Endoscope Rotating Filter Narrowband Light Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscope systems face challenges in modulating light effectively during both ordinary-light and narrowband-light observations, leading to inadequate image quality and brightness control, especially in narrowband-light modes where specific color signals are crucial for tissue detail visualization.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope apparatus incorporates a dual-structure rotating filter with narrowband interference filters and a modulated-light signal generation circuit that adjusts illumination light and signal processing to optimize brightness and image quality by selectively switching between ordinary and narrowband illumination modes, using a control circuit to manage the filter positions and video processor settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If narrowband light is used for observation, then tissue information from specific depths can be obtained, but image brightness and visibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the wavelength parameter of illumination light between broadband (for brightness) and narrowband (for depth resolution). The light source apparatus switches between different spectral characteristics to optimize for either brightness or measurement precision depending on observation needs
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating filter dynamically switches between broadband and narrowband filter positions, allowing the system to adaptively change light characteristics. The filter rotation mechanism enables real-time switching between different spectral bandwidths to balance brightness and depth resolution requirements
2Ease of manufacture
If surface-sequential light is used with rotating filters, then color images can be generated, but light modulation effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the video processor to the light source apparatus to optimize light modulation. The video processor analyzes the captured images and adjusts the light source parameters to improve modulation effectiveness while maintaining color image generation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating filter serves multiple functions: it generates color images through surface-sequential light while also enabling effective light modulation when positioned at narrowband filters. The single filter assembly performs both color generation and modulation tasks depending on its rotational position
3Illumination intensity
If broadband light is used for illumination, then image brightness is maintained, but tissue depth information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic switching between broadband and narrowband illumination modes. The rotating filter periodically presents different bandwidth filters to the light path, allowing alternating acquisition of bright broadband images and depth-resolved narrowband images that can be processed together
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination spectrum is segmented into different bandwidth components. The rotating filter separates broadband light into distinct spectral bands, allowing selective transmission of narrowband portions for depth information while maintaining the option to use full broadband spectrum for brightness
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 solution enables proper light modulation and image processing across both observation modes, enhancing visibility of tissue details, particularly in narrowband-light observations, by adjusting the ratio of color signals and optimizing image brightness, thus improving diagnostic accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a two-band restricting unit for restricting the illumination light to a narrowband light of two band regions
Implementation Method 2
a modulated-light signal generation circuit that adjusts illumination light and signal processing to optimize brightness and image quality by selectively switching between ordinary and narrowband illumination modes, using a control circuit to manage the filter positions
Data Source
AI summary
In an endoscope apparatus of the present invention, while observing a body cavity tissue under narrowband light via a second filter group of a rotating filter, a G2 filter section, B2 filter section, and shading filter section change illumination light to narrowband surface-sequential light of two bands of discrete spectral characteristics, and an image-capturing signal captured by a CCD via the B filter section constitutes a band image having superficial layer tissue information, and an image-capturing signal captured by a CCD via the G filter section constitutes a band image having intermediate layer tissue information. This produces tissue information of a desired depth in the vicinity of a superficial portion of a mucous membrane using an inexpensive and simple configuration.