Endoscope Illumination with Angled LEDs for 180°+ Fields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope illumination systems struggle to achieve homogeneous illumination of a field of view greater than 180° due to LEDs emitting light parallel to the optical axis, resulting in insufficient illumination at the edges of the field of view.
Innovation Solution
The illumination device is arranged around the objective with LEDs emitting at a finite angle away from the optical axis and optionally includes a reflective surface to redirect light further away from the optical axis, ensuring uniform illumination across the entire field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If LEDs are arranged to emit light parallel to the optical axis, then the illumination device structure is simple, but the illumination homogeneity of the field of view is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by tilting the LED emission direction differently for different regions. LEDs are oriented to emit light at specific angles (5°-85° from the optical axis) tailored to illuminate specific zones of the field of view, ensuring each region receives appropriate illumination intensity and distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry by deliberately deviating from the symmetric parallel emission configuration. The LED emission directions are asymmetrically tilted relative to the optical axis, creating a non-uniform emission pattern that compensates for the large field of view and achieves more homogeneous overall illumination.
2Device complexity
If LEDs emit light directly onto the transparent cap parallel to the optical axis, then the device complexity is low, but the illumination coverage for angle of view greater than 180° is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the emission angle parameter of the LEDs from the conventional 0° (parallel to optical axis) to specific tilt angles between 5° and 85°. This parameter adjustment enables the LEDs to illuminate the extended field of view beyond 180° while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If the illumination device uses conventional LED arrangement, then the production cost is low, but the light intensity distribution uniformity is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and pre-orienting the LED emission directions at specific angles (5°-85° from the optical axis) during the manufacturing process. This preliminary angular configuration ensures that when the device is assembled, the light intensity distribution is already optimized for uniform illumination across the field of view, eliminating the need for complex post-processing adjustments.
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
Achieves homogeneous illumination of the field of view, maintaining light intensity between 50% and 100% of the maximum intensity, even at angles greater than 180°, while simplifying production and reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the light emitting devices is configured such that a centroid of an angular distribution of the respective emission light is located in a direction tilted away from the optical axis by an angle greater than or equal to 5° and less than or equal to 85°
Implementation Method 2
the illumination device includes a reflective surface that reflects at least a part of one of the emission lights in a direction further away from the direction of the optical axis than a direction in which the part of the one of the emission lights is incident on the reflective surface
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope tip having an objective for imaging a field of view, and further having an illumination device for illuminating the field of view. The objective has an angle of view greater than 180°, the illumination device is arranged around the objective, and the illumination device includes a transparent cap from which the illumination light is emitted into the field of view. The illumination device further includes one or more light emitting devices that emit emission light, and for one of the light emitting devices, a centroid of an angular distribution of the emission light is located in a direction tilted away from the optical axis, or a reflective surface reflects at least the emission light in a direction further away from the direction of the optical axis than a direction in which the emission light is incident on the reflective surface.