Endoscope Focus Adjustment for Chromatic Aberration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopes designed for visible light imaging struggle with fluorescence imaging due to chromatic aberrations, requiring manual refocusing and filter adjustments, which are time-consuming and often result in low signal-to-noise ratios in fluorescence images.
Innovation Solution
An optical device with an image sensor assembly and a focus adjustment mechanism that automatically compensates for chromatic focal differences between white light and fluoresced light images, allowing seamless switching between modes without manual intervention or expensive optical elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual refocusing is used to switch between visible light mode and fluorescence mode, then focus can be adjusted, but the process is time-consuming and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-stores focus offset values corresponding to different endoscope models and fluorescence wavelengths. When fluorescence imaging is initiated, the controller automatically retrieves and applies the appropriate focus offset without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining focus accuracy while dramatically improving switching speed between visible light and fluorescence modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera head automatically performs focus adjustment by itself based on detected endoscope characteristics and selected fluorescence wavelength. The controller reads endoscope identification information, determines the appropriate focus offset, and actuates the focus adjustment mechanism without user intervention, enabling the system to serve itself during mode transitions.
2Measurement precision
If chromatic aberration correction is implemented using traditional optical elements, then focus accuracy for fluorescence imaging improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces complex mechanical chromatic aberration correction systems with a computational approach. Instead of using expensive multi-element achromatic lenses or complex optical compensators, the system uses a controller that calculates and applies focus offsets based on stored characteristics of the endoscope and selected fluorescence wavelength, thereby achieving accurate focus with minimal additional hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts the focal parameter dynamically based on the selected fluorescence wavelength and endoscope characteristics. The controller stores focus offset values for different wavelengths and endoscope models, and automatically modifies the focus parameter to compensate for chromatic aberrations, achieving accurate fluorescence imaging without adding complex optical elements.
3Measurement precision
If chromatic aberration correction is implemented using traditional optical elements, then focus accuracy for fluorescence imaging improves, but the cost of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses inexpensive digital storage and processing components instead of expensive precision optical elements. The focus offset values are stored in memory, and the controller uses simple computational algorithms to apply corrections, replacing costly achromatic lenses and complex optical assemblies with low-cost electronic components that can be manufactured at scale.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces expensive mechanical chromatic aberration correction optics with a software-based focus adjustment system. The controller reads stored endoscope characteristics, calculates the appropriate focus offset for the selected fluorescence wavelength, and applies it through a simple focus adjustment mechanism, thereby achieving accurate fluorescence imaging at low cost.
4Measurement precision
If autofocus algorithms are used to compensate for focus differences, then focus accuracy improves, but the response time becomes slow
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and stores optimal focus offset values for different endoscope models and fluorescence wavelengths during manufacturing or initial setup. When fluorescence imaging is initiated, the controller simply retrieves the pre-determined focus offset based on the detected endoscope characteristics and selected wavelength, and applies it immediately, bypassing the need for slow iterative autofocus algorithms while maintaining accurate focus.
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 high-quality fluorescence imaging by automatically adjusting focus, improving signal-to-noise ratios, and allowing existing endoscopes to be used for both visible light and fluorescence imaging without the need for costly corrections.
Implementation Method 1
a deformable lens in the optical channel that can change curvature to adjust the focal length
Implementation Method 2
A fluorescing agent such as a dye may be injected or otherwise administered to tissue, and then an excitation light is directed toward the tissue. Responsive to the excitation light, the fluorescing agent fluoresces (emits light typically at a longer wavelength than the excitation light), allowing a sensor to detect the light
Implementation Method 3
allowing a sensor to detect the light, which is often not in a wavelength visible to the human eye
Data Source
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AI summary
Improved fluoresced imaging (FI) and other sensor data imaging processes, devices, and systems are provided to enhance use of endoscopes with FI and visible light capabilities. A first optical device is provided for endoscopy imaging in a white light and a fluoresced light mode with an image sensor assembly (28, 215) including one or more image sensors (222, 223). A mechanism in the first optical device to automatically adjust the focus of the first optical device wherein the automatic focus adjustment compensates for a chromatic focal difference between the white light image and the fluoresced light image caused by the dispersive or diffractive properties of the optical materials or optical design employed in the construction of the first or second optical devices, or both. Adjustment mechanisms are provided using liquid lenses or repositioning sensors. The design may be integrated with a scope or detachable.