Endoscope Illumination Angular Distribution Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscope illumination systems face challenges in achieving uniform angular distribution of light sources, particularly when combining LEDs and lasers of different wavelengths, leading to variations in beam profiles that exceed desired tolerances, affecting color uniformity and quantitative image analysis.
Innovation Solution
A multiple source endoscopy illumination system with adjustable angular distribution and a wide field of view, utilizing individual beam shape and angle adjusters for each light source, combined with dichroic plates to align and adjust the output beams, ensuring uniformity within ±4-5% deviation across the field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources with different wavelengths (LEDs and lasers) are combined using fixed optical paths, then the illumination system can provide multi-color lighting, but the beam angular distribution varies significantly between colors exceeding desired tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces adjustable optical elements (lenses, mirrors, or prisms) in each light path that can be dynamically positioned or rotated to adjust the beam angular distribution. This allows the system to adapt the angular characteristics of each wavelength component independently, enabling uniform angular distribution across all colors while maintaining multi-color illumination capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different optical adjustment mechanisms to different wavelength paths (Red, Green, Blue, IR) based on their specific angular distribution requirements. Each light source has its own adjustable optical element tailored to correct its particular beam profile, allowing localized optimization of angular distribution for each color while achieving overall system uniformity.
2Illumination intensity
If individual light sources are used to provide different wavelengths, then spectral coverage is improved, but the angular distribution of each source differs leading to color non-uniformity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the angular distribution parameter of each light source independently by adjusting optical elements in their respective paths. This allows each wavelength (Red LED, Green LED, Blue LED, IR Laser) to be tuned to achieve a standardized angular profile, ensuring color uniformity across the field of view while maintaining broad spectral coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces adjustable optical elements as intermediary components between the light sources and the field of view. These intermediaries (lenses, mirrors, or prisms) mediate the angular distribution of each wavelength, transforming the inherently different angular profiles of various light sources into a unified angular distribution pattern.
3Device complexity
If fixed optical path systems are used to combine light sources, then system complexity is reduced, but the ability to achieve desired angular distribution tolerances is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates adjustable optical elements that can be positioned or oriented to achieve the desired angular distribution. While this adds some complexity to the optical path configuration, it enables precise control over beam angular distribution for each wavelength, achieving the required uniformity that fixed systems cannot provide.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies adjustment mechanisms selectively to critical light paths where angular distribution control is most needed. This targeted approach optimizes angular uniformity while minimizing unnecessary complexity in the overall system 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 significantly improves color correlated temperature (CCT) uniformity from 22% to 3.4%, ensuring consistent illumination and enhanced quantitative image analysis by precisely adjusting the angular distribution of red, green, blue, and infrared light sources.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of dichroic plates are configured to combine output beams of the red assembly, the blue assembly, the green assembly, and the IR assembly
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination system for an endoscope has a plurality of light assemblies, including a red assembly with a red light source, a blue assembly with a blue light source, a green assembly with a green light source, and an infrared (IR) assembly with an IR light source. Each light assembly further includes an output beam shape adjuster configured to receive an output beam from the respective light source and adjust the beam angular profile, and an output beam angle adjuster configured to receive a beam from the output beam shape adjuster and adjust the output beam angle. A plurality of dichroic plates are configured to combine output beams of the red assembly, the blue assembly, the green assembly, and the IR assembly.