LED endoscope illuminator with thermally conductive handle

Abstract

The present invention is directed to methods of mounting a light source, such as, for example a high-efficiency, high-power solid state light source (e.g., a LED) within a handle of an endoscope. One of the methods of the present invention includes removing a portion of a package surrounding the light source to expose a light source chip, positioning the exposed light source adjacent to a chassis within the handle and in contact with an end of a light guide bundle, translating the light source with the exposed light source chip about the end of the light guide while measuring light output from an illumination (i.e., distal) end of the light guide bundle with a photodetector, and securing the exposed light source to the chassis at a position in which maximum light output is measured.

1 - 17 . (canceled)  
   
   
       18 . An endoscope comprising: 
 an endoscope body including a light guide extending therethrough, the light guide having an illumination end and a contact end;    a thermally conductive handle attached to the endoscope body; and    a light source with an exposed light source chip positioned on the thermally conductive handle to remove heat from the light source, the exposed light source chip in contact with the contact end of the light guide.    
   
   
       19 . The endoscope of  claim 18 , wherein the light source is battery powered.  
   
   
       20 . The endoscope of  claim 19 , wherein the battery powered light source is conditioned to provide constant power to the exposed light source chip.  
   
   
       21 . The endoscope of  claim 20 , wherein the battery powered light source is conditioned by a pulse width modulation circuit.  
   
   
       22 . The endoscope of  claim 18 , wherein the thermally conductive handle includes a chassis.  
   
   
       23 . An endoscope handle comprising: 
 a thermally conductive handle;    a light source with an exposed light source chip positioned on the thermally conductive handle to remove heat from the light source; and    a light guide including an illumination end and a contact end, the contact end of the light guide positioned on the exposed light source chip.    
   
   
       24 . The endoscope handle of  claim 23 , wherein the light source is battery powered.  
   
   
       25 . The endoscope handle of  claim 24 , wherein the battery powered light source is conditioned to provide constant power to the exposed light source chip.  
   
   
       26 . The endoscope handle of  claim 25 , wherein the battery powered light source is conditioned by a pulse width modulation circuit.  
   
   
       27 . The endoscope handle of  claim 23 , wherein the thermally conductive handle includes a chassis.  
   
   
       28 . An endoscope comprising: 
 a thermally conductive handle;    a light guide including an illumination end and a contact end; and    a light source with an exposed light source chip, the light source secured to the thermally conductive handle at a position in which a maximum light output is measured at the contact end of the light guide.    
   
   
       29 . The endoscope of  claim 28 , wherein the light source is battery powered.  
   
   
       30 . The endoscope of  claim 29 , wherein the battery powered light source is conditioned to provide constant power to the exposed light source chip.  
   
   
       31 . The endoscope of  claim 30 , wherein the battery powered light source is conditioned by a pulse width modulation circuit.  
   
   
       32 . The endoscope of  claim 28 , wherein the thermally conductive handle includes a chassis.