Endoscope Exposure Control for Oxygen Saturation Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope systems face challenges in accurately calculating oxygen saturation due to the influence of specific pigments, leading to imprecise brightness adjustments when multiple kinds of illumination light are used, resulting in unsuitable image signal brightness for precise oxygen saturation calculation.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a processor to generate exposure control signals based on differences in image signal brightness, switching between observation and correction modes, and adjusting light sources and image pick-up optical systems to obtain reliable image signals for each illumination type, using specific color signals and regions to optimize brightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single exposure control signal is used for multiple kinds of image signals, then the control system is simple, but the brightness of different image signals becomes inappropriate for their respective calculation purposes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the exposure control into separate control signals for different image signal types. Specifically, it generates a first exposure control signal for observation image signals and a second exposure control signal for correction image signals, allowing each type to be optimized independently for its specific calculation purpose
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of exposure control signals based on the type of image signal being captured. The system automatically selects and applies appropriate exposure control parameters depending on whether the current frame is an observation image or a correction image, enabling adaptive optimization for each signal type
2Ease of operation
If brightness correction is applied uniformly to all image signals, then the processing is simple, but the signal values become unreliable for precise oxygen saturation calculation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different brightness correction strategies to different types of image signals. Observation image signals receive one type of brightness adjustment while correction image signals receive a different type of adjustment, with each optimization tailored to the specific requirements of that signal type's calculation purpose
3Adaptability or versatility
If the brightness of correction image signals is adjusted using the same control amount as observation image signals, then the control mechanism is unified, but the correction image signals become too dark or too bright depending on their specific purpose
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts exposure control parameters based on the specific type of image signal being captured. Different exposure control signals are generated and applied depending on whether the current frame is an observation image or a correction image, enabling adaptive optimization for each signal type's specific requirements
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 approach ensures accurate and reliable oxygen saturation calculations by adjusting exposure control based on image signal brightness differences, providing precise image signals for both observation and correction modes, enhancing the precision of oxygen saturation determination.
Implementation Method 1
a light source device... causing at least one or more light sources to produce light and sequentially emitting observation illumination light and correction illumination light having a spectrum that differs from a spectrum of the observation illumination light
Implementation Method 2
performs image pick-up of reflection light from the object to be observed
Data Source
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AI summary
An endoscope system (10) that enables a reliable image signal to be obtained for every kind of image signals that are obtained in the case where multiple kinds of illumination light are emitted and multiple kinds of the image signals are obtained, and a method of operating the endoscope system are provided. A processor is configured to: obtain image signals of multiple kinds different from each other in a first exposure period in which observation illumination light is emitted and in a second exposure period in which correction illumination light is emitted; calculate image signal brightness from image signals that differ from each other among the image signals; output a control amount that changes depending on the image signal brightness; generate exposure control signals different from each other based on the image signals; and control a light source and an image pick-up optical system depending on the exposure control signals.