Coplanar Sensor Image Capture Unit for Minimally Invasive Endoscopes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stereoscopic endoscopes face challenges in capturing high-quality images due to the difficulty in designing a small outer diameter distal-end image capture system, leading to issues like precise lens focusing, lateral color distortion, and limited imaging quality due to small optical components and inter-pupillary distance constraints.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of coplanar image capture sensors with a common front end optical structure, eliminating the need for lens calibration and allowing for temporal and spatial registration of images, enhancing image quality through features like increased resolution, dynamic range, and extended depth of field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a small outer diameter distal-end image capture system is used, then the endoscope can be minimally invasive, but the imaging quality deteriorates due to small optical components and limited inter-pupillary distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional side-by-side lens arrangements to a stacked configuration where multiple image capture sensors are positioned at different longitudinal positions along the optical axis. This dimensional change allows for larger effective optical components while maintaining a small outer diameter, resolving the contradiction between minimal invasiveness and imaging quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where multiple image capture sensors and optical components are positioned within the confined distal-end space at different depths along the optical axis. This nesting allows complex optical systems to be packed into a small outer diameter envelope while maintaining adequate component sizes for high-quality imaging.
2Measurement precision
If multiple image capture sensors are positioned at different longitudinal positions, then feature differentiation is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a single objective lens that serves multiple functions by forming images for multiple image capture sensors positioned at different longitudinal positions. This universal optical element approach enhances feature differentiation capability while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate optical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple image capture sensors with different focal properties into a single integrated optical system sharing a common objective lens. This merging approach allows enhanced feature differentiation through multi-planar imaging while reducing overall device complexity compared to separate optical paths.
3Ease of manufacture
If coplanar image capture sensors with common front end optical structure are used, then calibration and registration are simplified, but the optical path design becomes more constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions image capture sensors at different longitudinal positions along the optical axis where they share a common objective lens and optical path origin. This equipotential arrangement ensures that all sensors experience identical optical conditions from the front end, automatically achieving spatial and temporal registration without complex calibration while the optical path naturally accommodates the constrained geometry.
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 provides enhanced image capture capabilities, including improved feature differentiation, higher apparent resolution, and extended dynamic range, enabling more precise and detailed imaging in minimally invasive surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
A beam splitter in the image capture unit is positioned to receive light from the lens assembly. The beam splitter is configured to reflect a first portion of the received light and to transmit a second portion of the received light
Implementation Method 2
The beam splitter is configured to reflect a first portion of the received light and to transmit a second portion of the received light
Implementation Method 3
A reflective unit in the image capture unit is positioned to receive the transmitted light and to direct the transmitted light onto the second image capture sensor
Implementation Method 4
Lens assemblies receive light from a scene or a visible image of a scene
Data Source
AI summary
In a minimally invasive surgical system, an image capture unit includes a prism assembly and sensor assembly. The prism assembly includes a beam splitter, while the sensor assembly includes coplanar image capture sensors. Each of the coplanar image capture sensors has a common front end optical structure, e.g., the optical structure distal to the image capture unit is the same for each of the sensors. A controller enhances images acquired by the coplanar image capture sensors. The enhanced images may include (a) visible images with enhanced feature definition, in which a particular feature in the scene is emphasized to the operator of minimally invasive surgical system; (b) images having increased image apparent resolution; (c) images having increased dynamic range; (d) images displayed in a way based on a pixel color component vector having three or more color components; and (e) images having extended depth of field.