Endoscopic Instrument Dual LED Light Filter Spectral Optimization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical endoscopic instruments face challenges in efficiently using light for both white-light endoscopy and fluorescence endoscopy, as they either waste light energy due to correction filters or require external light sources, and struggle with heat and color distortion issues.
Innovation Solution
A medical endoscopic instrument with a distal elongated insertion section featuring two LEDs with different light spectra for white-light and fluorescence endoscopy, and a light filter that complements their emission spectra to reduce unnecessary heat and light output, allowing for efficient use of light and minimizing heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a correction filter is placed in the image path before the CCD sensor to produce a natural color impression, then color accuracy is improved, but significant portions of light power are attenuated and converted into heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful function of the correction filter by removing it from the image path and relocating it to the illumination path. This separates the color correction function from the image capture function, allowing the CCD sensor to receive full-spectrum light without attenuation, while the filter only processes the illumination light before it enters the body.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary light guide system that carries illumination light from the external light source through the body. The correction filter is placed in this intermediary path rather than directly in the image path, allowing light to be corrected before penetration without losing power that would otherwise be attenuated by the filter.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a dichroic correction filter is placed in front of an external light source or within a light guide system to prevent light from being coupled into the body, then tissue heat protection is improved, but the system is not suitable for white light or fluorescence endoscopy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the system dynamic by allowing selective activation of different light sources (white light LED, fluorescence LED, laser) and adjustable filter positions. The correction filter can be dynamically positioned in the illumination path for fluorescence endoscopy or removed/positioned differently for white light endoscopy, enabling adaptation to different operational modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves universality by designing a single endoscopic system that can perform multiple functions: white light endoscopy, fluorescence endoscopy, and photodynamic therapy. The light guide system and filter mechanism are designed to support all these modes, making the instrument versatile rather than specialized for one application.
3Productivity
If LED light sources are used for fluorescence endoscopy, then fluorescence excitation is improved, but heat generation and color distortion issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using different LED types with specific spectral characteristics for different purposes. Fluorescence-exciting LEDs with narrow bandwidth are used for fluorescence endoscopy, while white-light LEDs with broader spectra are used for white light endoscopy. This localized optimization of light source properties reduces unnecessary heat generation and color distortion in each specific application mode.
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
Enables effective use of light for both white-light and fluorescence endoscopy without external light sources, reduces heat and color distortion, and increases the illuminated solid angle, making it suitable for minimally invasive procedures with improved imaging and reduced tissue heating.
Implementation Method 1
the insertion section comprises at least a first light-emitting diode (LED), a second LED
Implementation Method 2
the first LED has a first light spectrum suitable for fluorescence endoscopy
Implementation Method 3
the second LED has a second light spectrum suitable for white-light endoscopy
Implementation Method 4
a light filter arranged in front of the second LED in the viewing direction. The light filter has a transmission spectrum, wherein the second LED is configured to emit light more intensely on average in a first wavelength range than in a second wavelength range, according to the second light spectrum, and wherein the light filter is configured to transmit less light emitted by the second LED on average in the second wavelength range than in the first wavelength range, according to the transmission spectrum
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a medical endoscopic instrument comprising a distal elongated insertion section (1) for minimally invasive insertion into a human or animal body, wherein the insertion section (1) has at least one first LED (5), a second LED (7) and an image sensor (9), wherein the first LED (5), the second LED (7) and the image sensor (9) are oriented in a common viewing direction (x). The first LED (5) also has a first light spectrum (19) that is suitable for a fluorescence endoscopy and the second LED (7) has a second light spectrum (21) that is suitable for a white light endoscopy, wherein a light filter (23) is arranged in front of the second LED (7) in the viewing direction (x). In addition, the light filter (23) has a transmission spectrum (25) and the second LED (7) is configured, according to the second light spectrum (21), to radiate more intensely on average in a first wavelength range (K) than in a second wavelength range (L), and wherein the light filter (23) is configured, according to the transmission spectrum (25), to allow less light radiated from the second LED (7) to pass through on average in the second wavelength range (L) than in the first wavelength range (K).