Endoscope Illumination Apparatus Speckle Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscope illumination devices using laser light sources often suffer from speckle noise due to high spatial coherence, which can be reduced by complex mechanisms such as bundle fiber devices, intensity modulation, high-frequency superimposing circuits, mechanical vibrations, and image processing, leading to increased device size and cost.
Innovation Solution
An illumination apparatus comprising a collimator to collimate laser light and a diffuser to diffuse it, optimizing the luminance distribution and beam diameter to reduce speckle noise in a simpler and more cost-effective manner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a laser light source is used for endoscope illumination, then power consumption is reduced and optical coupling efficiency is improved, but speckle noise increases due to high spatial coherence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the laser beam into multiple sub-beams using a microlens array, where each microlens focuses the laser light to form a separate sub-beam. This segmentation reduces the spatial coherence of the overall illumination while maintaining the advantages of laser light sources, thereby reducing speckle noise without increasing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a microlens array that operates in the spatial dimension to divide the laser beam into multiple sub-beams with different propagation directions. This dimensional approach transforms the coherent laser light into a set of partially coherent sub-beams, effectively reducing speckle noise while preserving energy efficiency.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If complex mechanisms such as bundle fiber devices or mechanical vibrations are used to reduce speckle noise, then speckle noise is reduced, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical vibration systems with an optical system consisting of a microlens array. Instead of mechanically vibrating the optical fiber or light source to reduce speckle noise, the invention uses static optical elements to divide the beam into multiple sub-beams, achieving speckle reduction without mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The microlens array acts as an intermediary optical element that transforms the coherent laser beam into multiple sub-beams. This intermediary structure enables speckle noise reduction through optical means rather than requiring complex mechanical or electronic systems.
3Loss of energy
If the laser beam diameter is reduced to improve optical coupling efficiency, then coupling efficiency increases, but speckle noise becomes more pronounced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the focused laser beam into multiple smaller sub-beams using a microlens array positioned at the focal point. This segmentation allows the system to maintain small beam diameter for efficient optical coupling while dividing the coherent light into multiple partially coherent sub-beams, thereby reducing speckle noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different optical properties to different parts of the laser beam by using a microlens array. Each microlens creates a sub-beam with specific local characteristics, allowing the system to optimize coupling efficiency at the focal point while reducing speckle noise through the distributed sub-beam structure.
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 proposed solution effectively reduces speckle noise in endoscope illumination systems by controlling the luminance distribution and beam diameter, improving image quality without the need for complex additional mechanisms, thus minimizing device size and cost.
Implementation Method 1
at least one collimator configured to collimate the laser light
Implementation Method 2
a diffuser configured to diffuse the laser light
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination apparatus includes an optical apparatus configured to optically process laser light to produce illumination light such that speckle noise in the illumination light is reduced. The optical apparatus includes at least one collimator (130) configured to collimate the laser light and a diffuser (140) configured to diffuse the laser light.