Endoscopic Waveguide for Laser Mapping Imaging

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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 laser mapping technology is cumbersome and cannot fit within the small space of a body cavity for simultaneous color and laser mapping imaging.

Innovation Solution

An endoscopic imaging system with an emitter module that pulses electromagnetic radiation of different wavelengths to a waveguide, which carries the light to the distal end of the endoscope, allowing for color and laser mapping imaging within a small space, using a monochromatic pixel array and optical fiber bundles to increase the light cone area and integrate multiple imaging techniques into a single session.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the image sensor is placed in the handpiece unit, then the image sensor can be protected from damage, but the endoscope becomes delicate and prone to misalignment, leading to image quality degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage sensor protectionVSAvoidendoscope alignment stability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the imaging function into two distinct components: a robust distal tip containing only light-emitting elements (lasers and LEDs) that can withstand mechanical stress, and a protected handpiece unit housing the image sensor and processing electronics. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Optical waveguides serve as intermediaries to transmit laser light from the distal tip to the image sensor in the handpiece unit. This intermediary mechanism enables the separation of the sensor from the delicate distal end while maintaining the functional connection needed for imaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple distinct imaging and ranging systems are accommodated, then laser mapping data can be captured, but the endoscope size increases beyond what can fit in a small body cavity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging system functionalityVSAvoidendoscope tip size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges color imaging and laser mapping functionalities into a single integrated endoscope tip. Multiple lasers operating at different wavelengths and patterns (including structured light patterns for depth mapping) are combined with color LEDs and a single image sensor to achieve both color imaging and 3D depth mapping capabilities in one compact device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A single image sensor performs multiple functions: capturing color images from LED illumination, detecting reflected laser patterns for depth mapping, and measuring time-of-flight for ranging. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate sensors for each imaging modality, reducing overall system size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If a traditional image sensor with color filter array is used, then color images can be captured, but the pixel array cannot fit in the small distal end of an endoscope

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor image capture capabilityVSAvoidpixel array size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from spatial color separation (multiple pixel types in a color filter array) to temporal color separation (sequential illumination with red, green, and blue LEDs). A single monochrome pixel array captures images at different time points corresponding to different color wavelengths, then reconstructs full-color images through software processing. This dimensional shift from space to time allows color imaging with a compact single-array sensor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 precise and valuable information about body cavities by providing high-definition color and laser mapping data within a light-deficient environment, improving image quality and reducing the need for frequent repairs, while allowing for the capture of both color and laser mapping data in a single imaging session.

Implementation Method 1

an optical fiber waveguide that carries the light to a distal end of the endoscope

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical fiber waveguide: Waveguide (optics)

Implementation Method 2

a monochromatic pixel array that detects reflected electromagnetic radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11375886B2Optical fiber waveguide in an endoscopic system for laser mapping imaging

Publication Date: 2022.07.05 CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL

AI summary

Optical fiber waveguide for communicating electromagnetic radiation pulsed by an emitter in an endoscopic imaging system. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an endoscope comprising an image sensor for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a waveguide communicating the pulses of electromagnetic radiation from the emitter to the endoscope. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises a laser mapping pattern.