Light Source Apparatus Diverging Unit for Endoscope Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light source apparatuses for endoscopes, such as those using xenon lamps, are large, costly, and have low light guiding efficiency to the irradiated area, limiting their effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A light source apparatus incorporating a semiconductor laser as an excitation light source, optically connected to an optical fiber, and a wavelength converting member with a diverging unit, such as a concave lens, to efficiently guide and convert excitation light for wider area illumination, while minimizing light loss and heat-related issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a conventional light source (xenon lamp, halogen lamp, or metal halide) is used in an endoscope, then the apparatus can provide illumination, but the size becomes large, cost increases, and light guiding efficiency to the irradiated area becomes low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical light sources (xenon lamps, halogen lamps, metal halides) with a semiconductor laser system. This substitution enables compact integration while maintaining high light guiding efficiency through optical fiber delivery, directly resolving the contradiction between apparatus size and light guiding efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from bulk light sources to a fiber-optic based system, moving the light delivery to a different dimensional approach. The optical fiber enables light transmission through flexible pathways, allowing efficient light delivery to remote locations without requiring large apparatus size.
2Temperature
If the excitation light beam spot size on the wavelength converting member is too small, then the light intensity is high, but the wavelength converting member overheats and efficiency decreases; if the beam spot size is too large, then the light intensity is low, but the light guiding efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a diverging unit that dynamically adjusts the beam spot size on the wavelength converting member. By controlling the divergence angle and position of the diverging unit, the system optimizes the balance between beam spot size and light intensity, preventing overheating while maintaining high light guiding efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the light beam by introducing a diverging unit. This unit modifies the beam divergence angle and spot size on the wavelength converting member, enabling optimization of both temperature control and light guiding efficiency through parameter adjustment.
3Area of stationary object
If a convex lens is used to spread the excitation light, then the light can be irradiated to a wide area, but the light intensity is reduced and the apparatus complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a convex lens to converge and spread light, the patent employs a diverging unit that diverges the light beam from the optical fiber. This inverted approach maintains higher light intensity while achieving wide area illumination by controlling the divergence pattern rather than convergence.
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 enhances light guiding efficiency, reduces the size of the apparatus, and prevents overheating by ensuring the excitation light is effectively used for wider area illumination, maintaining high efficiency and durability of the wavelength converting member.
Implementation Method 1
an optical fiber 2 which is optically connected to the light source 1, and which guides the excitation light
Implementation Method 2
a wavelength converting member 4 which is optically connected to an emitting end portion of the optical fiber 2, and which receives the excitation light emitted from the emitting end portion, and makes emerge light of a wavelength area different from a wavelength area of the excitation light
Implementation Method 3
the light source apparatus 7 has a diverging unit (diverging means) which is arranged in an optical path of the excitation light, between the emitting end portion of the optical fiber 2 and the wavelength converting member 4
Data Source
AI summary
A light source apparatus includes a light source from which, excitation light is emitted, an optical fiber which is optically connected to the light source, and which guides the excitation light, and a wavelength converting member which is optically connected to an emitting end portion of the optical fiber, and which receives the excitation light emitted from the emitting end portion, and makes emerge light of a wavelength area different from a wavelength area of the excitation light. The light source apparatus has a diverging unit which is arranged in an optical path of the excitation light, between the emitting end portion of the optical fiber and the wavelength converting member, and a holding member for holding the emitting end portion of the optical fiber, the diverging unit, and the wavelength converting member.