Dynamic Endoscopic Light Control for Balanced Image Luminance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Medical procedures like endoscopy and urology face challenges in visualizing anatomical features due to variable lighting conditions, leading to overexposed and underexposed regions, and image artifacts such as hotspots, shadows, and blackouts, which complicate analysis and patient treatment.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for dynamically modifying luminance values of images by adjusting camera and light source settings based on weighted frame luminance, using algorithms to account for luminance imbalances and image artifacts, and converting images to formats like YUV for analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual or global intensity adjustment of light source is used, then device complexity is reduced, but image quality deteriorates due to inability to account for variable lighting conditions and anatomical challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image into multiple zones or regions and applies different luminance adjustments to each zone rather than applying a uniform adjustment across the entire image. This allows targeted correction of overexposed and underexposed regions while maintaining appropriate lighting in other areas, thereby improving image quality without requiring complex global control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts light source intensity based on real-time image analysis, transitioning from static manual adjustment to automated dynamic control. The luminance adjustment is continuously adapted according to detected anatomical features, lighting conditions, and image quality metrics, enabling precise control without increasing operational complexity.
2Illumination intensity
If light intensity is increased to illuminate dark regions, then underexposed regions are improved, but overexposed regions worsen due to activation of autofluorescent properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different luminance adjustment levels to different regions of the image based on their specific lighting conditions and anatomical characteristics. Dark regions receive enhanced illumination while bright regions maintain or reduce intensity to prevent autofluorescence activation, creating locally optimized lighting conditions that address specific problem areas without compromising overall image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors image quality metrics including luminance distribution, contrast ratios, and detection of overexposed/underexposed regions. Based on this feedback, the light source intensity is automatically adjusted in real-time to maintain optimal lighting conditions, preventing both underexposure and unwanted autofluorescence activation through closed-loop control.
3Illumination intensity
If exposure time is increased to improve image brightness, then overall image luminance improves, but image artifacts such as hotspots and blackouts worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image into multiple regions and applies differentiated exposure control to each region rather than applying uniform exposure time across the entire image. This allows optimization of brightness in dark regions while controlling exposure in bright regions to minimize hotspots and blackouts, achieving balanced image quality without artifacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes multiple parameters including exposure time, aperture size, and light source intensity in combination rather than relying on a single parameter adjustment. This multi-parameter optimization allows improvement of overall brightness while controlling individual region exposure to prevent artifacts like hotspots and blackouts that would result from single-parameter changes.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for modifying the luminance value of at least one image are discussed, e.g., including receiving a request to modify the luminance value of at least one image, determining a weighted frame luminance of the at least one image based on an imbalance factor, modifying the luminance value of the at least one image by changing at least one setting of the camera and/or the light source automatically or manually based on the determined weighted frame luminance, and causing to output to a graphical user interface a visualization of the at least one image with the modified luminance value.