Clockless Endoscope Image Synchronization for Laser Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopes face challenges in fitting multiple imaging and ranging systems within a small body cavity due to the size constraints of traditional image sensors, which are typically located in the handpiece unit, leading to misalignment, damage, and limited functionality in capturing both color and laser mapping data.
Innovation Solution
An endoscopic imaging system with an image sensor placed at the distal end, utilizing a monochromatic pixel array and pulsing electromagnetic radiation of different wavelengths to generate RGB images with overlaid laser mapping data, and eliminating the need for output and input clocks through clock data recovery, reducing sensor size and enabling multiple imaging techniques in a single session.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional image sensors are placed in the handpiece unit, then color imaging is achieved, but the system becomes delicate and prone to misalignment and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor is extracted from the handpiece unit and relocated to the distal end of the endoscope. This extraction removes the sensor from the vulnerable handpiece area, making the system more reliable by preventing misalignment and damage while maintaining color imaging capabilities through the distal placement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple imaging and ranging systems are integrated, then functionality is enhanced, but the device size exceeds the small body cavity constraints
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple imaging and ranging systems are merged into a single integrated sensor platform at the distal end. The sensor captures both color image data and laser mapping data simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate systems and reducing the overall device volume to fit within the body cavity while maintaining enhanced functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The image sensor is designed with multi-functionality to perform both color imaging and laser mapping operations. By making the sensor universal, it can handle multiple imaging tasks within a single device, thereby reducing the total volume required while maintaining adaptability and versatility.
3Measurement precision
If clock signals are transmitted for synchronization, then image and laser mapping data are aligned, but data transmission complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses self-service synchronization where the image sensor autonomously generates and uses its own internal clock signal for data transmission. This eliminates the need for separate clock transmission channels, reducing data transmission complexity while maintaining precise synchronization between image and laser mapping data through the sensor's inherent timing mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Pulsed laser mapping imaging without input clock or data transmission clock is disclosed. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a plurality of bidirectional data pads and a controller in communication with the image sensor. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises a laser mapping pattern.