CONMED Corporation
FLEXIBLE LIGHT GUIDE AND HEAT SINK FOR ENDOSCOPIC SYSTEMS

Abstract:

A flexible electronic light guide for an endoscope that acts as a heat sink for the light emitting diode (LED). A flexible tube within the light guide extends from the LED to shunt heat away from the LED. The flexible tube may be a solid metal tube that is perforated to be flexible. The flexible tube may also be a braided wire jacket and may enclose a series of metal balls that are in contact with each other. The flexible tube may also be made of a plurality of different metals. The flexible tube may also be a hollow tube and support an air or liquid cooling system or be packed with metal balls that can be as small as grains of sand. The flexible tube may also be a linkage formed from a series of metal components held in tight contact by a spring.