WO2020221234A1 - Tunable light source and endoscope system - Google Patents

Abstract

A tunable light source and an endoscope system. The tunable light source (100) comprises a spectrum generator (10), a light guide device (20), and a light adjustment device (30). The spectrum generator (10) is able to provide super-continuum light having a wide range of wavelengths. The light guide device (20) is able to perform parallel filtering processing and dispersion expansion on the ultra-broad spectrum to obtain quasi-parallel light. The light adjustment device (30) is able to selectively process the wavelength and intensity of the quasi-parallel light, so as to obtain tunable light having adjustable wavelength and intensity. The light adjustment device (30) is able to obtain a spectrum having a specific wavelength range and a specific intensity range. The tunable light source (100) has a wide light source wavelength selection range, and can not only freely select light having a specific wavelength, but also freely combine light having a plurality of different wavelengths. The tunable light source (100) is able to provide, during clinical diagnosis, tunable light having adjustable wavelength and intensity.

Description

Tunable light source and endoscope system

Related application

This disclosure claims the priority of the Chinese patent application filed on April 28, 2019, with application number 2019103503058, titled "Spectral Tunable Light Source System", which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Technical field

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of medical photonics, in particular to a tunable light source and an endoscope system.

Background technique

Endoscope is a testing instrument that integrates traditional optics, ergonomics, precision machinery, modern electronics, mathematics, software and other technologies. Generally, an endoscope has an image sensor, optical lens, light source lighting, mechanical device and other components. It enters the stomach through the oral cavity or enters the body through other natural orifices, and can see lesions that cannot be displayed by X-rays.

The key indicators of endoscopes are image quality and operational flexibility. Image quality includes image clarity and color reproduction. In order to improve the image quality, the selection of the light source of the endoscope is very important. However, the traditional endoscope light source is generally an LED lamp or a xenon lamp, which can only emit light of a fixed single wavelength. Therefore, the traditional endoscope light source has the problem that a light source of a specific wavelength cannot be selected, that is, it cannot be tunable.

Summary of the invention

Based on this, it is necessary to provide a tunable light source and an endoscope system in response to the problem that a light source of a specific wavelength cannot be selected in the traditional endoscope light source.

The present disclosure provides a tunable light source and endoscope system. The tunable light source includes: a spectrum generator, a light guide device and a dimming device. The spectrum generator can provide supercontinuum light with a wide wavelength range. The light guide device can perform parallel filtering and dispersion expansion on the ultra-wide spectrum to obtain parallel light. The dimming device can perform selective processing of the wavelength and intensity of parallel-like light to obtain tunable light whose wavelength and intensity can be adjusted. The light of a specific wavelength range and a specific intensity range can be obtained through the dimming device. The tunable light source provided by the present disclosure has a wide selection range of light source wavelengths, which can freely select light of a specific wavelength, and freely combine multiple lights of different wavelengths. The tunable light source can provide tunable light whose wavelength and intensity can be adjusted during clinical diagnosis. The tunable light source can be applied to the endoscopic detection system to provide basic light that helps the endoscopic detection system provide observation. The present disclosure also provides an endoscope system for detection. A tunable light source that integrates high color rendering index, long life and spectral tunability to meet various imaging needs including white light imaging, narrowband imaging, optical stain imaging, and optical biopsy imaging based on multimodal microscopy technology.

Description of the drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a tunable light source provided by an embodiment of the disclosure;

2 is a schematic diagram of a specific structure of a tunable light source provided by an embodiment of the disclosure;

3 is a schematic diagram of a specific physical structure of a tunable light source provided by an embodiment of the disclosure;

4 is a schematic diagram of a result of freely selecting the wavelength and intensity of output light by controlling the dimming array according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

5 is an effect diagram of simultaneously outputting multiple wavelengths under the multi-frequency simultaneous selection function of the tunable light source provided by an embodiment of the disclosure;

6 is a fitting curve/calibration curve of the output wavelength corresponding to the center position of the dimming array stripe provided by an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 is an image of diffracted light obtained after using the tunable light source after passing through a converging lens according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 8 shows the output of light of different colors after the light guide of the tunable light source according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the tunable light source when combined with an endoscope system according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

10 is a physical comparison diagram of part of the structure of the endoscope system provided by an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a system operation interface diagram of the original digital micromirror array provided by an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a medical detection operation key board in the endoscope system of the present application provided by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Description of reference signs:

Tunable light source 100 Spectrum generator 10 Light guide device 20 Light adjusting device 30

Filter element 21 Dispersion spreading element 22 Beam expanding element 23 Mirror 24

Dimming array 31 Digital micro-mirror unit 310 Internal total reflection prism 32

Condenser 40 Condenser lens 41 Light guide 42

Detailed ways

In order to facilitate the understanding of the present disclosure, the present disclosure will be described more fully below with reference to related drawings. The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the present disclosure can be implemented in many different forms, and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. On the contrary, the purpose of providing these embodiments is to make the understanding of the disclosure of the present disclosure more thorough and complete.

It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it may be directly on the other element or a central element may also exist. When an element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or an intermediate element may be present at the same time. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the technical field of the present disclosure. The terms used in the specification of the present disclosure herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. The term "and/or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items.

Traditional endoscope light sources are generally LED lamps or xenon lamps, which can only emit light with a fixed single wavelength. For example, LG-400 endoscope cold light source. Therefore, the traditional endoscope light source has the problem that a light source of a specific wavelength cannot be selected, that is, it cannot be tunable.

Please refer to FIG. 1, the present disclosure provides a tunable light source 100, including a spectrum generator 10, a light guide device 20 and a dimming device 30.

The spectrum generator 10 is used to output an ultra-wide spectrum with a wavelength of 400nm-2400nm. In an embodiment, the spectrum generator 10 may be an ultra-wide spectrum spectrum generator with a model of NKT SC00-4. Can produce 400nm-2400nm, 4Watt ultra-wide spectrum light. Of course, the spectrum generator 10 can also be another light source generating device, and the spectrum generator 10 can output any wavelength in an ultra-wide band.

The spectrum generator 10 may be a supercontinuum source (Supercontinuum Sources). The supercontinuum light source is a pulsed laser light source with a wider spectral range than a tunable laser. The supercontinuum light source can be matched with a filter to generate a wavelength tunable laser. Coupling the ultra-short pulse laser generated by the supercontinuum light source into a highly nonlinear fiber (usually a photonic crystal fiber PCF). Because of the nonlinear effect of the fiber, four-wave mixing and optical soliton effect, the pulse spectrum of the output light is broadened. The spectrum width can be expanded to 0.4um ~ 2.4um, so as to achieve ultra-wide spectrum output.

The light guide device 20 is arranged on the light exit side of the spectrum generator 10, and is used for parallelizing the filtering process and dispersion expansion of the ultra-wide spectrum to obtain parallel light. The light guide device 20 may include various optical elements. For example, the light guide device 20 may first perform filtering processing on the ultra-wide spectrum, then expand the filtered light, and finally parallelize the expanded light. Finally, after the ultra-wide spectrum passes through the light guide device 20, the parallel-like light is obtained.

The dimming device 30 is arranged on the light exit side of the light guide device 20, and is used to perform selective processing of the wavelength and intensity of the parallel-like light to obtain tunable light whose wavelength and intensity can be adjusted. Generally, the parallel-like light is perpendicular to the light incident surface of the dimming device 30. The dimming device 30 performs wavelength and intensity selective processing on the parallel light, including: selecting light of a specific wavelength from the parallel light, selecting light of a specific intensity from the parallel light, and Light of a specific wavelength range is selected from the parallel light, or light of a specific intensity range is selected from the parallel light. The tunable light source 100 can realize free frequency selection, that is, the tunable light source 100 can freely select light of different wavelengths and different intensities. The tunable light source 100 can realize multi-frequency simultaneous selection, that is, the tunable light source 100 can output light of multiple wavelengths at the same time.

The present disclosure provides a tunable light source 100, which can generate tunable light whose wavelength and intensity can be adjusted. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, by setting the spectrum generator 10, supercontinuum light with a wide wavelength range can be provided. By arranging the light guide device 20, the ultra-wide spectrum can be subjected to parallelized filtering processing and dispersion expansion to obtain parallel light. By setting the dimming device 30, the wavelength and intensity of the parallel-like light can be selectively processed to obtain tunable light whose wavelength and intensity can be adjusted. The tunable light source 100 provided in the present disclosure has a wide selection range of light source wavelengths, which can freely select light of a specific wavelength, and freely combine multiple lights of different wavelengths. The tunable light source 100 can provide tunable light whose wavelength and intensity can be adjusted during clinical diagnosis. The tunable light source 100 can be applied to an endoscopic detection system to help the endoscopic detection system provide basic light for observation.

Please refer to FIGS. 2 and 3. In one of the embodiments, the light guide device 20 includes a filter element 21, a dispersion expansion element 22 and a beam expansion element 23.

The filter element 21 is arranged on the light emitting side of the spectrum generator 10. The filter element 21 is used to perform filter processing on the ultra-wide spectrum to obtain continuous light with a wavelength in the visible light range. The filter element 21 may be a visible light cold mirror. The visible light cold mirror is used to filter out light with a longer wavelength in the ultra-wide spectrum. Specifically, the visible light cold mirror is used to filter light from 400 nm to 2400 nm into light from 400 nm to 700 nm. The cold mirror here is opposite to the hot mirror, and is also known as an infrared pass filter (in English, IR pass filter or IR filter), which belongs to a visible light reflection filter. The visible light cold mirror can reflect visible light and allow infrared light or heat source to penetrate.

The dispersion spreading element 22 is disposed at the light exit port of the filter element 21. The dispersion spreading element 22 is used for dispersion spreading of the continuous light whose wavelength is in the visible light range. The dispersion spreading element 22 may be a triangular prism. The dispersion spreading element 22 can decompose light with a wavelength of 400 nm to 700 nm into individual monochromatic lights.

The beam expanding element 23 is arranged at the light exit of the dispersion expanding element 22. The beam expanding element 23 is used for non-destructive transmission of the dispersed light to obtain the parallel-like light. The intensity of light will not be lost during the beam expanding and transmission process of the beam expanding element 23. After the light is expanded by the beam expanding element 23, light similar to parallel light can be obtained. The beam expander 23 does not block the backlight, so the brightness of the screen irradiated by the tunable light source 100 can be well guaranteed. Specifically, the beam expanding element 23 may be a cylindrical lens.

In this embodiment, the light guide device 20 includes: the filter element 21, the dispersion expansion element 22 and the beam expansion element 23. The structure of the light guide device 20 is simple, the manufacturing process is simple and convenient, and the effect of the light guide device 20 is obvious, and the parallel light can be obtained.

In one of the embodiments, the light guide device 20 further includes a reflecting mirror 24.

The reflecting mirror 24 is arranged on the light emitting side of the beam expanding element 23. The reflecting mirror 24 may be a flat mirror. The reflecting mirror 24 is used to change the propagation direction of the parallel light so that the parallel light is incident perpendicular to the incident surface of the light modulating device 30. The reflecting mirror 24 can adjust the direction of the light incident on the dimming device 30. The reflecting mirror 24 tries to ensure that the parallel-like light is perpendicularly incident on the dimming device 30. In this embodiment, the design of the reflecting mirror 24 can make the light selection effect of the dimming device 30 better.

In one of the embodiments, the dimming device 30 includes: a dimming array 31.

The dimming array 31 has a plurality of digital micro-mirror units 310. The plurality of digital micro-mirror units 310 in the dimming array 31 are respectively at different flip angles, so as to achieve selective processing of the wavelength and intensity of the parallel light.

In an embodiment, the dimming array 31 may be a DMD micromirror. A DMD micromirror (Digital Micromirror Device, abbreviated as DMD) is a type of optical switch, which uses a rotating mirror to open and close the optical switch, and the opening and closing time is on the order of microseconds. Specifically, DMD micromirrors control hundreds of thousands to millions of tiny mirrors through digital information to project different amounts of light. The area of each micromirror is only 16 micrometers×16 micrometers. The micromirrors are arranged in matrix rows and columns. Each micromirror can be flipped at a positive or negative 12 degree angle under the control of a binary 0/1 digital signal. The dimming array 31 includes multiple horizontal grids and multiple vertical grids. Part of the grid is open, and some of the grids are closed. The opening and closing of the horizontal grid can shield a certain wavelength of light, and the opening and closing of the vertical grid can adjust the light intensity. The mirror on the grid is -12 degrees when off, and the mirror on the grid is 12 degrees when on. Or in another embodiment, the mirror on the grid is 0 degrees when off, and the mirror on the grid is 12 degrees when on. In the row direction, the first grid represents 401 nm, the second grid 402 nm, and the third grid 403 nm are arranged in sequence. For example, to output light with a wavelength of 450nm, the 450nm grid needs to be opened. Specifically, the dimming array 31 may include a screen with a width of 2 cm and a height of 1 cm. The screen is arranged by a plurality of digital micro-mirror units 310 in an array. Each of the digital micro-mirror units 310 corresponds to the aforementioned one horizontal/vertical grid.

In this embodiment, the number of the digital micro-mirror units 310 is not limited and can be any number. The greater the number of the digital micro-mirror units 310, the higher the accuracy of the tunable light source 100 for outputting light of a specific wavelength. Further, the greater the number of the digital micro-mirror units 310, the higher the tuning accuracy of the tunable light source 100. For example, the spectrum generator 10 provides a continuous spectrum light source with a wavelength range of 400 nanometers to 1000 nanometers. The dimming array 31 of the first type includes 500 digital micro-mirror units 310, and the dimming array 31 of the first type includes 1000 digital micro-mirror units 310. It can be understood that the first type of dimming array 31 includes 500 digital micromirror units 310, and only 500 light sources of different wavelengths can be selected, with a resolution of 1 nanometer. The second type of dimming array 31 includes 1000 digital micro-mirror units 310, and 1000 light sources of different wavelengths can be selected, with a resolution of 0.5 nanometers. Obviously, the tuning accuracy of the tunable light source 100 using the second type of the dimming array 31 including 1000 digital micro-mirror units 310 is higher. Optionally, the light source tuning device 300 includes 1920*1080 digital micro-mirror units 310.

In one of the embodiments, each of the digital micro-mirror units 310 has a first angle and a second angle. When the digital micro-mirror unit 310 is turned to a first angle, the dimming array 31 reflects the light irradiated on the digital micro-mirror unit 310 to a direction different from the output light path of the tunable light source 100. When the digital micro-mirror unit 310 is turned to a first angle, the light irradiated on the digital micro-mirror unit 310 by the dimming array 31 is finally absorbed and will not be further transmitted. The finally absorbed light may be absorbed by the housing of the tunable light source 100 provided outside the digital micro-mirror unit 310.

When the digital micro-mirror unit 310 is flipped to a second angle, the dimming array 31 reflects the light irradiated on the digital micro-mirror unit 310 to the same direction as the output light path of the tunable light source 100. When the digital micro-mirror unit 310 is turned to a second angle, the light irradiated on the digital micro-mirror unit 310 by the dimming array 31 is finally selectively output by the tunable light source 100.

In one of the embodiments, the first angle is 12 degrees and the second angle is -12 degrees. The ±12 degrees here are respectively the plane formed by the digital micro-mirror unit 310 without any inversion. The angle setting of the digital micro-mirror unit 310 is controlled by a digital micro-mirror controller. In one embodiment, the dimming array 31 includes the digital micro-mirror unit 310 and a digital micro-mirror controller. The actions in the digital micro-mirror controller may have an associated flip function. In one embodiment, the value of M is 1920. The value of N is 1080.

In the foregoing embodiments, although the specific structure of the dimming array 31 is different, all of them can realize the convenient and fast light source selection of the dimming array 31. In the above-mentioned embodiment, the wavelength and intensity of the light in the ultra-wide band are arbitrarily selected by controlling the number and positions of the micro-mirrors on the dimming array 31 to be opened. When the dimming array 31 includes 1920×1080 digital micromirror units 310, the tunable light source 100 can control and output 1920 wavelengths at the same time, and can achieve a resolution of <0.5 nm in the visible light band. The intensity of each wavelength can be adjusted between 0-1080. This achieves tunable spectral wavelength and intensity. Please refer to FIG. 5, which shows the multi-frequency simultaneous selection function of the tunable light source 100, that is, the effect of outputting multiple wavelengths at the same time. As shown in Fig. 5, the red light 625nm and the green light 536nm are selected to simultaneously output the spectrum mixed into yellow light. When red light and green light are output at the same time, they are mixed into yellow light. Figure 5 further verifies that the light source can output not only monochromatic light of any wavelength, but also combined light of different wavelengths. The input pattern of the dimming array 31 is a combination of vertical stripes of different lengths and widths. The stripe length controls the output light intensity, and the stripe width controls the output light wavelength. Please refer to Figure 6, Figure 6 shows that after obtaining the corresponding relationship between the light of each wavelength and the center position of the fringe on the input pattern of the dimming array 31, the corresponding relationship shown in the figure is good. According to the actual operation The relationship correction curve accurately controls the output light of the dimming array 31, so that the wavelength and intensity of the output light can be adjusted arbitrarily. Fig. 6 is a fitting curve/calibration curve of the output wavelength corresponding to the center position of the stripe of the dimming array 31, that is, the fitting curve can be used to deduct the number of stripes of the digital micromirror unit 310 from the desired output wavelength. The center position, thereby controlling the dimming array 31 to select the frequency.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, in the dimming array 31, a white light illumination spectrum, a narrowband illumination spectrum, and various other dyed illumination spectra can be obtained by switching a specific pattern of the digital micromirror unit 310 in the dimming array. And after the dimming array 31, each spectrum can be guided into the incident light port of an endoscope or other device through a single multimode optical fiber. The tunable light source 100 can perform homogenization and illumination angle amplification by a homogenization device. The tunable light source 100 can accurately generate a spectrum directly corresponding to the optical absorption spectrum of the target tissue, thereby generating the ability to "optically stain" the target tissue.

In an embodiment, the dimming array 31 includes M×N digital micromirror units 310 arranged in a matrix, M and N are both positive integers, and the magnitude relationship between M and N can be selected arbitrarily. The dimming array 31 is considered to be composed of N digital micro-mirror unit rows, and each digital micro-mirror unit row includes M digital micro-mirror units 310 arranged side by side. In one embodiment, in the same row of digital micro-mirror units, the light sources irradiating different digital micro-mirror units 310 have different wavelengths and the same intensity.

In this embodiment, the dimming array 31 can assist (other optical devices of the tunable light source 100) to freely select light of different wavelengths and different intensities. The dimming array 31 can assist (other optical devices of the tunable light source 100) to simultaneously output light of multiple wavelengths. In this embodiment, in the same row of digital micro-mirror units, the light sources irradiating different digital micro-mirror units 310 have different wavelengths and the same intensity.

In an embodiment, the dimming array 31 includes M×N digital micro-mirror units 310 arranged in a matrix, and M and N are both positive integers. The dimming array 31 is considered to be composed of M digital micro-mirror unit rows, and each digital micro-mirror unit row includes N digital micro-mirror units 310 arranged side by side. In one embodiment, in the same digital micro-mirror unit row, the light sources irradiating different digital micro-mirror units 310 have different intensities and the same wavelength.

In this embodiment, the dimming array 31 can assist (other optical devices of the tunable light source 100) to freely select light of different wavelengths and different intensities. The dimming array 31 can assist (other optical devices of the tunable light source 100) to simultaneously output light of multiple wavelengths. In this embodiment, in the same digital micro-mirror unit row, the light sources irradiating different digital micro-mirror units 310 have different wavelengths and the same intensity.

In one of the embodiments, the tunable light source 100 further includes: a condensing device 40. The light concentrating device 40 is arranged on the light exit side of the light adjusting device 30 and is used for converging and coupling the tunable light.

Generally, the emitted light after passing through the dimming array 31 has a strong diffraction effect. The condensing device 40 can converge and couple diffracted light well. The light concentrating device 40 focuses the light passing through the digital micro-mirror unit 310, couples it to an optical fiber, and transmits it to the device requiring a light source. The light concentrating device 40 may include a plurality of optical elements, and the light concentrating device 40 may converge the emitted light together. Generally, the focal length of the concentrating device 40 is 13mm-25mm. Preferably, the focal length of the condensing device 40 is 16 mm.

For example, the tunable light source 100 serves as the light source of an endoscope. Specifically, the light source of a specific wavelength output by the dimming device 30 is still a light spot. Due to the small size of the endoscope, the diameter of the light spot is too large to enter the endoscope. The arrangement of the condensing device 40 can condense the light source of a specific wavelength output by the dimming device 30, couple it with a single multimode optical fiber, and guide it into the incident light port of the endoscope. As mentioned in the above embodiment, the dimming array 31 includes the digital micro-mirror unit 310 and a digital micro-mirror controller. The digital micro-mirror controller is used to send a control signal to the digital micro-mirror unit 310 to control different digital micro-mirror units 310 to flip to different angles respectively. Optionally, the user can create a preset wavelength pattern, and input the preset wavelength pattern to the digital micromirror controller. The digital micro-mirror controller may send control signals to the plurality of digital micro-mirror units 310 according to the preset wavelength pattern to control different digital micro-mirror units 310 to flip to different angles, respectively.

In this embodiment, the light condensing device 40 is provided to condense the light source of the specific wavelength output by the dimming device 30 and input to the endoscope. Different digital micro-mirror units 310 are set to flip to different angles. The light concentrating device 40 is used in conjunction with the spectrum generator 10, the light guide device 20, and the light adjusting device 30 to realize the tuning function of the tunable light source 100 system.

In one of the embodiments, the condensing device 40 includes a condensing lens 41 and a light guide 42.

The condensing lens 41 is arranged on the light exit side of the total internal reflection prism 32. The converging lens 41 is used to converge the tunable light. The light guide 42 is arranged on the light exit side of the converging lens 41. The light guide 42 is used to couple out the converged tunable light.

In this embodiment, the reflected light of the digital micro-mirror unit 310 is directly coupled with the light guide 42 (which may be an optical fiber) through the condensing lens 41, as shown in FIG. 6. The reflected light of the digital micro-mirror unit 310 is a kind of diffracted light, and the light spot after the diffracted light is condensed by the condensing lens 41 is shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is an image of diffracted light obtained after using the tunable light source 100 after passing through a converging lens. It can be clearly seen from FIGS. 6 and 7 that the solution of the present disclosure has a better condensing effect on the reflected light of the digital micro-mirror unit 310. In addition, the converging lens 41 is closely attached to the exit end of the digital micro-mirror unit 310 to minimize the loss of output light power, and directly converge the reflected light with the diffraction line effect and enter the light guide 42 for illumination . The finally emitted light passing through the light concentrating device 40 is shown in FIG. 8. Figure 8 shows that the light guide outputs light of different colors. In Figure 8, from left to right, they are blue, light blue, green, and red. The tunable light source 100 can control the wavelength of the output light, that is, the compensation of the output light can be selected. The output power of white light in the emitted light of the light concentrating device 40 can reach up to 65 mW, and the fiber coupling efficiency is 32%.

In one of the embodiments, the tunable light source 100 further includes a calibration device. When calibration is required, the calibration device is set at the output terminal.

The calibration process of the calibration device includes:

S10, confirm the light of the first color to be adjusted, and set the initial step size of the pixel. S20. Increase the number of open columns or open rows of the digital micro-mirror unit 310 from zero, so that the output light meets the error requirement. The error requirement includes that the half-wave width of the output light is 8 nm to 15 nm, and the preferred output The half-wave width of light is 10 nm and is single-peak. S30: When increasing or decreasing the pixel width by one step size cannot make the output light meet the error requirement, adjust the initial step size of the pixel. S40, until the output light of the light of the first color meets the error requirement of the output light. S50, according to the steps of S10-S40, further calibrate the light of the second color until the calibration of all the color lights is completed.

Specifically, the calibration device may include a spectrometer. When selecting the frequency of the red light part, the number of columns opened by the digital micromirror unit 310 is relatively small, and when selecting the frequency of the blue-violet light part, the number of columns opened by the digital micromirror unit 310 is relatively large. In this embodiment, the correction of the light output by the tunable light source 100 is realized, and the calibration of errors caused by different wavelength dispersion widths is specifically realized. The final output light of the tunable light source 100 provided in the above-mentioned embodiments of the present disclosure can achieve sufficient dispersion and uniform wavelength distribution.

In the tunable light source 100 provided in the present disclosure, the total internal reflection prism 32 is placed after the dimming array 31, and the dispersion spreading element 22 (which may be a triangular prism) is placed before the dimming array 31 ) And the beam expanding element 23 (which may be a cylindrical lens), so as to achieve the purpose of converging the reflected light by making the reflected light and the incident light pass through the same optical path.

The above-mentioned tunable light source 100 mentioned in this disclosure adopts a relatively mature laser system (the spectrum generator 10 can output an ultra-wide spectrum) and a digital micromirror array (the dimming device 30 includes the dimming Array 31), from the perspective of technical feasibility and realization of technical indicators, the risk of the task is low, and it can be applied to the field of endoscopic inspection technology.

The aforementioned tunable light source 100 mentioned in the present disclosure combines the spectrum generator 10 with a plurality of the digital micromirror units 310 for the first time. The tunable light source 100 can be used as an incident light source in a multi-mode high-definition endoscope. The tunable light source 100 simultaneously meets the main requirements of multiple endoscope light sources such as high color rendering index, long life and high contrast.

The above-mentioned tunable light source 100 mentioned in the present disclosure can make up for the deficiencies of existing endoscope light sources, and realize multi-mode endoscope imaging covering white light imaging, narrowband imaging, and nonlinear laser scanning endoscopy with a single light source.

The above-mentioned tunable light source 100 mentioned in the present disclosure has a larger frequency selection range and more intensity combinations. The functions of free frequency selection and multi-frequency simultaneous selection can provide a new basis for clinical diagnosis.

The present disclosure also provides an endoscope system, including: the tunable light source 100 described in any one of the above and a controller.

The tunable light source 100 described in any one of the above is used to generate tunable light. The controller is connected to the tunable light source 100. The controller is used for sending a control signal to the dimming device 30 so that the tunable light source 100 generates the light required by the endoscope system.

The endoscope system provided in this embodiment can generate tunable light through the tunable light source 100 and apply it to the endoscope detection process. The tunable light source 100 also generates light of a selected wavelength or a selected intensity, and its application in the field of endoscopic inspection will be more extensive.

The present disclosure also provides an endoscope system, including: a spectrum generator 10, a light guide device 20, a light adjusting device 30, and a light concentrating device 40.

The spectrum generator 10 is used to generate an output ultra-wide spectrum with a wavelength of 400nm-2400nm.

The light guide device 20 is arranged on the light exit side of the spectrum generator 10, and is used for parallelizing the filtering process and dispersion expansion of the ultra-wide spectrum to obtain parallel light. The light guide device 20 includes various optical elements. Specifically, the light guide device 20 includes: a filter element 21, a dispersion expansion element 22, a beam expansion element 23, and a mirror 24 arranged in sequence. The filter element 21 is used to perform filter processing on the ultra-wide spectrum to obtain continuous light with a wavelength in the visible light range. The dispersion spreading element 22 is used for dispersion spreading of the continuous light whose wavelength is in the visible light range. The beam expanding element 23 is used for non-destructive transmission of the dispersed light to obtain the parallel-like light. The reflecting mirror 24 is used to change the propagation direction of the parallel light so that the parallel light is incident perpendicular to the incident surface of the light modulating device 30.

The dimming device 30 is arranged on the light exit side of the light guide device 20, and is used to perform selective processing of the wavelength and intensity of the parallel-like light to obtain tunable light whose wavelength and intensity can be adjusted. The dimming device 30 includes: a dimming array 31 and a total internal reflection prism 32. The dimming array 31 has a plurality of digital micro-mirror units 310. The plurality of digital micro-mirror units 310 in the dimming array 31 are respectively at different flip angles, so as to achieve selective processing of the wavelength and intensity of the parallel light. The internal total reflection prism 32 is arranged on the side of the digital micro-mirror unit 310 away from the light guide device 20, and is used to assist the digital micro-mirror when the digital micro-mirror unit 310 is turned to a second angle. The unit 310 outputs the tunable light whose wavelength and intensity can be adjusted.

The light concentrating device 40 is arranged on the light exit side of the light adjusting device 30 and is used for converging and coupling the tunable light. The condensing lens 41 is arranged on the light exit side of the total internal reflection prism 32. The converging lens 41 is used to converge the tunable light. The light guide 42 is arranged on the light exit side of the converging lens 41. The light guide 42 is used to couple out the converged tunable light.

In this embodiment, the endoscope system includes the spectrum generator 10, the light guide device 20, the dimming device 30, and the light concentrating device 40. In the dimming array 31, a white light illumination spectrum, a narrow-band illumination spectrum, and various other dyed illumination spectra can be obtained by switching a specific pattern of the digital micromirror unit 310 in the dimming array. And after the dimming array 31, each spectrum can be guided into the incident light port of an endoscope or other device through a single multimode optical fiber. The tunable light source 100 can perform homogenization and illumination angle amplification by a homogenization device. The tunable light source 100 can accurately generate a spectrum directly corresponding to the optical absorption spectrum of the target tissue, thereby generating the ability to "optically stain" the target tissue. The endoscope system provided in this embodiment may apply light of a single wavelength, light of a certain wavelength range, or light of a certain intensity range. That is to say, in this application, the endoscope system can realize the tunable effect on light.

Since visible light accounts for only 25% of the ultra-wide continuous light generated by the spectrum generator 10, other light with higher power irradiates the tissue for a long time, which may cause damage to the tissue. Therefore, the ultra-wide spectrum needs to be filtered. The visible light accounts for only 25% of the output power of the supercontinuum light source, and the other 75% of the light is ultraviolet, near-infrared and infrared light. That is, the optical power of the laser light emitted by the spectrum generator 10 (which may be a laser) after passing through the visible light cold mirror 10 is changed from 4W to 1W. In the present disclosure, the white light output power generated by the tunable light source 100 can reach up to 65 mW, and the fiber coupling efficiency is 32%.

Referring to FIG. 9, to complete the docking of the above-mentioned tunable light source 100 and the endoscope, the exit light port of the tunable light source 100 is connected to the entrance light port of the endoscope. The tunable light source 100 is used as the input light source of the endoscope to provide the endoscope with a light source whose spectral wavelength and intensity are adjustable, and can complete multi-mode endoscopic imaging. By switching the specific pattern input by the dimming array 31, the output light of the tunable light source 100 is white light illumination spectrum, narrow-band illumination spectrum, and other kinds of dyeing illumination spectrum. Furthermore, a single multimode optical fiber is introduced into the endoscope, and the front end of the endoscope is used to complete the homogenization and illumination angle amplification through the self-made homogenization equipment. Finally, it is possible to accurately generate a spectrum that directly corresponds to the optical absorption spectrum of the target tissue, thereby generating the ability to "optically stain" the target tissue.

The frequency at which the original endoscope collects images becomes the COMS frame rate. The device refresh rate of the dimming device 30 or the dimming device 31 in the tunable light source 100 is higher than the frequency (COMS frame rate) of the endoscope to capture images. A CMOS clock can be used to synchronize the dimming device 30 or the dimming device 31, so as to achieve synchronization of spectrum switching and image acquisition. Finally, the CMOS data collection and data flow in the original endoscope system remain unchanged. After the dimmer device 30 or the dimmer device 31 is synchronized with the CMOS, the spectrum switching is performed at a submultiple frequency, such as completing white light and Narrowband imaging of superficial blood vessels. Specifically, the dimming device 30 or the dimming device 31 can control the switching frequency of the pattern of the dimming device 30 or the dimming device 31 through a computer, that is, control the opening and closing of the digital micromirror unit 310 , So as to achieve the purpose of spectrum switching. In a specific embodiment, the switching frame rate of the dimming device 30 or the dimming device 31 is 60 Hz, the CMOS image will be processed by the algorithm of inter-frame, the odd-numbered frame realizes the color restoration algorithm of white light imaging, the even-numbered frame Realize the superficial blood vessel image enhancement algorithm.

Please refer to FIG. 9. The upper part of FIG. 9 shows that when the input pattern of the dimming array 31 of the first frame is set to the full wavelength selection pattern, the output is white light. The input pattern of the dimming array 31 in the second frame is set to a specific wavelength selection pattern, and then the output is a specific wavelength, which can realize white light illumination and enhancement of a specific wavelength. The lower part of FIG. 9 shows the exposure illumination image obtained by the white light illumination reconstruction algorithm used during the image acquisition process, and the specific tissue enhanced image obtained by the specific tissue contrast enhancement algorithm.

Please refer to Figure 10. Figure 10 provides a physical comparison diagram of some structures in the endoscope system. An example of observing tissue with the tunable light source 100 outputting 450 nm light. It can be seen from the rightmost drawing in FIG. 10 that the illumination spectrum of the endoscope system can be enhanced for different tissues.

Please refer to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12. FIG. 11 is a system operation interface diagram of the original digital micromirror array. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a medical detection operation key board in the endoscope system involved in the disclosure. Figures 11 and 12 are merely functional illustrations, and the actual layout and labeling may be different. The leftmost side in Figure 12 is the output end of the light guide. The working modes of the tunable light source 100 are divided into continuous mode (CON) and synchronous mode (STR). In the continuous mode, the light source continuously emits light, and in the synchronous mode, it emits light only when it receives a trigger signal from the endoscope host. MOD1-MOD6 represent 6 typical wavelength modes, and the doctor can output the corresponding wavelength by pressing the corresponding button (the 6 typical wavelength modes are obtained through communication with the doctor, and this function is packaged to facilitate the operation of the doctor). The "+" and "-" marks in Figure 12 are used to adjust the output light intensity. The three buttons on the far right in Figure 12 can adjust the output of other wavelengths. Refer to Figure 12 to see the transition from the original operation interface to the doctor's interface, which is convenient for doctors to use in clinic. From the comparison between Figure 11 and Figure 12, it is obvious that the original operation interface requires the user to input a series of parameters such as the pattern and refresh intensity. After the development and debugging of the present disclosure, the tunable light source 100 can be The pattern of the dimming array 31 corresponds to the output wavelength, and the interface after the modification changes the bottom layer parameters to the control of the output light wavelength and intensity, which is convenient for the operation of the doctor. The change of the operation interface will cause some internal algorithm changes. For example, what wavelength you originally wanted to output, you need to manually input the corresponding pattern, and the computer will call the underlying control function to execute it. After the operation interface is changed, you need to associate the pattern with the wavelength and store it in the computer in advance. When an instruction to output a certain wavelength is received, the computer will call the corresponding pattern and the underlying control function to complete the command.

The technical features of the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. In order to make the description concise, all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-mentioned embodiments are not described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, All should be considered as the scope of this specification.

The above-mentioned embodiments only express several implementation manners of the present disclosure, and their description is relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be understood as a limitation on the scope of the invention patent. It should be pointed out that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the concept of the present disclosure, several modifications and improvements can be made, and these all fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present disclosure should be subject to the appended claims.

Claims (20)

1. A tunable light source, characterized in that it comprises:

   Spectrum generator, used to output ultra-wide spectrum;

   The light guide device is arranged on the light exit side of the spectrum generator, and is used to perform parallel filtering and dispersion expansion of the ultra-wide spectrum to obtain parallel light;

   The dimming device is arranged on the light exit side of the light guide device, and is used to perform selective processing of wavelength and intensity of the parallel-like light, so that the tunable light source realizes the functions of free frequency selection and multi-frequency simultaneous selection .
2. The tunable light source according to claim 1, wherein the light guide device comprises:

   The filter element is arranged on the light exit side of the spectrum generator, and is used for filtering the ultra-wide spectrum to obtain continuous light with a wavelength in the visible light range;

   The dispersion spreading element is arranged at the light exit of the filter element, and is used for dispersion spreading of the continuous light with a wavelength in the visible light range; and

   The beam expanding element is arranged at the light exit of the dispersion expanding element and is used for non-destructive transmission of the dispersed light to obtain the parallel light.
3. The tunable light source according to claim 2, wherein the light guide device further comprises:

   The reflecting mirror is arranged on the light exit side of the beam expanding element and is used to change the propagation direction of the parallel-like light so that the parallel-like light is incident perpendicular to the incident surface of the light modulating device.
4. The tunable light source according to claim 3, wherein the dimming device comprises:

   The dimming array has a plurality of digital micro-mirror units, and the plurality of digital micro-mirror units in the dimming array are respectively at different flip angles, so as to achieve selective processing of the wavelength and intensity of the parallel light.
5. The tunable light source according to claim 4, wherein each of the digital micro-mirror units has a first angle and a second angle;

   When the digital micro-mirror unit is turned to a first angle, the dimming array reflects the light irradiated on the digital micro-mirror unit to a direction different from the output optical path of the tunable light source;

   When the digital micromirror unit is turned to a second angle, the dimming array reflects the light irradiated on the digital micromirror unit to the same direction as the output light path of the tunable light source.
6. The tunable light source of claim 5, wherein the first angle is 12 degrees and the second angle is -12 degrees.
7. The tunable light source according to claim 5, wherein the dimming device further comprises:

   The internal total reflection prism is arranged on the side of the digital micro-mirror unit away from the light guide device, and is used to assist the digital micro-mirror unit to adjust the wavelength and intensity when the digital micro-mirror unit is turned to a second angle The tunable light output can be adjusted.
8. The tunable light source according to claim 7, wherein the dimming array comprises M×N digital micro-mirror units arranged in a matrix, and M and N are both positive integers;

   The dimming array is regarded as composed of N digital micro-mirror unit rows, and each digital micro-mirror unit row includes M digital micro-mirror units arranged side by side.
9. 8. The tunable light source according to claim 8, wherein in the same digital micro-mirror unit row, light sources irradiating different digital micro-mirror units have different wavelengths and the same intensity.
10. The tunable light source according to claim 7, wherein the dimming array comprises M×N digital micro-mirror units arranged in a matrix, and M and N are both positive integers;

    The dimming array is regarded as composed of M digital micro-mirror unit rows, and each digital micro-mirror unit row includes N digital micro-mirror units arranged side by side.
11. The tunable light source according to claim 10, wherein in the same digital micro-mirror unit row, the light sources irradiating different digital micro-mirror units have different intensities and the same wavelength.
12. The tunable light source according to claim 9 or 11, wherein the tunable light source further comprises:

    The light concentrating device is arranged on the light exit side of the light adjusting device, and is used for converging and coupling the tunable light.
13. The tunable light source according to claim 12, wherein the light concentrating device comprises:

    A condensing lens, arranged on the light exit side of the total internal reflection prism, and used to converge the tunable light; and

    The light guide is arranged on the light exit side of the condensing lens and is used to couple out the converged tunable light.
14. The tunable light source according to claim 12, wherein the tunable light source further comprises:

    For the calibration device, when calibration is required, the calibration device is set at the output terminal.
15. An endoscope system, characterized in that it comprises:

    The tunable light source according to any one of claims 1-14, which is used to generate tunable light;

    The controller is connected to the tunable light source, and is used to send a control signal to the dimming device, so that the tunable light source generates the light required by the endoscope system.
16. An endoscope system, characterized in that it comprises:

    Spectrum generator, used to output ultra-wide spectrum;

    The light guide device is arranged on the light exit side of the spectrum generator, and is used to perform parallel filtering and dispersion expansion of the ultra-wide spectrum to obtain parallel light;

    A dimming device, which is arranged on the light exit side of the light guide device, and is used to perform selective processing on the wavelength and intensity of the parallel-like light to obtain tunable light whose wavelength and intensity can be adjusted;

    The light concentrating device is arranged on the light exit side of the light adjusting device, and is used for converging and coupling the tunable light.

    The dimming device includes: a dimming array and an internal total reflection prism;

    The dimming array has a plurality of digital micro-mirror units, and the plurality of digital micro-mirror units in the dimming array are respectively at different flip angles to realize the selectivity of wavelength and intensity of the parallel light deal with;

    The internal total reflection prism is arranged on the side of the digital micro-mirror unit away from the light guide device, and is used for assisting the digital micro-mirror unit to adjust the wavelength and the wavelength when the digital micro-mirror unit is turned to a second angle. The tunable light output whose intensity can be adjusted.
17. The endoscope system according to claim 16, wherein the light guide device comprises:

    The filter element is arranged on the light exit side of the spectrum generator, and is used for filtering the ultra-wide spectrum to obtain continuous light with a wavelength in the visible light range;

    A dispersion expansion element, which is arranged at the light exit of the filter element, and is used to perform dispersion expansion on the continuous light with a wavelength in the visible light range;

    The beam expander element is arranged at the light outlet of the dispersion expander element, and is used for non-destructive transmission of the dispersed light to obtain the parallel light; and

    The reflecting mirror is arranged on the light exit side of the beam expanding element and is used to change the propagation direction of the parallel-like light so that the parallel-like light is incident perpendicular to the incident surface of the light modulating device.
18. The endoscope system according to claim 17, wherein the filter element is a visible light cold mirror, and the filter element is used to filter out an ultra-wide spectrum with a wavelength of 400nm-2400nm to obtain a wavelength of 400nm -700nm visible light.
19. The endoscope system according to claim 18, wherein the dispersion spreading element is a triangular prism, and the triangular prism is used to decompose the visible light with a wavelength of 400 nm to 700 nm into different monochromatic lights.
20. The endoscope system according to claim 19, wherein the beam expander element is a cylindrical lens, and the cylindrical lens is used for non-destructive transmission of light after dispersion expansion to obtain the parallel-like light.

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