Endoscope Imaging System Using Sequential Wavelength Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital imaging systems for endoscopes are inefficient due to the limited capability of each pixel to detect light intensity for only one specific color, leading to inefficient use of pixels, especially in miniaturized cameras, where interpolation is required to provide red or blue information.
Innovation Solution
An imaging system that uses an illumination control system to emit a sequence of different illumination wavelengths through optical fibers, allowing each pixel of the image capture device to detect and produce image frames associated with specific wavelengths, which are then combined by a processor to form a full-color composite image without the need for color filters on the pixels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If color filters are deposited on pixels in a Bayer pattern, then each pixel can detect only one specific color, but this reduces pixel utilization efficiency and requires interpolation
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination source sequentially emits different wavelengths (colors) of light in periodic cycles, allowing all pixels to detect all colors over time. Each pixel captures intensity information for multiple colors by detecting reflected light at different illumination wavelengths during different time periods, eliminating the need for color filters and interpolation while maintaining color detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static color filter arrangement to a dynamic illumination approach where the illumination wavelength changes over time. The illumination source dynamically switches between different wavelengths (e.g., red, green, blue) to illuminate the scene, enabling pixels to capture multiple color information sequentially rather than being restricted to a single color channel
2Measurement precision
If conventional digital imaging systems use color filters on pixels, then full-color images can be captured, but the system becomes larger and more complex due to the need for pixel masks and filters
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the color filters (pixel masks) from the pixel array entirely. Instead of having filters deposited on each pixel, the system extracts the color selection function and relocates it to the illumination source, which sequentially emits different wavelengths. This eliminates the physical filters and masks, reducing device complexity while maintaining full-color imaging capability
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination source acts as an intermediary that provides wavelength-selective light to the pixels. Rather than pixels having inherent color sensitivity through filters, the illumination source mediates by emitting different wavelengths at different times, allowing pixels to detect multiple colors through temporal separation of illumination wavelengths
3Device complexity
If each pixel detects only one color, then the imaging system can be simpler in structure, but interpolation is required which reduces image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination source emits different wavelengths in periodic sequences, allowing each pixel to detect multiple colors over time. For example, during one illumination cycle, the source emits red light and pixels detect red intensity; in the next cycle, green light is emitted and pixels detect green intensity. This periodic illumination eliminates the need for interpolation while maintaining simple pixel structure
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary color separation at the illumination stage rather than at the detection stage. By pre-selecting wavelengths before they reach the pixels, the system ensures that each pixel receives illumination at the appropriate wavelength for the color being detected, eliminating the need for post-capture interpolation to reconstruct missing color information
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 enhances the efficiency of the imaging system by allowing each pixel to detect multiple wavelengths, reducing the need for interpolation and resulting in a smaller, more efficient imaging system capable of producing high-quality full-color images without the complexity and cost of pixel masks or filters.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of optical fibers connected to the illumination control system and disposed within the elongate member. The plurality of optical fibers are configured to sequentially output the different illumination wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
each pixel of the image capture device is configured to detect the illumination energy associated with each of the plurality of different illumination wavelengths reflected from the object
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention include an apparatus including at least one illumination source configured to emit illumination energy and an illumination control system to receive the illumination energy. The illumination control system is configured to control the illumination energy to output a sequence of different illumination wavelengths using the illumination energy. The apparatus also includes a plurality of optical fibers connected to the illumination control system and configured to sequentially output the different illumination wavelengths. Each optical fiber is configured to transmit a different illumination wavelength of the sequence to output the sequence of different illumination wavelengths from the optical fibers toward an object. The apparatus further includes an image capture device including a plurality of pixels, and each pixel of the image capture device is configured to detect the illumination energy associated with each of the plurality of different illumination wavelengths reflected from the object.