Illuminating light control device for endoscope
First Claim
1. An illuminating light intensity control device for an endoscope comprising:
- a light source, an optical fiber bundle, a transmission light control means movable into and out of an optical path extending from said light source to a light receiving end face of said optical fiber bundle, and moving means coupled to said transmission light control means for moving said transmission light control means into at least a portion of said optical path in response to a predetermined minimum intensity of light produced by said light source.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An illuminating light control device for an endoscope for controlling both the intensity and hue of illuminating light over a wide range. A shutter mechanism is disposed between a discharge lamp light source and the receiving end of an optical fiber bundle. The shutter mechanism may be moved between at least three positions. At the first position, the light is allowed to pass directly from the light source to the optical fiber bundle and the light source is allowed to vary between its maximum and minimum limits. At the minimum limit, the shutter mechanism disposes a transmission light control means in the light path and the light source is returned to its maximum limit whereupon the output light to the optical fiber bundle is the same before the change as afterward. The light source can then be varied again between its maximum and minimum limits thereby effectively doubling the range of light output intensity. The shutter can also be moved to a position which blocks the optical path for a photographing operation.
30 Citations
14 Claims
-
1. An illuminating light intensity control device for an endoscope comprising:
- a light source, an optical fiber bundle, a transmission light control means movable into and out of an optical path extending from said light source to a light receiving end face of said optical fiber bundle, and moving means coupled to said transmission light control means for moving said transmission light control means into at least a portion of said optical path in response to a predetermined minimum intensity of light produced by said light source.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14)
-
8. An illuminating light intensity control device for an endoscope comprising:
- a light source, means for varying the light output of said light source between predetermined minimum and maximum limits, means for determining when said light output is at said minimum limit, means for disposing light intensity reducing means in a light path between said light source and an optical fiber bundle in response to an output signal from said light output determining means indicative of said light output being at said minimum limit, and means for returning the light output of said light source to said maximum limit upon said light intensity reducing means being disposed in said optical path.
- View Dependent Claims (9)
-
10. A method for providing a wide range of light output intensity comprising the steps of:
- providing a light source having a light output variable between minimum and maximum limits;
producing a decision signal when said light output is at said minimum limit, disposing light intensity reducing means in a light path between said light source and utilization means in response to said decision signal, and operating said light source to return said light output to said maximum limit. - View Dependent Claims (11)
- providing a light source having a light output variable between minimum and maximum limits;
-
12. An illuminating light intensity control device for an endoscope comprising:
- a base member having an aperture therein;
a light source;
a shutter blade provided at one end and being pivotable between first, second and third positions wherein a first portion of said shutter blade covers said aperture in said first position, a portion of said shutter blade formed as light intensity reducing means covering said aperture in said second position, and said shutter blade being clear of said aperture in said third position;
means for varying the intensity of light produced by said light source between said minimum and maximum limits; and
means for moving said shutter blade between said first, second and third positions in response to a control signal, wherein the light output passing through said aperture in the second position of said shutter blade at the maximum limit of light source intensity is substantially the same as the light passing through said aperture at the minimum limit of light source intensity in the third position of said shutter blade. - View Dependent Claims (13)
- a base member having an aperture therein;
Specification