Endoscopic Image Processing Gain Switching for Lesion Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopic systems face challenges in effectively highlighting lesions and backgrounds during procedures, particularly in distinguishing subtle color differences in images captured with special observation light containing green, blue, and infrared components.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus with gain calculation and color adjustment circuits that allow switching between two color modes: one amplifies the infrared component for highlighting lesions and another adjusts all components to enhance both lesion and background visibility, using a combination of gain calculation and color conversion processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the infrared component is amplified with a high gain multiplication factor, then lesion visibility is improved, but background visibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The image processing is segmented into two distinct modes: a first mode that amplifies only the infrared component for lesion detection, and a second mode that processes all color components (green, blue, and infrared) for comprehensive visualization. This segmentation allows the system to optimize for different purposes without compromising either lesion or background visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between two gain calculation modes based on operational needs. The switching unit enables transition between the first gain calculation circuit (high multiplication factor for lesions) and the second gain calculation circuit (equivalent multiplication for all components), allowing adaptive optimization of image processing parameters.
2Illumination intensity
If the infrared component is amplified with a high gain multiplication factor, then lesion highlighting is improved, but overall image balance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The color adjustment processing is segmented into two distinct pathways: the first color adjustment circuit allocates only the amplified infrared component to green and blue channels, while the second color adjustment circuit processes all three color components (green, blue, and infrared) with equivalent multiplication, preserving natural color balance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between two color adjustment modes. The switching unit enables transition between the first color adjustment circuit (infrared-only allocation for highlighting) and the second color adjustment circuit (balanced processing of all components for natural color representation), maintaining image composition stability when needed.
3Loss of information
If equivalent multiplication is applied to all color components, then background visibility is improved, but lesion highlighting deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides segmented processing options: the second gain calculation circuit and second color adjustment circuit work together to apply equivalent multiplication to all color components for balanced background visualization, while the first gain calculation circuit and first color adjustment circuit provide specialized infrared amplification for lesion detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching unit enables dynamic selection between equivalent multiplication mode (for background visibility) and selective infrared amplification mode (for lesion highlighting), allowing the system to adapt to different observational priorities without compromising either function.
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
Enables clear visualization of lesions and backgrounds, facilitating both detection and treatment by optimizing image processing to amplify specific color components and convert them for improved visibility on a monitor.
Implementation Method 1
a captured image acquired by observation of special observation light, the captured image containing each color component of green, blue, and infrared light including fluorescent light emitted from a subject
Implementation Method 2
a first color adjustment circuit configured to perform output by allocating the color component of the infrared light output from the first gain calculation circuit into the green component and the blue component
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes: a first gain calculation circuit configured to extract only color component of infrared light and multiply it by a gain of a predetermined multiplication factor; a first color adjustment circuit configured to perform output by allocating the color component of the infrared light into green component and blue component; a second gain calculation circuit configured to set gains of the green component and blue component to equivalent multiplication and multiply the color component of the infrared light by a gain of a multiplication factor smaller than the predetermined multiplication factor; a second color adjustment circuit configured to convert the color component of the infrared light into the green component and convert the green component into a red component; and a switching unit configured to perform a switching process of inputting a captured image to one of the first and the second gain calculation circuits.