Endoscope Light Module with Collimators and Mirrors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopic systems face challenges in achieving high coupling efficiency between light emitting devices and light guiding elements, leading to heat management issues and non-uniform illumination due to poor light coupling efficiency, which can result in tissue damage and suboptimal image quality.
Innovation Solution
A light module design featuring a coupling element with collimator and mirror elements that collimate and reflect light from multiple light emitting devices into a single or multiple light guiding elements, enhancing light transfer efficiency and allowing for spatially uniform illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the power of light emitting diodes is increased to improve illumination quality and sensor performance, then image resolution and frame rate are improved, but heat generation increases causing potential tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light emitting diodes from the distal tip unit and relocates them to an external light box, separating the heat-generating light source from the tissue examination area. This allows high-power LEDs to be used for improved illumination without the risk of tissue damage from heat generation at the distal end.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light guiding element as an intermediary to transmit light from the external light box to the distal tip unit. This mediator allows the light source to be positioned externally where cooling is effective, while still delivering the illumination to the examination area through the light guide.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple light emitting diodes are provided to mix different colored light, then illumination quality is improved, but spatial uniformity of light intensity and chromaticity deteriorates when tissue is close to the light emitting diodes
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the multi-LED light source from the distal tip unit and placing it in an external light box, the patent eliminates the problem of non-uniform illumination that occurs when multiple colored LEDs are positioned close to the tissue. The light guiding element then delivers uniformly mixed light to the examination area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a light guiding element to copy and transmit the light from the external source to the distal tip unit. This optical copying process preserves the spatial uniformity of the light while delivering it to the examination area, avoiding the need to position multiple LEDs close to the tissue.
3Temperature
If light modules are provided in external light boxes to simplify cooling, then heat management is improved, but coupling efficiency between light emitting device and light guiding element deteriorates due to air gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the coupling interface between the light emitting device and light guiding element by eliminating air gaps and implementing direct optical coupling. This may involve using optical adhesives, index-matching materials, or precision mechanical coupling to maximize light transfer efficiency while maintaining the external light box configuration for effective cooling.
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 solution significantly improves light transfer efficiency between light emitting devices and guiding elements, reducing heat generation and ensuring uniform illumination, thus enhancing image quality and safety during endoscopic procedures.
Implementation Method 1
configured to collimate the light emitted by the plurality of light emitting devices
Implementation Method 2
configured to reflect the light emitted by the plurality of light emitting devices and collimated by the plurality of collimator elements or portions towards and into the at least one light guiding element
Data Source
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Figure 3
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a light module (12) for an endoscopic system (1), the light module (12) comprising: a coupling element (22); at least one light guiding element (14) connected to the coupling element (22) and configured to guide light towards a distal tip unit (10) of an endoscope (2) comprised in the endoscopic system (1); a plurality of light emitting devices (24) connected to the coupling element (22) and configured to emit light; a plurality of collimator elements or portions (36) configured to collimate the light emitted by the plurality of light emitting devices (24); a plurality of mirror elements or portions (32) configured to reflect the light emitted by the plurality of light emitting devices (24) and collimated by the plurality of collimator elements or portions (36) towards and into the at least one light guiding element (14); wherein the light module (12) is designed such that each light emitting device (24) of the plurality of light emitting devices (24) emits its light through a specific or own collimator element or portion (36) onto a specific or own mirror element or portion (32), and that the plurality of mirror elements or portions (32) reflects and directs the light emitted by the plurality of light emitting devices (24) into the at least one light guiding element (14).