Speckle reduction of microwhite endoscopes

• US 8,372,004 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2010
• Issued: 02/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2009
• 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: Krattiger, Beat
• Primary Examiner(s): MAHONEY, CHRISTOPHER E
• Application Number:
  US12/762,138
• Publication Number:
  US 20100268034A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 600/178, 600/160
• US Class Current: 600/178
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00128 mechanical, e.g. for tubes or pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00165 with light-conductive means, e.g. fibre optics A61B1/07 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2453 of the proximal end
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2469 using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/48 Laser speckle optics
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4292 the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4296 coupling with sources of high radiant energy, e.g. high power lasers, high temperature light sources

Abstract

An endoscopic system with at least one light source for generating at least partially coherent light, for exciting fluorescent light, with at least one light-conducting element, where the at least one light source and the at least one light-conducting element are positioned in a proximal supply unit. It is further provided with an optical radiance transmission link in an insertion part and with at least one fluorescence converter for conversion into white light. According to the invention, at least one actuator is present, which is coupled with at least one light-conducting element and/or with the at least one light source and/or with the at least one fluorescence converter. With the help of the actuator, perturbations or fluctuations concerning the at least one light-conducting element and/or the at least one light source and/or the at least one fluorescence converter are generated and thereby reduce the speckles in the endoscopic image.

Claims

1. An endoscopic or microscopic system for illuminating a surgical area comprising:

an insertion part, the insertion part including an optical radiance transmission link;

a proximal supply unit, the proximal supply unit including;

at least one light source for generating at least partially coherent light, and

at least one light-conducting element, the at least one light conducting element and the at least one light source positioned in the proximal supply unit; and

at least one actuator coupled with the at least open light-conducting element and/or with the last one light source,

wherein the actuator generates aperiodic, chaotic, or stochastic perturbations for reducing speckles.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one actuator is coupled by a coupling element with the at least one light-conducting element and/or the at least one light source of the endoscopic system in material-locking and/or form-locking and/or force-locking and/or loose connection.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the coupling element comprises a hole-shaped aperture for passage of the at least one light-conducting element of the endoscopic system.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the coupling element comprises a damping element.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the coupling element can be stimulated to rotary spinning motions.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one fluorescence converter for transforming white light.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the at least one fluorescence converter is positioned on the distal end of the radiance transmission link in the insertion part.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the at least one fluorescence converter is positioned in the proximal supply unit.

9. The endoscope of claim 6, wherein the at least one actuator is coupled with at least one fluorescence converter in material-locking and/or form-locking and/or force-locking and/or loose connection.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one light source for generating at least partially coherent light is a semiconductor laser.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one actuator is powered by an electronic switch.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one actuator comprises a piezoelectric converter.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one actuator comprises a magnetostrictive converter.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one actuator comprises an electromechanical converter.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one actuator comprises an imbalance.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein a holder element for mounting the at least one actuator is positioned in the proximal supply unit.

17. The endoscope of claim 1, wherein the at least one light source for generating at least partially coherent light is a diode laser.

18. The endoscope of claim 1, further comprising an eyepiece and/or video camera.

19. An endoscopic or microscopic system for illuminating a surgical area comprising:

an insertion part, the insertion part including an optical radiance transmission link and at least one fluorescence converter positioned on the distal end of the radiance transmission link;

a proximal supply unit, the proximal supply unit including;

at least one light source for generating at least partially coherent light, and

at least one light-conducting element, the at least one light-conducting element and the at least one light source positioned in the proximal supply unit; and

at least one actuator coupled with the at least open light-conducting element and/or with the at least one light source,

wherein the actuator generates aperiodic, chaotic, or stochastic perturbations for reducing speckles, and wherein the at least one actuator is coupled by a coupling element with the at least one light-conducting element and/or the at least one light source of the endoscopic system in material-locking and/or form-locking and/or force-locking and/or loose connection.