Endoscope Measuring Head With Dynamic Laser Triangulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes face challenges in efficiently measuring depth profiles of objects, especially in poorly illuminated or unilluminated environments and objects with homogeneous surfaces, requiring extensive illumination and precise actuator control for triangulation, which hinders miniaturization and increases energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A measuring head for endoscopes utilizing a laser beam with a variable mirror arrangement for dynamic projection patterns and triangulation, enabling depth profiling without extensive illumination and precise actuator control, using MEMS technology for miniaturization and adaptive image sensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If extensive illumination is used for measuring depth profiles in poorly illuminated environments, then measurement capability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic projection of laser lines onto the measurement target, where the laser device projects laser beams in alternating line patterns rather than continuous illumination. This periodic action reduces energy consumption while maintaining measurement capability, as the laser is active only during measurement cycles rather than continuously illuminating the scene.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent projects laser lines only at specific locations and orientations needed for measurement, rather than illuminating the entire field uniformly. The laser line projection is localized to specific measurement planes and angles, concentrating energy only where depth profile data is required, thus reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If homogeneous surfaces are measured using traditional imaging methods, then measurement is attempted, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to absence of landmarks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies laser lines to the measurement target before capturing images, creating artificial reference features on the surface. By pre-projecting laser lines onto the homogeneous surface, the system creates detectable landmarks that enable accurate depth profile measurement, eliminating the problem of absent natural landmarks on homogeneous surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses laser light with specific wavelengths that create high-contrast features on the measurement target. The laser lines appear as distinct bright features against the background, creating artificial color/brightness variations on homogeneous surfaces that enable accurate detection and depth profile measurement.
3Measurement precision
If precise actuator control is implemented for triangulation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical actuator control systems with computational methods for triangulation. Instead of using precisely controlled mechanical movements to achieve triangulation, the system uses laser line projection combined with image processing algorithms to calculate depth profiles, substituting mechanical precision requirements with computational processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces laser lines as an intermediary element between the measurement system and the target. The laser lines serve as a mediator that creates detectable reference features, enabling triangulation through optical measurement rather than requiring precise mechanical actuator control. This intermediary approach simplifies the actuator control requirements while maintaining measurement precision.
4Volume of moving object
If miniaturization of measuring head is pursued, then device size is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical triangulation systems with laser-based optical measurement, enabling miniaturization of the measuring head. By using laser line projection and image processing instead of mechanical movement systems, the device can be significantly reduced in size while maintaining measurement capability, as the optical system requires less physical space than mechanical actuation systems.
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
Facilitates contact-free depth profiling of objects with homogeneous surfaces, reduces energy consumption, and miniaturizes the measuring head while maintaining precise depth measurement capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
at least one mirror device configured to receive the laser beam output by the laser device and to deflect the received laser beam towards a measuring field of the measuring head
Implementation Method 2
at least one image sensor device configured to receive reflected light of the laser beam, the reflected light reflected towards the measuring head by one or more objects in the measuring field
Implementation Method 3
The at least one position signal and the at least one image sensor signal are configured to be indicative of a depth profile of the one or more objects in the measuring field in accordance with a triangulation based at least partially on the one or more dynamic projection patterns
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A measuring head (100; 330; 410; 600), in particular for an endoscope, comprises at least one laser device (110) configured to output a laser beam (L_O, L_D), and at least one mirror device (120) configured to receive the laser beam (L_O) output by the laser device (110) and to deflect the received laser beam (L O, L_D) towards a measuring field (M) of the measuring head (100). The at least one mirror device (120) comprises at least one variable mirror arrangement (122, 124) configured to deflect the received laser beam (L_O, L_D) towards the measuring field (M) in accordance with one or more dynamic projection patterns (DP1; DP2) for projecting the one or more dynamic projection patterns (DP1; DP2) towards the measuring field and is configured to provide at least one position signal (SP) indicative of a variable position of the at least one variable mirror arrangement (122, 124). The measuring head (1) further comprises at least one image sensor device (130; 130, 650) configured to receive reflected light (L_R) of the laser beam (L_D), the reflected light (L_R) reflected towards the measuring head (100; 330; 410; 600) by one or more objects (O) in the measuring field (M). The at least one image sensor device (130; 130, 650) is configured to provide at least one image sensor signal (SL1; SL1, SL3) indicative of a position of the received reflected light (L_R) of the laser beam (L_D) in an image plane of the image sensor device (130; 130, 650). The at least one position signal (SP) and the at least one image sensor signal (SL1; SL1, SL3) are configured to be indicative of a depth profile of the one or more objects (O) in the measuring field (M) in accordance with a triangulation based at least partially on the one or more dynamic projection patterns (DP1; DP2).