Image Processing Device Distance Correction Fluorescence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing devices struggle to maintain consistent color representation of fluorescent and reflected-light images across varying observation distances, leading to changes in the ratio of fluorescent and reflected light acquired by the photodetector, which affects the accuracy and quantitativeness of the observed images.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device that irradiates a subject with both illumination and excitation light, captures fluorescence and return-light images, and applies correction processing by matching the exponents of the distance characteristics of these images to each other, ensuring that the gradation values of the fluorescence and return-light images are raised to specific powers to maintain a proportional relationship, thereby stabilizing the color representation regardless of the observation distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fluorescence image and return-light image are combined without correction, then color information can be displayed, but the color representation changes with observation distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies gamma correction with distance-dependent parameters to compensate for the changing ratio between fluorescence and reflected light. By adjusting the gamma value based on observation distance, the system maintains consistent color representation across varying distances while preserving the combined color display capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If observation distance changes, then imaging flexibility is improved, but the ratio of fluorescent and reflected light changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates distance information feedback into the image processing pipeline. By detecting or inputting the observation distance and using it to adjust the gamma correction parameter, the system dynamically compensates for changes in the fluorescence-to-reflected-light ratio, maintaining stability despite distance variations.
3Measurement precision
If gamma correction is applied to maintain color consistency, then color representation stability is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary gamma correction processing before final image combination and display. By pre-calculating and applying the distance-based gamma values in advance, the system simplifies the overall processing pipeline and avoids complex real-time adjustments during image generation.
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 the quantitativeness of the observation by maintaining consistent color representation and reducing changes in the ratio of fluorescent and reflected light, even when the observation distance is changed, thereby improving the precision and accuracy of image analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a fluorescence image-acquisition portion that acquires a fluorescence image by capturing fluorescence generated at the subject due to the irradiation with the excitation light
Implementation Method 2
a return-light image-acquisition portion that acquires a return-light image by capturing return light returning from the subject due to the irradiation with the illumination light
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an image processing device including an illuminating portion that irradiates a subject with illumination light and excitation light; a fluorescence image-acquisition portion that acquires a fluorescence image by capturing fluorescence generated at the subject; a return-light image-acquisition portion that acquires a return-light image by capturing return light returning from the subject; a color-image generating portion that generates a plurality of color images by adding different types of color information that constitute a color space to the acquired fluorescence image and return-light image; and an image combining portion that combines the plurality of color images that have been generated, wherein at least one of the fluorescence image and the return-light image is subjected to, by the color-image generating portion), correction processing in which exponents for distance characteristics, which are approximated to exponential functions, for the fluorescence image and the return-light image are matched with each other.