Medical Imaging Illumination Splitter for Multispectral Light Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical imaging devices face challenges in providing reliable and efficient illumination for multispectral and hyperspectral imaging, particularly in medical applications, often leading to spectral fragmentation, radiation losses, and increased complexity due to the use of conventional beam splitters with dichroic filters.

Innovation Solution

An illumination device with a beam splitter element having distinct reflective and transmissive regions combines different illumination spectra without significant spectral change, using LEDs and lasers for efficient illumination, minimizing radiation losses and complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional beam splitters with dichroic filters are used to combine illumination spectra, then multiple spectral bands can be achieved, but spectral fragmentation and radiation losses occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral coverageVSAvoidradiation losses

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The beam splitter element is segmented into distinct functional regions: a first region that is substantially reflective for illumination light and a second region that is substantially transmissive for excitation light. This spatial segmentation allows different spectral components to be directed appropriately without using dichroic filters, thereby avoiding spectral fragmentation and radiation losses while achieving comprehensive spectral coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional beam splitters with dichroic filters are used to combine illumination spectra, then multiple spectral bands can be achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral coverageVSAvoidillumination system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of energy

If a single beam splitter element with distinct regions is used to combine illumination, then radiation losses are minimized, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation lossesVSAvoidbeam splitter region alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The beam splitter element exhibits local quality variations across its surface: the first region is designed to be substantially reflective for illumination light while the second region is designed to be substantially transmissive for excitation light. This local differentiation of optical properties allows the single element to perform multiple functions simultaneously, minimizing radiation losses while the regions are arranged to reduce alignment complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 approach provides reliable and efficient illumination with reduced spectral fragmentation, minimized radiation losses, and lower costs, allowing for a compact design with a wide range of functions, including real-time spectral imaging and fluorescence excitation.

Implementation Method 1

a beam splitter element that has a first region that is substantially reflective for the illumination and a second region that is substantially transmissive for the further illumination

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a beam splitter element that has a first region that is substantially reflective for the illumination and a second region that is substantially transmissive for the further illumination

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTransmissivity:

Implementation Method 3

an illumination unit that is configured to provide illumination with an illumination spectrum, and a further illumination unit that is configured to provide further illumination with a further illumination spectrum, which is broader than the illumination spectrum

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Data Source

PatentUS20260069124A1Illumination device for a medical imaging unit such as an endoscope, exoscope, and/or microscope

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 KARL STORZ SE & CO KG

AI summary

An illumination device (10), in particular for a medical imaging unit (11) such as an endoscope, exoscope, and/or microscope, comprising:an illumination unit (14) that is configured to provide illumination with an illumination spectrum (54),a further illumination unit (60) that is configured to provide further illumination with a further illumination spectrum (56), anda combination unit (65) that is configured to combine at least a portion of the illumination and at least a portion of the further illumination to form a combination illumination, wherein the combination unit (65) has a beam splitter element (66) that has a first region (40) that is substantially reflective for the illumination and a second region (42) that is substantially transmissive for the further illumination, which second region is arranged next to the first region (40) and is preferably at least partially surrounded by the first region (40).