Integrated Multi-Wavelength Light Source for Endoscopic Fluorescence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluorescence endoscopes are limited by their inability to image multiple fluorescent dyes due to differences in excitation and emission wavelengths, requiring complex structural setups with multiple light sources and mechanical filters, leading to poor reliability and compatibility issues.
Innovation Solution
An endoscopic imaging system with a single light-emitting device that outputs laser lights of different wavelengths to excite various fluorescent dyes, combined with a visible light source, using a simplified layout that includes a light combiner to form a combined beam for simultaneous or time-division fluorescence imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources and mechanical filters are used to achieve multi-wavelength fluorescence imaging, then the imaging capability for multiple fluorescent dyes is improved, but the device complexity and structural complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple laser light sources emitting at different wavelengths into a single integrated light source device. This merging approach allows simultaneous output of multiple wavelengths without requiring separate light source assemblies and mechanical filter switching mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining multi-wavelength imaging capability
Solution Approach 2:
The single light-emitting device is designed to perform multiple functions by simultaneously emitting laser lights at different wavelengths. This universal design enables the device to excite multiple types of fluorescent dyes with different excitation wavelengths, eliminating the need for specialized separate light sources for each wavelength
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources and mechanical rotating portions are used to achieve time-division switching of narrowband spectrum, then the fluorescence imaging of multiple different wavelengths is enabled, but the reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple laser light sources into a single integrated device with unified optical output, the patent eliminates mechanical rotating portions and filter switching mechanisms. This integration removes moving parts that could fail, thereby significantly improving system reliability while maintaining the capability to deliver multiple wavelengths for fluorescence imaging
3Device complexity
If a single light-emitting device with multiple laser chips is used to emit laser lights of different wavelengths, then the device complexity is reduced, but the challenge of integrating multiple wavelengths into a single optical fiber increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) coupler as an intermediary device to combine laser lights of different wavelengths from multiple laser chips into a single optical fiber. This intermediary component efficiently merges multiple wavelength channels without requiring complex integration techniques, simplifying the overall system while maintaining spectral integrity
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
Enables multi-channel fluorescence imaging without time division, simplifying the light source structure and improving reliability by using a single light-emitting device to emit laser lights of different wavelengths, supporting multiple fluorescent dyes simultaneously.
Implementation Method 1
the laser lights of different wavelengths are configured to excite different fluorescent dyes
Implementation Method 2
the light combiner is configured to combine the laser light(s) and the visible light to form a combined beam
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an endoscopic imaging system and its light source. The light source includes a laser light source, a visible light source and a light combiner; the laser light source outputs laser lights of at least two different wavelengths, where the laser lights of different wavelengths excites different fluorescent dyes; the visible light source outputs a visible light; the light combiner combines the laser light(s) and the visible light to form and output a combined beam to an endoscope. The laser light source is a single light-emitting device including a single substrate and at least two laser chips arranged on said substrate; the at least two laser chips emit laser lights of different wavelengths. This light source is capable of exciting different fluorescent dyes in a time-division manner or a simultaneous manner, thus making a layout of the endoscopic imaging system simple and highly reliable, by using the light source.