Scene adaptive endoscopic illuminator with fluorescence illumination
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12575724-B2
Publication Date
2026-03-17
Expiration Date
Abstract
Endoscopic illuminator devices and methods are provided with an adaptive illumination profile. An endoscopic illuminator includes a first and a third illumination element adapted for coupling first illumination light into a light input of an endoscope for illuminating a central area of a field of view of the endoscope. A second and a fourth illumination element are adapted for coupling second illumination light to the light input for illuminating a peripheral area of the field of view, arranged relative to the first illumination element such that the first illumination light enters the light input at a substantially different angle from the first illumination light, and having an illumination level adjustable separately from that of the first and third illumination element. The second and fourth illumination elements provide imaging light in a different spectral band than the first and third illumination elements.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an endoscopic illuminator and imaging system that directs illumination into an endoscope light input at substantially different angles. Separate illumination elements illuminate central and peripheral areas of the field of view in two spectral bands, with peripheral illumination levels adjustable separately from the corresponding central illumination levels. The stated objective is to improve evenness of illumination across the field of view.
The described system uses image-based control to adjust edge illumination relative to center illumination. It decreases edge illumination when imaging along a lumen and increases it when imaging a flat or convex scene. The disclosed optical arrangements include lenses, mirrors, and dichroic beam combiners, and the illumination includes visible light and fluorescence-excitation illumination.
Claims Coverage
The three independent claims define three inventive features: an endoscopic illuminator, a method of providing illumination for an endoscope, and an endoscopic imaging system.
Endoscopic illuminator with separately adjustable central and peripheral illumination
The illuminator has first and second illumination elements for illuminating central and peripheral areas in one spectral band, and third and fourth illumination elements for illuminating those areas in a different spectral band. Within each pair, the illumination enters the light input at substantially different angles, and the peripheral illumination level is adjustable separately from the central illumination level.
Method of providing illumination for an endoscope
The method couples first and second illumination light into a light guiding element at substantially different angles to illuminate central and peripheral areas. It adjusts the second illumination level relative to the first to improve evenness, and repeats the central and peripheral illumination and relative-level adjustment with third and fourth illumination light in a different spectral band.
Endoscopic imaging system with separately adjustable illumination elements
The system comprises an endoscope with a shaft, a light guide, and a light input, and a light source with four illumination elements. The elements illuminate central and peripheral areas in two spectral bands; in each band, the peripheral illumination enters at a substantially different angle from the central illumination and has a separately adjustable illumination level.
The independent claims cover apparatus, method, and system forms of central and peripheral endoscopic illumination in two spectral bands, with different input angles and adjustable relative illumination levels.
Stated Advantages
Adjusting peripheral illumination relative to central illumination improves evenness of illumination in the field of view.
Documented Applications
Illumination and imaging of an endoscopic field of view, including visible-light imaging and fluorescence excitation for ICG or near-infrared fluorescence.
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