Fluorescence Image Processing Device Noise Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing techniques for endoscopes result in poor responsiveness and resolution degradation due to the need for multiple fluorescent images for noise averaging and averaging pixel values with neighboring pixels, leading to notable afterimages.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device that amplifies pixel values through first gain processing and reduces pixel values below a threshold using reduction processing on agent observation image information, preventing resolution degradation and afterimages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple fluorescent images in time sequence are prepared for noise averaging, then noise removal is improved, but responsiveness deteriorates and afterimage becomes notable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the noise removal process into two distinct stages: first gain processing to amplify pixel values, then reduction processing to remove noise from amplified pixels. This segmentation allows noise removal to be applied selectively only after amplification, avoiding the need to average multiple frames and thus maintaining responsiveness while improving noise removal quality.
2Measurement precision
If average value of pixel value and neighboring pixel values is calculated, then noise removal is improved, but resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by performing reduction processing only on pixels that have been amplified through first gain processing. By targeting specific pixels based on their amplified values rather than uniformly averaging all neighboring pixels, the method removes noise from relevant areas while preserving the resolution and detail of the original image.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing device includes: a memory; and a processor comprising hardware, wherein the processor is configured to: receive agent observation image information including information of a plurality of pixels obtained by capturing an image based on fluorescence from a subject administered with an agent that emits fluorescence upon being irradiated with excitation light in a predetermined wavelength band; amplify pixel values of the plurality of pixels by executing first gain processing on the agent observation image information; and reduce pixel values of pixels lower than a predetermined threshold by executing reduction processing on the agent observation image information after the first gain processing.