Patent ID: 8525999

Claim:
An illumination system, comprising: a first LED module including, a straight rod having a first end, a second end, and peripheral surface extending longitudinally between the first end and the second end; a linear array of LEDs which emit light of a first wavelength; the linear array of LEDs positioned along the peripheral surface of the straight rod such that light of the first wavelength passes into the luminescent rod through the peripheral surface; the straight rod comprising a luminescent material which absorbs the light of the first wavelength and emits light of a second wavelength; a reflective element coupled to the first end of the straight rod to reflect light towards the second end of the straight rod; and the second end of the straight rod forming an outlet aperture for emitting light from the straight rod, whereby the straight rod generates light of the second wavelength in response to excitation by light of the first wavelength and emits light of the second wavelength through the outlet aperture; a second LED module which emits light of a third wavelength different than the second wavelength; a third LED module which emits light of a fourth wavelength different than the second wavelength and different than the third wavelength; a plurality of reflective elements which combine the light of the second wavelength with the light of the third wavelength and the light of the fourth wavelength into a combined beam of white light having a CRI of 85 or greater; and a lens system which focuses the combined beam of white light into an input aperture of a fiber optic device which transmits the combined beam of white light to an endoscope.