Image Processing System for Depth-Based Blur Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing systems struggle to clearly display objects, such as blood vessels inside a living organism, due to blur caused by light scattering within the substance, making it difficult for accurate diagnosis and operation.
Innovation Solution
An image processing system that obtains specific wavelength images, calculates the depth of objects within a substance using these images, and generates corrected images based on the calculated depth to reduce blur and provide clear visualization of object positions and depths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If light is used to capture images of objects inside a substance, then the object can be visualized, but the image becomes blurred due to light scattering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of light to resolve the contradiction. By selecting specific wavelengths (e.g., infrared region around 780nm) that penetrate tissue with less scattering, the system achieves clearer images of blood vessels while minimizing the harmful scattering effect. This parameter change allows visualization of deep structures without excessive blur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (indocyanine green or ICG) that accumulates in blood vessels and emits or absorbs light at specific wavelengths. This intermediary enhances the contrast between blood vessels and surrounding tissue, allowing clear visualization despite light scattering in the tissue medium.
2Loss of information
If conventional imaging is used to capture blood vessels, then the imaging process is simple, but depth information and accurate position recognition are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds the depth dimension to conventional 2D imaging by capturing images at multiple wavelengths that penetrate to different depths. By analyzing the differential absorption or emission at these wavelengths, the system reconstructs 3D spatial information including depth, enabling accurate position recognition of blood vessels without excessively complicating the imaging system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses wavelength as an additional parameter to encode depth information. Different wavelengths penetrate tissue to different depths, allowing the system to distinguish between vessels at various depths by analyzing the spectral characteristics of the captured images, thereby recovering depth information that would otherwise be lost.
3Measurement precision
If multiple wavelength images are processed to calculate depth and correct blur, then image accuracy improves, but processing time and computational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing point spread functions (PSFs) for different depths and wavelengths before actual imaging. During image processing, the system simply retrieves and applies the appropriate pre-computed PSF rather than calculating it in real-time, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining high depth calculation accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating and storing reference PSF images that represent the expected blur patterns at different depths. These reference copies are then matched against the actual captured images to quickly determine depth and apply deconvolution, avoiding computationally intensive real-time calculations while preserving measurement precision.
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 system effectively corrects image blurriness and provides clear, accurate visualization of blood vessels and their depths, aiding in medical diagnosis and operations by distinguishing between vessels at different depths.
Implementation Method 1
calculates a depth of the object from a surface of the substance, using a plurality of specific wavelength images corresponding to different specific wavelength regions from each other
Implementation Method 2
the reflected light or the emitted light are scattered while passing through the substance, thereby blurring the outline of the object
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an image processing system including: a specific wavelength image obtaining section that obtains a specific wavelength image being an image of light from an object existing inside a substance, the light belonging to a specific wavelength region; a depth calculator that calculates a depth of the object from a surface of the substance, using a plurality of specific wavelength images corresponding to different specific wavelength regions from each other; and an object image generator that generates an image of the object according to the depth of the object calculated by the depth calculator.