Endoscope Light Modulation for Heat Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopes face challenges in maintaining high-quality image transmission due to noise interference and heat generation issues, particularly when using high-resolution imaging devices, which degrade image quality and increase power consumption in the distal unit.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope system with a separate communication light source and light modulation device, where the communication light source is located outside the distal unit, using single-mode optical fibers for high-speed light transmission, and a light source controller to manage light intensity, reducing heat impact and enhancing image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-resolution imaging devices are used to enable clearer image observation, then image quality is improved, but the amount of information to be transmitted increases requiring higher transmission speed which leads to increased power consumption and heat generation in the distal unit
Solution Approach 1:
The communication light source is extracted from the distal unit and relocated to the proximal end of the endoscope. This separates the heat-generating component from the temperature-sensitive distal unit, allowing high-power light transmission for high-resolution imaging without increasing heat generation in the distal unit.
2Speed
If light modulation speed is increased to realize high-speed light transmission for high-resolution imaging, then transmission speed is improved, but power consumption and heat generation in the light modulation unit increase
Solution Approach 1:
A light modulation unit is introduced as an intermediary component located in the distal unit that modulates the light signal. This allows high-speed modulation for high-resolution imaging while the light source itself remains in the proximal end, separating the functions of light generation and light modulation.
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
This solution enables high-speed optical transmission with reduced heat generation in the distal unit, improving image quality and reliability while maintaining a high signal-to-noise ratio, thus addressing noise and heat-related issues in endoscopic imaging.
Implementation Method 1
the light modulation device modulates the light transmitted by the first light cable to generate the optical image signal
Implementation Method 2
transmit the optical image signal output from the light modulation device outside the insertion unit
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope includes: an insertion unit; an imaging unit to image a subject under examination and output an electrical image signal; a light modulation device to output an optical image signal based on the electrical image signal output from the imaging unit; a first light cable inserted in the insertion unit to transmit light emitted by a communication light source to the light modulation device; and a second light cable inserted in the insertion unit to transmit the optical image signal output from the light modulation device outside the insertion unit. The communication light source is different from an illumination light source emitting an illumination light for illuminating the subject under examination. The light modulation device modulates the light transmitted by the first light cable to generate the optical image signal.