Dual-Chip Fluorescence Endoscope for White Light and IR Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopes have reduced sensitivity to infrared fluorescence light due to image acquisition systems optimized for visible light, making it difficult to concurrently capture high-quality images from both white light and fluorescence imaging.
Innovation Solution
A video endoscope with a beam splitter that separates light into two paths, using a wavelength-selective dichroic mirror to direct visible light to a first imaging chip with color filters and infrared light to a second imaging chip with larger pixels or no color filters, allowing concurrent acquisition of white light and fluorescence images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the image acquisition system is optimized for visible light, then the quality of white light images is improved, but the sensitivity to infrared fluorescence light deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The image acquisition system is divided into two separate imaging chips: a first imaging chip optimized for visible light with color filters for white light imaging, and a second imaging chip optimized for infrared light without color filters for fluorescence imaging. This segmentation allows each chip to be specialized for its respective wavelength range, resolving the contradiction between visible light image quality and infrared sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The video endoscope system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it can acquire both white light images and fluorescence images using the same optical path and beam splitter configuration. The dual-chip system enables the device to switch between or combine different imaging modes, providing universal functionality for both visible and infrared detection.
2Device complexity
If a single imaging chip is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to concurrently acquire both white light and fluorescence images deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single imaging chip is segmented into two specialized imaging chips, each optimized for specific wavelength ranges. The beam splitter divides the optical path to direct different wavelengths to appropriate chips, enabling concurrent acquisition of white light and fluorescence images while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
A beam splitter acts as an intermediary component that separates the combined light path into two distinct paths based on wavelength. This intermediary enables the system to handle multiple imaging modes simultaneously without requiring completely separate optical systems, thus maintaining device simplicity while enhancing versatility.
3Loss of information
If color filters are used in the imaging chip, then the color information in white light images is improved, but the sensitivity to infrared fluorescence light deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Color filters are applied only to the first imaging chip that captures visible light, while the second imaging chip captures infrared fluorescence light without color filters. This segmentation ensures that color information is preserved where needed while infrared sensitivity is maintained where required, resolving the contradiction between color fidelity and infrared detection capability.
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
Enhances the sensitivity to low-intensity fluorescence light, enabling high-resolution combined images with improved color and spatial detail from both white light and fluorescence imaging.
Implementation Method 1
the beam splitter comprises a wavelength-selective tilter. The wavelength-selective filter may comprise a dichroic mirror. Dichroic mirrors usually comprise a sequence of thin film layers comprising different refractive indices, causing partial reflection at each layer interface. The partially reflected beams may interfere which each other depending on their wavelengths, so that, for some wavelengths, the reflected beams positively interfere, resulting in near-complete reflection of the respective light at the dichroic mirror, while for other wavelengths, the reflected beams cancel out each other, so that the respective light is nearly completely transmitted through the mirror.
Implementation Method 2
The image acquisition system usually includes an imaging chip, like a CCD chip or a CMOS chip, and associated circuitry, for converting an image projected to the image plane of the image acquisition system into electronic signals, like video signals.
Implementation Method 3
a second imaging chip for receiving light transmitted along the second beam path; the beam splitter, the first imaging chip, and the second imaging chip being configured to facilitate concurrent acquisition of a white light image obtained by illuminating the target with white light and receiving light reflected from the target, and a fluorescence image obtained by illuminating the target with excitation light and receiving fluorescence light emitted by the target
Implementation Method 4
the objective lens system being configured to receive light emitted and/or reflected from a target, and to transmit the received light towards the image acquisition system
Data Source
AI summary
A video endoscope for fluorescence imaging, with an elongate shaft and video camera at a distal end. The video camera includes an objective lens system and image acquisition system. The objective lens system configured to receive light and/or reflect from and to transmit the received light towards the image acquisition system. The image acquisition system includes: a beam splitter for splitting light first and second optical beam paths, first and second imaging chips for receiving light transmitted along the first and second beam paths, respectively. The beam splitter, and first and second imaging chips configured to facilitate concurrent acquisition of a white light image obtained by illuminating the target with white light and receiving light reflected from a target, and a fluorescence image obtained by illuminating the target with excitation light and receiving fluorescence light emitted by the target in response to illumination with excitation light.