Endoscope Light Source Selective Fiber Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopy systems experience heating issues due to coupling losses at the endoscope coupling point, exacerbated by higher optical resolution and larger viewing fields, leading to undesirable heat generation.
Innovation Solution
An endoscopy system with a light source that selectively illuminates only the cable optical fibers coupled to endoscope optical fibers, using a controller and movable mirrors or digital micromirror devices to direct light efficiently, reducing unnecessary heating by avoiding illumination of uncoupled fibers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If all cable optical fibers are illuminated at the light source coupling point, then sufficient illumination is provided to the endoscope optical fibers, but uncoupled cable optical fibers generate heat through absorption, leading to endoscope heating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment of individual cable optical fibers based on their coupling status. Instead of uniformly illuminating all fibers, the system selectively illuminates only those fibers that are properly coupled to endoscope optical fibers. This is achieved through position-dependent control of the light source, where the illumination profile is adapted to match the specific coupling configuration at the endoscope coupling point, thereby providing sufficient illumination to coupled fibers while avoiding heat generation from uncoupled fibers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the illumination parameters (intensity, distribution pattern) of the light source based on the coupling status of individual cable optical fibers. The system modifies the spatial and temporal parameters of light delivery to optimize illumination efficiency and minimize thermal effects, transitioning from a static illumination approach to a dynamically adapted one that responds to the actual coupling configuration
2Measurement precision
If higher optical resolution and larger viewing fields are implemented in the endoscope, then image quality is improved, but more light is required which exacerbates heating issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses this contradiction by dynamically adjusting illumination parameters to match the specific optical requirements of the endoscope configuration. By optimizing the light distribution pattern and intensity based on the coupling efficiency and optical path characteristics, the system provides sufficient illumination for high-resolution imaging while minimizing excess light that would otherwise be converted to heat in uncoupled fibers
3Temperature
If the light source is spatially separated from the endoscope, then heating of the endoscope through light source heat losses is reduced, but coupling losses at the endoscope coupling point still generate heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of coupling losses into a beneficial outcome by using the positional information from coupling loss measurements to optimize illumination. Instead of simply minimizing coupling losses, the system utilizes the data from these losses to identify which cable optical fibers are properly coupled, and then selectively illuminates only those fibers. This transforms the previously harmful coupling losses into a diagnostic tool that enables precise, heat-free illumination
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
Significantly reduces endoscope heating by targeting illumination only to coupled fibers, improving ergonomics and image quality while minimizing heat absorption.
Implementation Method 1
the light is then conveyed to the endoscope optical fibers via cable optical fibers routed through an optical cable
Implementation Method 2
the light is coupled from the cable optical fibers into the endoscope optical fibers at an endoscope coupling point
Implementation Method 3
An objective 14 is arranged at the distal end of the shaft 11. The objective 14 generates an image of a structure S of interest
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscopy system including: an endoscope; a light source; an optical cable connecting the light source to the endoscope; wherein the endoscope includes at least one bundle of endoscope optical fibers; the cable includes at least one bundle of cable optical fibers; a light source coupling point provided where light is coupled into the cable optical fibers; an endoscope coupling point provided where light is coupled from the cable optical fibers into the endoscope optical fibers; and the light source is configured to selectively illuminate individual cable optical fibers or groups of cable optical fibers at the light source coupling point, the light source including a controller to control the light source such that at least some of the cable optical fibers not coupled to endoscope optical fibers at the endoscope coupling point are not illuminated by the light source.