Solid-state light source

• US 20030042493A1
• Filed: 08/31/2001
• Published: 03/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Inventors: Kazakevich, Yuri
• Granted Patent: US 6,921,920 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 257/98
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0607 for annular illumination
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0638 providing two or more wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0653 with wavelength conversion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0669 at proximal end of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/07 using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/61 using light guides
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/69 Details of refractors forming part of the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/14 the elements being filters or photoluminescent elements, reflectors and refractors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 2200/30 of light guides doped with fluorescent agents
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0068 Medical equipment
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/007 Array of lenses or refractors for a cluster of light sources, e.g. for arrangement of multiple light sources in one plane combination of two or more refractors F21V5/008
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/048 the lens being a simple lens adapted to cooperate with a point-like source for emitting mainly in one direction and having an axis coincident with the main light transmission direction, e.g. convergent or divergent lenses, plano-concave or plano-convex lenses
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0066 specially adapted to cooperate with point like light sources; specially adapted to cooperate with light sources the shape of which is unspecified F21V7/16 - F21V7/30 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/30 Elements containing photoluminescent material distinct from or spaced from the light source shades F21V1/17; globes, bowls or cover glasses F21V3/08, F21V3/12; refractors F21V5/10; reflectors F21V7/26, F21V7/30; elements with provision for controlling the spectral properties or intensity F21V9/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/20 Lighting for medical use
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/30 Semiconductor lasers
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2469 using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0006 Coupling light into the fibre in general G02B6/4298
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0008 : the light being emitted at the end of the fibre
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/04 : formed by bundles of fibres G02B6/24 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/241 : Light guide terminations
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/2808 : using a mixing element which evenly distributes an input signal over a number of outputs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/40 : having fibre bundle mating means
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/403 : of the ferrule type, connecting a pair of ferrules
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4202 : for coupling an active element with fibres without intermediate optical elements, e.g. fibres with plane ends, fibres with shaped ends, bundles
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4206 : Optical features G02B6/4207, G02B6/421 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4212 : the intermediate optical element being a coupling medium interposed therebetween, e.g. epoxy resin, refractive index matching material, index grease, matching liquid or gel
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4214 : the intermediate optical element having redirecting reflective means, e.g. mirrors, prisms for deflecting the radiation from horizontal to down- or upward direction toward a device G02B6/4246 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4248 : Feed-through connections for the hermetical passage of fibres through a package wall see provisionally also G02B6/4428
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4249 : comprising arrays of active devices and fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4298 : coupling with non-coherent light sources and/or radiation detectors, e.g. lamps, incandescent bulbs, scintillation chambers
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48091 : Arched
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00014 : the subject-matter covered by the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group, being disclosed without further technical details

Abstract

A solid-state light source includes a semiconductor light source for emitting light and an optical system having a fiber optic element. The fiber optic element has an input for receiving emitted light from the semiconductor light source. The fiber optic element also has an output for emitting light received from the solid-state light source. The semiconductor light source and the fiber optic element in aggregate form an illumination path.

Claims

1. A solid-state light source for providing light, the solid-state light source comprising:

a semiconductor light source for emitting light; and

a fiber optic element having an input for receiving emitted light from the semiconductor light source and an output for emitting light received from the semiconductor light source, the semiconductor light source and the fiber optic element in aggregate providing an illumination path.

2. The solid-state light source of claim 1 wherein the fiber optic element is in the form of a plurality of fiber optic lines, each of the plurality of fiber optic lines receiving the emitted light from the semiconductor light source.

3. The solid-state light source of claim 2 wherein the plurality of fiber optic lines are in the form of a bundle.

4. The solid-state light source of claim 1 wherein the semiconductor light source has a first surface and a second surface and is configured to emit light in opposite directions from the first surface and the second surface.

5. The solid-state light source of claim 4 wherein the first surface of the semiconductor light source emits light to a first fiber optical line and the second surface of the semiconductor light source emits light to a second fiber optical line.

6. The solid-state light source of claim 5 wherein the semiconductor light source has a third surface and a fourth surface substantially perpendicular to the first surface, the semiconductor light source is configured to emit light in opposite directions from the third surface and the fourth surface, the third surface of the semiconductor light source configured to emit light to a third fiber optical line and the fourth surface of the semiconductor light source configured to emit light to a fourth fiber optical line.

7. The solid-state light source of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of semiconductor light sources.

8. The solid-state light source of claim 7 wherein the fiber optic element is an array of fiber optic lines, each fiber optic line aligned with a corresponding one of the plurality of semiconductor light sources.

9. The solid-state light source of claim 1 wherein the semiconductor light source includes a light emitting diode (LED).

10. The solid-state light source of claim 1 wherein the semiconductor light source is configured to emit a blue light.

11. The solid-state light source of claim 1 wherein the semiconductor light source is configured to emit an ultraviolet light.

12. The solid-state light source of claim 1, further comprising a phosphor layer, the phosphor layer is located along the illumination path.

13. The solid-state light source of claim 12 wherein each semiconductor light source is in contact with a phosphor layer.

14. The solid-state light source of claim 12 wherein a phosphor layer is located at a distal end of the fiber optic element.

15. The solid-state light source of claim 1, further comprising a light concentrator positioned at the semiconductor light source, the light concentrator reflects light from at least one surface of the semiconductor light source.

16. The solid-state light source of claim 1 wherein the semiconductor light source includes a first light emitting diode (LED) configured to emit blue light, a second LED configured to emit red light and a third LED configured to emit green light, an overlapping light from each LED producing white light.

17. The solid-state light source of claim 16, further comprising a mixer positioned to receive light from the first LED, the second LED, and the third LED and positioned to transmit the overlapping light to the fiber optic element.

18. The solid state light source of claim 17 wherein in the semiconductor light source includes a fourth LED configured to emit yellow light, the mixer receives light from the fourth LED.

19. The solid-state light source of claim 1 wherein the semiconductor light source includes a laser diode.

20. The solid-state light source of claim 1 wherein the semiconductor light source includes a vertical cavity surface emission laser.

21. The solid-state light source of claim 1 further comprising:

an encasement having an aperture positioned over the semiconductor light source;

a gel located within the encasement;

wherein the fiber optic element is inserted through the aperture and gel.

22. The solid-state light source of claim 21 further comprising an ohmic contact positioned on a top surface of the semiconductor light source;

wherein the fiber optic bundle has a spliced-end to receive the ohmic contact.

23. The solid-state light source of claim 1, further comprising a lens for receiving light from the semiconductor source.

24. The solid-state light source of claim 23 wherein the semiconductor light source is optically aligned with the lens and the lens is optically aligned with the fiber optic element.

25. The solid-state light source of claim 24 wherein the semiconductor light source is positioned in a first optical conjugate plane from the lens and the fiber optic element is positioned in a second optical conjugate plane from the lens.

26. The solid-state light source of claim 1, further comprising an array of lenses.

27. The solid-state light source of claim 24, further comprising an array of fiber optic lines corresponding to each of the lenses.

28. The solid-state light source of claim 27 wherein the solid-state light source further comprises an array of semiconductor light sources corresponding to each of the lenses.

29. The solid-state light source of claim 1, further comprising:

an array of lenses configured to collimate light from a corresponding array of semiconductor light sources; and

a focusing lens configured to focus a collimated light from the array of lenses.

30. The solid-state light source of claim 29 wherein the focusing lens focuses the collimate light onto a light guide.

31. The solid-state light source of claim 1 wherein the output of the fiber optic element is configured to be received by an endoscope.

32. A solid-state light source for providing light to an endoscope, the solid-state light source comprising:

a semiconductor light source for emitting light; and

an optical system having an optical element, the optical system having an input for receiving emitted light from the semiconductor light source, the optical system having an output for receiving light from the optical element, the output configured to be received by the endoscope, the optical system and the semiconductor light source in aggregate providing an illumination path.

33. The solid-state light source of claim 32 wherein the optical element includes an optical fiber.

34. The solid-state light source of claim 32 wherein the semiconductor light source emits light to an optical fiber.

35. The solid-state light source of claim 32 wherein the optical fiber extends from the semiconductor light source to an interface of a light guide, the light guide extending to the output.

36. The solid-state light source of claim 32 wherein the semiconductor light source includes a light emitting diode (LED).

37. The solid-state light source of claim 32 wherein each semiconductor light source is configured to emit a blue light.

38. The solid-state light source of claim 32 wherein each semiconductor light source is configured to emit an ultraviolet light.

39. The solid-state light source of claim 32, further comprising a phosphor layer, the phosphor layer is located along the illumination path.

40. The solid-state light source of claim 39 wherein each semiconductor light source is in contact with a phosphor layer.

41. The solid-state light source of claim 39 wherein a phosphor layer is located at a distal end of the endoscope.

42. The solid-state light source of claim 32, further comprising a light concentrator positioned at the semiconductor light source, the light concentrator reflects light from at least one surface of the semiconductor light source.

43. The solid-state light source of claim 32 wherein the semiconductor light source includes a first light emitting diode (LED) configured to emit blue light, a second LED configured to emit red light and a third LED configured to emit green light, an overlapping light from each LED producing white light.

44. The solid-state light source of claim 43, further comprising a mixer positioned to receive light from the first LED, the second LED and the third LED and positioned to transmit the overlapping light to the fiber optic line.

45. The solid state light source of claim 44 wherein in the semiconductor light source includes a fourth LED configured to emit yellow light, the mixer receives light from the fourth LED.

46. The solid-state light source of claim 32 wherein the semiconductor light source includes a laser diode.

47. The solid-state light source of claim 32 wherein the semiconductor light source includes a vertical cavity surface emission laser.

48. The solid-state light source of claim 32 wherein the semiconductor light source has a first surface and a second surface and is configured to emit light in opposite directions from the first surface and the second surface.

49. The solid-state light source of claim 48 wherein the first surface emits light to a first fiber optic line and the second surface emits light to a second fiber optic line.

50. The solid-state light source of claim 49 wherein the semiconductor light source has a third surface and a fourth surface substantially perpendicular to the first surface, the semiconductor light source is configured to emit light in opposite directions from the third surface and the fourth surface, the third surface of the semiconductor light source configured to emit light to a third fiber optical line and the fourth surface of the semiconductor light source configured to emit light to a fourth fiber optical line.

51. The solid-state light source of claim 32 further comprising:

an encasement having an aperture positioned over the semiconductor light source;

a gel located within the encasement;

wherein the fiber optic element is inserted through the aperture and gel.

52. The solid-state light source of claim 51 further comprising an ohmic contact positioned on a top surface of the semiconductor light source;

wherein the fiber optic bundle has a spliced-end to receive the ohmic contact.

53. The solid-state light source of claim 32 wherein the optical system includes an array of lenses and a corresponding array of fiber optic lines.

54. The solid-state light source of claim 53 wherein an array of semiconductor light source is optically aligned with a corresponding lens and each corresponding lens is optically aligned with a corresponding fiber optic line.

55. The solid-state light source of claim 54 wherein each semiconductor light source is positioned in a first optical conjugate plane from the corresponding lens and each corresponding fiber optic line is positioned in a second optical conjugate plane from the corresponding lens.

56. The solid-state light source of claim 32 wherein the optical element includes:

an array of lenses configured to collimate light from a corresponding array of semiconductor light sources; and

a focusing lens configured to focus a collimated light from the array of lenses.

57. The solid-state light source of claim 56 wherein the focusing lens focuses the collimated light onto a light guide.