Endoscope Depth-Direction Blurring Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

During magnified observation with endoscope apparatuses, blurring in the depth direction occurs due to the motion of internal organs caused by heartbeat and peristaltic movements, leading to deteriorated observation capabilities.

Innovation Solution

An endoscope apparatus with an image acquisition section, a coefficient calculation section, and a depth-direction blurring correction section that calculates and applies a correction coefficient to correct blurring in the depth direction, using electronic or optical zoom to maintain a constant image size and reduce blurring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If magnified observation is performed using optical or electronic zoom, then the observation capability is improved, but blurring in the depth direction occurs due to motion of internal organs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobservation capabilityVSAvoidimage clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system calculates a correction coefficient based on the magnification state and applies it to correct depth-direction blurring in real-time. This feedback mechanism continuously adjusts the image processing parameters to maintain image clarity despite organ motion during magnified observation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the magnification parameter through optical or electronic zoom to improve observation capability. Simultaneously, it applies a correction coefficient that compensates for the resulting depth-direction blurring, effectively managing the parameter change to maintain image quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If correction coefficient is calculated and applied, then blurring in depth direction is suppressed, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage clarityVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with computational image processing. Instead of physically adjusting optical components to correct blurring, the system calculates a correction coefficient and applies it through digital signal processing, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining image clarity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9154745B2Endscope apparatus and program

Publication Date: 2015.10.06 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)

AI summary

An endoscope apparatus includes an image acquisition section that acquires images in time series, a coefficient calculation section that calculates a correction coefficient for correcting blurring in a depth direction that is a direction along an optical axis of an imaging section, and a depth-direction blurring correction section that performs a depth-direction blurring correction process that corrects blurring in the depth direction on the images acquired in time series based on the correction coefficient.