Flexible Light Guide for Endoscope Illumination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopes with adjustable viewing directions face issues such as wasteful light distribution, potential photothermal or photochemical damage, and reduced image contrast due to scattered illumination, especially when the viewing direction is changed, leading to inefficient illumination and compromised image quality.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope features a light guide with a flexible section that deforms to adjust the illumination direction in sync with the viewing direction, using a light exit device that can move relative to the endoscope, ensuring only the necessary area is illuminated, reducing radiant power and stray light, and maintaining consistent illuminance across the field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If illuminating light is distributed to illuminate the entire field of view of all adjustable viewing directions, then the field of view is sufficiently illuminated regardless of the currently set viewing direction, but light output is wasted and significantly higher light output must be made available overall
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is made flexible so that its light exit surface can dynamically change orientation relative to the observation beam path as the viewing direction changes. This allows the illumination to adapt to the current viewing direction rather than constantly illuminating all possible directions, reducing light waste while maintaining sufficient illumination of the active field of view
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial parameter of the light guide's orientation by allowing it to bend and deform. By changing the light guide's physical configuration in response to viewing direction changes, the system directs illumination only where needed, optimizing light distribution efficiency
2Illumination intensity
If high-intensity illuminating light is used to illuminate the field of view, then sufficient brightness is achieved, but photothermal or photochemical damage to tissue or other objects can occur
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly illuminating the entire possible field of view, the flexible light guide concentrates illumination locally on the specific area that is currently being observed. By adapting the light distribution to match the active viewing direction, sufficient brightness is provided where needed while avoiding excessive illumination of surrounding areas, thereby reducing the risk of photothermal or photochemical damage
3Illumination intensity
If illuminating light is emitted outside the field of view, then all areas are illuminated, but scattered or reflected light enters the observation beam path and reduces contrast and ability to distinguish objects
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible light guide dynamically adjusts its light emission pattern to follow the observation beam path. As the viewing direction changes, the light guide bends accordingly, ensuring that illumination is directed only into the active field of view and not into areas where scattered or reflected light could contaminate the observation path, thereby maintaining high image contrast and object distinguishability
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 configuration reduces light wastage, minimizes the risk of tissue damage, enhances image contrast, and provides a more efficient and effective illumination distribution, improving the overall performance and usability of the endoscope during medical interventions.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible section of the light guide is designed and arranged to be elastically deformed when the light exit device is moved
Implementation Method 2
an endoscope has, for example, optical waveguides, in particular glass fibers, by means of which illuminating light is transmitted from the proximal end of the endoscope along the shaft to the distal end of the endoscope
Implementation Method 3
a light exit device at the distal end of the endoscope for emitting illumination light in an illumination direction
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~9
Figure 10~13
AI summary
An endoscope with adjustable viewing direction (21) comprises a light emission device (32) at the distal end (11) of the endoscope (10) for emitting illumination light in an illumination direction and a light guide (30) for transmitting illumination light to the light emission device (32), wherein the light emission device (32) is movable relative to the endoscope (10) for adjusting the illumination direction (34, 35, 36), and wherein a flexible section (31) of the light guide (30) is designed and arranged to be elastically deformed when the light emission surface (32) is moved.