Endoscope Light Control Unit Adjusting Wavelength Ratios

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Solution Overview

Problem

In endoscope systems, the color and intensity of light emitted can vary due to differences in light guide length, leading to inconsistent color and brightness in observation images across different endoscopes, affecting diagnostic accuracy.

Innovation Solution

An endoscope system with multiple light sources of different main wavelengths, a light source control unit that adjusts light emission amounts based on light guide length and scope type information, and a storage unit for light source and scope information, ensuring a constant light ratio across wavelengths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If different kinds of endoscopes with different light guide lengths are used, then the system can accommodate various observation parts and configurations, but the color and brightness of observation images change due to different light transmission characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different endoscope typesVSAvoidconsistency of light color and brightness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The light source control unit changes the emission parameters (light amount ratios) of multiple light sources based on the light guide length to compensate for transmission losses. By adjusting the intensity of each wavelength component according to the specific endoscope configuration, the system maintains consistent illumination characteristics despite varying light guide lengths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system acquires scope identification information that includes light guide length data, uses this information to determine appropriate light emission settings, and adjusts the light sources accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that the illumination output is optimized for each specific endoscope configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the light emission amount of each light source is kept the same, then the control is simple, but the brightness and color of illumination light change for each endoscope due to different light guide thicknesses and lengths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of light source controlVSAvoidconsistency of illumination output
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a fixed emission amount for all light sources, the system dynamically adjusts the light amount ratios of individual light sources based on the detected light guide length. This parameter adjustment compensates for transmission variations while maintaining automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-stores light amount ratio settings corresponding to different light guide lengths in a storage unit. When an endoscope is connected, the system retrieves the appropriate settings based on scope identification information and applies them automatically, eliminating the need for manual adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple semiconductor light sources with different wavelengths are used, then the color temperature and color composition can be adjusted, but the light amount ratio changes for each wavelength due to different light guide lengths causing color shifts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to adjust color temperatureVSAvoidconsistency of light amount ratio across wavelengths
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system independently adjusts the emission parameters of each wavelength component from multiple light sources based on the light guide length. By changing the light amount ratios of individual wavelengths in proportion to their transmission losses, the system maintains the intended color composition and color temperature despite varying path lengths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Different wavelength components receive different adjustment factors based on their specific transmission characteristics through the light guide. The system applies localized compensation to each wavelength band, accounting for the fact that shorter wavelengths typically experience greater attenuation than longer wavelengths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Maintains a consistent light ratio for each wavelength, stabilizing the color and brightness of observation images, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and consistency across different endoscope configurations.

Implementation Method 1

a light guide for guiding light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Optical Fibre

Data Source

PatentEP3440987B1Endoscope system with a light control unit configured to adjust a light amount ratio
Publication Date: 2022.03.02 FUJIFILM CORP
  • EP3440987B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3440987B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3440987B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An endoscope system (10) is provided which comprises an endoscope (12) with a light guide (41), two or more light sources (20), a light source driving unit (21), a light source control unit (22) for making the light source driving unit generate a driving signal corresponding to a light amount setting value and a light source information storage unit (23) that stores information of a main wavelength. The endoscope has a scope information storage unit (32) that stores information of a scope type. The light source control unit is configured to adjust a light amount ratio of the light source to a preset light amount ratio by setting the light amount setting value according to information of the main wavelength and information of a length of the light guide obtained from the information of the scope type and by inputting the light amount setting value to the light source driving unit.