Coaxial Medical Imaging System Illumination Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical imaging systems face challenges with low luminous efficiency and increased volume due to the inefficient use of central light sources and off-axis configurations, which limit field of view and increase manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A medical imaging system with a light source positioned off the optical axis of a first lens set, where the distances and focal lengths are optimized to ensure illuminating light directly enters the cavity, integrating imaging and illuminating components for reduced volume and cost, and utilizing polarizing and filtering sheets to enhance image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a ring-shaped hollow reflective mirror is used to reflect light rays, then the system can provide illumination, but the luminous efficiency is low because the central portion of the light source cannot be utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the illuminating function and imaging function into a single coaxial optical system. The light source, lens set, and image forming module are arranged along the same optical axis, allowing both illumination and imaging to occur through the same optical path. This eliminates the need for separate illuminating and imaging systems, thereby improving luminous efficiency by utilizing all light rays including those from the central region of the light source.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a ring-shaped hollow reflective mirror that excludes the central light region, the patent inverts the approach by using a lens set that can focus light from all regions of the light source including the center. The lens set is positioned such that it receives light from the light source and focuses it onto the cavity, thereby utilizing the previously wasted central portion of the light source.
2Loss of energy
If an off-axis configuration is used with separate illuminating and imaging systems, then the luminous efficiency is improved, but the volume and length of the system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the illuminating system and imaging system into a single coaxial configuration. The light source, lens set, and image forming module are all arranged along the same optical axis, allowing both functions to share the same optical path. This integration significantly reduces the system volume and length compared to off-axis configurations with separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens set serves dual functions: it focuses illuminating light from the light source onto the cavity, and it also forms images of the cavity by focusing reflected light onto the image forming module. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate optical paths for illumination and imaging, thereby reducing system volume.
3Loss of energy
If an off-axis configuration with separate systems is used, then luminous efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases due to more optical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the illuminating and imaging functions into a single coaxial system, reducing the number of optical components needed. The lens set serves both to illuminate and to form images, eliminating the need for separate mirrors and optical paths required in off-axis configurations. This simplification reduces manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens set is designed to perform multiple functions: focusing illuminating light onto the cavity and forming images of the cavity. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of optical components required, thereby lowering manufacturing costs compared to systems that require separate components for illumination and imaging.
4Device complexity
If the distance from the light source to the lens set is not optimized, then the system is simpler to design, but the illuminating light does not sufficiently enter the cavity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes specific parameters of the optical system, including the distance from the light source to the lens set (D1), the distance from the lens set to the cavity (D2), and the focal length (f) of the lens set. These parameters satisfy the relationship D1/D2 = f/(f-D1), ensuring that illuminating light is properly focused and sufficiently enters the cavity. This parameter optimization achieves effective illumination without overly complicating the design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves higher luminous efficiency, reduced volume, and lower costs by optimizing light source placement and integrating components, while ensuring uniform illumination and improved image quality.
Implementation Method 1
The light source is coupled optically with the first lens set to provide illuminating light, wherein the illuminating light directly irradiates on the first lens set, passes through the first lens set, converges in the cavity and then diverges to illuminate the interior of the cavity
Implementation Method 2
The first lens set defines a focal point, a first optical axis position and a second optical axis position
Implementation Method 3
the image forming module is disposed on the optical axis for receiving an image forming light reflected by the interior of the cavity through the first lens set to form the image
Data Source
AI summary
A medical imaging system includes a first lens set, a light source and an image forming module. The medical imaging system of the present invention configures the light source according to the object-image relationship of lens, so that illuminating light may sufficiently enter a cavity, significantly increasing the luminous efficiency. Also, the image forming and illuminating components are integrated into one system, thereby achieving advantages of reduced volume and cost saving.