Precision illumination methods and systems

• US 7,308,296 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2002
• Issued: 12/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Philips Lighting North America Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Color Kinetics Incorporated (Signify N.V.)
• Inventors: Lys, Ihor, Mueller, George G., Morgan, Frederick Marshall
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Ruth S.
• Application Number:
  US10/255,565
• Publication Number:
  US 20030100837A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,902 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300, 600/407, 600/476, 128/897, 128/898, 362/234, 362/253
• US Class Current: 600/407
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0652 Arrays of diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0616 Skin treatment other than tanning
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0618 Psychological treatment
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/23 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with a single fitting for each light source, e.g. for substitution of incandescent lamps with bayonet or threaded fittings
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/64 using wavelength conversion means distinct or spaced from the light-generating element, e.g. a remote phosphor layer
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/28 rigid, e.g. LED bars
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/004 Sanitary equipment, e.g. mirrors, showers, toilet seats or paper dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/006 General building constructions or finishing work for buildings, e.g. roofs, gutters, stairs or floors; Garden equipment; Sunshades or parasols
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/027 for indicating kerbs, steps or stairs
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/08 for handles or handrails
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 7/08 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/06 Passive matrix structure, i.e. with direct application of both column and row voltages to the light emitting or modulating elements, other than LCD or OLED
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0626 for control of overall brightness
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0666 for control of colour parameters, e.g. colour temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/14 Semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2014 by modulation of the duration of a single pulse during which the logic level remains constant
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/32 semiconductive, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3283 in which the data driver supplies a variable data current for setting the current through, or the voltage across, the light-emitting elements
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/30 : Driver circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/325 : Pulse-width modulation [PWM]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/38 : using boost topology
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/397 : Current mirror circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/46 : having LEDs disposed in parallel lines
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/10 : Controlling the light source
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 : Coordinated control of two or more light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/18 : via data-bus transmission

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for illuminating body part with LED system. A system includes a LED system, a medical instrument and a microprocessor. The LED system is adapted to generate a variable color radiation. The medical instrument is adapted for positioning the LED system in proximity to the body part to illuminate the body part. The microprocessor is adapted to control at least one electrical current supplied to the LED system to vary a color of the variable color radiation. Exemplary systems may be particularly configured and suitable for use in medical applications, including diagnostic, surgical, forensic, and therapeutic interventions.

Claims

1. A system for illuminating a body part, comprising:

a LED system adapted to generate a variable color radiation, the LED system comprising a plurality of LEDs of different colors, of which at least one first color LED radiates in a first wavelength band different from a second wavelength band in which at least one second color LED radiates;

a medical instrument adapted for positioning the LED system in proximity to the body part whereby the LED system illuminates the body part with the variable color radiation; and

a microprocessor operable to control at least one electrical current supplied to the LED system to vary a color of the variable color radiation, wherein at least some of the variable color radiation includes a combination of the different colors of the at least one first color LED and the at least one second color LED to create a third color that is not in the first or second wavelength bands.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is responsive to a signal relating to a feature of the body part.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the feature of the body part is a structural condition.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the feature of the body part is determined by a characteristic of a reflected light from the body part.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising a sensor system to detect the reflected light.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the body part is illuminated in vivo.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the body part comprises a lumen.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the medical instrument is adapted for insertion within a body cavity.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is selectively operable to drive at least one of the LEDs to radiate at each of a plurality of different nonzero levels.

10. A medical system for illuminating a body part, comprising:

an LED system comprising a plurality of LEDs of different colors of which at least one first color LED radiates in a first wavelength band different from a second wavelength band in which at least one second color LED radiates;

a mechanical positioning system capable of positioning the LED system in a spatial relationship with the body part whereby the LED system illuminates the body part; and

a microprocessor for driving the first and second color LEDs to generate at least one third color that is not in the first or second wavelength bands;

wherein the mechanical positioning system comprises a medical insturment.

11. The medical system of claim 10, wherein the microprocessor is responsive to a signal relating to a feature of the body part.

12. The medical system of claim 11, further comprising a sensor for detecting a reflected light from the body part, wherein the feature of the body part is determined using a characteristic of the reflected light.

13. The medical system of claim 12, wherein the feature of the body part is identified based on a comparison between the characteristic of the reflected light and a characteristic of a known light parameter relating to the feature of the body part.

14. The medical system of claim 13, wherein the known light parameter relates to an abnormal feature of the body part.

15. The medical system of claim 10, wherein the medical instrument comprises a diagnostic medical instrument.

16. The medical system of claim 10, wherein the medical instrument comprises a surgical medical instrument.

17. The medical system of claim 10, wherein the medical instrument comprises a therapeutic medical instrument.

18. The medical system of claim 10, wherein the medical instrument comprises a forensic medical instrument.

19. The medical system of claim 10, wherein the microprocessor is selectively operable to drive at least one of the LEDs to radiate at each of a plurality of different non-zero levels.

20. A method of illuminating a body part, the method comprising steps of:

A) positioning a LED system in proximity to the body part with a medical instrument, the LED system comprising a plurality of LEDs of different colors of which at least one first color LED radiates in a first wavelength band different from a second wavelength band in which at least one second color LED radiates;

B) illuminating the body part with a variable color radiation generated by the LED system, wherein at least some of the variable color radiation includes a combination of the different colors of the at least one first color LED and the at least one second color LED to create a third color that is not in the first or second wavelength bands; and

C) controlling an electrical current supplied to the LED system to vary a color of the variable color radiation.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the step C) includes a step of controlling the electrical current in response to a signal relating to a feature of the body part.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the method further comprises steps of:

detecting a reflected light from the body part; and

determining the feature of the body part by comparing a characteristic of the reflected light

and a characteristic of a known light parameter relating to the feature of the body part.

23. The method of claim 20, further comprising a step of selecting the color of the variable color radiation so as to have a therapeutic effect on the body part.

24. The method of claim 20 further comprises selectively so driving at least one of the LEDs to radiate at each of a plurality of different non-zero levels.