Color Separation Prism for Uniform Visible and Infrared Light Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging devices struggle with insufficient color reproducibility and resolution when capturing both visible and invisible light wavelengths, particularly in medical imaging applications where near-infrared fluorescence is involved, such as in cancer visualization using indocyanine green (ICG).
Innovation Solution
A color separation prism system comprising a filter and three prisms with reflective films, which separates light into three primary colors and allocates visible and invisible light components uniformly to multiple imaging elements, ensuring balanced sensitivity and improved image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single imaging element is used to capture both visible and invisible light, then the device complexity is reduced, but the color reproducibility and resolution deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging system into multiple imaging elements (first, second, and third imaging elements) that separately capture different wavelength components. The color separation prism divides incident light into multiple beams corresponding to different color components, with each beam directed to a dedicated imaging element. This segmentation allows each imaging element to specialize in capturing specific wavelength ranges, thereby improving color reproducibility and resolution while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The color separation prism acts as an intermediary device between the object and the imaging elements. It receives incident light containing multiple wavelength components and separates them into distinct color components through refraction and reflection. The prism includes reflective films that selectively reflect specific wavelength ranges to different imaging elements, serving as a mediator that enables precise spectral distribution without requiring direct complex filtering at each imaging element.
2Measurement precision
If multiple imaging elements are used to improve color reproducibility and resolution, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The color separation prism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it separates visible light into color components, directs invisible light (such as near-infrared) to appropriate imaging elements, and manages the optical paths for multiple wavelengths through a single integrated structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate filtering mechanisms for each imaging element, thereby controlling device complexity while achieving precise color reproduction and resolution through multiple specialized imaging elements.
3Measurement precision
If visible light is transmitted uniformly to all imaging elements, then the color reproducibility of visible light is improved, but the sensitivity to invisible light deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The color separation prism implements local quality by directing different wavelength components to different imaging elements based on their specific detection requirements. Visible light color components are distributed to imaging elements optimized for color reproduction, while invisible light components (such as near-infrared) are directed to imaging elements with high sensitivity for those wavelengths. This localized optimization ensures that each imaging element operates in its optimal performance range, achieving both color reproducibility for visible light and sensitivity for invisible light without mutual interference.
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 configuration enhances color reproducibility and resolution in both visible and invisible light ranges, allowing for clearer discrimination of near-infrared fluorescent parts and improved image quality, reducing the influence of excitation light and minimizing ultraviolet radiation exposure.
Implementation Method 1
the filter transmits a part of visible light from the object and invisible light of a predetermined wavelength band from the object
Implementation Method 2
The first reflective film reflects a first color component of the visible light and a part of the invisible light
Implementation Method 3
The second reflective film reflects the second color component of the visible light and a part of the invisible light
Implementation Method 4
The first prism emits the light reflected from the first reflective film to a first imaging element
Implementation Method 5
The first reflective film is formed on the first prism. The light transmitted through the first reflective film is incident on the second prism
Data Source
AI summary
A color separation prism includes a filter, a first prism, a second prism, and a third prism. The first prism allows incidence of light transmitted through the filter, and the first reflective film reflects a first color component of the visible light and a part of the invisible light, among the light beams incident on the first prism. The second prism emits the light reflected by a second reflective film, and the second reflective film reflects the second color component of the visible light and a part of the invisible light, among the light beams incident on the second prism. The third prism emits the light transmitted through the second reflective film. The first reflective film and the second reflective film allocate the invisible light and the visible light emitted from each prism so as to obtain approximately uniform amount of the light.