Biological Observation Signal Processing for Deep Tissue Color Tone
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biological observation apparatuses face challenges in obtaining precise and reliable spectral signals for tissue information, particularly in displaying color tones suitable for observing deep tissue portions, due to limitations in spectral image processing and the reliance on single light sources.
Innovation Solution
A signal processing device for biological observation apparatuses that includes an illumination unit, a signal processing control unit, a spectral signal creation section, and a color adjusting section, which generates a spectral signal corresponding to an optical wavelength narrow band from an image pickup signal and adjusts color tones for each band, using multiple light sources with differing spectral characteristics to enhance precision and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a spectral image is obtained by signal processing without using an optically narrow band filter, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and reliability of the spectral signal deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of light source spectral characteristics by using multiple light sources with different spectral distributions (e.g., blue LED, green LED, red LED, or xenon lamp with different filters). This allows the system to illuminate the subject with lights having different spectral characteristics and perform matrix computation to generate spectral images with high precision without requiring complex optical narrow band filters.
2Device complexity
If a spectral image is obtained by signal processing without using an optically narrow band filter, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of the spectral signal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism where the system measures the actual spectral characteristics of the illumination light using a spectral sensor or by referencing predetermined spectral data, and uses this information to correct and refine the matrix computation process. This feedback loop ensures that the spectral images generated through signal processing maintain high reliability comparable to optical narrow band filter methods.
3Device complexity
If only one light source is used for illumination, then the device complexity is reduced, but the precision and reliability of the spectral signal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the illumination function by using multiple light sources, each with distinct spectral characteristics. Instead of relying on a single light source, the system divides the illumination task across multiple sources (e.g., LEDs of different wavelengths or a broadband source with spectral filters), allowing each to contribute specific spectral information that, when combined through matrix computation, yields high-precision spectral images.
4Productivity
If the spectral image is simply outputted to a monitor without color adjustment, then the processing is simple, but the observation quality of tissue information deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color adjustment processing to the generated spectral images by mapping the spectral data to appropriate color representations that enhance the visibility of tissue information. This involves transforming the spectral signal into color images with optimized color tones that highlight specific tissue characteristics, ensuring that no critical diagnostic information is lost in the display process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables the adjustment of tissue information in biological tissues to be displayed in a color tone suitable for observation, achieving higher precision and reliability in spectral signal generation by creating spectral images with improved S/N ratios and accurate tissue information visualization.
Implementation Method 1
a signal processing control unit for photoelectrically converting light reflected from the living body based on illumination light from the illumination unit
Data Source
AI summary
Tissue information of a desired deep portion of a biological tissue based on a spectral image obtained from signal processing is adjusted to image information in a color tone suitable for observation. Outputs of a matrix computing section 436 are respectively connected to integrating sections 438a to 438c, and after integrating computation is performed for them, color conversion computation is performed for respective spectral image signals ΣF1 to ΣF3 in a color adjusting section 440, spectral color channel image signals Rch, Gch and Bch are created from the spectral image signals ΣF1 to ΣF3, and images of the spectral color channel images Rch, Gch and Bch are sent to a display monitor 106 via a switching section 439.