Endoscope Light Control for White and Narrow-Band Exposure Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope systems face challenges in maintaining optimal exposure balance and viewability during fluorescent and NBI observations, particularly in enhancing the visibility of regions of interest like blood vessels and fluorescent materials, due to variations in light intensity and color shading.
Innovation Solution
A control device that independently controls the light intensity of white and narrow-band lights based on specific ratios and ratios, performs gain correction, and adjusts color balance to maintain consistent brightness and natural color shading across varying observation distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the light intensity of white light and narrow-band light is controlled using the same ratio, then the control system is simple, but the exposure balance and viewability of regions of interest cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using different light intensity ratios for different light sources (white light vs. narrow-band light) based on their specific functions. White light uses a first ratio for general illumination, while narrow-band light uses a second ratio optimized for highlighting regions of interest, allowing each light source to perform its function with optimal exposure without requiring complex unified control
2Illumination intensity
If the light intensity of narrow-band light is increased to enhance viewability of regions of interest, then the visibility of blood vessels and fluorescent materials improves, but color shading becomes unnatural and user discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the light intensity of narrow-band light based on observation distance. When the endoscope approaches the observation target, the narrow-band light intensity is reduced to prevent excessive contrast and unnatural color shading, while maintaining sufficient intensity at greater distances to ensure viewability of regions of interest
3Illumination intensity
If the light intensity varies with observation distance, then the brightness of regions of interest can be maintained, but the exposure balance between white light and narrow-band light images deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing dynamic control of light intensity ratios based on observation distance. The system transitions from static fixed ratios to dynamic adjustable ratios, where the control device modifies the light intensity of white light and narrow-band light differently according to the distance between the endoscope and observation target, maintaining both brightness consistency and exposure balance
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
Enhances the viewability of regions of interest by maintaining consistent brightness and natural color shading, improving the visibility of structures and blood vessels regardless of observation distance, and reducing user discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
a first image signal captured as a result of irradiating a subject with a white light; generate a white light image based on a first image signal captured as a result of irradiating a subject with a white light
Implementation Method 2
At the time of performing fluorescent observation in which a pumping light is used as the narrow-band light, the region of interest gets illuminated due to the fluorescent material
Implementation Method 3
At the time of performing NBI observation in which the V (Violet) light or the G (Green) light is used as the narrow-band light, as a result of irradiating with an NBI light (the violet light or the green light) that is easily absorbable in the blood
Data Source
AI summary
A control device includes one or more processors including hardware, the one or more processors being configured to: generate a white light image based on a first image signal captured as a result of irradiating a subject with a white light; generate a narrow-band light image based on a second image signal captured as a result of irradiating the subject with a narrow-band light; control a light intensity of the white light to a first value which is determine according to brightness of the white light image and according to a first ratio; and control a light intensity of the narrow-band light to a second value which is determine according to brightness of the narrow-band light image and according to a second ratio that is different than the first ratio.