Endoscopic Imaging With Interleaved White Light and Spectral Frames
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopic imaging systems lack the capability to integrate multispectral or hyperspectral imaging with simultaneous white light imaging, requiring large and expensive imaging spectrometers, and do not efficiently adapt to various applications.
Innovation Solution
An endoscopic video system that provides white light illumination at a first frame rate, interspersed with narrowband illumination at regular or irregular intervals, allowing for the creation of a multispectral or hyperspectral data cube using a processor to generate live video and spectral data simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large and expensive imaging spectrometer is used to integrate multispectral or hyperspectral imaging capability, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging process into two distinct modes: white light illumination for standard video imaging and narrowband illumination for spectral imaging. This segmentation allows the system to use a simple camera sensor instead of a complex imaging spectrometer, as each mode can be optimized independently. The light source is controlled to emit either broad-spectrum white light or specific narrowband wavelengths, enabling the sensor to capture different types of information with the same hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the light source universal by enabling it to perform multiple functions: it can emit white light for standard video imaging and switch to emitting narrowband light at specific wavelengths for spectral imaging. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate illumination systems for different imaging modes, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining both video and spectral imaging capabilities.
2Measurement precision
If narrowband illumination is provided for spectral imaging, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases due to frame rate reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by alternating between white light illumination and narrowband illumination in a structured sequence. The light source switches between broad-spectrum white light and specific narrowband wavelengths at predetermined intervals, allowing the system to capture both video frames and spectral frames systematically. This periodic switching enables the processor to interleave video and spectral data acquisition, maintaining an overall high frame rate while ensuring sufficient narrowband frames are captured for spectral analysis.
3Productivity
If white light illumination is used for live video, then productivity is improved with high frame rate, but measurement precision for spectral analysis deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two previously separate imaging functions into a single integrated system. By combining white light video imaging and narrowband spectral imaging into one system that uses a single camera sensor and light source, the patent achieves both high-frame-rate video and accurate spectral analysis. The processor combines video frames and spectral frames from the same sensor, ensuring consistent spatial and temporal registration while maintaining the advantages of both imaging modes.
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 efficient spectral acquisition adaptable to different image sensors, providing real-time spectral analysis such as oxygenation, tissue water index, and perfusion without altering sensor exposure characteristics, while maintaining a compact form factor suitable for medical scopes.
Implementation Method 1
a light source adapted to provide white light illumination at a first frame rate and to interrupt the white light illumination and provide narrowband illumination for individual frames
Implementation Method 2
an image sensor within the shaft or relayed down the length of the shaft via a relay lens system to an image sensor located within the camera head
Data Source
AI summary
A hyperspectral imaging method and system including cameras with simultaneous white light imaging capability are presented. A video system includes a camera and a light source adapted to provide white light illumination at a first frame rate suitable for live video, and to provide intermittent narrowband illumination for individual frames interspersed among the white light illuminated frames, where the spectrum of the narrowband illumination varies amongst the interspersed frames permitting a series of at least two differently illuminated narrowband interspersed frames to be assembled into a multispectral or hyperspectral data cube at a second frame rate. The system also includes a processor adapted to receive an image signal and create a live video feed based on the white light illuminated frames by replacing the narrowband illuminated frames with generated or previously collected frames.