Laryngeal stroboscope utilizing solid state light sources

Abstract

Stroboscopic endoscopic systems and related methods employ intermittent energization of one or more light sources to generate a sequence of light flashes. A stroboscopic endoscope system includes an endoscope, an imaging device, a light source, a light transmission assembly, and a controller. The imaging device is configured for imaging an object illuminated via the endoscope. The light transmission assembly is configured to transmit light generated by the light source to the endoscope. The stroboscopic endoscopic systems and related methods employ approaches for increasing the amount of illumination light emitted by the endoscope.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of capturing stroboscopic images, the method comprising:
 operating a thermoelectric cooler to cool a heat sink to below an ambient temperature of air surrounding the heat sink;   subsequent to the heat sink being cooled to below the ambient temperature, energizing a first light source to generate a sequence of light flashes, wherein the first light source is thermally coupled to the heat sink to cool the first light source during the generation of the sequence of light flashes;   transmitting light from the sequence of light flashes into a light guide of an endoscope;   emitting light from the sequence of light flashes by the endoscope; and   capturing images of an object illuminated by the light emitted by the endoscope.