Phosphor-Converted White LED Ophthalmic Illuminator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ophthalmic endoilluminators rely on high-cost, complex, and short-lived light sources like Xenon arc lamps, which are costly and require frequent replacements, and white LEDs lack sufficient brightness to effectively illuminate the interior of the eye due to limitations in coupling efficiency into small optical fibers.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmic endoilluminator system utilizing white LEDs with a phosphor layer, where an additional light source excites the phosphor layer to produce additional white light, which is then collimated and coupled into an optical fiber for improved illumination, allowing for lower drive currents and extended LED lifetime without overdriving the LEDs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional light sources like Xenon arc lamps are used, then sufficient brightness is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase, and reliability decreases due to frequent replacements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the light source by using LEDs with external optical pumping instead of traditional arc lamps. This involves changing from a self-luminous source to a phosphor-converted source, altering the emission mechanism and spectral characteristics while achieving comparable brightness with simpler, more reliable components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary phosphor layer that converts light from one spectrum to another. The LED emits blue light which excites the phosphor material, which then emits broader spectrum light suitable for ophthalmic illumination. This intermediary mechanism allows using simple LEDs to achieve complex spectral requirements
2Device complexity
If white LEDs are used, then device simplicity and reliability improve, but illumination intensity is insufficient for effective ophthalmic illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple light sources (primary LED and secondary pump light source) to achieve the desired illumination intensity. By combining the output of a standard LED with additional optical pumping, the system achieves sufficient brightness while maintaining the simplicity and reliability of LED technology
Solution Approach 2:
The patent addresses the brightness limitation by adding another dimension to the solution - using external optical pumping from a different direction (through the substrate) to excite the phosphor layer. This additional light path dimension allows achieving sufficient intensity without increasing the complexity of the primary LED structure
3Illumination intensity
If drive current is increased to improve brightness, then illumination intensity improves, but LED lifetime decreases due to overdriving
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using external optical pumping to pre-excite the phosphor layer before the LED operates at full brightness. This allows the LED to run at lower drive currents while still achieving sufficient overall illumination intensity, thereby extending LED lifetime
Solution Approach 2:
The phosphor layer acts as an intermediary that stores and converts optical energy. By pumping the phosphor externally, the system reduces the burden on the LED, allowing it to operate at lower currents while the phosphor contributes additional light output, thus protecting the LED from overdriving
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 a cost-effective, long-lasting, and efficient illumination solution for ophthalmic procedures by enhancing the brightness of white LEDs through external pumping, enabling effective coupling of light into smaller optical fibers and reducing the risk of retinal damage from harmful wavelengths.
Implementation Method 1
The additional light source illuminates at least a portion of an exterior surface of the phosphor layer within an absorption band of phosphor material of the phosphor layer in order to excite the phosphor layer and produce additional white light
Implementation Method 2
The first optical assembly receives and substantially collimates the white light
Implementation Method 3
The optical coupling element then receives the substantially collimated white light from the first optical assembly directs the light to an optical fiber
Implementation Method 4
The optical fiber is then used to conduct the white light into an eye
Data Source
AI summary
An ophthalmic endoilluminator is provided. The ophthalmic endoilluminator includes one or more white light emitting diodes (LEDs), an additional light source, a first optical assembly, an optical coupling element, and an optical fiber optically coupled to the optical coupling element. The white LED is capped with a phosphor layer. The additional light source illuminates at least a portion of an exterior surface of the phosphor layer within an absorption band of phosphor material of the phosphor layer in order to excite the phosphor layer and produce additional white light. The first optical assembly receives and substantially collimates the white light. The optical coupling element receives the substantially collimated white light from the first optical assembly and directs the light to an optical fiber. The optical fiber is then used to conduct the white light into an eye.