Fluorescent Endoscope Dynamic Wavelength Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluorescent endoscope apparatuses face challenges in accurately distinguishing between clean and residue-affected biological tissues due to variations in fluorescence spectra among individuals, leading to unreliable tissue characterization.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs an excitation light irradiation system, wavelength selection and transmission means, photo detector, and image compounding mechanisms to selectively transmit and detect light in specific wavelength regions, allowing for the acquisition and adjustment of suitable wavelength regions for detecting fluorescence emissions from lesions or residues, regardless of individual variations in fluorescence spectra.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fluorescence detection is performed using fixed wavelength regions, then the detection process is simple and fast, but the reliability of tissue characterization deteriorates due to individual variations in fluorescence spectra
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic wavelength selection by controlling the wavelength selection and transmission means to switch between fluorescence detection wavelength regions and spectrum acquisition wavelength regions. The wavelength selection control means dynamically adjusts the wavelength region based on whether fluorescence detection or spectrum acquisition is required, enabling the system to adapt to different detection needs and improve reliability while managing complexity through structured control modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter dynamically by selecting different wavelength regions (fluorescence detection wavelength regions vs. spectrum acquisition wavelength regions) based on the detection mode. This parameter change allows the system to optimize for either speed/simplicity in fluorescence detection or reliability in spectrum acquisition, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
2Measurement precision
If spectrum acquisition is performed in wavelength regions adjacent to fluorescence detection regions, then individual variations can be accounted for, but the detection time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic switching between fluorescence detection mode and spectrum acquisition mode. The wavelength selection control means periodically selects fluorescence detection wavelength regions for rapid imaging and spectrum acquisition wavelength regions for calibration and characterization. This periodic action allows the system to maintain high measurement precision through regular spectrum acquisition while managing detection time through efficient temporal multiplexing of the two functions.
3Loss of information
If multiple wavelength regions are scanned sequentially, then comprehensive spectrum data is obtained, but the imaging speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wavelength range into distinct fluorescence detection wavelength regions and spectrum acquisition wavelength regions. This segmentation allows the system to process different types of data simultaneously in separate temporal cycles, obtaining comprehensive spectrum data through multiple wavelength regions while maintaining high imaging speed by not requiring sequential scanning of all regions for each image frame.
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 enables precise detection and characterization of biological tissues by adjusting wavelength settings to peak intensity regions, improving the reliability of fluorescence spectrum analysis and reducing the impact of individual variations in fluorescence spectra.
Implementation Method 1
excitation light for exciting a plural kind of fluorescent agents that exist in an observation area of a living body
Implementation Method 2
a photo detector means by which the light that has been selected and transmitted by the wavelength selection and transmission means is photoelectrically converted
Data Source
AI summary
A fluorescent endoscope apparatus includes an excitation light irradiation system for irradiating a living body with excitation light, a wavelength-selective transmission member which transmits light from the living body in a wavelength-selective manner, a photodetector which photoelectrically converts the selected and transmitted light, a wavelength selection control section which controls the wavelength-selective transmission member, to make it select and transmit light in a plurality of fluorescence detection wavelength regions and light in spectrum acquisition wavelength regions in a predetermined wavelength range that includes at least one of the fluorescence detection wavelength regions, a fluorescence image synthesizer for synthesizing images in the fluorescence detection wavelength regions, a display device for displaying the synthesized image, and an intensity distribution acquisition section which acquires the intensity distribution of light in the predetermined wavelength range.