RU2559860C1 - Light-emitting diode based endoscopic illumination device - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: medicine.

SUBSTANCE: invention refers to medical equipment. A light-emitting diode based endoscopic illumination device comprises a body (1), at a distal end of which there is a connector (4) for endoscope connection. A light source is integrated into the body (1) and configured as a light-emitting diode (3). The body (1) comprises a heating unit (2), which encloses passages (6) in its body. Between the heating unit (2) and body (1) from the distal part of the body (1), there is a gap (7) for air flow in the passages (6) of the heating unit (2). The light-emitting diode (3) is attached to the distal end of the heating unit (2) in close proximity to an inner surface of the connector (4). An electrical cable (8) extends through the heating unit (2) body to connect the light-emitting diode (3) to a power cable indirectly or through a socket mounted in the connector (5) arranged on a proximal end of the body and applicable to connect an air supply or exhaust system. The body (1) is built into a protective case (9).

EFFECT: using the invention enables maintaining a continuous maximum illumination level and increasing the operational safety of the illumination device.

2 cl, 1 dwg

Description

The claimed technical solution relates to lighting equipment and can be used when working with endoscopes to illuminate internal organs and cavities during endoscopic examinations.

Light plays an important role in the diagnostic process, since the reliability of the data obtained during the study and the success of endoscopic interventions depend on its quality. The main requirement for a light source is that it should be bright enough and not distort the natural color of the object under study. In this regard, lighting devices, as a rule, contain a light source and a fiber optic bundle optically connected with it, transmitting light from a radiation source to an endoscope, which in turn illuminates a given examination area.

For many years, lamps, for example, halogen and xenon lamps, whose power is 100-300 watts, have been used as sources of light radiation in endoscopes.

The main disadvantage of tube light sources is the need to collect and focus the light flux using an optical system (condenser) at the input end of the lighting cable, while losing a large amount of energy.

To match the aperture of the lighting fiber, whose aperture is greater than 80 °, with a lighting cable with an aperture of less than 60 °, a focus is used on which a large amount of energy is also lost.

Currently developed lighting devices for endoscopes, built on the basis of LEDs located near the illuminating fiber of the endoscope. This design of the device can significantly reduce energy loss during transmission of the light flux from the illuminator to the endoscope.

However, when using heavy-duty LEDs in lighting devices with a power of more than 3 W, there is excessive heating of the cases in which they are installed.

A lighting device is known (RF patent for utility model No. 110817, publ. 11/27/2011) containing a light source installed in the housing in the form of a crystal of a powerful LED and a light-conducting fiber bundle made of high-aperture optical fiber having a flat end perpendicular to the fibers. The end of the fiber bundle is located in close proximity to the radiating surface of the crystal. The proximal end of the fiber bundle is enclosed in a rigid clip. To remove the heat generated by the LED during the glow, the device casing is made of a material with a high coefficient of thermal conductivity, for example, aluminum. However, the execution of the aluminum housing does not allow the use of heavy-duty LEDs, since in this case the device housing will become very hot, which in turn will lead to a decrease in the brightness and degradation of the crystal structure, and can also lead to burns to the operator and (or) the patient.

In an endoscope with an integrated LED light source (RF patent for utility model No. 1055569, publ. 06/20/2011) by placing temperature sensors on the endoscope body, organizing power management of the LED emitters in accordance with the temperature of the sensors, the LED is protected from overheating. During operation, depending on the temperature sensors and the value of the maximum allowable temperature of the LED light source, the power control unit of the LED light source of the endoscope automatically lowers or increases the current strength of the LED light source in order to maintain the temperature of the endoscope body. However, during a change in amperage, a change in the level of illumination occurs and, therefore, the quality of the entire endoscope is deteriorated. Using an integrated light source complicates the sterilization process of the endoscope as a whole, and also greatly increases the cost of the endoscope.

The well-known universal LED illuminator MIKhOS was developed by NPO Etalov LLC, located in Yekaterinburg (http://www.etalon66.ru/catalog/0/24/93), which, through the use of Storz / Storz system connectors, allows connect it directly to endoscopes of various designs. This lighting device is selected as a prototype, as it is closest to the claimed technical solution.

The lighting device consists of a housing, inside of which there is an LED. A connector is provided at the distal end of the housing for connection to an endoscope, and a power cable is connected to the proximal end of the housing.

This design does not allow sufficient heat to be removed from the housing of the lighting device. In this regard, you can use only a low power LED, which cannot provide the maximum level of illumination of the object

The task to which the claimed technical solution is directed is to remove heat from the housing of the LED lighting device at constant maximum illumination.

The technical result, to which the claimed technical solution is directed, is to obtain a constant maximum level of illumination and increase the safety of operation of the lighting device.

To obtain the technical result, the LED lighting device for endoscopes is made in the form of a housing, inside of which there is a light source made in the form of an LED, at the distal end of the housing there is a connector designed to connect to the endoscope, a radiator is placed inside the housing, channels are made in its body, at the same time, a gap is formed between the radiator and the casing from the side of the distal part of the casing, designed for air to pass through the radiator channels, the LED is installed at the distal end of the radiator, in close proximity to the inner surface of the connector for connecting the endoscope, an electric cable passes through the radiator body to connect the LED to the power cable directly or through the connector installed in the connector located on the proximal end of the case and designed to connect air supply or exhaust systems.

To reduce thermal conductivity, the housing can be made in a protective casing.

The essence of the claimed invention is illustrated in FIG. 1, which shows the design of an LED lighting device for endoscopes.

The LED lighting device for endoscopes (Fig. 1) consists of a housing 1, a radiator 2, a light source made in the form of an LED 3, a connector 4 for connecting to an endoscope, a connector 5 for connecting an air supply or exhaust system. Channels 6 are made in the body of radiator 2. A gap 7 is formed between the radiator 2 and the housing 1, which is designed to allow air to pass through the channels 6 of the radiator 2. An electric cable 8 passes from the radiator 2 body from the LED 3 to the power connector installed in the connector 5. LED 3 can be connected directly to the power cable without using a connector (not shown). The housing 1 may be covered with a protective casing 9.

As a light source, a 10 W CREE XML-T5 LED crystal is used. The crystal is a square with a side of 2 mm, placed on a standard substrate containing two conductive tracks with leads at their ends for connection to a power cable.

The lighting device is connected directly to the endoscope connector by means of a threaded connection located on the connector 4.

Due to the fact that the light source 3 is located in close proximity to the inner surface of the connector 4, intended for connecting an endoscope, the illumination of the object is significantly increased, especially if a high aperture fiber with an aperture of more than 90 ° is used as an illuminating fiber.

To remove heat as a cooling system, this technical solution uses airflow to blow through the radiator fins, which enters the housing through a connector connected to the air supply or exhaust system with a flexible hose and exits (or gets) through the gap 7 in the distal part between the housing and a radiator. An air compressor or suction can be used as the air supply or exhaust system.

To reduce the thermal conductivity of the housing 1, it can be made in a protective casing 9 made of non-conductive material, for example, plastic.

Constant cooling of the device casing ensures uninterrupted operation of the lighting device with constant maximum illumination, and also improves the safety of the operator during endoscopic examinations, since now you can hold the endoscope in your hand for a long time without feeling discomfort from heating the casing even at the maximum power of the LED used .

Claims (2)

1. LED lighting device for endoscopes, consisting of a housing, inside of which there is a light source made in the form of an LED, a connector for connecting to an endoscope is located on the distal end of the housing, a radiator is placed inside the housing, channels are made in the body, while between the radiator and the casing from the side of the distal part of the casing, a gap is formed for air to pass through the radiator channels, an LED is installed on the distal end of the radiator, in the immediate izosti to the inner surface of the connector intended for connection of the endoscope, passes across the radiator body electrical cable intended to connect the LED to the power cable directly or through a connector mounted in the connector located at the proximal end of the body and intended to connect the supply or exhaust air system. 2. LED lighting device for endoscopes according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing is made in a protective casing.