Multi-Wavelength Light Source Heat Release Layout for Endoscopes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Endoscope observation systems require downsized light source devices to reduce the burden on medical professionals, and existing solutions struggle to efficiently manage heat dissipation for multiple light sources with different heat generation profiles, leading to inefficient heat release and device size constraints.

Innovation Solution

A light source device configuration where multiple light sources with different wavelengths share a common heat release portion, utilizing thermally connected heat release regions and insulated electrodes to individually control light output and optimize heat dissipation, allowing for a smaller heat release portion size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If multiple light sources are mounted on one heat release portion, then the device size is reduced, but the heat dissipation efficiency deteriorates due to insufficient thermal management for different heat generation profiles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidheat dissipation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The heat release portion is divided into multiple heat release regions, each thermally connected to specific light sources. This segmentation allows different regions to manage heat from different light sources independently, optimizing thermal dissipation for each light source's specific heat generation profile while maintaining a compact overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different heat release regions are provided with different thermal conductivities or thermal capacities according to the specific heat generation characteristics of the light sources they serve. This local optimization enables efficient heat dissipation tailored to each light source's requirements, resolving the contradiction between compact size and heat dissipation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If multiple light sources share a common heat release portion, then the device complexity is reduced, but the control precision over individual light output deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat release structure complexityVSAvoidlight output control precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The heat release portion is segmented into multiple heat release regions that are thermally connected to different light sources. This segmentation maintains structural simplicity while enabling independent thermal management for each light source, thereby preserving precise control over individual light output without increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Volume of moving object

If the heat release portion is downsized, then the device size is reduced, but the heat management capability deteriorates due to insufficient heat dissipation capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat release portion sizeVSAvoidheat management capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

Different heat release regions within the downsized heat release portion are designed with different thermal properties (conductivity, capacity) matched to the specific heat generation profiles of individual light sources. This local optimization enables effective heat management in a compact structure, resolving the contradiction between downsizing and heat management capability.

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 configuration enables efficient heat management and downsizing of the light source device by reducing the required heat release capacity and thermal resistance, allowing for precise control of light amounts and heat dissipation across various observation modes.

Implementation Method 1

a first heat release region configured to release heat generated in the first light emitter; a second heat release region configured to release heat generated in the second light emitter; and a heat release portion electrically-connected with the first electrode, electrically-insulated from the second electrode, and thermally connected to the first heat release region and the second heat release region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS20230420631A1Light source device

Publication Date: 2023.12.28 OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYST CORP

AI summary

A light source device includes: a first light source including a first electrode to which a current is applied, a first light emitter configured to emit light by the current applied to the first electrode, and a first heat release region configured to release heat generated in the first light emitter; a second light source including a second electrode to which a current is applied, a second light emitter configured to emit light in a wavelength different from a wavelength of the first light emitter, by the current applied to the second electrode, and a second heat release region configured to release heat generated in the second light emitter; and a heat release portion electrically-connected with the first electrode, electrically-insulated from the second electrode, and thermally connected to the first heat release region and the second heat release region.