Endoscope Light Source Spectral Control for Landmark Contrast
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope systems struggle to effectively highlight regions of interest by distinguishing them from their surrounding tissues due to similar spectral reflectance characteristics, making it difficult to identify landmarks or indices that indicate the presence of these regions.
Innovation Solution
A light source device comprising multiple light sources with different peak wavelengths, controlled by a processor to adjust light amounts based on spectral reflectance ratios between a region of interest and its peripheral components, enhancing the visibility of these landmarks through controlled illumination and image processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If uniform illumination is used across all wavelength regions, then the overall visibility is maintained, but the ability to distinguish landmarks from peripheral tissues is insufficient due to similar spectral reflectance characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different illumination intensities to different wavelength regions based on the spectral characteristics of landmarks versus peripheral tissues. Specifically, wavelength regions where landmarks exhibit low reflectance relative to peripheral tissues are illuminated with higher intensity, while regions where landmarks show high reflectance are illuminated with lower intensity. This creates a localized optimization of visibility for landmarks without uniformly affecting the entire observation field.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the illumination intensity parameters across different wavelength regions. The control device modifies the emission parameters of the light source to emit light with intensified wavelengths selectively, changing the spectral composition of illumination to enhance the contrast between landmarks and surrounding tissues based on their distinct spectral reflectance profiles.
2Illumination intensity
If light intensity is increased across all wavelength regions, then overall illumination brightness is improved, but the contrast between landmarks and peripheral portions deteriorates due to similar spectral reflectance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different illumination intensities to different wavelength regions based on the spectral characteristics of landmarks versus peripheral tissues. Specifically, wavelength regions where landmarks exhibit low reflectance relative to peripheral tissues are illuminated with higher intensity, while regions where landmarks show high reflectance are illuminated with lower intensity. This creates a localized optimization of visibility for landmarks without uniformly affecting the entire observation field.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the illumination intensity parameters across different wavelength regions. The control device modifies the emission parameters of the light source to emit light with intensified wavelengths selectively, changing the spectral composition of illumination to enhance the contrast between landmarks and surrounding tissues based on their distinct spectral reflectance profiles.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources with different wavelengths are used, then spectral differentiation capability is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a multi-wavelength light source system where a single illumination device can perform multiple functions: general observation mode with uniform illumination and enhanced landmark observation mode with differentiated spectral illumination. The system integrates both functions into one device, allowing switching between observation modes without requiring separate equipment, thereby managing complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by automatically analyzing the spectral reflectance characteristics of the observation target and autonomously determining the optimal illumination wavelength distribution. The control device performs spectral analysis and automatically adjusts the light source parameters without requiring manual intervention, enabling the system to adapt to different observation scenarios while simplifying the user interface.
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 solution enhances the visibility of landmarks relative to their peripheral portions, thereby improving the recognition of regions of interest by emphasizing spectral differences, facilitating better identification and observation.
Implementation Method 1
a first light source that emits light having a peak wavelength in a first wavelength region; a second light source that emits light having a peak wavelength in a second wavelength region
Implementation Method 2
the merkmal observed ratio is a ratio between a spectral reflectance in the merkmal and a spectral reflectance in the peripheral portion in each of a plurality of wavelength regions
Data Source
AI summary
A light source device includes a first light source, a second light source, and a processor. The processor controls, based on spectrum setting information, an emitted light amount of the first light source and an emitted light amount of the second light source so that the emitted light amount of the first light source becomes larger than the emitted light amount of the second light source. The observation object includes a region of interest, a merkmal, and a peripheral portion. The spectrum setting information is set based on a merkmal observed ratio that is a ratio between a spectral reflectance in the merkmal and a spectral reflectance in the peripheral portion. A degree of disassociation of the merkmal observed ratio in the first wavelength region from 1 is greater than a degree of disassociation of the merkmal observed ratio in the second wavelength region from 1.