Endoscope Illumination Depth Calculation via Wavelength Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscope systems face challenges in accurately calculating the depth of feature portions within biological tissues, such as blood vessels, due to limitations in separating surface and deep-layer information from imaging signals, especially when absorption characteristics vary.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope system with an illumination portion that generates a light-dark patterned illumination light beam, where the widths of dark portions change, allowing for the acquisition of multiple illumination images. These images are processed to create surface-layer and deep-layer images based on different intensity values, enabling the calculation of depth information by analyzing changes in these images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional illumination is used, then the imaging process is simple, but the ability to separate surface and deep-layer information is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination light beam is segmented into multiple wavelength bands (first, second, and third wavelength bands) with different hemoglobin absorption characteristics. This segmentation allows selective penetration depths into tissue, enabling separation of surface and deep-layer information through multi-wavelength imaging
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the wavelength dimension to the illumination approach by using multiple wavelength bands instead of single-wavelength or broadband light. This dimensional addition enables depth discrimination based on differential hemoglobin absorption at different wavelengths
2Loss of information
If multiple wavelength bands are used, then depth information can be extracted, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processor acts as an intermediary that performs separation processing on the plurality of illumination images to generate first separation images (containing deep-layer information) and second separation images (containing surface information). This intermediary processing step extracts depth information without requiring complex hardware modifications
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the wavelength parameter of illumination light to exploit different hemoglobin absorption characteristics. By illuminating with multiple wavelength bands and analyzing the differential absorption, the system extracts depth information through parameter variation rather than structural complexity
3Measurement precision
If single-wavelength illumination is used, then the device is simple, but depth resolution is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic illumination with alternating wavelength bands to illuminate the imaging subject. By sequentially illuminating with first, second, and third wavelength bands and acquiring images at each stage, the system achieves depth resolution through time-multiplexed multi-wavelength imaging
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 effectively separates surface and deep-layer information, allowing for precise depth calculation of feature portions within biological tissues, regardless of their absorption characteristics, by utilizing the contrast changes between surface-layer and deep-layer images.
Implementation Method 1
calculates the thicknesses and the depths of blood vessels in an observation area by utilizing a ratio of imaging signals for three wavelength bands that differ in terms of hemoglobin absorption characteristics
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope system includes: an illumination portion including an emitter and being configured to radiate illumination light beam onto an imaging subject, the beam having intensity distribution in which light and dark portions are spatially repeated; a controller configured to cause widths of the dark portions to change; an imager configured to acquire a plurality of illumination images of the subject being illuminated with beams in which the widths of the dark portions are different from each other; and at least one processor including hardware, the processor being configured to: create first and second images from each of the illumination images, the first images containing a greater quantity of information about a deep layer of the subject than the second images do; and calculate information about depths of a feature portion in the subject on the basis of changes among the first images and changes among the second images.