Focus Lens Wobbling Synchronization for Accurate AF in Dual-Wavelength Endoscopy

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Solution Overview

Problem

In medical observation apparatuses with AF functions, the wobbling operation for determining the focus lens movement direction can be disrupted when normal light and special light are alternately irradiated, leading to inaccurate AF evaluation values and potentially suboptimal focus accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A medical observation system that controls the wobbling operation of the focus lens in synchronization with the emission timing of normal light and special light, ensuring the focus lens is not moved during the emission period of normal light and is moved during the emission period of special light, thereby maintaining accurate AF evaluation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If wobbling operation is performed during alternate irradiation of normal light and special light, then AF evaluation can be performed, but accurate AF evaluation values cannot be obtained

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAF evaluation capabilityVSAvoidAF evaluation value accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by synchronizing the wobbling operation with the periodic irradiation of normal light and special light. The focus lens is moved during the emission period of special light and held stationary during the emission period of normal light, creating a coordinated periodic pattern that enables accurate AF evaluation while maintaining both observation modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by preparing the focus lens position before the normal light emission period. The focus lens is held stationary during the normal light emission period, which is predetermined in advance, to ensure that the imaging element captures a stable image for accurate AF evaluation without disruption from lens movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If focus lens is moved during normal light emission, then AF evaluation can be performed, but image quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAF evaluation speedVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by alternating between movement periods and stationary periods of the focus lens, synchronized with the light emission cycles. During normal light emission, the lens remains stationary to maintain image quality, while during special light emission, the lens can move to perform AF evaluation, creating a periodic pattern that balances both requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment of the focus lens based on the type of light emission. The focus lens is held stationary during normal light emission to ensure high image quality for that mode, while allowing movement during special light emission for AF evaluation, thus assigning different operational qualities to different temporal segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If alternate irradiation of normal light and special light is performed, then comprehensive observation is enabled, but AF evaluation accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobservation mode flexibilityVSAvoidAF evaluation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by synchronizing the wobbling operation with the periodic alternate irradiation of normal light and special light. The focus lens is moved during the emission period of special light and held stationary during the emission period of normal light, creating a coordinated periodic pattern that enables accurate AF evaluation while maintaining both observation modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by making the focus lens operation adaptive to the current light emission mode. The control unit dynamically adjusts the focus lens position based on whether normal light or special light is currently being emitted, allowing the system to maintain both versatility in observation modes and accuracy in AF evaluation through dynamic response.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12318065B2Medical observation system, apparatus, control method, and imaging apparatus using different wobbling operation for different observation modes

Publication Date: 2025.06.03 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

A light emitting device irradiates a surgical area with first wavelength light and second wavelength light. A wobbling operation of a focus lens included in an imaging device is controlled according to an emission timing of the first wavelength light and the second wavelength light when the surgical area is alternately irradiated with the first wavelength light and the second wavelength light. The present disclosure can be applied to an endoscopic surgical system, for example.