Light source for endoscopes, having different numerical-aperture light collection system
US6139175A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 14, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 31, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 14, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/4298
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A light source device for endoscopes includes a light source; a condenser lens unit for collecting light beams from the light source; a light guide for receiving the light beams collected through the condenser lens unit into its entrance end face to transmit them to its exit end face; and a reflecting mirror located on the opposite side of the condenser lens unit with respect to the light source. The light source device is designed so that a position where the light beams emitted from the light source are collected directly through the condenser lens unit does not coincide with a position where the light beams emitted from the light source and reflected back to the light source by the reflecting mirror are collected through the condenser lens unit. In an embodiment, an arc axis of the light source is substantially parallel to the optical axis of the condenser lens unit. In another embodiment, direct light and reflected light each enter an entrance face of a forked light guide. In another embodiment, an infra-red removing filter is interposed between a front lens and a rear lens of the condenser unit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.