Tunable Color-Temperature Light Source for Endoscopic Fiber Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopes face challenges in providing natural color representation due to limited coupling efficiency of light sources to fiber optic cables and fixed emission spectra, which can impede accurate tissue identification and diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a set of discrete lasers coupled into an illumination fiber bundle, controlled by software to emulate a tunable blackbody emission spectrum, allowing the user to set a desired temperature and adjust laser power for natural color rendering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed emission spectrum light source is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability for different diagnostic needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is segmented into multiple independent laser sources, each emitting at a specific wavelength. This allows independent control of each wavelength component to synthesize different color temperatures, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic control of laser power for each wavelength component, enabling real-time adjustment of color temperature to match blackbody radiation characteristics at different temperatures, thus achieving versatility without excessive complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional light sources are used, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the coupling efficiency to fiber optic cables deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Traditional broadband light sources are replaced with laser sources that emit coherent light at specific wavelengths. This substitution enables much higher coupling efficiency to single-mode fiber optic cables, resolving the energy loss problem while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
3Device complexity
If fixed color temperature illumination is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of tissue identification deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the color temperature parameter dynamically to match different blackbody radiation temperatures. By adjusting the relative power of each laser wavelength, the system can simulate various color temperatures to enhance tissue contrast and identification accuracy without requiring complex control mechanisms.
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 efficiently delivers light to the endoscope tip, mimicking natural lighting conditions, enhancing diagnostic accuracy by providing a tunable and natural color representation.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of light sources, each emitting a different wavelength, are coupled into a fiber optic cable
Implementation Method 2
A fiber optic cable is optically coupled to the plurality of light sources. The fiber optic cable transports light from the plurality of light sources to a distal end of the endoscope
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A system for medical diagnosis (100, 200, 400) includes a fiber optic cable (104, 204) and a plurality of light emitters (112, 209) optically coupled to a first end of the fiber optic cable (104). Each light emitter (231-239) in the plurality of light emitters (112, 209) emits a distinct bandwidth of light. The system also includes a controller (108, 208) electrically coupled to the plurality of light emitters (112, 209). The controller (108, 208) includes logic that when executed by the controller causes the controller (108, 208) to perform operations including: receiving instructions including an illumination mode (501), and adjusting an intensity of the light emitted from each light emitter in the plurality of light emitters to match the illumination mode (503).