Endoscopy Image Sensor Channel Tuning for Fluorescence Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging methods for fluorescence detection in endoscopy are computationally intensive and energy-consuming due to the need for complex signal processing to separate illumination light signals from fluorescence light signals.
Innovation Solution
The method involves selectively reducing the sensitivity of at least one color channel of an image sensor to minimize interference from illumination light, allowing spectral separation without extensive signal processing by ensuring the reduced channel is insensitive to illumination light, enabling it to detect fluorescence light in a different spectral range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If computational signal processing is used to separate spectral signal components, then spectral separation between illumination light and fluorescence light is achieved, but energy consumption increases and the imaging method becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the computational signal processing system (software-based spectral separation) with a physical/optical system modification. By selectively reducing the sensitivity of specific color channels in the image sensor, the system achieves spectral separation through hardware design rather than post-processing calculations, thereby eliminating the energy-intensive computational step while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sensitivity parameter of the image sensor's color channels. Specifically, it reduces the sensitivity of certain color channels to wavelengths where illumination light is present, while maintaining or enhancing sensitivity in wavelengths where fluorescence light occurs. This parameter modification enables automatic spectral separation without requiring energy-consuming signal processing operations.
2Measurement precision
If computational signal processing is used to separate spectral signal components, then spectral separation between illumination light and fluorescence light is achieved, but the imaging method becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes complex computational algorithms with a simplified hardware configuration. By designing the image sensor with selectively reduced sensitivity in specific color channels, the system achieves spectral separation through the physical properties of the sensor itself, eliminating the need for complex post-processing software and simplifying the overall imaging methodology.
3Illumination intensity
If all color channels maintain equal sensitivity, then the image sensor captures maximum signal strength, but spectral interference from illumination light cannot be avoided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making different color channels have different sensitivity characteristics. Instead of uniform sensitivity across all channels, specific color channels are assigned reduced sensitivity to wavelength ranges where illumination light interferes, while other channels maintain high sensitivity for detecting fluorescence light. This localized differentiation eliminates spectral interference while preserving overall signal strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the sensitivity parameter of specific color channels based on the spectral characteristics of the illumination light and fluorescence light. By reducing sensitivity in channels affected by illumination light and maintaining or increasing sensitivity in channels sensitive to fluorescence light, the system optimizes signal detection while minimizing interference from the illumination source.
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
This approach reduces energy consumption and simplifies imaging by eliminating the need for computationally intensive signal processing, allowing for enhanced fluorescence detection with minimal interference from illumination light.
Implementation Method 1
the illumination light is recorded by a main color channel of an image sensor. In this case, the image sensor has at least one further color channel
Implementation Method 2
detect light spectrally selectively in a second spectral range lying outside of the first spectral range of the illumination light, for example detect a certain fluorescence wavelength
Data Source
AI summary
For simplified, less computationally intensive, image recording of different spectral signal components using a plurality of color channels of a single image sensor, a targeted adjustment of a sensitivity of at least one of the color channels in relation to another one of the color channels of the image sensor is provided for a spectral separation of this reduced or adjusted color channel from the other color channel so that at least one certain spectral range (i.e., in particular a part of a first spectral range captured using the other color channel) is no longer detectable using the color channel that has been adjusted in terms of its sensitivity. This adjusted color channel becomes spectrally blind in the spectral range and can consequently spectrally selectively detect a further spectral range (specifically a second spectral range deviating from the first spectral range). The second spectral range may include a fluorescence wavelength.