Endoscope Light Source Device with Dichroic Mirror Combining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope systems have low light use efficiency due to the need for optical filters to limit wavelength bands, resulting in reduced light intensity and inefficient light usage when switching spectral intensity characteristics.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope light source device with multiple light source units emitting light in different wavelength bands, combined using dichroic mirrors, allowing for separate control of light emission to produce normal light with a wide wavelength range and special light with high intensity in specific biological tissue absorption bands without the need for optical filters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If an optical filter is inserted into the light path to limit the wavelength band, then the spectral intensity characteristics are improved and specific tissue can be emphasized, but the light use efficiency deteriorates and light intensity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the light source into multiple independent LED units, each emitting light in a specific wavelength band. Instead of using a single broadband light source with filters, the system segments the light generation into distinct wavelength components (e.g., blue LED for collagen, green LED for hemoglobin, red LED for melanin). This allows direct emission of wavelength-specific light without filtering, resolving the contradiction between spectral precision and light efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically controls the intensity of each LED unit independently through a light source control unit. By adjusting the drive current to each LED based on the desired observation mode, the system can flexibly switch between different spectral characteristics. This dynamic control enables optimal light intensity for each wavelength band without energy loss from filtering.
2Measurement precision
If an optical filter is used to select a specific wavelength band, then the wavelength precision is improved, but the light intensity passing through the filter is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the wavelength selection function from the optical path and relocates it to the light source itself. Each LED unit inherently emits light in a specific wavelength band, so the wavelength selection is built into the light generation process rather than being applied as a separate filtering step. This eliminates the need for optical filters and their associated light intensity reduction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light source units with different wavelength bands are used, then the spectral versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses multiple LED units that can serve multiple functions. Each LED unit not only provides illumination for its specific wavelength band but also contributes to overall white light illumination when all LEDs are activated simultaneously. The light source control unit manages all LEDs through a single interface, making the system versatile for different observation modes while maintaining relatively simple control architecture.
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 configuration enables high-intensity light emission in specific wavelength bands with high light use efficiency, allowing for bright captured images without light loss, and effectively switches between normal and special observation modes to emphasize specific tissue features.
Implementation Method 1
a first light source unit 111 that emits light in a first wavelength band and a second light source unit 112 that emits light in a second wavelength band
Implementation Method 2
combining a light path of light emitted from the first light source unit and a light path of light emitted from the second light source unit
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope light source device is constituted by a first light source unit that emits light in a first wavelength band, a second light source unit that emits light in a second wavelength band, a light path combining means for combining the light paths of the light emitted from the first and second light source units, and a light source control means for controlling light emission of the light source units separately. When the light source units are driven to emit light in a first mode, the respective wavelength bands of light are emitted at a first intensity ratio and combined with each other to obtain normal light, which is supplied to an endoscope. Also, when the light source units are driven to emit light in a second mode, the respective wavelength bands of light are emitted at a second intensity ratio having a relatively lower ratio of the light in the second wavelength band, and are combined with each other to obtain special light that has a high light absorption rate in a specific biological tissue, and the special light is supplied to the endoscope.