Medical Imaging Camera Module with Dichroic Prism for Fluorescence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical imaging systems face challenges in simultaneously detecting visible and infrared light without compromising image resolution or eye-hand coordination, particularly in endoscopic or laparoscopic applications.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a camera module with a dichroic prism assembly that splits received light into three optical paths, filtered through a green filter, an infrared filter, and a red/blue patterned filter. This configuration allows for accurate interpolation of missing red and blue pixels, maintaining high frame rates and image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a Bayer filter is used to reduce the number of optical paths, then device complexity is reduced, but spatial resolution deteriorates due to interpolation errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensor array into multiple specialized sensor groups, each dedicated to detecting specific wavelength ranges (blue, green, red, and infrared). This segmentation eliminates the need for Bayer filter interpolation while maintaining full spatial resolution for each wavelength channel, as each sensor group captures complete pixel information for its designated spectrum range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional imaging system where a single camera module performs multiple functions: detecting visible light (blue, green, red) and infrared light simultaneously. By using multiple sensor groups with different spectral sensitivities within one camera module, the system achieves multi-spectral imaging capability without requiring separate cameras or complex filter assemblies.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional prisms or beam splitters are added to create a fourth optical path for infrared light, then infrared detection capability is improved, but device complexity and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the infrared detection function with the existing visible light detection system by integrating infrared-sensitive sensor groups into the same camera module. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate infrared cameras or additional complex optical path splitting mechanisms, as the multi-sensor array simultaneously captures both visible and infrared wavelengths through a unified optical system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the spectral detection dimension by incorporating sensors that respond to infrared wavelengths alongside the traditional visible light sensors. This dimensional extension in the spectral domain allows the system to detect multiple wavelength ranges without adding physical volume through additional prisms or beam splitters, as all detections occur within the same sensor plane.
3Measurement precision
If time alternating sampling is used to detect red and infrared light, then spatial resolution is maintained, but frame rate deteriorates due to temporal subsampling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous simultaneous detection of multiple wavelength ranges by having multiple sensor groups operate in parallel. Each sensor group continuously captures its designated wavelength range (blue, green, red, or infrared) without temporal alternation or switching, maintaining full frame rate for all spectral channels and eliminating temporal subsampling artifacts.
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
This approach enables simultaneous detection of visible and infrared light without temporal subsampling, maintaining high spatial resolution and frame rates, thus enhancing eye-hand coordination and image quality in medical imaging applications.
Implementation Method 1
a camera module with a dichroic prism assembly that splits received light into three optical paths
Implementation Method 2
filtered through a green filter, an infrared filter, and a red/blue patterned filter
Implementation Method 3
exciting a fluorescence agent in a tissue sample with excitation light; receiving light from the object image, said light comprising visible light and one or more infrared fluorescence light originating from the fluorescence agent
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for detecting visible and infrared light using a medical imaging system, said medical imaging system comprising a camera module configured to receive a visible light signal and at least one infrared light signal from an object image. The medical imaging system for detecting visible and comprises - an input for visible light for illuminating a tissue; - an input for excitation light for exciting a fluorescence agent in the tissue; - a camera module configured to receive a visible light signal and at least one infrared light signal from an object image in the tissue. The camera module comprises at least a first, second, and third optical path for directing light from the object image to a first, second, and third filter and sensor combination respectively. In any order, the first, second, and third filters are a green filter, an infrared filter, and a red/blue patterned filter comprising red and blue filters in alternating pattern. Half of the red/blue patterned filter is a red filter and the other half is a blue filter. The green and infrared light are thus sampled at full sensor resolution, for the red and blue light spatial interpolation is required.