Digital Viewing Direction Adjustment in Endoluminal Endoscopic Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoluminal endoscopic systems face challenges in efficiently adjusting viewing directions without physically altering the orientation of the imaging device, which can lead to increased power consumption and reduced image quality.
Innovation Solution
The system allows for digital adjustment of viewing directions by selecting a partial readout of the imaging sensor corresponding to the desired viewing direction, reducing power consumption and maintaining image quality through partial sensor array readouts and image processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If physical/mechanical orientation of the camera is changed to adjust viewing direction, then viewing direction is adjusted, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical camera orientation system with a digital image processing system. Instead of physically rotating or tilting the camera to change viewing direction, the system captures images with the fixed camera and uses digital panning and tilting algorithms to adjust the viewing direction in software, thereby eliminating complex mechanical mechanisms while maintaining operational flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the camera's viewing function through image processing. By processing the captured image data to simulate different camera orientations (panning and tilting effects), the system replicates the functionality of mechanical orientation adjustment without requiring physical movement of the camera, thus reducing device complexity
2Loss of information
If full sensor array readout is performed, then complete image data is captured, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary portion of the sensor array data for the current viewing direction. By identifying and reading out only the relevant region of interest (ROI) corresponding to the digitally panned and tilted viewing area, the system eliminates the need to process unnecessary sensor data, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining complete image data for the required field of view
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by performing readout on only a portion of the sensor array rather than the entire array. The system determines the specific region that corresponds to the desired viewing direction and reads out only those pixels, using partial sensor array readout to reduce power consumption while still capturing all necessary image information for the current view
3Use of energy by moving object
If partial sensor array readout is performed, then power consumption is reduced, but image quality uniformity may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes through digital image processing techniques to correct non-uniformities in the partial sensor array readout. By adjusting parameters such as gain, offset, and illumination compensation specific to the region of interest, the system ensures that the reduced readout maintains uniform image quality across the entire displayed image, effectively compensating for the partial sensing area
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces image processing as an intermediary between the partial sensor readout and the final image output. This intermediary processing step includes corrections for illumination non-uniformity, sensor response variations, and geometric distortions, ensuring that the image quality remains uniform and consistent with what would be obtained from a full array readout
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for adjusting a viewing direction for an articulatable medical device. The method comprises: receiving a command indicating adjusting a viewing direction of the articulatable medical device; determining a sensing region from an imaging sensor based at least in part on the viewing direction, the imaging sensor is located at a distal end of the articulatable medical device; generating an image based on signals from the sensing region; and processing the image to correct at least one of a projection distortion, contrast and color of the image.