Fluorescence Endoscope Distance Correction via Intensity Ratio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluorescence endoscope techniques face challenges in accurately distinguishing between normal and affected areas, particularly when the affected area is farther away, due to the inverse square law affecting excitation light intensity, leading to reduced fluorescence emission and difficulties in distance-independent imaging.
Innovation Solution
A fluorescence endoscope with a light source, fluorescence image-acquiring section, and image-operation section that generates corrected image data by calculating the ratio of grayscale levels in the region of concern to neighboring regions, reducing the effect of distance and allowing for distance-independent differentiation between normal and affected areas using a single wavelength band.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fluorescence imaging is performed using a conventional endoscope, then the fluorescence intensity can be detected, but the detection accuracy deteriorates when the affected area is farther away due to the inverse square law reducing excitation light intensity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by calculating the ratio of fluorescence intensity to reference light intensity, transforming the measurement parameters to eliminate the inverse square law effect. This ratio calculation changes the measurement approach from absolute intensity to relative intensity, thereby compensating for distance-related attenuation and improving detection accuracy at varying distances
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback by incorporating reference light detection into the imaging system. The reference light intensity serves as a feedback signal that reflects the excitation light conditions at each pixel location, allowing the system to automatically compensate for distance variations and maintain consistent detection accuracy across different depths
2Measurement precision
If reference light imaging is used to compensate for distance effects, then distance-independent imaging can be achieved, but specular reflection from the subject surface causes inaccurate ratio calculation in certain regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful specular reflection components from the reference light image through image processing techniques. By identifying and eliminating these reflection artifacts, the system prevents them from interfering with the fluorescence-to-reference light ratio calculation, thereby maintaining measurement precision in regions that would otherwise be affected by surface reflections
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of specular reflection into a beneficial filtering mechanism. By detecting regions with abnormal reference light intensity patterns characteristic of specular reflection, the system can selectively exclude or correct these regions, transforming what would be measurement errors into opportunities for enhanced image quality through targeted processing
3Measurement precision
If multiple wavelength bands are detected to distinguish affected areas, then distance effects can be reduced, but the device complexity increases due to multiple detectors or filters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling a single detector to perform multiple functions through the use of a switchable filter system. The same detector can measure fluorescence intensity at different wavelengths by switching between filters, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated detectors and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the ability to distinguish affected areas through multi-wavelength analysis
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 effective imaging of normal and affected areas with reduced distance-related artifacts, allowing for accurate differentiation without the need for additional reference-light images, improving diagnostic accuracy in a simple configuration.
Implementation Method 1
a chemical agent that accumulates in a diseased area such as cancer and that emits fluorescence when irradiated with excitation light
Data Source
AI summary
A fluorescence endoscope and a fluorometry method that allow distinguishing between normal and affected areas in a simple manner by reducing the effect of the distance from a subject. A light source that emits light for irradiation of a subject, fluorescence image-acquiring section for acquiring an image of fluorescence contained in return light originating from the subject, fluorescence-image generating section for generating fluorescence image data based on fluorescence-related data acquired by the fluorescence image-acquiring section, region-of-concern defining section for defining a region of concern with a higher fluorescence intensity than a surrounding region based on the fluorescence image data, neighboring-region defining section for defining a neighboring region near the region of concern, and image-operation section for generating corrected image data based on the ratio of a grayscale level related to fluorescence intensity in the region of concern to a grayscale level related to fluorescence intensity in the neighboring region.