Optical Observation Unit Illumination Intensity Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical observation units, such as surgical microscopes and endoscopes, face challenges in maintaining consistent illumination intensity when switching between different color temperatures by inserting or removing spectral filters, leading to complex electronic adjustments and potential safety issues.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an attenuator apparatus with a transmission characteristic that matches the intensity reduction of a spectral filter, allowing for seamless switching between color temperatures without altering illumination intensity, using elements like neutral density filters or apertures, and employing a moveable carrier element to alternate between spectral filters and attenuators in the illumination beam path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a spectral filter is inserted in the illumination beam path to change color temperature, then the color temperature changes, but the illumination intensity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination beam path is segmented into two separate functional components: a spectral filter apparatus for changing color temperature and an attenuator apparatus for controlling illumination intensity. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function without mutual interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The attenuator apparatus acts as an intermediary component between the light source and the observation site. It compensates for the intensity reduction caused by the spectral filter by selectively attenuating light waves, thereby maintaining constant illumination intensity while allowing color temperature changes.
2Illumination intensity
If the lamp output is adjusted to compensate for intensity loss from spectral filtering, then the illumination intensity is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic lamp output adjustment mechanisms with a simpler optical attenuator apparatus. The attenuator uses optical elements (such as neutral density filters or aperture adjustments) to control light intensity, eliminating the need for complex electronic control systems and associated safety mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The attenuator apparatus is designed to automatically compensate for intensity changes when spectral filters are inserted or removed. The system self-regulates the illumination intensity without requiring external electronic control or complex feedback mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity.
3Illumination intensity
If the lamp output is increased to compensate for filter-induced intensity loss, then the illumination intensity is maintained, but patient safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The attenuator apparatus is pre-configured with transmission characteristics that match the intensity reduction of the spectral filter. This preliminary setup ensures that when the spectral filter is inserted, the attenuator immediately compensates for the intensity loss without requiring increased lamp output, thereby maintaining patient safety from the outset.
Solution Approach 2:
The attenuator apparatus serves as an intermediary that protects the patient by preventing excessive lamp output. Instead of allowing the lamp to output excessive light and then reducing it, the attenuator is pre-configured to match the spectral filter's characteristics, ensuring safe and consistent illumination intensity throughout the procedure.
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
Ensures constant illumination intensity during color temperature changes, eliminating the need for complex lamp output adjustments and reducing patient risk, while allowing for multiple color temperatures to be achieved with identical intensity using coordinated attenuator and spectral filter combinations.
Implementation Method 1
the spectral filter apparatus has such a filter characteristic that the illumination light with the first color temperature is converted into illumination light with a second color temperature
Implementation Method 2
the attenuator apparatus... has a transmission characteristic which leads to an intensity reduction of the illumination light
Data Source
AI summary
An optical observation unit (1) has an illumination apparatus (43) for illuminating an observation object (3). The illumination apparatus (43, 143) has a light source (45) emitting illumination light with a first color temperature, and a spectral filter (49) that can be inserted in the illumination beam path. The spectral filter (49) converts the illumination light with the first color temperature into illumination light with a second color temperature. The illumination apparatus further has an attenuator (51) that can be inserted in the illumination beam path in place of the spectral filter (49) and has a transmission characteristic that leads to an intensity reduction of the illumination light with the first color temperature that corresponds to the intensity reduction of the illumination light with the second color temperature by way of the spectral filter (49).