Endoscopic Camera Split Image Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopic camera systems for dual imaging are costly and inflexible, requiring multiple sensors and complex optical configurations, limiting their ability to capture varied characteristics in dual images.
Innovation Solution
An optical imaging system with a first afocal optical group and a second optical group, featuring a first and second beamsplitter, and one or more manipulating optical elements, allowing for the splitting and focusing of light onto separate areas of image sensors, enabling manipulation of optical characteristics and spectral content, and an image processor to combine images for enhanced depth of field and dynamic range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independent sensors are used for dual imaging, then imaging versatility is improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple imaging functions into a single sensor by using a beamsplitter to direct different optical paths (e.g., visible light and infrared, or different focal planes) to different regions of the same sensor chip. This eliminates the need for multiple independent sensors and their associated mounting assemblies, thereby reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining dual imaging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single image sensor is designed to perform multiple imaging functions simultaneously by receiving different portions of split light. The sensor captures multiple image streams (e.g., different spectra, focal planes, or light intensities) in different areas of the same chip, making it a universal imaging component that replaces multiple specialized sensors.
2Productivity
If a beamsplitter is placed in image space from a single sensor, then multiple images are captured, but flexibility in positioning optical filters and lenses is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The beamsplitter is positioned upstream in the optical path, before the image sensor, to divide the light into different portions that can then be independently manipulated. This preliminary splitting allows optical filters, lenses, and other elements to be positioned downstream in each optical path with full flexibility, enabling independent optimization of each imaging channel while maintaining dual image capture capability.
3Measurement precision
If duplication of optical components is done for each dual channel, then image quality is maintained, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the detection function for multiple imaging channels into a single sensor and shared optical components. By using a beamsplitter to direct different light portions to different areas of the same sensor, the system eliminates redundant optical components (lenses, filters, mounting assemblies) that would otherwise be needed for each channel, thereby reducing cost while maintaining image quality through proper optical design.
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 cost-effective dual imaging with varied existing endoscopes, allowing detection of different characteristics such as enhanced depth of field, high dynamic range, and fluorescence analysis, while maintaining flexibility in optical configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a first beamsplitter optically arranged to receive single optical image light in a substantially afocal state and split the single optical image light into a first portion of light directed along a first optical path and a second portion of light directed along a second optical path
Implementation Method 2
a second optical group comprising refractive elements optically arranged to receive the first and second portions of light from the first beamsplitter and focus them
Implementation Method 3
a second beamsplitter downstream from the second optical group arranged in an image space to split the first portion of light into a third and fourth portion of light and the second portion of light into a fifth and sixth portion of light
Implementation Method 4
wherein the third and fifth portions of light are focused onto a first and second area of a first image sensor, and the fourth and sixth portions of light are focused onto a first area and a second area of a second image sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
Endoscopic camera head devices and methods are provided using light captured by an endoscope system. Substantially afocal light from the endoscope is manipulated and split. After passing through focusing optics, another beamsplitter is used to split the light again, this time in image space, producing four portions of light that may be further manipulated. The four portions of light are focused onto separate areas of two image sensors. The manipulation of the beams can take several forms, each offering distinct advantages over existing systems when individually displayed, analyzed and/or combined by an image processor.