Solid-state light source
A solid-state light source includes a semiconductor light source for emitting light and an optical system having a fiber optic element. The fiber optic element has an input for receiving emitted light from the semiconductor light source. The fiber optic element also has an output for emitting light received from the solid-state light source. The semiconductor light source and the fiber optic element in aggregate form an illumination path.
1. A solid-state light source for providing light, the solid-state light source comprising:
a semiconductor light source for emitting light;
a fiber optic element coupled to the semiconductor light source, the semiconductor light source and the fiber optic element in aggregate providing an illumination path, wherein the fiber optic element comprises a fiber optic line having an input at a proximal end for receiving emitted light from the semiconductor light source and an output at a distal end for emitting light through a distal end of the fiber optic element, the output being configured to emit light in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the fiber optic line;
a phosphor layer located along the illumination path, wherein the phosphor layer does not contact the semiconductor light source; and
a clear material covering the semiconductor light source, wherein the phosphor layer also does not contact the clear material,
wherein the semiconductor light source includes a light emitting diode configured to emit a non-white light, and wherein the phosphor layer is configured to receive the non-white light and convert the received light to white light.
2. An endoscopic system comprising:
a semiconductor light source for emitting light;
a fiber optic element coupled to the semiconductor light source, the semiconductor light source and the fiber optic element in aggregate providing an illumination path, wherein the fiber optic element comprises a fiber optic line having an input at a proximal end for receiving emitted light from the semiconductor light source and an output at a distal end for emitting light through a distal end of the fiber optic element, the output being configured to emit light in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the fiber optic line and in a manner that illuminates an area outside of the endoscopic system;
a phosphor layer located along the illumination path, wherein the phosphor layer is located at the distal end of the fiber optic element and does not contact the semiconductor light source;
a clear material covering the semiconductor light source, wherein the phosphor layer also does not contact the clear material;
a video camera configured to generate video signals representative of images at the illuminated area outside of the endoscopic system; and
a video monitor configured to display the images from the video signals.
3. The endoscopic system of claim 2 further comprising a plurality of light sources and a plurality of fiber optic lines.
4. The endoscopic system of claim 3 wherein the plurality of fiber optic lines are in the form of a bundle.
5. The endoscopic system of claim 2 wherein the semiconductor light source includes a light emitting diode.
6. The endoscopic system of claim 2 , further comprising a light concentrator having a proximal end positioned at the semiconductor light source, the light concentrator configured to reflect light from a surface of the semiconductor light source.
7. The endoscopic system of claim 6 wherein
the proximal end of the fiber optic line is coupled to a distal end of the light concentrator; and
the phosphor layer is located distally from the distal end of the light concentrator in a direction away from the semiconductor light source.
8. The endoscopic system of claim 2 wherein the phosphor layer is configured to convert the emitted light from the semiconductor light source to white light.
9. The endoscopic system of claim 2 wherein the semiconductor light source includes a laser diode.
10. The endoscopic system of claim 2 wherein the semiconductor light source includes a vertical cavity surface emission laser.
11. The endoscopic system of claim 2 wherein the semiconductor light source is configured to emit blue light.
12. The endoscopic system of claim 2 wherein the semiconductor light source is configured to emit ultraviolet light.
13. The endoscopic system of claim 2 wherein the distal end of the fiber optic element is configured to be received by an endoscope.
14. The endoscopic system of claim 2 , wherein the semiconductor light source includes a light emitting diode configured to emit a non-white light, and wherein the phosphor layer is configured to receive the non-white light and convert the received light to white light.
15. The endoscopic system of claim 14 , wherein the distal end of the fiber optic element is configured to be received by an endoscope.
16. The endoscopic system of claim 2 , further comprising a lens positioned between the fiber optic element and the semiconductor light source for focusing an image.
17. The endoscopic system of claim 2 , further comprising a lens positioned between the fiber optic element and the semiconductor light source for magnifying an image.