Dual-Channel LED Illuminator for Ophthalmic Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current light sources used in ophthalmic endoilluminators, such as halogen tungsten lamps and high-pressure arc lamps, are costly, complex, and require frequent replacements, while LED-based illuminators offer lower luminous efficiency and decreased luminous flux, posing challenges in providing effective illumination during vitreo-retinal surgeries.
Innovation Solution
The use of a dual-channel LED illuminator system with a combination of undomed and domed LEDs, wavelength converting materials, and reflective optical elements to enhance luminous flux and chromaticity, achieving a broad-spectrum white light by recycling and redirecting light, thereby improving illumination efficiency and reducing the need for frequent replacements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If halogen tungsten lamps or high-pressure arc lamps are used as light sources, then luminous flux and illumination intensity are sufficient, but device complexity and operational cost increase, and reliability decreases due to frequent replacements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/optical lamp systems (halogen tungsten lamps, high-pressure arc lamps) with a solid-state LED-based illumination system. This substitution eliminates complex optical elements, mirrors, and attenuators required by traditional lamps, while providing sufficient luminous flux and illumination intensity for ophthalmic procedures. The LED system maintains reliable performance throughout the instrument's lifespan without frequent replacements.
2Device complexity
If LED-based illuminators are used, then device complexity and operational cost decrease, but luminous flux and illumination intensity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple LEDs with different spectral characteristics (blue, green, yellow-green, red) into a single illumination system. This merging of multiple light sources creates a broad-spectrum white light output that achieves sufficient luminous flux and illumination intensity for ophthalmic procedures while maintaining the simplicity and low operational cost of LED technology. The combined spectral power distributions of multiple LEDs compensate for the lower individual luminous flux of each LED.
3Loss of energy
If traditional lamps are used, then luminous efficiency is adequate, but reliability decreases due to frequent replacements and limited lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple LEDs operating in parallel, where each LED can be optimized to operate within its optimal efficiency range. By combining the output of multiple LEDs with different spectral characteristics, the system achieves both high luminous efficiency and extended reliability. The modular LED design allows individual LEDs to be replaced if needed, while the overall system maintains reliability throughout the instrument's lifespan.
4Reliability
If LED-based illuminators are used, then lifespan and reliability increase, but luminous efficiency and chromaticity control become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns different spectral characteristics to different LEDs within the system - blue LEDs for one wavelength range, green LEDs for another, yellow-green LEDs for yet another range, and red LEDs for the longest wavelengths. Each LED type is selected and positioned to contribute specific chromaticity properties to the overall white light output. This local differentiation of spectral quality across multiple LEDs enables precise chromaticity control while maintaining the reliability and extended lifespan of the LED-based system.
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 dual-channel LED illuminator system significantly increases luminous flux and maintains chromaticity, providing effective and long-lasting illumination for ophthalmic procedures with minimal drop in output over the instrument's lifespan, reducing the need for frequent replacements and operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The illuminator may include a first light source including a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a reflective optical element arranged to receive light emitted by the plurality of LEDs and to reflect the light back toward the plurality of LEDs
Implementation Method 2
a reflective optical element arranged to receive light emitted by the plurality of LEDs and to reflect the light back toward the plurality of LEDs
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an exemplary illumination device for enhancing the brightness and chromaticity of an illuminator employing light emitting diodes (LED). The illumination device may include a first light source configured to emit light at a first wavelength range. A first dichroic optical element associated with the first light source may be configured to optically block less than the entire wavelength range of the light emitted from the first light source. The illumination device may also include a second light source configured to emit light at second wavelength range substantially corresponding to the wavelength range optically blocked by the first dichroic optical element.