Endoscope Illuminator Hybrid Light Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscope technologies require switching between white light and special light for surface observation and detailed vascular examination, limiting simultaneous observation of surface profiles and blood vessels.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope with an illuminator that emits narrow band lights of different wavelengths, allowing for three modes: white light, special light, and hybrid modes, where the hybrid mode combines spectral patterns of both to enhance observation capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If illumination light is switched between white light and special light for surface observation and detailed vascular examination, then observation capability is improved, but operation complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines white light and special light into a single hybrid illumination mode that can be emitted simultaneously through the same light source unit. The light source unit includes multiple LEDs emitting at different wavelengths (blue, green, red) that can be controlled to produce either white light, special light, or a hybrid combination, eliminating the need for separate switching operations between different light sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The light source unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it can emit white light for surface observation, special light for vascular examination, and hybrid light that combines both capabilities. This multi-functional design allows a single illumination system to replace what would traditionally require separate specialized light sources, simplifying operation while maintaining versatile observation capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If illumination light is switched between white light and special light for surface observation and detailed vascular examination, then observation capability is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid illumination mode enables continuous simultaneous observation of both surface profiles and blood vessels without requiring interruption to switch between different light modes. The light source unit can maintain hybrid illumination continuously, allowing the observer to obtain both types of information in real-time during a single continuous observation session.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging white light and special light into a hybrid mode that can be emitted simultaneously, the system eliminates the time required for switching between different illumination modes. The multiple LEDs within the light source unit can be activated together to produce hybrid light, allowing seamless combined observation without temporal separation.
3Measurement precision
If separate light sources are used for white light and special light observation, then observation quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple LED light sources (blue, green, red LEDs) into a single integrated light source unit that can produce both white light and special light. This consolidation reduces the number of separate light source units, cables, and control systems needed, thereby simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining the ability to provide high-quality specialized illumination for different observation purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The light source unit is designed as a universal illumination system that can generate multiple types of light (white light, special light, and hybrid light) from a single device. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple specialized light sources, reducing device complexity while preserving the high observation quality associated with specialized illumination.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope includes an illuminator to emit illumination light comprised by narrow band lights different in wavelength from an end portion of the endoscope and an imager to image an observation object illuminated by the illumination light emitted from the illuminator. The illuminator includes a light quantity output adjuster to independently control the light quantity of each of the narrow band lights. The endoscope allows observation in three types of modes of a white light mode, a special light mode, and a hybrid mode. A spectral pattern of illumination light in the hybrid mode includes at least a part of a color region of a narrow band light included in the special light mode and is different from either of a spectral pattern of illumination light in the white light mode and a spectral pattern of illumination light in the special light mode.