Endoscope Light Source and Filter for Simultaneous Fluorescence Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current fluorescent endoscope devices have limitations in simultaneously acquiring high-quality visible light and multiple types of fluorescent images, which hampers accurate tumor diagnosis due to inefficiencies in light filtering and image processing.

Innovation Solution

The endoscope device incorporates a light source unit that sequentially emits visible light, first excitation light for collagen, and second excitation light for Alexa 680, along with an imaging unit and an excitation wavelength blocking filter to capture and process images of reflected light, collagen fluorescence, and Alexa 680 fluorescence, allowing for the generation of separate visible light, first fluorescent, and second fluorescent images.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple types of fluorescent images are acquired in addition to visible light images, then diagnostic performance is improved, but the frame rate of visible light images decreases and frames are skipped

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic performanceVSAvoidframe rate of visible light images

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging device is divided into multiple imaging units, each dedicated to capturing specific wavelength bands (visible light, first fluorescence, second fluorescence). This segmentation allows parallel processing of different image types, enabling simultaneous acquisition of multiple fluorescent images and visible light images without reducing the frame rate of any single type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If excitation wavelength selection filters are rotated to switch between different excitation wavelengths, then multiple fluorescent images can be acquired, but the time required for image acquisition increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to acquire multiple fluorescent imagesVSAvoidtime required for image acquisition

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a single rotating filter wheel that sequentially switches between different excitation wavelengths, the system segments the filtering function across multiple fixed filters, each dedicated to a specific excitation wavelength. This eliminates the time required for mechanical rotation and allows simultaneous or rapid sequential acquisition of different fluorescent images.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The excitation wavelength selection filters are pre-positioned in fixed locations rather than requiring dynamic rotation during operation. This preliminary arrangement of filters allows the system to immediately capture multiple fluorescent images without the time delay associated with rotating the filter wheel during the imaging process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If a single imaging device captures all types of images, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of different wavelength bands deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of imaging devicesVSAvoidprecision of fluorescence image acquisition

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging function is segmented across multiple specialized imaging units, each optimized for specific wavelength bands. This segmentation enables each imaging unit to achieve high measurement precision for its designated band without the compromises required by a single general-purpose imaging device. The system maintains manageable complexity through coordinated control of these specialized units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 enhances diagnostic capabilities by improving the frame rate of visible light images and allowing simultaneous capture of multiple fluorescent images, reducing the interval between image acquisitions and minimizing skipped frames, thereby facilitating better observation of objects.

Implementation Method 1

first fluorescence excited by the first excitation light and emitted from the object, and second fluorescence excited by the second excitation light and emitted from the object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 2

an excitation wavelength blocking filter disposed on an optical path from the object to the imaging unit and having a characteristic of blocking a wavelength band of the first excitation light and a wavelength band of the second excitation light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical filtering: Filter (optical)

Data Source

PatentUS11457800B2Endoscope device

Publication Date: 2022.10.04 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)

AI summary

In an endoscope device, a light source unit is configured to sequentially emit first illumination light and second illumination light. The first illumination light includes visible light. The second illumination light includes first excitation light. At least the second illumination light out of the first illumination light and the second illumination light includes second excitation light. An excitation wavelength blocking filter has a characteristic of blocking a wavelength band of the first excitation light and a wavelength band of the second excitation light and a characteristic of transmitting a wavelength band of the visible light, a wavelength band of first fluorescence, and a wavelength band of second fluorescence. An imaging unit is configured to capture an image of the visible light, the first fluorescence, and the second fluorescence and configured to output a first imaging signal and a second imaging signal.