Endoscope Lighting Device with Multi-Wavelength Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endoscope devices face challenges in obtaining clear tissue information due to limited light quantity and noise components, especially when observing surface layers of organism tissues, as they rely on color filters that reduce light intensity and frame rates, leading to blurred images.

Innovation Solution

A lighting device for endoscopes using multiple semiconductor light sources with different emission wavelengths and a wavelength converting member, along with light quantity ratio adjustment, to generate illumination light suitable for clear tissue observation, enhancing image quality and reducing noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a color filter is used to extract a specific wavelength band from white light, then special light observation capability is improved, but light quantity is reduced and frame rate decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecial light observation capabilityVSAvoidlight quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The illumination light is divided into multiple wavelength bands (e.g., blue, cyan, green) and transmitted through separate optical paths without using color filters. Each wavelength band can be independently controlled and combined at the endoscope tip, allowing simultaneous transmission of multiple bands without light loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using temporal multiplexing (frame-by-frame wavelength switching) or spatial filtering (color filters), the patent uses spectral decomposition where different wavelength bands are transmitted through separate optical fibers and combined at the tip. This dimensional approach to wavelength separation eliminates the need for color filters and maintains high light quantity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a color filter is used to extract a specific wavelength band, then wavelength selectivity is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to reduced light quantity and increased noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewavelength selectivityVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses LED light sources with different central wavelengths (e.g., 445nm, 495nm, 530nm) and adjusts their emission intensities independently. This parameter-based control allows precise adjustment of the spectral composition of illumination light without the need for color filters, thereby maintaining high light quantity and image quality while achieving wavelength selectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If frame rate is reduced to increase sensitivity, then detection sensitivity is improved, but image blurring occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidimage clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple wavelength bands are transmitted simultaneously through separate optical paths, allowing continuous illumination and image capture without the need to reduce frame rate for sensitivity enhancement. The system maintains high frame rates while providing sufficient light quantity and wavelength selectivity for sensitive detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 solution allows for clearer tissue information acquisition in endoscope observations, improving image quality by adjusting light quantity ratios between light sources, thereby enhancing the visibility of surface layer details and reducing noise, especially for blood vessels.

Implementation Method 1

a wavelength converting member that is excited for light emission by light emitted from at least one of the first and second light sources

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoluminescence: Photoluminescence

Data Source

PatentUS8858429B2Lighting device for endoscope and endoscope device

Publication Date: 2014.10.14 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

A lighting device includes first and second light sources, a wavelength converting member and a light quantity ratio changing unit. A first light source uses a semiconductor light emitting device as an emission source. A second light source uses, as an emission source, a semiconductor light emitting device of a different emission wavelength from the first light source. A wavelength converting member is excited for light emission by light emitted from at least one of the first light source and the second light source. The light quantity ratio changing unit changing a light quantity ratio between the light emitted from the first light source and the light emitted from the second light source.