Disposable LED Light Source Unit for Endoscope Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopic light source units are inefficient, generate excessive heat, and cannot adjust color temperature, leading to inadequate image quality and hazardous infrared heat transmission during medical procedures, with cumbersome light cables and limited LED integration due to size constraints.
Innovation Solution
An LED light source unit with an array of LEDs mounted on a thermally conductive substrate, integrated into the endoscope or as a disposable unit, using a heat sink or heat pipe for efficient heat dissipation, and allowing adjustable color temperature through red and blue LED control, with power options including batteries or camera-supplied power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional light bulbs and ballast power supply are used to provide high-intensity light, then illumination intensity is improved, but heat generation increases and energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental light generation mechanism from thermal radiation (incandescent bulbs) to electroluminescence (LEDs). This parameter change in the light generation process eliminates the need for high-temperature operation, providing high-intensity illumination with minimal heat generation and improved energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/thermal light generation system (incandescent bulbs with ballast power supply) with a solid-state LED system. This substitution eliminates the cumbersome light cable and ballast, reducing system complexity while improving energy efficiency and reducing heat generation.
2Length of moving object
If multiple LEDs are integrated into the tip or annular area of the scope shaft, then light source proximity to surgical site is improved, but device complexity increases due to space constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light source system into multiple individual LEDs that can be independently positioned and controlled. This segmentation allows the light source to be distributed across the scope shaft or tip area, providing proximity to the surgical site while maintaining manageable complexity through modular configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal LED light source design that can be adapted to different endoscope sizes and configurations. The same basic LED array structure can serve multiple endoscope models, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining proximity to the surgical site through flexible mounting options.
3Illumination intensity
If LED array size is increased to provide sufficient light output, then illumination intensity is improved, but device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite material structures for the LED packaging and mounting substrate. High-efficiency phosphor coatings and optimized light extraction structures enable a compact LED array to generate sufficient light output, maintaining high illumination intensity while minimizing the volume of the light source unit.
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 solution provides efficient, adjustable illumination with reduced heat generation, improved image quality, and flexibility in endoscope compatibility, while minimizing heat-related hazards and cable redundancy.
Implementation Method 1
mounted on a thermally conductive substrate, integrated into the endoscope or as a disposable unit, using a heat sink or heat pipe for efficient heat dissipation
Implementation Method 2
using a heat sink or heat pipe for efficient heat dissipation
Implementation Method 3
The light source unit also includes a light guide to collect light from the light-emitting elements and to couple the light to an external light port of the endoscope
Implementation Method 4
An LED light source unit with an array of LEDs mounted on a thermally conductive substrate
Data Source
AI summary
An LED based light source unit for an endoscopic imaging system produces illumination for a camera through an endoscope. The light source unit includes an array of LEDs mounted to a thermally conductive substrate, a light guide to collect light emitted from the LEDs and to couple the light into a group of optical fibers within the endoscope, and an interface to allow the light source unit to be removably attached to the endoscope at the endoscope's external light port. The LEDs therein may be overdriven by power for increased light output. When the LEDs reach their lifetime, the light source unit can be discarded.