Endoilluminator LED Chip Segmentation for Compact Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoilluminators face challenges in integrating a light source with small dimensions into a rod-shaped or tubular body, particularly in minimizing space usage while ensuring effective illumination, especially in minimally invasive procedures like ophthalmology.
Innovation Solution
The endoilluminator design features an LED chip positioned in the distal hollow portion of a rod-shaped body with a separate converter phosphor, allowing for flexible placement and conversion of light to desired wavelengths, and uses a contact arrangement with a center and edge contact to minimize space requirements, enabling symmetrical emission and efficient use of space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If an LED chip with converter phosphor is integrated into the distal end of a thin rod-shaped body, then the illumination function is achieved, but the space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The LED chip and converter phosphor are separated into distinct components. The LED chip is mounted on a contact arrangement at the distal end, while the converter phosphor is applied separately to convert the light wavelength. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and reduces the overall space required compared to an integrated LED package.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact arrangement uses a center contact and edge contact configuration that utilizes the radial dimension of the rod-shaped body efficiently. The LED chip is positioned to extend beyond the rod surface, utilizing the external space rather than consuming internal volume, thereby optimizing space utilization within the thin rod structure.
2Reliability
If a conventional LED package is used, then the light source is reliable, but the dimensions are too large for minimally invasive procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The LED chip is extracted from its conventional packaged form and mounted directly on a contact arrangement at the distal end of the rod-shaped body. This extraction eliminates the bulk of the traditional LED package while maintaining the LED chip's reliability and light-emitting function, enabling miniaturization suitable for minimally invasive procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
A contact arrangement with center and edge contacts serves as an intermediary structure to mount the LED chip. This contact arrangement provides both electrical connection and mechanical support, allowing the LED chip to be reliably integrated into the thin rod-shaped body without requiring a conventional LED package.
3Illumination intensity
If the LED chip is positioned to extend beyond the rod-shaped body, then symmetrical emission is achieved, but the installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact arrangement deliberately uses an asymmetric configuration with a center contact and an edge contact, which is optimized for the specific requirement of achieving symmetrical light emission from the LED chip. This asymmetric mounting structure simplifies the installation process by providing clear positioning references and reducing the need for complex alignment procedures.
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
This configuration allows for the creation of a compact endoilluminator that can produce white light effectively, enhancing flexibility in positioning and installation, and optimizing space utilization within the thin rod-shaped body, facilitating its use in small openings and ensuring biocompatibility.
Implementation Method 1
A converter phosphor is arranged in the endoilluminator between the LED chip and the distal end of the rod-shaped body or at the distal end itself. With regard to the light emitted by the LED chip, the converter properties of the converter phosphor are selected in such a way that it converts the light emitted by the LED chip into light with a desired wavelength distribution, for example into white light.
Data Source
AI summary
The medical lighting unit has a light emitting diode (LED) chip (15). A tubular body is provided with a proximal end (11), a distal end (7), a distal hollow section (9) and an inlet section (12). The LED chip is arranged in the distal hollow section of the tubular body and energy is provided over the inlet section. A luminophore converter is arranged between the LED chip and distal end of the tubular body or at the distal end of the tubular body.