Endoscope Multi-Modal Imaging with Dedicated Fluorescence Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging systems require separate, temporally sequenced images at different wavelength profiles, leading to compromised image quality due to the inability to adjust image sensor settings quickly between imaging modalities.
Innovation Solution
A system that simultaneously illuminates a scene with multiple lights of different wavelengths and uses two filters aligned with separate image sensors, allowing independent adjustment of frame rate, exposure, and gain for each sensor to capture optimal images in real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single image sensor is used to capture both visible and fluorescence images, then the device complexity is reduced, but the image quality of both modalities suffers due to inability to optimize settings for each wavelength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single image sensor into multiple separate image sensors, each dedicated to capturing a specific wavelength profile (e.g., visible light and fluorescence). This segmentation allows each sensor to be independently optimized for its specific imaging modality, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and image quality.
2Manufacturing precision
If image sensor settings are adjusted for optimal visible light capture, then visible image quality improves, but fluorescence image quality deteriorates due to fixed settings
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the image sensor into multiple dedicated sensors, each sensor can maintain fixed, optimized settings for its specific wavelength profile. The visible light sensor operates with settings optimized for visible imaging while the fluorescence sensor operates with settings optimized for fluorescence imaging, eliminating the need to compromise between modalities.
Solution Approach 2:
Each image sensor is specialized with local quality optimized for its specific function. The visible light sensor has settings tailored for visible wavelength capture while the fluorescence sensor has settings tailored for fluorescence wavelength capture, allowing each component to operate at peak performance for its designated purpose.
3Device complexity
If images are captured sequentially at different wavelengths, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity decreases due to time-consuming sequential capture
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is segmented into multiple independent light sources, each emitting a specific wavelength profile (e.g., visible light source and fluorescence excitation source). These segmented illumination sources can operate simultaneously and independently, enabling parallel capture of multiple imaging modalities without requiring sequential switching.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple illumination sources and image sensors operate continuously and simultaneously to capture different imaging modalities at the same time. This eliminates the interruption and time loss associated with sequential capture, maintaining continuous useful action across all imaging functions.
4Device complexity
If a single illumination source is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the loss of information increases due to inability to provide multiple wavelength profiles simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is divided into multiple independent illumination sources, each designed to emit a specific wavelength profile. This segmentation allows each light source to provide targeted illumination for specific imaging modalities simultaneously, ensuring that no scene information is lost due to wavelength conflicts or sequential switching.
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
Enables simultaneous capture of high-quality multi-modal images by independently adjusting illumination and sensor settings, improving image quality and enabling real-time viewing of combined fluorescence and color images.
Implementation Method 1
A first filter is aligned with the first image sensor and configured to transmit the first image light
Implementation Method 2
A second filter is aligned with the second image sensor and configured to transmit the fluorescence light
Implementation Method 3
fluorescence imaging is an imaging technique that utilizes fluorophores
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system includes an endoscope tube, an illumination system, first and second image sensors, and a controller. The illumination system is coupled to the endoscope tube and configured to emit first illumination light having a first wavelength profile and excitation light having an excitation wavelength profile outside of the first wavelength profile. The first image sensor is aligned with a first filter configured to pass first image light, received in response to the first illumination light, to the first image sensor and to block the excitation light. The second image sensor is aligned with a second filter configured to pass fluorescence light, emitted in response to the excitation light, to the second image sensor. The controller includes logic to simultaneously illuminate a scene with the first illumination light and the excitation light and capture first image data and fluorescence image data with the first and second image sensors.