Endoscope Image Capturing Unit for Simultaneous Visible and Near-Infrared Light Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes face challenges in acquiring high-quality visible light and near-infrared light image data simultaneously due to noise issues in infrared light image signals and the need for expensive optical components, which increases manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope design incorporating a compact image capturing unit with a first and second prism, trimming filters, and image sensors to separate and capture visible and near-infrared light efficiently, reducing noise and eliminating the need for expensive relay lenses by accommodating the image capturing unit inside the scope.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single image sensor with RGB color filter and IR filter is used to capture visible light and near-infrared light alternately, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and timing synchronization are deteriorated because visible light image data and near-infrared light image data cannot be acquired at the same timing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging function into two separate image sensors: one dedicated to visible light and another to near-infrared light. This segmentation allows each sensor to capture its respective wavelength range simultaneously without interference, resolving the timing synchronization issue while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a beam splitter as an intermediary optical component that divides the incoming light into visible light and near-infrared light paths. This mediator enables simultaneous capture by directing different wavelength components to separate sensors, achieving timing synchronization without requiring complex filtering mechanisms.
2Device complexity
If four types of pixels including IR pixel are provided in a single image sensor, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision is deteriorated because noise is likely to occur in infrared light image signal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the pixel types into different image sensors: visible light pixels (RGB) in one sensor and infrared pixels in another. This segmentation eliminates cross-interference between different pixel types, improving infrared signal quality by removing noise from adjacent visible light pixels while keeping the overall device configuration relatively simple.
3Measurement precision
If four image sensors are disposed away from the tip end of scope to capture visible light and near-infrared light simultaneously, then the measurement precision is improved, but the loss of energy is increased because light intensity decreases during transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the four image sensors inside the scope along the longitudinal dimension, close to the tip end. This spatial reconfiguration in another dimension allows simultaneous capture of visible and near-infrared light with minimal transmission loss, as the sensors are located where light intensity is still high after reflection from biological tissue.
4Measurement precision
If four-color separation prism and four image sensors are disposed in camera head, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost are increased due to large prism size requiring expensive relay lenses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a smaller four-color separation prism that creates simplified light paths, eliminating the need for expensive relay lenses. The prism design is optimized to directly guide separated wavelengths to the four image sensors without requiring additional optical copying components, thereby reducing device complexity and manufacturing cost while maintaining adequate light separation accuracy.
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 configuration improves the image quality of both visible light and near-infrared light data by ensuring they are acquired at the same timing, enhancing the accuracy of composite images while reducing manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for additional optical components.
Implementation Method 1
a reflection film provided between an oblique face of the first prism and an oblique face of the second prism and configured to separate the light associated with the biological tissue into visible light and near-infrared light
Implementation Method 2
a first trimming filter configured to transmit light in a visible region and to shield light in a near-infrared region
Implementation Method 3
a second trimming filter configured to transmit light in the near-infrared region and to shield light in the visible region
Implementation Method 4
a first image sensor facing the first trimming filter so as to receive the visible light transmitted through the first trimming filter, and configured to convert the received visible light into an electric signal
Implementation Method 5
a second image sensor facing the second trimming filter so as to receive the near-infrared light transmitted through the second trimming filter, and configured to convert the received near-infrared light into an electric signal
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope includes a scope and an image capturing unit accommodated inside the scope. The image capturing unit includes: first and second prisms; a reflection film provided between oblique faces of the first and second prisms; a first trimming filter on which visible light transmitted through the first prism is incident on the first trimming filter via the reflection film; a first image sensor facing the first trimming filter; a second trimming filter on which near-infrared light transmitted through the second prism being incident on the second trimming filter via the reflection film; and a second image sensor facing the second trimming filter. The first prism is fixed to the second prism, the first trimming filter is fixed to the first prism, and the second trimming filter is fixed to the second prism.