Medical Imaging Focus Lens Deviation for Lattice Pattern Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical imaging apparatuses with fiberscopes suffer from image quality degradation due to lattice patterns caused by non-light transmitting portions, leading to false colors when attempting to blur these patterns through image processing.
Innovation Solution
A medical imaging apparatus with a focus lens that moves along the optical axis, performing auto-focus control to position the lens at a focus position deviated from the original focus point of the optical fibers' proximal ends, thereby reducing the apparent lattice pattern without generating false colors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If image processing is performed to blur the lattice pattern, then the lattice pattern becomes less apparent, but false color is generated and image quality is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the focus position parameter of the lens to deviate from the original focus point where the proximal ends of optical fibers are focused. By adjusting the focus position to a second lens position that is different from the first lens position, the system reduces the apparent lattice pattern without generating false colors through image processing. This parameter change approach resolves the contradiction by achieving lattice pattern reduction while maintaining image quality.
2Measurement precision
If the focus lens is positioned at the first lens position to focus on the proximal ends of optical fibers, then the lattice pattern is prominent, but image quality is degraded due to false color from image processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the focus position parameter from the first lens position (where proximal ends are focused) to a second lens position (deviated from the first). This parameter change allows the system to maintain focus accuracy while avoiding the lattice pattern issue that requires image processing and causes false color. The second lens position achieves a balance between focus precision and image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a movable focus lens that can dynamically adjust its position along the optical axis. The lens controller enables the focus lens to move between different positions (first and second lens positions) based on operational requirements. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt focus positioning to achieve both measurement precision and image quality without relying on post-processing that degrades image quality.
3Measurement precision
If conventional focusing is used to focus on the proximal ends of optical fibers, then the optical fibers are sharply focused, but the lattice pattern caused by non-light transmitting portions becomes apparent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the focus position parameter from the conventional first lens position to a second lens position that is deviated from the first. At this second lens position, the proximal ends of the optical fibers are no longer in sharp focus, which reduces the apparent lattice pattern while maintaining sufficient focus precision for medical observation. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between focus precision and lattice pattern visibility.
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 enhances image quality by making the lattice pattern less apparent and preventing image degradation from false colors, while allowing for rapid focus adjustment and clear subject imaging.
Implementation Method 1
a lens unit including a focus lens moving along an optical axis to adjust a focus, the lens unit being configured to form the subject image emitted from the proximal ends of the plurality of optical fibers on the image sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A medical imaging apparatus includes: an image sensor configured to capture a subject image of a subject gathered by a fiberscope and emitted from proximal ends of optical fibers; a lens unit including a focus lens moving along an optical axis to adjust a focus, the lens unit being configured to form the subject image emitted from the proximal ends of the optical fibers on the image sensor; lens driving circuitry configured to move the focus lens along the optical axis; and a lens controller configured to perform, when the fiberscope is connected, a first auto-focus control of operating the lens driving circuitry to move the focus lens in a first movement range, evaluating a focusing state of the subject image, and positioning the focus lens at a position deviated from a first lens position at which the proximal ends of the optical fibers are focused.