Endoscope Spectral Intensity Control for Blood Vessel Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopes face challenges in acquiring sufficiently bright images of blood vessels near the surface layer of biological tissue when using light of multiple wavelength bands, particularly in the visible long wavelength to near-infrared region, due to reduced transmittance and sensitivity, and there is a lack of clear balance adjustment for color balance.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope apparatus is designed with a light source section generating light of specific wavelength bands, including a first wavelength band with spectral characteristics matching hemoglobin absorption and a second wavelength band with lower scattering and absorption characteristics, along with an image pickup section and control section to adjust spectral products to ensure optimal image quality by controlling the light emission characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light of visible long wavelength to near infrared region is used to image deep blood vessels, then the ability to visualize deep blood vessels is improved, but the transmittance of lens and sensitivity of image pickup are reduced resulting in insufficient image brightness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the spectral product (product of light source spectral intensity and illuminance) to specific ranges: 0.5 to 2.0 mW/cm² for the first wavelength band (600nm±10nm) and 0.3 to 1.5 mW/cm² for the second wavelength band (630nm±10nm). This controlled parameter adjustment optimizes the balance between penetration depth capability and image brightness, resolving the contradiction between visualizing deep blood vessels and maintaining sufficient image brightness.
2Measurement precision
If light of multiple wavelength bands is used to image blood vessels, then the ability to emphasize deep blood vessels is improved, but the color balance adjustment becomes unclear and difficult to optimize
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies color balance adjustment by defining specific spectral product ranges for each wavelength band rather than requiring complex multi-parameter optimization. The first wavelength band (600nm±10nm) is set to 0.5-2.0 mW/cm² and the second wavelength band (630nm±10nm) to 0.3-1.5 mW/cm², providing clear guidance for achieving both blood vessel emphasis and color balance without cumbersome adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the control section monitors the spectral product values and adjusts the light source output accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that the spectral products remain within the optimal ranges, automatically maintaining both blood vessel emphasis accuracy and color balance without requiring manual intervention.
3Measurement precision
If narrow band light near 600nm is used to image blood vessels, then the contrast of blood vessels is improved, but the overall image quality and color balance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of narrow band light (high blood vessel contrast) with the benefits of broader wavelength coverage (good color balance and overall image quality). By simultaneously utilizing two wavelength bands (600nm±10nm and 630nm±10nm) with controlled spectral products, the system achieves both high contrast blood vessel imaging and maintains overall image quality, avoiding the limitations of using a single narrow band.
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
The apparatus achieves an observation image with excellent image quality by adjusting the spectral products of the light emission characteristics, ensuring the image quality is equal to or greater than a predetermined quality, allowing for effective visualization of blood vessels.
Implementation Method 1
light of a first wavelength band having spectral characteristics of a narrow band between a wavelength including a maximum value and a wavelength including a minimum value on light absorption characteristics of the hemoglobin
Implementation Method 2
light of a second wavelength band in which scattering characteristics in the subject and absorption characteristics of the hemoglobin are lower than in the light of the first wavelength band
Implementation Method 3
an image pickup section configured to receive light from the subject irradiated with the light from the light source section to generate an image pickup signal
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope apparatus includes: a light source section configured to generate first light emitted to a subject having hemoglobin and second light; an image pickup section configured to receive light from the subject irradiated with the light from the light source section to generate an image pickup signal; an image generation section configured to generate an observation image of the subject from a first image pickup signal generated by receiving light from the subject irradiated with the first light and a second image pickup signal generated by receiving light from the subject irradiated with the second light; and a control section configured to control a spectral product of at least one of the first light and the second light such that a spectral product in the wavelength band of the first light falls within 50% to 150% of a spectral product in the wavelength band of the second light.