Nano-structure Laser Light Emitting Device for Compact Endoscope Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes face challenges in size reduction due to the large cooling mechanisms required for semiconductor laser devices, which also hinder the close placement of light emitting and imaging devices, affecting imaging quality.
Innovation Solution
An imaging apparatus with a light emitting device featuring nano-structures that generate minimal heat, allowing for reduced size without a large cooling mechanism, and enabling closer placement with the imaging device on the same substrate, along with a substrate design that allows for selective wavelength output and improved light collection and dispersion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a semiconductor laser device is used for treatment, then treatment capability is provided, but heat generation increases requiring large cooling mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
A light separating member is introduced as an intermediary component to separate observation light from treatment light. This allows the imaging device and light emitting device to be positioned close together while preventing heat from the laser device from affecting the imaging device, thus enabling compact design without compromising treatment capability or incurring excessive heat generation
Solution Approach 2:
The light path is segmented into observation light and treatment light using the light separating member. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each light path - the imaging device can be positioned close to the light emitting device for compactness while the treatment light path is directed separately to avoid heat interference
2Volume of moving object
If the light emitting device and imaging device are placed close to each other, then size reduction is achieved, but heat from the light emitting device affects the imaging device
Solution Approach 1:
The light separating member acts as a mediator that enables close positioning of the light emitting device and imaging device while protecting the imaging device from heat. By separating the light paths, it allows the devices to be adjacent without direct thermal coupling, achieving compact size without heat interference
Solution Approach 2:
The spatial arrangement is segmented such that the light emitting device and imaging device are positioned close together but with distinct light paths. The light separating member creates functional segmentation that allows physical proximity for size reduction while maintaining thermal separation to prevent heat damage
3Temperature
If a large cooling mechanism is added to the light emitting device, then heat management is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light separating member serves as a passive intermediary that manages heat impact without requiring active cooling mechanisms. By optically separating the treatment light path from the imaging device, it reduces the need for complex cooling systems, achieving heat management through optical design rather than thermal management hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful thermal effect is extracted from the imaging path by using the light separating member to direct treatment light away from the imaging device. This extraction of heat interference eliminates the need for large cooling mechanisms, managing temperature issues through optical path separation rather than thermal control
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 enables a compact endoscope design with improved imaging capabilities, allowing for precise treatment and observation with reduced heat impact and flexible wavelength selection for different applications.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting device which emits laser light and includes a plurality of nano-structures
Implementation Method 2
a light separating member which separates observation light from the treatment light
Implementation Method 3
an imaging device which receives light emitted from the light emitting device and reflected off a target to be imaged
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging apparatus including a substrate, an imaging device provided on the substrate, and a light emitting device provided on the substrate and having a plurality of nano-structures.