Solid state illumination for endoscopy

• US 20060069314A1
• Filed: 09/23/2005
• Published: 03/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mina Farr
• Original Assignee: Vivid Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Farr, Mina
• Granted Patent: US 8,480,566 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/179
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00179 for off-axis viewing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/042 characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/044 for absorption imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/046 for infrared imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0607 for annular illumination
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0615 for radial illumination
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0623 for off-axis illumination
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/063 for monochromatic or narrow-band illumination
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0653 with wavelength conversion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0676 at distal tip 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: A61B 1/126 provided with means for cleaning in-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/306 using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/309 using white LEDs

Abstract

Various embodiments for providing solid state illumination for endoscopy or borescopy are provided. Generally, various medical or industrial devices can include one or more solid state or other compact electro-optic illuminating devices located thereon. The solid state or compact electro-optic illuminating device can include, but is not limited to, a light emitting diode (LED), laser diode (LD), or other Infrared (IR) or Ultraviolet (UV) source. Solid state sources of various wavelengths may be used to illuminate an object for imaging or detecting purpose or otherwise conditioning purpose. The solid state illuminating device may be placed on the exterior surface of the device, inside the device, deployably coupled to the distal end of the device, or otherwise disposed on the device.

Claims

1. A device for insertion into a body cavity, the device comprising:

a tubular portion having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being configured to be at least partially inserted into the body cavity;

a solid state light source located on the tubular portion; and

a power source electrically coupled to the solid state light source.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is any one of an endoscope tool, a cannula, a surgical tool, or a borescopy tool.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the solid state light source is at least one of a light emitting device (LED), laser diode (LD), ultraviolet (UV) light source, or infrared (IR) light source, or combination thereof.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the solid state light source is used to passively illuminate an object in the body cavity for the purpose of detecting the reflected light that is modified by the object under the illumination without affecting the object.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the solid state light source is to actively illuminate an object in the body cavity for the purpose of modifying the object in a specific manner.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the solid state light source is located near or at the proximal end of the tubular portion.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the tubular portion comprises at least one light guide and the solid state light source emits light into the at least one light guide.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the solid state light source is located between the proximal end and the distal end of the tubular portion.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the solid state light source is located at or near the distal end of the tubular portion.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the solid state light source is disposed on an extension portion that extends from the distal end of the tubular portion.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the solid state light source is located on an exterior surface of the tubular portion.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the solid state light source emits a wavelength that is at least one of a visible wavelength, UV wavelength, IR wavelength, or different color temperature white, or a combination thereof.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the solid state light source emits a light that is redirected or modified by at least one of a lens element, a beam splitter, a reflective cover disposed around the distal end of the tubular portion, total internal reflection in the tubular portion, a mirror, a polarizer, or a wave plate.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the tubular portion comprises a longitudinal axis, wherein the solid state light source can be manipulated between at least a first position wherein the solid state light source can be inserted into the body cavity, and a second position wherein the solid state light source emits a light that is non-concentric with the longitudinal axis of the tubular portion.

15. The device in claim 1, wherein the solid state light source emits primary color illumination, further comprising

a second solid state light source disposed in the tubular portion, the second solid state light source configured to emit non-primary color illumination;

imaging elements disposed in the tubular portion; and

a camera optically coupled to the imaging elements,

wherein the primary color and non primary color illumination are used and color synchronized with the imaging elements and camera to capture true color image with wider color gamut than a primary color capture system.

16. A device for insertion into a body cavity, the device comprising:

a tubular portion having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being configured to be at least partially inserted into the body cavity;

a solid state light source located in the tubular portion; and

a power source electrically coupled to the solid state light source.

17. The device of claim 16, further comprising at least one of detecting, imaging, or manipulating elements, or a combination thereof, disposed in the tubular portion.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the solid state light source is disposed in relation to the imaging elements such that light emitted from the solid state light source passes through at least a portion of the detecting, imaging, or manipulating elements.

19. The device of claim 16, wherein the solid state light source is deployably configured such that in an insertion position, the solid state light source is contained within the tubular portion, and in a deployed position, the solid state light source is disposed exterior of the tubular portion such that optical images are able to pass through the imaging elements.

20. A device for insertion into a body cavity, the device comprising:

a tubular portion having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being configured to be at least partially inserted into the body cavity;

a solid state light source that is deployably disposed in relation to the distal end of the tubular portion; and

a power source electrically coupled to the solid state light source.

21. The device of claim 20, further comprising a membrane having a surface and an outer edge, the outer edge or a portion of the membrane comprising a spring, the solid state light source being disposed on a surface of the membrane, the membrane being deployably disposed in relation to the distal end of the tubular portion such that in an insertion position, the membrane is in a tubular configuration and in the deployed position, the membrane is in a substantially flat configuration.

22. The device of claim 20, wherein the tubular portion has a longitudinal axis and a longitudinal profile, further comprising a rotation portion, the solid state light source being disposed on the rotation portion, the rotation portion being deployably disposed in relation to the distal end or the body of the tubular portion such that in an insertion position, the rotation portion is within the longitudinal profile formed by the distal end or the body of the tubular portion and in the deployed position, the LEDs are positioned to emit light that is non-concentric with the longitudinal axis of the tubular portion.

23. The device of claim 20, wherein the tubular portion has a longitudinal axis and a longitudinal profile, further comprising a hinge portion coupled to an actuation portion, the solid state light source being disposed on the hinge portion, the hinge portion being deployably disposed in relation to the distal end and the body of the tubular portion such that in an insertion position, the hinge portion is within the longitudinal profile formed by the distal end and the body of the tubular portion and in the deployed position, the LEDs are positioned to emit light that is non-concentric with the longitudinal axis of the tubular portion.

24. The device of claim 20, further comprising at least one of detecting, imaging, or manipulating elements, or a combination thereof, disposed in the tubular portion.