Light source unit, optical conversion unit, light source apparatus and light source system for an endoscope

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9228725-B2
Application number	US-201314038251-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 26, 2013
Priority date	Mar 30, 2011
Publication date	Jan 5, 2016
Grant date	Jan 5, 2016

Abstract

A light source unit includes a primary light source configured to emit primary light, and a connection portion provided on an optical path of the primary light and to and from which an optical conversion unit is attachable and removable, the optical conversion unit including an optical conversion element configured to convert optical properties of the primary light to generate secondary light.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A light source unit for use with an endoscope, the light source unit comprising:
a primary light source configured to emit primary light; and
a first connector provided on an optical path of the primary light and to which each of a plurality of optical conversion units are attachable and removable, wherein
each of the plurality of the optical conversion units include an optical conversion element having an optical conversion function to convert optical properties of the primary light to generate secondary light and each of the plurality of the optical conversion units further having a second connector configured to detachably engage the first connector to transmit the primary light to the optical conversion element; and
an optical conversion unit is selected from the plurality of optical conversion units based on the optical conversion function desired for the secondary light.

2. A light source system comprising:
the light source unit according to claim 1 ; and
an optical conversion unit selected from the plurality of optical conversion units having the second connector detachably engaged with the first connector.

3. The light source system according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of optical conversion units each providing a different optical conversion function to optically convert the primary light into secondary light with a different optical property.

4. The light source system according to claim 3 , wherein the optical conversion function includes one or more of a peak wavelength, a spectral shape, and a radiation angle.

5. The light source system according to claim 3 , wherein the plurality of optical conversion units include an optical conversion unit with functions to convert a radiation angle and to avoid converting a peak wavelength and a spectral shape, the radiation angle, the peak wavelength, and the spectral shape being included in the optical properties of the primary light.

6. The light source system according to claim 5 , wherein
the optical conversion element of the optical conversion unit is a radiation angle conversion element, and
the radiation angle conversion element is one of a diffusion member configured to broaden a radiation angle of the primary light and a lens configured to one of focus and scatter the primary light.

7. The light source system according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of optical conversion units having different input limitations on optically convertible optical properties including a wavelength, a spectrum, and a light intensity of the primary light.

8. The light source system according to claim 7 , wherein
at least one optical conversion element of the plurality of optical conversion units is a wavelength conversion member configured to convert the primary light into light with a peak wavelength and a spectrum different from a peak wavelength and a spectrum of the primary light, and
at least some of the plurality of optical conversion units comprising wavelength conversion members with different absorption rates for the wavelength of the primary light.

9. The light source system according to claim 7 , wherein at least some of the plurality of optical conversion units having different thermal resistance properties for heat generated in a corresponding optical conversion element during a process from incidence of the primary light to emission of the secondary light.

10. The light source system according to claim 7 , wherein at least some of the plurality of optical conversion units exhibiting different thermal radiation properties in radiating heat to an exterior of an optical conversion unit exhibiting the different thermal radiation properties, the heat being generated in the optical conversion unit exhibiting the different thermal radiation properties during a process from incidence of the primary light to emission of the secondary light.

11. The light source system according to claim 7 , wherein at least some of the plurality of optical conversion units having different secondary light output area sizes and/or shapes.

12. The light source system according to claim 2 , wherein
the light source unit comprises a plurality of light source units each emitting a different primary light, and
each of the plurality of light source units include the first connector.

13. The light source system according to claim 12 , wherein at least some of the plurality of light source units emitting primary light differing in at least one of a peak wavelength, a spectrum shape, and a maximum optical output.

14. The light source system according to claim 2 , further comprising:
light guides configured to optically connect the light source unit to a selected one of the plurality of optical conversion units,
wherein
the light guides comprise a first light guide optically connected between the primary light source and the first connector and a second light guide optically connected between the second connector and a corresponding optical conversion unit of the selected one of the plurality of optical conversion units.

15. The light source system according to claim 14 , wherein the light guides are one of an optical fiber and a film light guide.

16. The light source system according to claim 2 , wherein
each of the plurality of optical conversion units further includes a light guide optically connected to a corresponding optical conversion element, and
the first and second connectors are provided between the primary light source and the light guide.

17. The light source unit according to claim 1 , wherein
the light source unit further comprises a light guide configured to optically connect the primary light source to the first connector.

18. A plurality of optical conversion units, each of which is for use with an endoscope, each of the optical conversion units comprising:
an optical conversion element configured to convert optical properties of primary light to generate secondary light, the optical conversion element being selected from a plurality of optical conversion elements corresponding to the plurality of optical conversion units, wherein at least some of the plurality of optical conversion elements having different optical conversion functions; and
a first connector provided on an optical path of the primary light for each of the plurality of optical conversion elements, each of the first connectors being attachable to and removable from a second connector, the first and second connectors optically connecting a light source unit including a primary light source configured to emit the primary light to each of the plurality of optical conversion elements.

19. A light source apparatus for use with an endoscope, the light source apparatus comprising:
a light source unit with a primary light source configured to emit primary light;
an optical conversion unit holder for holding a plurality of optical conversion units, each having an optical conversion element configured to convert optical properties of the primary light to generate secondary light, the optical conversion unit holder being selected from a plurality of optical conversion unit holders;
a plurality of light guides configured to optically connect the primary light source to the plurality of optical conversion units by respective light guides; and
a connector for optically connecting the primary light source to each of the plurality of optical conversion unit holders.

20. The light source apparatus according to claim 19 , wherein
the connector comprises a first connector ha

Assignees

• Olympus Corp

Inventors

• Ito Takeshi
• Yamamoto Eiji
• Nishio Masahiro
• Komazaki Iwao

Classifications

• G02B23/2423

  of the distal end · CPC title

• H01S5/0092

  for nonlinear frequency conversion, e.g. second harmonic generation [SHG] or sum- or difference-frequency generation outside the laser cavity · CPC title

• A61B1/0653

  with wavelength conversion · CPC title

• H01S5/4025

  Array arrangements, e.g. constituted by discrete laser diodes or laser bar (H01S5/42 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A61B1/07 Primary

  using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres · CPC title