Endoscope Illuminator Adjusting Light Ratios for Depth Contrast
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscope apparatuses face challenges in effectively highlighting blood vessels at different depths within an observation object, as existing technologies struggle to provide adequate contrast for superficial, intermediate, and deep blood vessels simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope apparatus employs a combination of narrow band light sources with specific peak wavelengths and a light quantity ratio changing section to emit illumination light that emphasizes blood vessels at various depths, utilizing emphasis and non-emphasis narrow band light sources to optimize contrast for superficial, intermediate, and deep blood vessels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single broadband light source is used for illumination, then the device structure is simple, but the ability to highlight blood vessels at different depths is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The broadband light source is segmented into multiple narrow band light sources with different peak wavelengths (405-425nm, 530-550nm, etc.). Each narrow band light source targets specific depth ranges of blood vessels, enabling selective illumination and highlighting of superficial, intermediate, and deep blood vessels separately or in combination.
Solution Approach 2:
Different wavelength regions of light are assigned to illuminate different depth regions of blood vessels. The blue narrow band light (405-425nm) targets superficial blood vessels, green narrow band light (530-550nm) targets intermediate blood vessels, and red narrow band light targets deep blood vessels, creating localized optimization for each depth region.
2Measurement precision
If multiple narrow band light sources are used to highlight blood vessels at different depths, then the visualization capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple narrow band light sources with different peak wavelengths are merged into a single illuminator assembly. The light sources are combined optically to produce illumination light containing multiple wavelength components, allowing simultaneous or selective activation of different wavelength regions to highlight blood vessels at various depths.
Solution Approach 2:
The illuminator is designed with dynamic control capability, allowing selective activation and intensity adjustment of different narrow band light sources based on the depth of blood vessels being observed. This enables flexible switching between different wavelength combinations to adapt to different diagnostic needs.
3Measurement precision
If blue narrow band light (405-425nm) is used to highlight superficial blood vessels, then the contrast of superficial blood vessels is improved, but the ability to highlight intermediate and deep blood vessels is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The illuminator is designed with multi-functionality, capable of highlighting blood vessels at different depths by selecting appropriate wavelength combinations. The same illuminator can switch between emphasizing superficial blood vessels (using blue light), intermediate blood vessels (using green light), deep blood vessels (using red light), or any combination thereof, making it universally applicable for various diagnostic scenarios.
4Measurement precision
If green narrow band light (530-550nm) is used to highlight intermediate blood vessels, then the contrast of intermediate blood vessels is improved, but the ability to highlight superficial and deep blood vessels is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The illuminator provides universal capability to highlight blood vessels at any depth by incorporating multiple narrow band light sources. When green narrow band light (530-550nm) is activated, it optimally highlights intermediate blood vessels, while the system retains the ability to activate blue or red narrow band light sources to highlight superficial or deep blood vessels respectively, or to activate all sources simultaneously for comprehensive visualization.
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 allows for detailed visualization of blood vessels at different depths by adjusting the light quantity ratios, enhancing contrast and enabling effective highlighting of superficial, intermediate, and deep blood vessels, thereby improving diagnostic capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
blood vessel emphasis filters that allow transmission of light of wavelength ranges of 405 to 425 nm and 530 to 550 nm for broadband light, which have a high absorption coefficient for hemoglobin
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope apparatus includes an illuminator including: an emphasis light source that emits emphasis narrow band light whose peak or central wavelength is included in an emphasis wavelength range that includes a maximum wavelength taking a maximum value of an optical absorption spectrum of a diagnosis target substance or a largest wavelength taking a largest value of the spectrum in any of three color ranges; and a non-emphasis light source that emits non-emphasis narrow band light whose peak or central wavelength is included in a non-emphasis wavelength range that is a wavelength range not including the emphasis wavelength range of the color ranges. The illuminator further includes a light quantity ratio changing section that changes a light quantity ratio between the emphasis and non-emphasis narrow band light.