Endoscope Fluorescence Imaging Amplification Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscope systems face challenges in maintaining proper brightness and fluorescence image quality due to variations in light distribution and absorption characteristics within body tissues, leading to inconsistent fluorescence intensity and potential overlooking of fluorescence agent accumulation regions.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope system incorporates an amplification unit that sets the amplification factor of the image signal generated under excitation light based on a brightness signal derived from normal light irradiation, ensuring consistent fluorescence image quality by optimizing the amplification factor according to the brightness signal generated by the brightness signal generation unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a single amplification factor is used for the entire imaging surface, then device complexity is reduced, but fluorescence image quality becomes inconsistent due to variations in light distribution and absorption characteristics across different regions
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging surface is divided into multiple regions (first imaging region and second imaging region) with different amplification factors. The amplifier applies a first amplification factor to the first region and a second amplification factor to the second region, allowing differentiated compensation for light distribution and absorption variations across different areas of the imaging surface.
Solution Approach 2:
Different amplification factors are applied to different regions of the imaging surface based on their specific light distribution and absorption characteristics. This local differentiation ensures that each region receives appropriate amplification to compensate for its unique optical properties, thereby achieving consistent fluorescence image quality across the entire imaging surface.
2Reliability
If the amplification factor is increased to compensate for low light intensity in certain regions, then fluorescence visibility improves, but noise in other regions increases due to excessive amplification
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging surface is segmented into multiple regions, each with its own amplification factor. This segmentation allows the system to apply appropriate amplification to each region based on its specific light intensity characteristics, avoiding the need to use a high amplification factor across the entire imaging surface and thereby preventing noise amplification in regions with sufficient light intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The amplification factor is differentiated by region to match local light intensity conditions. Regions with lower light intensity receive higher amplification to ensure fluorescence visibility, while regions with sufficient light intensity receive lower amplification to minimize noise, thereby optimizing the balance between fluorescence detection reliability and noise suppression.
3Illumination intensity
If automatic brightness adjustment is applied to the entire imaging surface, then overall image brightness is optimized, but regional variations in fluorescence intensity cannot be corrected
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging surface is divided into multiple regions with different amplification factors applied to each. This segmentation enables the system to address regional variations in light distribution and absorption characteristics, correcting fluorescence intensity inconsistencies that cannot be resolved by uniform brightness adjustment alone.
Solution Approach 2:
Different amplification factors are applied to different regions based on their specific optical characteristics. This local differentiation complements overall brightness adjustment by specifically targeting regional fluorescence intensity variations, thereby achieving both optimized overall brightness and consistent regional fluorescence intensity.
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 clear and consistent fluorescence image display, preventing changes in fluorescence intensity due to light distribution or absorption characteristics, and allows for adequate observation of fluorescence agent accumulation regions without overlooking any areas.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging unit configured to form an optical image of the subject irradiated with the excitation light or normal light on an imaging surface to generate an image signal
Implementation Method 2
an excitation light emission unit configured to irradiate a subject with excitation light for exciting a fluorescent substance introduced into the subject
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging apparatus includes: an excitation light emission unit that irradiates a subject with excitation light for exciting a fluorescent substance introduced into the subject; a normal light emission unit that irradiates the subject with normal light including a visible wavelength range different from the excitation light; an imaging unit that forms an optical image of the subject irradiated with the excitation light or normal light on an imaging surface to generate an image signal; a brightness signal generation unit that generates a brightness signal indicating brightness, based on the image signal generated by the imaging unit under irradiation with the normal light; and an amplification unit that sets an amplification factor of the image signal to be generated by the imaging unit under irradiation with the excitation light, based on an amplification factor of the image signal according to the brightness signal generated by the brightness signal generation unit.