Optical Scanning Endoscope Photodetector Offset Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical scanning observation apparatuses face challenges in stabilizing image quality due to variations in photodetector multiplication factor and offset, which are affected by temperature changes and interference from temperature sensors, leading to noise in image data.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a temperature sensor to detect temperature changes and adjust the photodetector's multiplication factor and offset during periods outside the effective detection period, using a light detection controller to set these properties without interfering with image generation, thereby maintaining stable image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the photodetector's multiplication factor and offset are adjusted to compensate for temperature changes, then image stability is improved, but the complexity of the control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurements of the multiplication factor and offset at different temperatures during a calibration phase. These measurements are stored in advance, and during actual operation, the pre-measured values are simply retrieved based on the current temperature reading, avoiding the need for complex real-time adjustment algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own operational data (temperature readings from the temperature sensor and corresponding photodetector readings) to automatically determine and adjust the multiplication factor and offset. The apparatus self-calibrates by correlating temperature changes with photodetector response changes, eliminating the need for external calibration equipment or complex manual adjustment mechanisms.
2Measurement precision
If the light detection controller adjusts detection properties during the effective detection period, then real-time image quality correction is achieved, but noise is introduced into the image data
Solution Approach 1:
The controller operates in periodic cycles, alternating between measurement mode (during which detection properties are adjusted based on temperature) and effective detection mode (during which stable image data is collected). By confining adjustments to specific periods outside the effective detection window, the system achieves real-time adaptation without continuous interference that would generate noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection period is segmented into distinct phases: effective detection periods for image data collection and non-effective periods for measurement and adjustment. This temporal segmentation allows the system to perform necessary adjustments without interfering with the quality of image data acquisition, as adjustments occur in isolated time windows separated from the effective detection intervals.
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 approach allows for the correction of photodetector variations without affecting image output, resulting in improved image stability and reduced noise, ensuring high-quality image data.
Implementation Method 1
a light detecting section detecting light resulting from the object irradiated with the light from the light source and converting the detected light into an electric signal
Data Source
AI summary
The optical scanning endoscope apparatus (10) includes: an illumination optical fiber (11) guiding light form lasers (33R, 33G, 33B) and irradiating the light toward an object (100) from an oscillatably-supported tip part of the fiber; an actuator (21) vibratorily driving the tip part of the illumination optical fiber (11); a photodetector (35) detecting light resulting from the object (100) irradiated with the light from the lasers (33R, 33G, 33B) and converting the detected light into an electric signal; a signal processor (37) generating pixel information based on the electric signal output by the photodetector (35); and a light detection controller (31a) controlling a detection property of the photodetector (35) in a period other than an effective detection period.