Endoscope Light Source Apparatus Illumination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscope systems face challenges in effectively controlling light distribution, leading to issues like blown-out highlights during imaging, which affect the quality of the endoscopic image.
Innovation Solution
A light source apparatus and endoscope system that includes a light guide and illumination light emission units, along with a digital mirror device to control the light quantity distribution, allowing for precise adjustment of light emission to prevent blown-out highlights by varying the state of mirror elements on the digital mirror device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light guide with multiple fiber elements is used to provide illumination, then the illumination coverage and brightness are improved, but light quantity distribution control becomes difficult leading to blown-out highlights
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is divided into multiple independent fiber elements (first fiber elements and second fiber elements) that can be controlled separately. This segmentation allows independent light quantity adjustment for different regions, enabling precise control to prevent blown-out highlights while maintaining overall illumination brightness.
Solution Approach 2:
Different fiber elements are assigned different light quantity characteristics based on their spatial positions. First fiber elements emit light with higher intensity for central illumination, while second fiber elements emit light with lower intensity for peripheral illumination. This local differentiation ensures appropriate light quantities in different regions without causing overexposure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If light modulation device is added to control light quantity per fiber element, then blown-out highlights are suppressed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light modulation function is merged into the light guide structure itself through the differential emission characteristics of first and second fiber elements. Instead of adding a separate light modulation device, the system uses the inherent properties of multiple fiber elements to achieve light quantity control, thereby suppressing blown-out highlights without significantly increasing device complexity.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple illumination light emission ends are used, then illumination coverage is improved, but light quantity distribution becomes harder to control
Solution Approach 1:
Each illumination light emission end is designed with specific local characteristics - first illumination light emission ends emit light with higher intensity for central coverage, while second illumination light emission ends emit light with lower intensity for peripheral coverage. This local quality differentiation enables precise light quantity distribution across the entire illumination area.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination system is segmented into multiple independent light emission ends with different emission characteristics. This segmentation allows each end to be optimized for its specific spatial region, achieving both wide coverage and precise light quantity control through coordinated operation of the segmented elements.
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 system achieves optimal light distribution, preventing blown-out highlights and enhancing image quality by dynamically adjusting the light quantity based on the observed image, ensuring proper illumination and reducing overexposure.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide configured to guide light
Implementation Method 2
a light quantity distribution changing device disposed on an optical path of the light emitted from the light source. The light quantity distribution changing device is configured to control a light quantity of the light brought into each of the first illumination light emission unit and the second illumination light emission unit
Data Source
AI summary
A light source apparatus includes a light source optically connectable to a scope including a light guide configured to guide light, and first and second illumination light emission units configured to radiate illumination light based on the guided light on a subject, and a light quantity distribution changing device disposed on an optical path of the light emitted from the light source. The light quantity distribution changing device is configured to control a light quantity of the light brought into each of the first illumination light emission unit and the second illumination light emission unit, so as to change a light quantity distribution of the illumination light radiated on the subject.