Endoscope Light Source Control for Heat Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endoscope systems face challenges in suppressing heat generation at the distal end part while maintaining brightness, particularly as they vary by type, such as small-diameter versus large-diameter or magnifying versus non-magnifying endoscopes, and existing techniques do not effectively address this issue.

Innovation Solution

An endoscope system with a light source unit capable of emitting light in multiple wavelength ranges and adjusting light emission ratios, combined with an image pickup sensor and control units to manage light emission balance based on the type of endoscope, ensuring reduced heat generation and optimal brightness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the amount of illumination light is increased to ensure brightness, then brightness is improved, but heat generation at the distal end part increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebrightnessVSAvoidheat generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameters of illumination light by adjusting the emission ratios of light in different wavelength ranges (blue, green, red) based on the detected endoscope type. This allows optimization of brightness while controlling heat generation through selective wavelength distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The light emission ratios are dynamically adjusted according to the endoscope type detected by the processor. Different endoscope types (magnifying vs non-magnifying, small-diameter vs large-diameter) receive customized light emission balances to optimize both brightness and heat suppression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If a unified light emission balance is used for all endoscope types, then device complexity is reduced, but observation quality deteriorates due to inability to suppress heat according to specific endoscope characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidobservation quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of endoscope type using identification signals exchanged between the endoscope and processor. Based on this preliminary information, the light emission balance is pre-configured and adjusted accordingly, enabling customized control without real-time complex calculations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from endoscope type detection to adjust light emission parameters. The processor receives identification information about the endoscope type and uses this feedback to automatically select appropriate light emission balances, creating a closed-loop control system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11344191B2Endoscope system including processor for determining type of endoscope

Publication Date: 2022.05.31 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

A type acquisition unit determines the type of an endoscope connected to an endoscope connection unit. A light source control unit performs control to make the light emission balance of light in the respective wavelength ranges, which is obtained in a case where the type of the endoscope corresponds to a first endoscope, and the light emission balance of light in the respective wavelength ranges, which is obtained in a case where the type of the endoscope corresponds to a second endoscope, be different from each other.