelength range are determined based on a first boundary point and a second boundary point. The first boundary point is the boundary point between the first spectral distribution and the third spectral distribution, and the second boundary point is the boundary point between the second spectral distribution and the third spectral distribution.

2. The endoscope illumination assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light combining component is configured such that the transmittance of the portion of the third ray located outside the target wavelength range and the transition band is less than or equal to 10%, wherein the transition band comprises two bands located on both sides of the target wavelength range, and the wavelength span is within the range of [10nm, 20nm].

3. The endoscope illumination assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first light-emitting element is constructed as a green light, the second light-emitting element is constructed as a red light, and the third light-emitting element is constructed as an amber light; the red light emits narrow-band red light, the green light emits wide-band green light, and the amber light emits wide-band amber light.

4. The endoscope illumination assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, The target band range is located within the band range defined by the first boundary point and the second boundary point.

5. The endoscope illumination assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, The light source also includes a fourth light-emitting element, which is configured as a blue lamp. When the red light, the amber light, the green light, and the blue light emit light simultaneously in a preset ratio, the light emitted by each light is combined into white light by the light combining component. The average color rendering index Ra of the white light is ≥90, and the color temperature is in the range of 3000K-7000K. When the amber lamp emits light alone, the radiant power of the light beam that is filtered by the light combining component and incident on the optical fiber channel is greater than or equal to 45% of the radiant power that is directly incident on the optical fiber channel without being filtered by the light combining component.

6. The endoscope illumination assembly according to claim 5, wherein the peak wavelength of the narrowband red light is in the range of [615nm, 630nm]; and the peak wavelength of the broadband amber light is in the range of [595nm, 605nm].

7. The endoscope illumination assembly according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The light combining component includes at least two light combining elements. During the process of the third light ray emanating from its respective corresponding light-emitting element and incident on the optical fiber channel, the number of light combining elements passed by the third light ray is less than the number of light combining elements passed by either the first light ray or the second light ray.

8. The endoscope illumination assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that, The at least two light combining elements include a first light combining element and a second light combining element. The first light ray and the second light ray are combined by the second light combining element, and then combined with the third light ray by the first light combining element. The first light combiner has the following optical characteristics: It reflects light within the target wavelength range and transmits light outside the target wavelength range. or, It transmits light within the target wavelength range and reflects light outside the target wavelength range.

9. The endoscope illumination assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first light-combining element has a first light-combining film formed on its side near the optical fiber channel, and the third light-emitting element is disposed corresponding to the first light-combining film; The first light-combining film has the optical properties of reflecting light within the target wavelength range and transmitting light outside the target wavelength range.

10. An endoscope system, characterized in that, Includes the endoscope illumination assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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