FULL SPECTRUM LED ILLUMINATOR

• US 20120230024A1
• Filed: 03/08/2012
• Published: 09/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stryker Corporation
• Original Assignee: Novadaq Technologies, Inc. (Stryker Corporation)
• Inventors: Moore, Allen
• Granted Patent: US 8,979,301 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/231
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/046 for infrared imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/063 for monochromatic or narrow-band illumination
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0638 providing two or more wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/128 provided with means for regulating temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/306 using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/309 using white LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0071 by measuring fluorescence emission
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/60 Optical arrangements integrated in the light source, e.g. for improving the colour rendering index or the light extraction
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/01 Housings, e.g. material or assembling of housing parts F21V15/02 takes precedence housings forming signs or letters G09F13/04
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/02 the elements being transformers, impedances or power supply units, e.g. a transformer with a rectifier
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/70 characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/89 Metals
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/08 for producing coloured light, e.g. monochromatic; for reducing intensity of light with provision for controlling the colour F21V9/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/13 comprising an assembly of point-like light sources
• 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 6/0001 specially adapted for lighting devices or systems lighting or signalling on vehicles using light guides B60Q1/00; lighting devices for vehicle dashboards B60Q3/10; lighting devices for vehicle interior using light guides B60Q3/62; lighting devices mounted on the vehicle rear part using light guides F21S43/235; measuring arrangements having light conducting pointers G01D13/265; illumination of liquid crystal displays G02F1/1336; illuminated signs G09F13/00

Abstract

An apparatus for providing a light output to an optical guide for illumination of an imaged object including a plurality of solid state light-emitting sources each of which are independently powered and independently controlled, each light-emitting source emitting light at a wavelength which is different from the wavelength emitted by the other light-emitting sources. The apparatus also includes a heat sink configured to thermally couple the plurality of solid state light-emitting sources and provide conduction of heat generated by the plurality of solid state light-emitting sources. The apparatus further includes an optical elements to collect, collimate, and combine the emissions from the plurality of solid state light-emitting sources into a combined beam of light to be optically coupled to the light guide.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing a light output to an optical guide for illumination of an imaged object, the apparatus comprising:

a plurality of solid state light-emitting sources each of which are independently powered and independently controlled, each light-emitting source emitting light at a wavelength which is different from the wavelength emitted by the other light-emitting sources;

a heat sink configured to thermally couple the plurality of solid state light-emitting sources and provide conduction of heat generated by the plurality of solid state light-emitting sources; and

optical elements to collect, collimate, and combine the emissions from the plurality of solid state light-emitting sources into a combined beam of light to be optically coupled to the light guide.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the solid state light sources are selected from the group comprising light emitting diodes and diode lasers.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical elements include a field lens and an aspheric lens configured to collect and collimate the emission form each of the plurality of solid state light-emitting sources.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a dichroic filter is configured to couple the collimated emission from each of the plurality of solid state light-emitting sources into the combined beam of light directed along a common path to an output port.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the relative optical path length associated with each one of the plurality of solid state light-emitting sources is based on the relative difference in wavelength.