In Vivo Capsule Camera Reflector Light Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional in-vivo capsule cameras face challenges in capturing comprehensive images of the intestinal wall due to limited field of view, distortion, and inefficient illumination, leading to missed areas and inaccurate diagnoses, especially in larger cavities like the colon where orientation is unpredictable.
Innovation Solution
A panoramic camera system with a panoramic annular lens and a reflector configuration that provides a wide field of view exceeding 180°, reducing the need for multiple overlapping images and optimizing illumination by reflecting stray light away from the camera, allowing for better capture of tissue surfaces and reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a wide-angle lens is used to increase field of view, then the field of view is improved, but distortion and reduced resolution increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging task into multiple segments by using multiple cameras positioned at different locations within the capsule. Each camera captures a portion of the overall field of view, avoiding the need for a single wide-angle lens that would suffer from distortion and resolution loss. The multiple images are then combined to form a complete panoramic view of the intestinal wall.
2Device complexity
If a simple wide-angle lens is used to reduce device complexity, then device complexity is improved, but illumination efficiency deteriorates due to wasted light at frontal area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces reflectors as intermediary elements between the light sources and the intestinal wall. These reflectors redirect light that would otherwise be wasted in the frontal area of the lens, directing it toward the target surface. This improves illumination efficiency without requiring complex lens designs, maintaining simplicity while reducing energy loss.
3Reliability
If multiple overlapping images are captured to ensure comprehensive coverage, then imaging completeness is improved, but the number of images and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from capturing multiple overlapping images in a sequential manner to capturing a comprehensive panoramic view in a single image plane by arranging multiple cameras in a specific geometric configuration. This dimensional arrangement allows all necessary viewing angles to be captured simultaneously, reducing the number of images that need to be processed while maintaining complete coverage of the intestinal wall.
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 panoramic camera system ensures comprehensive imaging of the intestinal wall, reducing missed areas and improving diagnostic accuracy by maintaining focus and exposure across a wider field, while minimizing power usage through efficient illumination.
Implementation Method 1
a reflector configured to reflect a ray of light from the light source, away from the camera
Data Source
AI summary
An in vivo image capturing system includes a capsule, and a camera encased within the capsule and configured to capture through a transparent window of the capsule, a view outside the capsule. The system includes a light source enclosed within the capsule and a reflector configured to reflect a ray of light from the light source, away from the camera. Wherever incoming image rays and outgoing illuminating light rays intersect at a common point on any surface of the transparent window, an angle between an outgoing illuminating light ray and a surface normal exceeds an angle between an incoming image ray and the surface normal such that a reflection of the outgoing illuminating light ray from said any surface is not within a field of view (FOV) of the camera.