LED Illuminator with Converging Light Pipes for Ophthalmic Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ophthalmic illumination systems using conventional light sources face issues such as short bulb lifetime, high heat generation, noise, and insufficient luminance from LED sources due to their low luminance and high etendue, which can lead to inadequate illumination during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmic illuminator system utilizing a configuration of multiple high-powered LED chips optically coupled to converging light pipes forming a cubic box, enhancing luminance by up to 1.6 times that of a single LED chip, with a mirror and supporting structure to position the LEDs and light pipes efficiently, and a coupling optical component to transmit the combined light beam to an optical fiber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional light sources (tungsten, halogen, HID bulbs) are used, then sufficient luminous power is achieved, but the bulb lifetime is short and heat generation is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional thermal light sources to LED technology, fundamentally changing the light generation mechanism from thermal radiation to electroluminescence. This parameter change enables significantly extended bulb lifetime (LEDs lasting thousands of hours versus 300-400 hours for conventional bulbs) while maintaining sufficient luminous power for ophthalmic surgery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/thermal light generation system (filament heating, gas discharge) with a solid-state electroluminescence system. This substitution eliminates the short lifetime issues inherent in thermal sources while reducing heat generation, as LEDs convert electrical energy directly to light with minimal thermal byproduct
2Illumination intensity
If conventional light sources (tungsten, halogen, HID bulbs) are used, then sufficient luminous power is achieved, but heat generation and power consumption are substantial
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters from thermal radiation to electroluminescence, achieving superior energy efficiency. LEDs consume substantially less power to produce the same luminous output, eliminating the need for high-power consumption conventional sources while maintaining adequate illumination for surgical procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes thermal conversion mechanisms with direct electroluminescence conversion, bypassing the inefficient thermal radiation process. This substitution dramatically reduces power consumption and heat generation while delivering sufficient luminous power for ophthalmic illumination
3Illumination intensity
If conventional light sources are used, then sufficient luminous power is achieved, but cooling fans are required adding noise and bulkiness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal light sources that generate excessive heat requiring mechanical cooling fans with LED sources that generate minimal heat. This substitution eliminates the need for noisy cooling fans, thereby removing the noise harmful factor while maintaining sufficient luminous power output
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal management requirements by transitioning to LED technology, which operates at much lower temperatures. This parameter change eliminates the need for active cooling systems, removing noise generation from the system while preserving adequate illumination intensity
4Use of energy by stationary object
If LED sources are used, then power consumption is reduced and lifetime is extended, but luminance is insufficient for adequate illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple LED chips into a single integrated illuminator head, merging their light output to achieve sufficient total luminance. This combining approach maintains the energy efficiency and long lifetime benefits of individual LEDs while collectively providing adequate illumination intensity for surgical procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent arranges multiple LED chips in a specific spatial configuration within the illuminator head, utilizing three-dimensional space to maximize light output in the required direction. This dimensional arrangement enables sufficient luminance accumulation while preserving LED efficiency advantages
5Temperature
If LED sources are used, then heat generation is reduced, but thermal management requirements still exist for high-powered LEDs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates the thermal management function from the optical illumination function by integrating a heat sink directly into the illuminator head structure. This extraction allows efficient heat dissipation close to the LED chips while keeping the optical path clean and simple
Solution Approach 2:
The illuminator head structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: housing the LED chips, providing optical illumination, and acting as a heat sink for thermal management. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by combining several components into a single integrated 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 system provides enhanced luminance and efficient light coupling to small diameter optical fibers, reducing the need for increased electrical power and thermal management issues, while maintaining uniformity and reducing the risk of light source failure during surgeries.
Implementation Method 1
an illumination source comprising a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) chips
Implementation Method 2
a corresponding plurality of light pipes, the LED chips and light pipes arranged in a configuration such that the light pipes converge together
Data Source
AI summary
An ophthalmic illuminator is disclosed, one embodiment comprising: an illumination source and an optical fiber for transmitting a combined light beam from the illumination source to a site, such as a surgical site within an eye, wherein the illumination source comprises a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) chips optically coupled to a corresponding plurality of light pipes, the LED chips and light pipes arranged in a configuration such that the light pipes converge together at their distal ends to form a cubic box having five sides formed by the distal ends of the light guides and an open side from which the combined light beam, composed of light from a plurality of light beams generated by the LED chips and transmitted to the cubic box by the light guides, is emitted. The luminance of the combined light beam has a luminance greater than the luminance of any one of the plurality of LED chips.