Lighting system for endoscopic examinations

• US 20070073109A1
• Filed: 09/21/2006
• Published: 03/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Storz Endoskop Produktions GmbH (Karl Storz Se & Co. Kg)
• Original Assignee: Storz Endoskop Produktions GmbH (Karl Storz Se & Co. Kg)
• Inventors: Irion, Klaus
• Granted Patent: US 9,717,398 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/179
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0615 for radial illumination
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0676 at distal tip of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

The invention relates to a lighting system for endoscopic examinations having a lighting unit that includes at least two LED elements for illuminating an area of examination that is to be observed by means of an endoscope optic. To create a lighting system for endoscopic examinations that ensures a constantly sufficient illumination of the area of examination, it is proposed according to the invention that the direction of radiation of the lighting unit can be displaced between a direction essentially perpendicular to the direction of observation of the endoscope optic upon insertion into the area of examination and a direction essentially in the direction of observation of the endoscope optic after insertion into the area of examination.

Claims

1. A lighting system for endoscopic examinations having a lighting unit that includes at least two LED elements for illuminating an area of examination that is to be observed by means of an endoscope optic characterized in that:

the LED elements of the lighting unit are positioned in such a way that the direction of radiation of the lighting unit can be displaced between a direction essentially perpendicular to the direction of observation of the endoscope optic upon insertion into the area of examination and a direction essentially in the direction of observation of the endoscope optic after insertion into the area of examination.

2. A lighting system according to claim 1, characterized in that the LED elements of the lighting unit are arranged in a row.

3. A lighting system according to claims 1, characterized in that the lighting unit is positioned outside the distal front surface on the distal end of an endoscope shaft.

4. A lighting system according to claim 3, characterized in that the lighting unit consists of several lighting subunits equipped with LED elements.

5. A lighting system according to claim 4, characterized in that the lighting subunits are positioned so that they can rotate with respect to one another on the endoscope shaft.

6. A lighting system according to claim 1, characterized in that the LED elements of the lighting unit are arranged symmetrically to the endoscope optic.

7. A lighting system according to claim 5, characterized in that the endoscope optic in the area of the rotatable mounting of the lighting subunits is positioned on the endoscope shaft.

8. A lighting system according to claim 5, characterized in that the endoscope optic forms the distal end of the endoscope shaft.

9. A lighting system according to claim 3, characterized in that a heat diverting system, in particular in the form of an electric conductor, is positioned in the endoscope shaft.

10. A lighting system according to claim 1, characterized in that the LED elements radiate light in the blue light range, preferably at about 405 nm.

11. A lighting system according to claim 1, characterized in that the LED elements can be inserted for constant or periodic fluorescent stimulation of tissue.

12. A lighting system according to claim 1, characterized in that the endoscope optic is coupled with an imaging system, which can capture tissue fluorescence images after disconnection of the LED elements of the lighting unit.