Imaging System Synchronization Control Using Genlock Signal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging systems for medical surgeries, such as microscopic and endoscopic surgeries, lack synchronization control for multiple light source devices and imaging devices, which is necessary for producing high-quality three-dimensional video output.
Innovation Solution
An imaging system with first and second light source devices emitting different wavelength bands, and corresponding imaging devices that process and output video in synchronization with a genlock signal, ensuring that lighting and imaging are alternately performed at frame periods or integer multiples thereof, allowing for synchronized operation of light source devices and imaging devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple light source devices and imaging devices are used to image surgical target sites, then the quality and detail of the output video are improved, but the synchronization control between devices becomes complex and difficult to manage
Solution Approach 1:
A synchronization control device is introduced as an intermediary component that receives a genlock signal and distributes synchronized control signals to multiple light source devices and imaging devices. This mediator coordinates the operation timing of all devices, ensuring they work in unison without requiring complex peer-to-peer synchronization arrangements between each device pair.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of light source devices are used to brighten surgical field or image fluorescent video, then the versatility and functionality of the imaging system are improved, but the coordination and synchronization between different light source devices become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization control device serves as a central intermediary that manages multiple different types of light source devices (visible light sources, infrared light sources for fluorescence imaging). It receives a single genlock signal and generates appropriate control signals for each light source type, allowing diverse lighting functions to be coordinated through a unified control interface rather than requiring separate control mechanisms for each light source type.
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization control device is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple types of light source devices and imaging devices through a single genlock signal interface. It can simultaneously control visible light sources for general illumination, infrared light sources for fluorescence imaging, and multiple imaging devices, providing multi-functional coordination without requiring device-specific control systems.
3Reliability
If a genlock signal is used to synchronize the operation of light source devices and imaging devices, then the synchronization accuracy is improved, but the requirement for an external synchronization signal increases system dependency
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization control device acts as an intermediary that accepts an external genlock signal and translates it into coordinated control signals for all light source and imaging devices. This intermediary approach maintains high synchronization accuracy by using the genlock standard while shielding the individual devices from direct dependency on the external signal, as the synchronization control device absorbs and manages the synchronization requirement.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system includes first and second light source devices configured to irradiate a subject with lights having different wavelength bands, first and second imaging devices configured to image the subject, and first and second video processing devices configured to process an imaged video of the subject imaged by either of the corresponding imaging devices and to output the processed video to an output unit. The first and second light source devices alternately perform lighting in synchronization with a frame period of the imaged video or an integer multiple thereof based on a genlock signal. The first imaging device performs imaging in synchronization with the lighting of each of the first and second light source devices. The second imaging device performs imaging in synchronization with the lighting of each of the first and second light source devices.