Endoscope Oxygen Saturation Detection Using Hemoglobin Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscope apparatuses face reduced sensitivity in detecting the degree of oxygen saturation in biological tissue with high total hemoglobin concentrations due to increased absorption in the 500 to 600 nm band, leading to decreased accuracy in light intensity changes.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope apparatus that uses RGB color image data to calculate a first parameter correlated with oxygen saturation, and applies a correction value to account for total hemoglobin concentration, employing specific light sources and optical filters to isolate wavelength regions around isosbestic points of hemoglobin, allowing for accurate oxygen saturation detection across a wide concentration range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If illumination light in the 500 to 600 nm band is used to detect oxygen saturation, then detection sensitivity is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates in tissue with high total hemoglobin concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the hemoglobin absorption spectrum into multiple wavelength bands (500-600nm, 600-700nm, 700-800nm) and uses different parameter calculation methods for each band. The first parameter uses 500-600nm data for high sensitivity, while the second parameter uses 600-800nm data to compensate for high absorption effects, thereby resolving the contradiction between sensitivity and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter by introducing a second wavelength band (600-800nm) that is less affected by high hemoglobin concentration. This allows the system to switch between or combine parameters from different wavelength regions, maintaining measurement accuracy across varying tissue conditions.
2Measurement precision
If multiple wavelength regions are used to compensate for high hemoglobin concentration, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing RGB imaging system multi-functional by utilizing different wavelength information already captured by the color filters. The same imaging hardware processes both the first parameter (from 500-600nm) and second parameter (from 600-800nm) calculations, avoiding the need for separate detection devices and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex multi-device spectral measurement systems with a simplified computational approach using standard RGB camera data. By substituting mechanical/optical complexity with algorithmic processing of conventional image data, the system achieves multi-wavelength analysis without increasing physical device complexity.
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 accurate and sensitive detection of oxygen saturation in biological tissue with high total hemoglobin concentrations by correcting for absorption influences and utilizing specific wavelength regions, improving precision and reducing errors from scattering.
Implementation Method 1
In the absorption band of hemoglobin of roughly 500 to 600 nm, the absorption coefficient is large, and the degree of absorption changes a large amount relative to change in the degree of oxygen saturation
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a light source apparatus; an imager that has an image sensor and generates color image data by imaging biological tissue illuminated by light emitted by the light source apparatus; and a feature amount acquisitioner that acquires a feature amount of the biological tissue based on the color image data. The feature amount acquisitioner includes: a first parameter generator that, based on the color image data, generates a first parameter that has sensitivity to a first feature amount of the biological tissue, but substantially does not have sensitivity to light scattering by the biological tissue; and a first feature amount acquisitioner that acquires the first feature amount based on the first parameter.