Endoscope Camera Timing to Mitigate Laser Image Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic image capture is compromised by interference from laser energy, leading to image quality degradation and artifacts, which can hinder medical procedures by making it difficult to recognize tissue features and potentially requiring procedure pauses.
Innovation Solution
The system synchronizes the integration phase of the endoscope camera with the lasing of a laser console by determining an integration timing period based on laser pulse characteristics, generating control signals to manage camera sensor charge accumulation, and adjusting shutter operation to avoid interference periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the camera continuously captures images during laser treatment, then real-time monitoring is maintained, but image quality degrades due to laser interference
Solution Approach 1:
The camera operates in periodic cycles, alternating between integration phases (capturing images) and non-integration phases (avoiding laser interference). The integration control signal enables the camera sensor to accumulate charge only during safe time windows when laser pulses are not occurring, creating a periodic capture pattern that maintains both real-time monitoring and image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system determines the integration timing period in advance based on the laser pulse frequency and characteristics. By pre-calculating safe integration windows before they occur, the system can proactively capture images during appropriate time slots, ensuring both continuous monitoring and avoidance of interference
2Illumination intensity
If the camera integration period is extended to capture more light, then image brightness improves, but the likelihood of capturing laser interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the integration timing parameters (start time and duration) based on the laser pulse frequency and duty cycle. By changing these temporal parameters to align with safe windows in the laser cycle, the camera can accumulate sufficient charge for bright images without exposing the sensor to harmful laser interference
3Productivity
If the laser pulse frequency is increased to improve treatment efficiency, then productivity increases, but image interference becomes more frequent
Solution Approach 1:
The integration timing period is dynamically adjusted based on the actual laser pulse frequency being used. When the laser operates at higher frequencies for improved efficiency, the system recalculates and adapts the camera's integration windows to match the new pulse pattern, ensuring continuous interference-free imaging regardless of treatment speed
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the laser console regarding pulse frequency and timing to continuously optimize camera integration parameters. This closed-loop control ensures that the camera adapts to changes in laser operation, maintaining image quality even as treatment efficiency varies
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 synchronization effectively mitigates image interference, ensuring clear and reliable image capture during medical procedures, allowing continuous and safe operation without the need for procedure pauses.
Implementation Method 1
determine an integration timing period of a camera sensor of an endoscope... generate an integration control signal to cause the camera sensor to accumulate charge during integration timing period
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an endoscopic laser lithotripsy device and methods for such a device where image acquisition, lasing, illumination, and/or image processing is configured to mitigate distortions in the captured image resulting from the laser.