Endoscope system

Abstract

The invention provides an endoscope system which comprises a first light source, a first optical fiber, a second light source, a second optical fiber, a first optical fiber coupler, a third optical fiber, a bidirectional coupler and an optical fiber endoscope. The wavelength of light emitted by the first light source is between 400 nanometers and 800 nanometers. The first fiber is connected to the first light source. The wavelength of the light emitted by the second light source is between 900 nanometers and 1700 nanometers. The second fiber is connected to the second light source. The first fiber coupler connects the first fiber and the second fiber. The third optical fiber is connected to the first optical fiber coupler. The bidirectional coupler is connected with the third optical fiber. The optical fiber endoscope comprises a first end and a second end, the first end is provided with a microlens array group, and the second end is connected with the bidirectional coupler. The endoscope system of the present invention improves the quality of an endoscopic image of a captured affected part by using a plurality of light sources having different wavelengths.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an endoscope system, and more particularly to an endoscope system that can provide multiple good images. Background Technology

[0002] Current clinical endoscopy primarily uses visible light imaging, with different diameters of endoscopes used depending on the location and intended treatment. Improving the quality of endoscopic images of affected areas to meet the needs of clinical medicine is a research direction in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to an endoscope system that improves the quality of endoscopic images of the affected area by using multiple light sources with different wavelengths.

[0004] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an endoscope system includes a first light source, a first optical fiber, a second light source, a second optical fiber, a first optical fiber coupler, a third optical fiber, a bidirectional coupler, and a fiber optic endoscope. The first light source emits light with a wavelength between 400 nanometers and 800 nanometers. The first optical fiber is connected to the first light source. The second light source emits light with a wavelength between 900 nanometers and 1700 nanometers. The second optical fiber is connected to the second light source. The first optical fiber coupler connects the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber. The third optical fiber is connected to the first optical fiber coupler. The bidirectional coupler connects the third optical fiber. The fiber optic endoscope includes a first end and a second end; the first end is provided with a microlens array, and the second end is connected to the bidirectional coupler.

[0005] In an embodiment of the present invention, the endoscope system includes a fourth optical fiber, a second optical fiber coupler, a first image sensor, and a second image sensor. The fourth optical fiber is connected to the bidirectional coupler. The second optical fiber coupler is connected to the fourth optical fiber, and the image beam received by the fiber optic endoscope is transmitted to the second optical fiber coupler through the bidirectional coupler. The second optical fiber coupler is used to split the image beam into two sub-image beams. The first image sensor is used to sense one of the two sub-image beams at a wavelength between 400 nanometers and 800 nanometers. The second image sensor is used to sense the other of the two sub-image beams at a wavelength between 900 nanometers and 1700 nanometers.

[0006] In an embodiment of the present invention, the microlens array group includes a first microlens array and a second microlens array.

[0007] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first microlens array includes a plurality of first microlenses, the second microlens array includes a plurality of second microlenses, and the fiber optic endoscope includes a plurality of light source fibers and at least one image receiving fiber, the light source fibers corresponding to the first microlenses and the at least one image receiving fiber corresponding to the second microlenses.

[0008] In an embodiment of the invention, the radius of curvature of each of the first microlenses is smaller than the radius of curvature of each of the second microlenses.

[0009] In an embodiment of the invention, at least one image receiving fiber is a plurality of image receiving fibers, each of which corresponds to one of the second microlenses.

[0010] In an embodiment of the invention, these light source fibers are arranged in a loop, and these image receiving fibers are surrounded by these light source fibers.

[0011] In an embodiment of the invention, these light source fibers are uniformly distributed among these image receiving fibers.

[0012] In an embodiment of the invention, at least one image receiving fiber is a single image receiving fiber, and these light source fibers are arranged in a loop, with the image receiving fiber surrounded by these light source fibers.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, the endoscope system further includes a third microlens array, a first filter, a fourth microlens array, and a second filter. The third microlens array is disposed between the second fiber optic coupler and the first image sensor. The first filter is disposed between the third microlens array and the first image sensor to allow images with wavelengths between 400 nanometers and 800 nanometers to pass through. The fourth microlens array is disposed between the second fiber optic coupler and the second image sensor. The second filter is disposed between the fourth microlens array and the second image sensor to allow images with wavelengths between 900 nanometers and 1700 nanometers to pass through.

[0014] In an embodiment of the invention, the endoscope system further includes a third light source and a fifth optical fiber. The wavelength of light emitted by the third light source is between 900 nanometers and 1700 nanometers, and is different from the wavelength of light emitted by the second light source. The fifth optical fiber is connected between the third light source and the first optical fiber coupler.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present invention, the wavelength of the light emitted by the second light source and the wavelength of the light emitted by the third light source are 1200 nanometers and 1550 nanometers, respectively.

[0016] In an embodiment of the invention, the endoscope system further includes a third light source, a fifth optical fiber, and a third image sensor. The polarization state of the light emitted by the third light source differs from that of the light emitted by the first and second light sources. The fifth optical fiber is connected between the third light source and the first optical fiber coupler. The third image sensor is used to sense the polarization image of another of these sub-image beams.

[0017] In summary, the endoscopic system of the present invention includes a first light source and a second light source, which are connected to a first fiber optic coupler via a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber. The first fiber optic coupler is connected to a bidirectional coupler via a third optical fiber. The second end of the fiber optic endoscope is connected to the bidirectional coupler, and the first end of the fiber optic endoscope is provided with a microlens array. The endoscopic system of the present invention improves the quality of endoscopic images of the affected area by using multiple light sources with different wavelengths. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an endoscope system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the first end of the fiber optic endoscope in the endoscope system;

[0020] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the microlens array group of an endoscope system;

[0021] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the first end of the fiber optic endoscope and the microlens array group in an endoscope system.

[0022] Figure 5 and Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the first end of a fiber optic endoscope in various endoscopic systems according to other embodiments of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of an endoscope system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0025] 100, 100a: Endoscopic systems;

[0026] 111: First light source;

[0027] 112: Second light source;

[0028] 113: Third light source;

[0029] 121: First optical fiber;

[0030] 122: Second optical fiber;

[0031] 123: Third optical fiber;

[0032] 124: Fourth optical fiber;

[0033] 125: Fifth optical fiber;

[0034] 131: First fiber optic coupler;

[0035] 132: Second fiber optic coupler;

[0036] 133: Bidirectional coupler;

[0037] 134: Third fiber optic coupler;

[0038] 135: Fourth fiber optic coupler;

[0039] 140, 140a, 140b: Fiber optic endoscopes;

[0040] 141: First end;

[0041] 142: Second end;

[0042] 143: Optical fiber as the light source;

[0043] 144, 144b: Image receiving optical fiber;

[0044] 150: Microlens array group;

[0045] 151: First microlens array;

[0046] 152: First microlens;

[0047] 153: Second microlens array;

[0048] 154: Second microlens;

[0049] 155: Third microlens array;

[0050] 157: Fourth microlens array;

[0051] 158: Fifth microlens array;

[0052] 159: Cover plate;

[0053] 161: First filter;

[0054] 162: Second filter;

[0055] 163, 164: Polarization mechanism;

[0056] 171: First image sensor;

[0057] 172: Second image sensor;

[0058] 173: Third image sensor;

[0059] 180: Calculator. Detailed Implementation

[0060] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same component reference numerals are used in the drawings and description to denote the same or similar parts.

[0061] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an endoscope system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 1 The endoscope system 100 of this embodiment includes a first light source 111, a first optical fiber 121, a second light source 112, a second optical fiber 122, a first optical fiber coupler 131, a third optical fiber 123, a bidirectional coupler 133, and an optical fiber endoscope 140.

[0062] The wavelength of light emitted by the first light source 111 is between 400 nanometers and 800 nanometers. The first light source 111 is, for example, a halogen lamp, but is not limited thereto. The wavelength of light emitted by the second light source 112 is between 900 nanometers and 1700 nanometers. The second light source 112 is, for example, a laser diode, but is not limited thereto; in other embodiments, the second light source 112 may also be a short-wave infrared light-emitting diode (SWIR LED).

[0063] In this embodiment, the first light source 111 emits visible light, for example, in the wavelength range of 400 nanometers to 800 nanometers, while the second light source 112 emits short-wave infrared light, for example, in a specific wavelength range between 900 nanometers and 1700 nanometers, such as 1200 nanometers.

[0064] Of course, the types of the first light source 111 and the second light source 112, and the wavelengths of the emitted light, are not limited to this. The first light source 111 and the second light source 112 can also be near-infrared light sources or polarized light sources. Near-infrared light can be used in conjunction with fluorescent contrast agents used in the human body. The fluorescent contrast agent is mainly ICG (Indocyanine green). Near-infrared light excites ICG to produce fluorescence. The wavelength of near-infrared light is about 780 to 800 nanometers, while the wavelength of the fluorescence is about 820 nanometers.

[0065] Due to the properties of optics, different wavelengths of light can penetrate to different depths in different tissues of the human body. The depth of light penetration is influenced by the composition of different layers of tissue in each organ. For example, the penetration depth of near-infrared light in the mucous membrane of the digestive tract is significantly different from that in the skin on the body surface. For instance, in terms of the penetration depth of light in the skin and mucous membranes between 400 and 1800 nanometers, near-infrared light can penetrate to a greater depth than visible light and short-wave infrared light.

[0066] Green light, a visible light source, has a wavelength of about 500 nanometers and a penetration depth of about 1 millimeter in mucosal tissue. However, if ICG is excited with near-infrared light of 800 nanometers, its image can be obtained at a depth of about 5 millimeters. Since the metabolic rate of ICG in tumors and some tissues is slower than that in normal tissues, a larger amount of ICG will remain in the tumor. This can be used to understand the image of tumors deeper in the mucosa. It can also be used to identify blood vessels by measuring the concentration difference of ICG in blood vessels and tissues.

[0067] Therefore, the ability of near-infrared light to be used for ICG fluorescence can help understand the distribution of tumors at deeper levels. In addition, polarization images of visible or near-infrared light can provide more information about the boundaries between the mucosa and the tumor.

[0068] While short-wave infrared light cannot reach the depth of near-infrared light, nor can it effectively target specific cells or tumors like ICG, it can create a contrasting display by utilizing the absorption characteristics of substances at specific wavelengths without the need for external contrast agents.

[0069] Furthermore, the application of polarized light imaging has contributed to biological tissues, especially tumors and cardiovascular tissues. Human tissues are rich in collagen, and because collagen itself is a non-centrosymmetric material, it will change with polarized light. Therefore, polarized images are also valuable in the application of endoscopy. They can help us provide boundary information for tumors and such plaques, so that doctors can better understand the determination of the removal boundary when performing endoscopic treatment. When removing plaques, it can be confirmed whether the blood vessel wall is affected.

[0070] In other words, designers can choose the appropriate type of light source based on the type of affected area to better detect the affected area.

[0071] Furthermore, the first light source 111 and the second light source 112 can be turned on and off independently, allowing the fiber optic endoscope 140 to observe in real time the images reflected by different wavelengths of light from the same area (affected region). In other words, the first light source 111 and the second light source 112 can be turned on simultaneously or at different times, so that different wavelengths of light can be used to detect the affected region separately or together, and the actual situation can be understood for treatments such as plaque removal in atherosclerosis.

[0072] like Figure 1As shown, the first optical fiber 121 is connected to the first light source 111. The second optical fiber 122 is connected to the second light source 112. A first optical fiber coupler 131 connects the first optical fiber 121 and the second optical fiber 122. The first optical fiber coupler 131 is, for example, a Y-coupler or a tree coupler, which couples multiple wavelengths of light sources together.

[0073] The third optical fiber 123 is connected to the first optical fiber coupler 131. The bidirectional coupler 133 is connected to the third optical fiber 123. The fiber optic endoscope 140 includes a first end 141 and a second end 142. The first end 141 of the fiber optic endoscope 140 is provided with a microlens array group 150 so that the direction of light emitted or received by the first end 141 of the fiber optic endoscope 140 can be more accurately oriented towards a predetermined direction. The second end 142 of the fiber optic endoscope 140 is connected to the bidirectional coupler 133. Therefore, light from the bidirectional coupler 133 can enter the fiber optic endoscope 140, and the image received from the fiber optic endoscope 140 can pass through the bidirectional coupler 133.

[0074] It should be noted that the diameter of current cardiac catheters is approximately 1.7 to 2.3 millimeters (mm). This is because cardiac catheters are mostly inserted into the body through arteries in the wrist or groin, where the inner diameter of the arteries is roughly the same as the outer diameter of the cardiac catheter. Furthermore, the primary application of cardiac catheters is to the coronary arteries, where the vessels are relatively small. The fiber optic endoscope 140 in this case also enters the body through the wrist or groin to reduce bleeding; therefore, its outer diameter is designed to be primarily 1.5 to 2.5 millimeters (mm). The fiber optic endoscope 140 uses flexible optical fiber for light source guidance and image acquisition. Since the endoscope enters the body through the arteries in the wrist or groin and then travels upwards through the aorta to reach the heart, and the aorta has a sharp bend, the use of flexible optical fiber allows the fiber optic endoscope 140 to smoothly enter the coronary arteries.

[0075] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the first end of the fiber optic endoscope in an endoscopic system. It should be noted that... Figure 2 In the diagram, the light source fiber 143 is represented by a thicker line, and the image receiving fiber 144 is represented by a thinner line.

[0076] Please see Figure 2 The fiber optic endoscope 140 includes a plurality of light source optical fibers 143 and at least one image receiving optical fiber 144. In this embodiment, the at least one image receiving optical fiber 144 is actually a plurality of image receiving optical fibers 144. The light source optical fibers 143 are arranged in a loop, and the image receiving optical fibers 144 are surrounded by the light source optical fibers 143.

[0077] Because of the first fiber optic coupler 131, each light source fiber 143 of the fiber optic endoscope 140 can illuminate light of different wavelengths (including light emitted by at least the first light source 111 and the second light source 112), and the image receiving fiber 144 can receive the image reflected after the light of different wavelengths (including light emitted by at least the first light source 111 and the second light source 112) illuminates the affected area. Since different wavelengths have different refractive indices in the same material, the total internal reflection angles of different wavelengths of light are different in the light source fiber 143 and the image receiving fiber 144, thus avoiding interference problems.

[0078] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the microlens array group of an endoscope system. Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the first end of the fiber optic endoscope and the microlens array group in an endoscope system. It should be noted that... Figure 3 In the diagram, the first microlens 152 is represented by a thicker line, and the second microlens 154 is represented by a thinner line.

[0079] like Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the microlens array 150 is disposed in front of the first end 141 of the fiber optic endoscope 140. Please refer to... Figure 3 and Figure 4 The microlens array group 150 includes a first microlens array 151 and a second microlens array 153.

[0080] The first microlens array 151 includes a plurality of first microlenses 152, and the second microlens array 153 includes a plurality of second microlenses 154. The first microlenses 152 are located in the outermost ring, surrounding the second microlens array 153.

[0081] exist Figures 2 to 4 As can be seen, the light source optical fibers 143 correspond to the first microlenses 152, and the image receiving optical fibers 144 correspond to the second microlenses 154. In this embodiment, each light source optical fiber 143 corresponds to one first microlens 152, and each image receiving optical fiber 144 corresponds to one second microlens 154. Cover plate 159 ( Figure 4 The microlens array 150 is covered to protect the microlens array 150 and the fiber optic endoscope 140.

[0082] It is worth mentioning that, Figure 4As can be seen, the radius of curvature of each of the first microlenses 152 is smaller than the radius of curvature of each of the second microlenses 154. Specifically, since the application of the light source fiber 143 is different from that of the image receiving fiber 144, the focal lengths of the first microlenses 152 and the second microlenses 154 are different. Because the light source fiber 143 needs to illuminate a relatively large angle range, while the image detection fiber needs to illuminate a relatively small angle range, the focal length of the light source fiber 143 needs to be shorter, and therefore the radius of curvature of the first microlens 152 corresponding to the light source fiber 143 is smaller.

[0083] The following describes the configuration of the light source fiber and the image receiving fiber in other embodiments. Figure 5 and Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the first end of a fiber optic endoscope in various endoscopic systems according to other embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that... Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the diagram, the light source fiber 143 is represented by a thicker line, and the image receiving fiber 144 is represented by a thinner line. Please refer to [the relevant documentation / reference]. Figure 5 , Figure 5 and Figure 2 The difference lies in, Figure 5 In the fiber optic endoscope 140a, the light source optical fibers 143 are evenly distributed among the image receiving optical fibers 144.

[0084] It should be noted that, similarly, in the microlens array group corresponding to the fiber optic endoscope 140a in Figure 5, each light source fiber 143 corresponds to a first microlens 152, and each image receiving fiber 144 corresponds to a second microlens 154. That is, these first microlenses 152 are uniformly distributed among these second microlenses 154. Furthermore, the radius of curvature of each of these first microlenses 152 is smaller than the radius of curvature of each of these second microlenses 154.

[0085] Please see Figure 6 In this embodiment, at least one image receiving fiber 144b of the fiber optic endoscope 140b is a single image receiving fiber 144b, and these light source fibers 143 are arranged in a ring, with the image receiving fiber 144b surrounded by these light source fibers 143.

[0086] It should be noted that, Figure 6 The microlens array corresponding to the fiber optic endoscope 140b can be as follows: Figure 3 The microlens array group 150 is shown. That is, each light source fiber 143 corresponds to a first microlens 152, but the image receiving fiber 144 corresponds to these second microlenses 154. In addition, the radius of curvature of each of these first microlenses 152 is smaller than the radius of curvature of each of these second microlenses 154.

[0087] Of course, the configuration of the light source fiber 143, the image receiving fiber 144, 144b, and the microlens array group 150 is not limited to the above.

[0088] Please return Figure 1 The endoscope system 100 also includes a fourth optical fiber 124, a second optical fiber coupler 132, a first image sensor 171, and a second image sensor 172. The fourth optical fiber 124 is connected to the bidirectional coupler 133. The second optical fiber coupler 132 is connected to the fourth optical fiber 124. The image beam received by the fiber optic endoscope 140 is transmitted to the second optical fiber coupler 132 via the bidirectional coupler 133 and the fourth optical fiber 124. The second optical fiber coupler 132 is used to split the image beam into two sub-image beams. The second optical fiber coupler 132 is, for example, a 50 / 50 split-channel coupler, but is not limited thereto.

[0089] The first image sensor 171 is used to sense the image of one of the two sub-image beams at a wavelength between 400 nanometers and 800 nanometers. The second image sensor 172 is used to sense the image of the other of the two sub-image beams at a wavelength between 900 nanometers and 1700 nanometers.

[0090] The second image sensor 172 is, for example, an image sensor based on InGaAs. The wavelength range of the light signal detected by the InGaAs image sensor is mainly from 900 nanometers to 1700 nanometers. This band belongs to short-wave infrared (SWIR) and is a band that cannot be detected by the human eye.

[0091] Some substances in the human body exhibit unique optical absorption characteristics in short-wave infrared (SWIR). For example, lipids have relative absorption peaks at approximately 1210 nm, 1430 nm, and 1730 nm. However, water (H2O) has a strong absorption peak at 1460 nm, and 1430 nm and 1460 nm are close absorption bands. Since 1730 nm is outside the detection band of InGaAs image sensors, the detection of lipids is best performed using a wavelength of 1210 nm as the light source and sensing it through an InGaAs image sensor.

[0092] It should be noted that lipid accumulation is not unique to the coronary arteries and cardiovascular system; lipid encapsulation is a problem in many other organs of the digestive tract and abdominal cavity. Therefore, the fiber optic endoscope 140 can be used not only for the detection of coronary arteries and cardiovascular system, but also for the detection of multiple organs of the digestive tract and abdominal cavity. Furthermore, besides lipids, other substances in the body exhibit significant differences in absorption of short-wave infrared light. For example, the 1550 nm wavelength in short-wave infrared light can detect carbohydrates, glucose, and also observe vascular calcification and hardening. Therefore, the fiber optic endoscope 140 can be used for a wide range of detection tasks, and is sensed using an InGaAs image sensor.

[0093] In addition, by Figure 1 As can be seen, the endoscope system 100 also includes a third microlens array 155, a first filter 161, a fourth microlens array 157, and a second filter 162. The third microlens array 155 is disposed between the second fiber optic coupler 132 and the first image sensor 171. The fourth microlens array 157 is disposed between the second fiber optic coupler 132 and the second image sensor 172. The arrangement of the microlenses in the third microlens array 155 and the fourth microlens array 157 corresponds to the pixel arrangement of the first image sensor 171 and the second image sensor 172, enabling the two sub-image beams split from the second fiber optic coupler 132 to be focused onto the first image sensor 171 and the second image sensor 172.

[0094] A first filter 161 is disposed between the third microlens array 155 and the first image sensor 171 to allow images with wavelengths between 400 nm and 800 nm to pass through. A second filter 162 is disposed between the fourth microlens array 157 and the second image sensor 172 to allow images with wavelengths between 900 nm and 1700 nm to pass through. The images received by the first image sensor 171 and the second image sensor 172 are then transmitted to the calculator 180 for processing.

[0095] It should be noted that the number of light sources is not limited to either of these two. For example... Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the endoscope system 100 may optionally include a third light source 113 and a fifth optical fiber 125. The wavelength of the light emitted by the third light source 113 is between 900 nanometers and 1700 nanometers, and is different from the wavelength of the light emitted by the second light source 112. The fifth optical fiber 125 is connected between the third light source 113 and the first optical fiber coupler 131.

[0096] In one embodiment, the wavelength of the light emitted by the second light source 112 and the wavelength of the light emitted by the third light source 113 are either 1200 nanometers or 1550 nanometers. 1200 nanometers is suitable for detecting lipids, and 1550 nanometers is suitable for detecting carbohydrates. Of course, the second light source 112 and the third light source 113 are not limited to these wavelengths.

[0097] The third light source 113 is connected to the fifth optical fiber 125, which in turn is connected to the first optical fiber coupler 131. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first optical fiber coupler 131 can couple multiple wavelengths of light together, transmit the light to the fiber optic endoscope 140 via the bidirectional coupler 133, irradiate the affected area, and receive the image of the affected area. Subsequently, the image is received by the first image sensor 171 and the second image sensor 172 via the bidirectional coupler 133, the fourth optical fiber 124, and the second optical fiber coupler 132. In this embodiment, the images of the affected area illuminated by the light emitted by the second light source 112 and the third light source 113 are jointly received by the second image sensor 172. The images received by the first image sensor 171 and the second image sensor 172 are transmitted to the calculator 180 for processing.

[0098] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of an endoscope system according to another embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 7 , Figure 7 Endoscopic system 100a and Figure 1 The main difference between the endoscope system 100 and the endoscope system 100a is that, in this embodiment, the endoscope system 100a also includes polarization mechanisms 163 and 164, a third fiber optic coupler 134, a fourth fiber optic coupler 135, a fifth microlens array 158 and a third image sensor 173, and the type of the third light source 113 is different.

[0099] In this embodiment, the endoscopic system 100a, for example, to acquire images of a tumor, uses a first light source 111 that emits visible light, a second light source 112 that emits near-infrared light, and a third light source 113 that emits polarized light. For arterial embolism, the first light source 111 emits visible light, the second light source 112 emits short-wave infrared light, and the third light source 113 emits polarized light. Of course, the type of image of the affected area and the type of light source acquired are not limited to these.

[0100] In this embodiment, the polarization state of the light emitted by the third light source 113 is different from that of the light emitted by the first light source 111 and the second light source 112. The third light source 113 may be a laser with polarization characteristics, or a light source without polarization (such as an LED or halogen lamp) coupled with a polarization mechanism 163 (such as a linear polarizer), and then the polarized light is guided into the fifth optical fiber 125 through the third optical fiber coupler 134 and transmitted to the first optical fiber coupler 131.

[0101] The polarization mechanism 163 can be a system using four adjacent pixels with polarizers of different phases, each 45 degrees out of phase, to obtain polarized images at four angles. Alternatively, the polarization mechanism 163 can be a mechanism and assembly of manually or automatically rotating polarizers, providing adjustable polarization angle parameters according to each detection location. The polarization mechanism 163 adjusts its direction to obtain the desired polarized image. The polarization angle indicates the oscillation direction of the electric dipoles in the structure; the maximum signal strength is obtained when the polarization is parallel, and the minimum signal strength is obtained when it is perpendicular to the polarization.

[0102] On the other hand, the image reflected back to the fiber optic endoscope 140 after the polarized light illuminates the affected area is transmitted through the bidirectional coupler 133 to the second fiber optic coupler 132, splitting the image beam into two sub-image beams. Then, one of the sub-image beams is further split into two by the fourth fiber optic coupler 135; one is received by the first image sensor 171, and the other by the third image sensor 173. The third image sensor 173 is, for example, a polarization image sensor.

[0103] A fifth microlens array 158 is positioned between the fourth fiber coupler 135 and the third image sensor 173, and a polarization mechanism 164 is positioned between the fifth microlens array 158 and the third image sensor 173. Similarly, the polarization mechanism 164 can use polarizers with different phases on four adjacent pixels, each 45 degrees out of phase, to obtain polarized images at four angles. Alternatively, the polarization mechanism 164 can be a mechanism and assembly with a rotating manual or automatic polarizer, providing adjustable polarization angle parameters according to each detection location. The polarization mechanism 164 adjusts its direction to obtain the desired polarized image. The polarization angle indicates the oscillation direction of the electric dipole of the structure; the maximum signal intensity is obtained when parallel, and the minimum signal intensity is obtained when perpendicular. By obtaining a polarized image at a specific angle, it can be integrated with visible light and other images for use by doctors. Of course, the number, type, and components of the light source are not limited to the above.

[0104] In summary, the endoscopic system of the present invention includes at least a first light source and a second light source, which are connected to a first fiber optic coupler via a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber. The first fiber optic coupler is connected to a bidirectional coupler via a third optical fiber. The second end of the fiber optic endoscope is connected to the bidirectional coupler, and the first end of the fiber optic endoscope is provided with a microlens array. The endoscopic system of the present invention improves the quality of endoscopic images of the affected area by using multiple light sources with different wavelengths.

[0105] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An endoscope system characterized by comprising: comprising: a first light source, the first light source emitting light having a wavelength between 400 nm and 800 nm; a first optical fiber connected to the first light source; a second light source, the second light source emitting light having a wavelength between 900 nm and 1700 nm; a second optical fiber connected to the second light source; a first optical fiber coupler connecting the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber; a third optical fiber connected to the first optical fiber coupler; a bidirectional coupler connected to the third optical fiber; and an optical fiber scope comprising a first end and a second end, the first end being provided with a microlens array group, the second end being connected to the bidirectional coupler. comprising:

2. The endoscope system of claim 1, wherein a fourth optical fiber connected to the bidirectional coupler; a second optical fiber coupler connected to the fourth optical fiber, the image beam received by the optical fiber scope being transmitted to the second optical fiber coupler through the bidirectional coupler, the second optical fiber coupler being used to divide the image beam into two sub-image beams; a first image sensor used to sense an image of one of the two sub-image beams having a wavelength between 400 nm and 800 nm; and a second image sensor used to sense an image of the other of the two sub-image beams having a wavelength between 900 nm and 1700 nm. The microlens array group comprises a first microlens array and a second microlens array. The first microlens array comprises a plurality of first microlenses, the second microlens array comprises a plurality of second microlenses, the optical fiber scope comprises a plurality of light source optical fibers and at least one image receiving optical fiber, the plurality of light source optical fibers correspond to the plurality of first microlenses, and the at least one image receiving optical fiber corresponds to the plurality of second microlenses.

3. The endoscope system of claim 1, wherein The radius of curvature of each of the plurality of first microlenses is smaller than the radius of curvature of each of the plurality of second microlenses.

4. The endoscope system of claim 3, wherein The at least one image receiving optical fiber is a plurality of image receiving optical fibers, each of the plurality of image receiving optical fibers corresponding to one of the plurality of second microlenses.

5. The endoscope system of claim 4, wherein The plurality of light source optical fibers are arranged in a ring shape, and the plurality of image receiving optical fibers are surrounded by the plurality of light source optical fibers.

6. The endoscope system of claim 4, wherein The plurality of light source optical fibers are uniformly distributed between the plurality of image receiving optical fibers.

7. The endoscope system of claim 6, wherein The at least one image receiving optical fiber is a single image receiving optical fiber, the plurality of light source optical fibers are arranged in a ring shape, and the image receiving optical fiber is surrounded by the plurality of light source optical fibers.

8. The endoscope system of claim 6, wherein Further comprising:

9. The endoscope system of claim 4, wherein a third microlens array arranged between the second optical fiber coupler and the first image sensor; 10. The endoscope system of claim 2, wherein a first optical filter arranged between the third microlens array and the first image sensor to pass the image having a wavelength between 400 nm and 800 nm; a fourth microlens array arranged between the second optical fiber coupler and the second image sensor; and a second optical filter arranged between the fourth microlens array and the second image sensor to pass the image having a wavelength between 900 nm and 1700 nm. Further comprising: ​ ​ 11. The endoscope system of claim 1, wherein ​ a third light source emitting light having a wavelength between 900 nm and 1700 nm and different from the wavelength of the light emitted by the second light source; and a fifth optical fiber connected between the third light source and the first fiber coupler.

12. The endoscope system of claim 11, wherein The wavelength of the light emitted by the second light source and the wavelength of the light emitted by the third light source are 1200 nm and 1550 nm, respectively.

13. The endoscope system of claim 2, wherein Also comprising: a third light source emitting light having a polarization state different from the polarization state of the light emitted by the first light source and the light emitted by the second light source; a fifth optical fiber connected between the third light source and the first fiber coupler; and a third image sensor to sense a polarization image of a further one of the plurality of sub-image beams.

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