White LED For Illumination With Additional Light Source For Analysis

• US 20110133086A1
• Filed: 01/28/2011
• Published: 06/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: JB IP Acquisitions LLC
• Original Assignee: Spectros Corporation (AliphCom Corp.)
• Inventors: Fierro, Michael R., Benaron, David A., Parachikov, Ilian H.
• Application Number:
  US13/016,874
• Publication Number:
  US 20110133086A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/338.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0261 using optical means, e.g. infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases

Abstract

An improved combination light source (103) comprises a combination of a solid-state white LED source (105) to illuminate a target with continuous, broadband illuminating light (114), and a second, additional light source, as an integrated system. While the white LED provides illumination, the second light source provides for medical, industrial, or laboratory analysis. A combination solid-state and second illuminator integrated with one or more detectors advantageously allows for a more compact, less heat producing, and more energy efficient manufacturable device, and further facilitates integration of the illuminator and detector into a device or system. Methods of use are also disclosed.

Claims

1-23. -23. (canceled)

24. A laboratory, industrial, or medical system having a combination light source, comprising:

(a) a first solid-state light source for emitting broadband illumination, said illumination having a bandwidth of at least 100 nm;

(b) a first light detector for generating a measurable signal or image at least in part in response to a detected portion of said broadband illumination returning to said detector, said light source functionally integrated with said detector and said second light source; and

,

(c) at least a second light source for emitting additional light.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the first measurable signal is used at least in part to produce an image.

26. The system of claim 24, further comprising at least a second detector, wherein said second detector is configured to generate at least a second measurable signal in response to light returning from said second light source.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the measurable signal is a signal from a spectroscopic detector.

28. The system of claim 24 wherein the first light source comprises at least one LED.

29. The system of claim 24 wherein the first light source is a white LED

30. The system of claim 24 wherein the first light source is a broadband LED with a spectral width of at least 100 nm.

31. The system of claim 29 wherein the white LED comprises a blue LED and a phosphor.

32. The system of claim 29 or 30 wherein the first light source is comprised of multiple LEDs to produce a continuous, broadband spectrum of light.

33. The system of claim 32 wherein each of the multiple LEDs operates in at least one wavelength band.

34. The system of claim 24 wherein the first light source comprises an LED and a fluorescent dye.

35. The system of claim 30 wherein the broadband LED comprises an LED and one or more quantum dots.

36. The system of claim 24 wherein the first light source operates to produce at least a portion of its light in the infrared spectrum.

37. The system of claim 24 wherein the first light source operates to produce at least a portion of its light in the ultraviolet spectrum.

38. The system of claim 24 wherein the system is further incorporated into an integrated device, integrated microchip, lab-on-chip, or monitor.

39. The system of claim 24 wherein the system is incorporated into the list of devices or systems comprised of:

spectrophotometers, microdevices, microchip, lab-on-a-chip, or other small optical device with space and size constraints, disposable optical devices, and other optical spectroscopy devices and systems.

40. The system of claim 25, wherein the measurable signal is enhanced, produced, or detected, at least in part, by one or more of the following:

light absorbance, polarization, optical rotation, scattering, fluorescence, Raman effects, phosphorescence, fluorescence decay, re-emission, use of a contrast agent, dye shift, or other spectroscopy techniques.

41. A method of monitoring or analyzing a target site using an industrial, medical, or laboratory system comprising the steps of:

(a) Illuminating the target with broadband illumination from a solid-state broadband light source;

(b) Detecting a portion of said broadband illuminator returning to a first detector;

(c) Providing a second light source for emitting light for monitoring or analyzing said target site;

(d) Detecting a portion of said light returning to the first or a second detector for monitoring or analyzing a feature of the target.