Endoscope System Time Division Fluorescence Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscope systems for fluorescence observation produce unclear images due to the faint signal from fluorescent markers, and existing solutions that acquire both white light and fluorescent images in a time division manner often result in a lower frame rate for white light images, leading to unnatural and less smooth video movement.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope system that generates clocks for synchronizing the irradiation of white light and excitation light, allowing for the generation of multiple white light images and a single fluorescent image within the same frame period, enabling the superimposition of images to create a clearer and more natural video with improved frame rates for white light images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If white light and excitation light are irradiated in a time division manner to obtain both white light images and fluorescent images, then fluorescent observation is enabled, but the frame rate of white light images decreases leading to unnatural video movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image acquisition process into multiple slots within a single frame period. Multiple white light images are acquired in different slots, and these are combined to form a high frame rate white light video, while fluorescent images are acquired in separate slots. This segmentation allows both white light and fluorescent imaging to occur without one compromising the frame rate of the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple white light images acquired at different timings within the same frame period to create a composite white light image. This merging process effectively increases the white light image frame rate while fluorescent images are captured in parallel during the same overall frame period, resolving the contradiction between fluorescent observation capability and white light frame rate.
2Speed
If multiple images are acquired within the same frame period, then white light image frame rate is improved, but image synchronization and superimposition become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by acquiring multiple white light images at regular intervals within each frame period and combining them systematically. This periodic acquisition pattern, synchronized with the frame rate, simplifies the processing complexity by establishing a predictable timing structure for image superimposition and merging operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating multiple copies of white light images at different time points within the frame period. These copied images are then superimposed or merged to form the final high frame rate white light video. This copying approach simplifies the processing by allowing independent handling of each image copy before combination.
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 clarity of superimposed images by maintaining a higher frame rate for white light images while capturing fluorescent images, resulting in a smoother and more natural video representation of biological tissue structures and fluorescent markers.
Implementation Method 1
a light source apparatus configured to irradiate white light and excitation light in a time division manner in synchronization with the clock
Implementation Method 2
fluorescence observation for administering a fluorescent marker such as ICG to a subject and thereafter irradiating excitation light and picking up an image of marker fluorescent light emitted from the administered marker
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope system includes a processor configured to generate a clock at predetermined timing, a light source apparatus configured to irradiate white light and excitation light in a time division manner in synchronization with the clock, and an endoscope configured to perform image pickup based on irradiation timing of the light source apparatus. The processor generates a first white light image at a first clock, generates a first fluorescent image at a second clock, generates a second white light image at a third clock, and generates a third white light image at a fourth clock and superimposes the second white light image and the first fluorescent image at the fourth clock and superimposes the third white light image and the first fluorescent image at a fifth clock.