Endoscope System for Cancer Diagnosis via Fluorescence Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscope systems using a single fluorescent probe for cancer cell diagnosis face low specificity due to overlapping fluorescence from non-cancerous sites, and the use of multiple probes complicates image separation without specialized equipment.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope system that employs multiple excitation lights with different spectral characteristics, an imaging section with a filter to capture fluorescence in specific wavelength bands, and a processing unit to compute concentration information of each fluorescent agent, allowing for improved cancer cell diagnosis without a variable spectral element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple types of fluorescent agents are used to improve diagnosability, then the ability to identify cancer cells is enhanced, but the wavelength bands of their fluorescence overlap making it difficult to obtain distribution images of each agent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluorescence detection process by capturing images at multiple excitation wavelengths (e.g., 488nm and 633nm) and separating the fluorescence signals based on their excitation wavelength dependence. This allows mathematical decomposition of overlapping fluorescence signals into individual agent distributions without requiring physical spectral separation elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical spectral separation elements (prisms, gratings, variable spectral elements) with a computational approach. By using the distinct excitation wavelength dependence of different fluorescent agents, the system substitutes physical separation mechanisms with image processing and mathematical modeling to achieve signal separation.
2Device complexity
If a single type of fluorescent probe is used for cancer cell diagnosis, then the apparatus remains simple, but the diagnosability for specifying cancer cells becomes low due to overlapping fluorescence from non-cancerous sites
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the imaging system multi-functional by enabling it to detect multiple types of fluorescent agents simultaneously using a single endoscope apparatus. The system achieves this by utilizing multiple excitation light sources and computational image processing, allowing one device to perform what would traditionally require multiple specialized devices.
3Reliability
If multiple fluorescent agents with overlapping wavelength bands are used, then the diagnosability is improved, but specialized apparatus such as variable spectral elements are required to separate the fluorescence signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical spectral separation systems with a simpler optical system combined with computational processing. Instead of using variable spectral elements to physically separate overlapping wavelengths, the system uses multiple excitation wavelengths and mathematical algorithms to deconvolute the fluorescence signals, reducing hardware complexity while maintaining diagnostic capability.
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
Enables clear acquisition of fluorescence distribution images from mixed-state captures, enhancing the diagnosability of cancer cells by separating and computing concentration information of multiple fluorescent agents.
Implementation Method 1
a light source section for selectively irradiating two or more types of excitation lights having different spectral characteristics so as to excite two or more types of fluorescent agents having different optical characteristics
Implementation Method 2
an imaging section provided on the part to be inserted into the body cavity, having a filter which cuts the respective excitation lights, and having a light-receiving sensitivity in the wavelength bands of the two or more types of fluorescence radiated from the observation target
Data Source
AI summary
A fluorescence distribution image of each fluorescent agent can be acquired from a fluorescence image that has been captured in a mixed state so as to improve the diagnosability of cancer cells. An endoscope system comprises: a light source section for selectively irradiating two or more types of excitation lights having different spectral characteristics so as to excite two or more types of fluorescent agents having different optical characteristics; an imaging section provided on a part to be inserted into a body cavity, and having a light-receiving sensitivity in the wavelength bands of the two or more types of fluorescence radiated from the observation target by respective types of excitation lights; a storage section for storing relation information between the fluorescence intensity and the concentration of each of the fluorescent agents; a concentration information computing section for computing concentration information of each of the fluorescent agents on the basis of the fluorescence intensities of two or more images captured by the imaging section and the relation information stored in the storage section, and outputting the concentration information; and a mode switching section capable of switching between a first fluorescence observation mode in which at least one of the fluorescence intensity images acquired by the imaging section is presented, and a second fluorescence observation mode in which the concentration information of each of the florescent agents computed by the concentration information computing section is presented.