Endoscopic Imaging Sensor Rotation Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopes with image sensors placed in handpiece units are prone to misalignment and damage, leading to image quality degradation and require frequent repairs due to their delicate nature, and are limited to capturing only color images, while applications for fluorescence, hyperspectral, and laser mapping imaging require specialized equipment and multiple sensors, which are not suitable for space-constrained environments.
Innovation Solution
An endoscopic imaging system with an image sensor placed at the distal tip of the endoscope, using a monochromatic pixel array that pulses different wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation to generate color and additional imaging data types like hyperspectral, fluorescence, and laser mapping, allowing for a single imaging session with improved optical simplicity and reduced sensor size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the image sensor is placed in the handpiece unit, then the endoscope structure is simplified, but the image quality degrades due to misalignment and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses software-based image processing to create a virtual model of the endoscope's optical path and sensor characteristics. This digital twin allows for real-time correction of alignment deviations and damage effects, compensating for the fragility of the physical sensor in the handpiece unit while maintaining image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops that monitor image quality metrics and automatically adjust calibration parameters. When misalignment or damage is detected, the software dynamically corrects the imaging data, ensuring stable image quality despite the delicate nature of the handpiece-mounted sensor.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specialized sensors are used for fluorescence, hyperspectral, and laser mapping imaging, then imaging capabilities are enhanced, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal monochromatic sensor that can capture multiple types of imaging data (color, fluorescence, hyperspectral, laser mapping) through software-based spectral unmixing and processing. This single sensor replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized sensors, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining full imaging versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the single monochromatic sensor by adjusting exposure times, illumination wavelengths, and processing algorithms to extract different imaging modalities from the same sensor, enabling multi-functional imaging without adding physical sensors.
3Area of stationary object
If a monochromatic pixel array is used, then the sensor size is reduced, but the ability to capture color information is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/color-filter-based color capture system with a software-based computational imaging approach. The monochromatic sensor captures intensity data, and software algorithms reconstruct color information by analyzing spectral characteristics and comparing against reference data, eliminating the need for physical color filters while recovering color information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces software-based spectral processing as an intermediary between the monochromatic sensor and the final color image output. This computational layer extracts and reconstructs color information from the monochromatic data through spectral unmixing and synthesis algorithms, bridging the gap between single-wavelength sensing and full-color imaging.
Data Source
AI summary
Image rotation in an endoscopic hyperspectral, fluorescence, and/or laser mapping imaging system is described. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a rotation sensor for detecting an angle of rotation of a lumen relative to a handpiece of an endoscope. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises one or more of a hyperspectral emission, a fluorescence emission, and/or a laser mapping pattern.