The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 21, 2012
Filed:
Sep. 14, 2011
Erik F. D. Todd, Redwood City, CA (US);
Hasan Ertas, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Andrew J. Hamel, San Mateo, CA (US);
Erik F. D. Todd, Redwood City, CA (US);
Hasan Ertas, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Andrew J. Hamel, San Mateo, CA (US);
Stryker Corporation, Kalamazoo, MI (US);
Abstract
An LED based light source unit for an endoscopic imaging system produces illumination for a camera through an endoscope. The light source unit includes an array of LEDs mounted to a thermally conductive substrate, a light guide to collect light emitted from the LEDs and to couple the light into a group of optical fibers within the endoscope, and an interface to allow the light source unit to be removably attached to the endoscope at the endoscope's external light port. The LEDs therein may be overdriven by power for increased light output. When the LEDs reach their lifetime, the light source unit can be discarded.