Endoscopic LED Light Source with Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic illumination systems face issues with heat transfer from light sources, leading to potential skin burns and tissue injury due to high temperatures at the distal end of the endoscope, and existing systems lack efficient color balancing and power management for optimal lighting.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state light source system with a color sensor and power control unit that balances light colors and automatically shuts off when the fiber optic cable is disconnected, minimizing heat and power usage, and incorporates a feedback mechanism from the camera for optimal light modulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If high power light sources are used to illuminate the surgical site, then illumination intensity is improved, but heat generation increases causing skin burns and tissue injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system using a color sensor to detect the color temperature of the light output. The controller adjusts the drive current to individual LED chips based on the detected color temperature to maintain optimal illumination while preventing excessive heat generation. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to dynamically balance illumination intensity with thermal safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by adjusting the drive current to different LED chips based on detected color temperature. By varying the electrical parameters (current) to individual LEDs, the system optimizes the light output spectrum and intensity while controlling heat generation at the distal end of the endoscope.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple LED chips are used to provide full spectrum light, then color rendering is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light source into multiple separate LED chips, each emitting at a specific wavelength (violet, blue, cyan, green, yellow-green, yellow, orange, red). This segmentation allows independent control of each LED chip's drive current, enabling precise spectral management and color temperature control while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller serves multiple functions by managing drive currents to multiple LED chips, detecting color temperature via the color sensor, and adjusting illumination parameters dynamically. This multi-functional approach consolidates control operations into a single unit, reducing overall system complexity despite using multiple LED components.
3Illumination intensity
If continuous light output is maintained for optimal illumination, then illumination quality is improved, but heat accumulation increases causing safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback control system continuously monitors the color temperature of the light output and adjusts the drive currents to individual LED chips in real-time. This enables the system to maintain optimal illumination quality while preventing heat accumulation by dynamically reducing power to LEDs that are generating excessive heat, thereby balancing illumination needs with thermal safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic adjustment of LED drive currents based on color sensor feedback, creating a dynamic illumination pattern that maintains visual quality while allowing thermal management. The controller periodically modifies the operating parameters of individual LEDs to prevent sustained high-temperature operation.
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 provides safe and efficient illumination by reducing heat generation and automatically managing power to prevent burns, while maintaining balanced white light output without the need for continuous camera white balance adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
sensing the color of light applied through an endoscope to the surgical site
Implementation Method 2
providing a plurality of light outputs to light optics comprising: a first light output from a first light emitting diode
Implementation Method 3
feedback mechanism from the camera for optimal light modulation
Data Source
AI summary
A light source includes a plurality of light emitters, each light emitter configured to emit light having a different wavelength range from other light emitters of the plurality of light emitters. The light source includes a plurality of optics for combining light emitted by the plurality of light emitters into a combined light. The light source includes a focusing optic for receiving and condensing the combined light to create a condensed light, and a collimating optic for receiving the condensed light and orienting the condensed light in a straight path direction.