Light emitting diode illumination system

• US 8,625,097 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2013
• Issued: 01/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lumencor, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Lumencor, Inc.
• Inventors: Brukilacchio, Thomas J., Conner, Arlie R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ton, Tri T
• Application Number:
  US13/926,681
• Publication Number:
  US 20130284943A1
• Time in Patent Office: 196 Days
• Field of Search: 356402-420, 356/432, 356 43- 50, 356/440, 356/239.2, 356/239.4, 356/239.6, 356/240.1, 356/241.1, 356/241.3, 356/241.5, 356/241.6, 362227-228, 362216-225, 36221701-21717, 362253-254, 362/260, 362307-310, 362/257, 362/296.01, 362/317, 362326-329, 362 23- 30
• US Class Current: 356/417
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00163 Optical arrangements A61B1/002, A61B1/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0653 with wavelength conversion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0669 at proximal end of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/005 for cooling the radiator
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0652 Arrays of diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/062 Photodynamic therapy, i.e. excitation of an agent
• 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: F21K 9/61 using light guides
• 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: F21V 13/04 the elements being reflectors and refractors for vehicle rear lights F21S43/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/08 the elements being filters or photoluminescent elements and reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/14 the elements being filters or photoluminescent elements, reflectors and refractors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/60 characterised by the use of a forced flow of gas, e.g. air
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/70 characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/008 Combination of two or more successive refractors along an optical axis
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0066 specially adapted to cooperate with point like light sources; specially adapted to cooperate with light sources the shape of which is unspecified F21V7/16 - F21V7/30 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/30 Elements containing photoluminescent material distinct from or spaced from the light source shades F21V1/17; globes, bowls or cover glasses F21V3/08, F21V3/12; refractors F21V5/10; reflectors F21V7/26, F21V7/30; elements with provision for controlling the spectral properties or intensity F21V9/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/205 for operating theatres
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/40 Lighting for industrial, commercial, recreational or military use
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/00 : Planar light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/00 : Combination of light sources
• 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: G01N 2021/6419 : Excitation at two or more wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/6482 : Sample cells, cuvettes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/64 : Fluorescence; Phosphorescence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0627 : Use of several LED's for spectral resolution
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2469 : using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0994 : Fibers, light pipes optical fibers per se G02B6/02
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/1006 : for splitting or combining different wavelengths G02B27/1086, G02B27/141 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/143 : using macroscopically faceted or segmented reflective surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/145 : having sequential partially reflecting surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0006 : Coupling light into the fibre in general G02B6/4298

Abstract

The present invention provides a light engine having four LED light sources in combination with one or more laser light sources. A combination of collimators, bandpass filters, dichroic mirrors, and other elements is operative to direct light from the light sources onto a main optical axis from where it may be focused into a light guide for transport to a instrument or device. Particular embodiments of the invention provide for computer control, intensity control, color control, and light source modulation. The light engine provides light suitable for applications in microscopy, endoscopy, and/or bioanalytical instrumentation.

Claims

1. A light engine, comprising:

a first light source, wherein the first light source includes a first Light Emitting Diode (LED), a first bandpass filter, and a first collimator, wherein the first light source emits a first collimated light beam of a first color;

a second light source, wherein the second light source includes a second Light Emitting Diode (LED), a second bandpass filter, and a second collimator, wherein the second light source emits a second collimated light beam of a second color different than the first color;

a third light source, wherein the third light source includes a third Light Emitting Diode (LED), a third bandpass filter, and a third collimator, wherein the third light source emits a third collimated light beam of a third color different than the first color and second color;

a fourth light source, wherein the fourth light source includes a fourth Light Emitting Diode (LED), a fourth bandpass filter, and a fourth collimator, wherein the fourth light source emits a fourth collimated light beam of a fourth color different than the first color, second color, and third color;

a first laser light source, wherein the first laser light source emits a first coherent light beam of a first wavelength;

a plurality of reflective optical components positioned so as to direct the first collimated light beam of the first color, the second collimated light beam of the second color, the third collimated light beam of the third color, the fourth collimated light beam of the fourth color, and the first coherent light beam onto a main optical axis of the light engine; and

a light guide positioned to receive said light beams directed onto the main optical axis of the light engine for transport to a device to be illuminated.

2. The light engine of claim 1, wherein the first laser light source is adapted to be directly modulated at high speed.

3. The light engine of claim 1, comprising a vibrating element mounted to one of said reflective optical components wherein said vibrating element is adapted to reduce speckle and increase uniformity in the first coherent light beam.

4. The light engine of claim 1, further comprising a second laser light source, wherein the second laser light source emits a second coherent light beam of a second wavelength, and wherein the plurality of reflective optical components also direct the second coherent light beam onto the main optical axis.

5. The light engine of claim 4, wherein the first laser light source and the second laser light source are each adapted to be directly modulated at high speed.

6. The light engine of claim 1, further comprising a second laser light source, wherein the second laser light source emits a second coherent light beam of a second wavelength different than the first wavelength, and wherein the plurality of reflective optical components also direct the second coherent light beam onto the main optical axis.

7. The light engine of claim 1, wherein the light guide is adapted to be coupled to a microscope, such that wherein the light guide is adapted to transport beams of light directed onto the main optical axis of the light engine to the microscope.

8. The light engine of claim 1, wherein the light engine is computer controllable.

9. The light engine of claim 1, wherein the light engine is adapted to provide output light of one or more of the first color, second color, third color and fourth color.

10. The light engine of claim 9, wherein the output light is spectrally tunable.

11. The light engine of claim 1, wherein the light engine is adapted to provide white output light.

12. The light engine of claim 1, further comprising a lens for focusing the first collimated light beam of the first color, the second collimated light beam of the second color, the third collimated light beam of the third color, the fourth collimated light beam of the fourth color, and the first coherent light beam from the main optical axis of the light engine into the light guide.

13. The light engine of claim 1, wherein the light guide is a liquid light guide.

14. The light engine of claim 1, wherein each of the first light source, the second light source, the third light source, the fourth light source, and laser light source has an adjustable intensity.