Endoscopic Light Source Using Dichroic Mirrors for Homogeneous Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopic imaging systems face challenges with low-resolution and non-homogeneous lighting due to variations in light intensity and angle, leading to difficulties in image quality and user operation.
Innovation Solution
An endoscopic light source system utilizing multiple emitters with dichroic mirrors to provide a homogenous lighting environment by mixing light wavelengths and distributing them evenly across optical fibers, ensuring each fiber receives a consistent amount of light, thereby achieving a top-hat intensity profile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional lighting solutions (incandescent bulbs, LEDs, lasers) are used to provide light for an image sensor, then illumination is provided, but the light intensity and angle variations result in non-homogeneous lighting and low image resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a diffuser element that transforms the non-homogeneous light distribution from conventional sources into a homogeneous illumination pattern. The diffuser scatters light rays to create uniform intensity across the field of view, eliminating hot spots and dark areas, thereby achieving homogeneous lighting that improves image resolution and quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a diffuser as an intermediary optical element between the light source and the scene being imaged. This diffuser mediates the light transmission by scattering and redistributing light rays, converting direct non-uniform illumination into uniform diffuse lighting, thus resolving the contradiction between providing sufficient light intensity and achieving homogeneous illumination for high-resolution imaging.
2Illumination intensity
If laser light is used to provide directed illumination, then maximum light intensity is achieved, but the directed light causes glare and non-homogeneous mixture of light at the scene
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a diffuser to convert the highly directional laser light into homogeneous illumination. The diffuser scatters the concentrated laser beams to create uniform light distribution across the scene, eliminating glare and hot spots, thereby transforming intense directed light into comfortable homogeneous lighting that improves ease of operation and scene lighting quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser serves as an intermediary between the laser source and the scene, mediating the light delivery by scattering and redistributing the intense directed laser light. This intermediary element reduces the directivity and intensity concentration, creating uniform diffuse illumination that eliminates glare while maintaining sufficient overall light intensity for clear imaging.
3Illumination intensity
If variations in light angle are transmitted into a waveguide, then different amounts of light are emitted from the waveguide, but this leads to non-homogeneous lighting at the scene
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a diffuser that randomizes the angular distribution of light entering the waveguide. By scattering light rays at multiple angles before they enter the waveguide, the diffuser ensures that light is emitted uniformly from all parts of the waveguide face, creating homogeneous illumination at the scene and eliminating variations in light emission amount.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser acts as an intermediary optical element that processes the angular distribution of light before it enters the waveguide. It mediates the light transmission by scattering rays to achieve uniform angular distribution, which then translates into uniform emission from the waveguide, resolving the issue of non-homogeneous lighting caused by angular variations.
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
This solution significantly improves image quality by providing a consistent and increased amount of light to the endoscopic scene, reducing the risk of fiber burn-out and enhancing illumination uniformity, resulting in higher resolution and more efficient imaging.
Implementation Method 1
a first emitter and second emitter emit light including a first wavelength and a second wavelength, respectively, at dichroic mirrors that reflect the light to a plurality of optical fibers
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to an endoscopic light source that includes a first emitter. The first emitter may emit light of a first wavelength at a dichroic mirror which reflects the light of the first wavelength to a plurality of optical fibers. The endoscopic light source further comprises a second emitter. The second emitter may emit light of a second wavelength at a second dichroic mirror which reflects the light of the second wavelength to the plurality of optical fibers. In one embodiment, the first dichroic mirror may be transparent to the light of the second wavelength, allowing the light of the second wavelength to pass through the first dichroic mirror.