Dichroic Prism Beam Splitter for Dual-Sensor Endoscope Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopes that capture both white light and fluorescence images with a single optical path and a single image sensor suffer from low frame rates and reduced sensitivity due to shuttering between frames and the limitations of a shared optical path, resulting in lower brightness and resolution.
Innovation Solution
A beam splitting device with a specific design that includes a first prism, a second prism, and a dichroic beam splitting layer, allowing simultaneous capture of different spectral regions by separate image sensors, optimizing the beam path and sensitivity without increasing the device's size, suitable for chip-on-the-tip endoscopes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single optical path and single image sensor are used to capture both white light and fluorescence images, then the device complexity is reduced, but the frame rate decreases and sensitivity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The single optical path is segmented into two separate optical paths using a beam splitter. The first optical path directs white light images to a first image sensor, while the second optical path directs fluorescence images to a second image sensor. This segmentation enables simultaneous capture of both image types, resolving the frame rate limitation while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular optical design.
2Volume of moving object
If a single optical path is shared between white light and fluorescence imaging, then the device size is reduced, but the sensitivity and image quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The optical paths are separated in spatial dimension using a beam splitter, directing white light and fluorescence images to different image sensors positioned at different locations. This dimensional separation allows each sensor to be optimized for its specific imaging modality, improving sensitivity and image quality while the overall compact design is maintained through efficient spatial arrangement within the endoscope shaft.
3Productivity
If two complete objective systems are placed in parallel for separate white light and fluorescence imaging, then the frame rate and sensitivity are improved, but the device size and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using two completely separate objective systems, the invention merges the optical paths up to the beam splitter, allowing a single objective system to serve both imaging modalities. The beam splitter then separates the combined light path into two distinct paths for white light and fluorescence imaging. This merging approach achieves high frame rates and sensitivity while significantly reducing the device size compared to fully parallel systems.
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 solution enables high frame rates, increased sensitivity, and improved image brightness for both white light and fluorescence imaging, while maintaining a compact design suitable for narrow endoscope shafts.
Implementation Method 1
a dichroic beam splitting layer... so that incident beams comprising the first and second spectral regions are reflected by the first internal incident surface of the first prism, incident on the first exit surface of the first prism, and are split by the dichroic beam splitting layer into first beams of the first spectral region and second beams of the second spectral region
Implementation Method 2
incident beams comprising the first and second spectral regions are reflected by the first internal incident surface of the first prism
Data Source
AI summary
A beam splitting device for a distal end of an endoscope, the beam splitting device comprising a first prism with a first entrance surface, a first internal incident surface, and a first exit surface; and a second prism with a second entrance surface and a second exit surface; and a dichroic beam splitting layer. The first exit surface of the first prism and the second entrance surface of the second prism are adjacent and the dichroic beam splitting layer is arranged between the surfaces so incoming beams comprising first and second spectral regions are reflected by the first internal incident surface of the first prism, incident on the first exit surface of the first prism and are split by the dichroic beam splitting layer into beams of the first spectral region and the second spectral region. An objective system and an endoscope with the beam splitting device are also presented.