Imaging Device Wavelength Separation for Fluorescence Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscope systems face challenges in simultaneously capturing high-quality visible light and infrared fluorescence images, particularly in distinguishing between blue and green fluorescence, which limits their ability to accurately detect lesions like cancer.
Innovation Solution
The proposed imaging device employs a light splitting unit that separates infrared light from red, green, and blue light, using specific filters and dichroic prisms to isolate and process each wavelength range, allowing for the generation of distinct signals for visible light and infrared images, and further separates blue and green light when necessary, enabling precise fluorescence detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single image sensor is used to capture both visible light and infrared fluorescence, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates because the sensor cannot simultaneously distinguish between different wavelength ranges with high accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging function into multiple specialized image sensors, each optimized for specific wavelength ranges. The first image sensor captures visible light (blue, green, red channels), while the second image sensor captures infrared fluorescence. This segmentation allows each sensor to be optimized for its specific function, achieving high measurement precision without requiring a single complex sensor to handle all wavelengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dichroic mirror as an intermediary optical element that separates the visible light and infrared fluorescence paths. The dichroic mirror reflects infrared wavelengths to the second image sensor while transmitting visible wavelengths to the first image sensor, enabling simultaneous high-precision capture of both wavelength ranges without direct competition for the same sensor resources.
2Device complexity
If blue and green fluorescence are not separated, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates because blue and green fluorescence cannot be distinguished
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different spectral sensitivity characteristics to different regions of the first image sensor. The blue light reception region and green light reception region are spatially separated and optimized for their respective wavelength ranges, allowing the system to distinguish between blue and green fluorescence with high precision while using a single image sensor unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a switchable or tunable optical filter system that can dynamically adjust which wavelength ranges are transmitted to which sensor regions. This dynamic capability allows the system to adaptively separate blue and green fluorescence when needed, while maintaining operational simplicity when full separation is not required.
3Device complexity
If excitation light is not filtered out, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates because excitation light interferes with fluorescence detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the excitation light component from the optical path before it reaches the image sensors. An excitation light cut filter is positioned in the optical path to selectively block excitation wavelengths while transmitting fluorescence wavelengths. This extraction of the harmful excitation light component prevents interference with fluorescence detection, achieving high measurement precision without requiring complex filtering systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of excitation light interference into a benefit by using the excitation light's specific wavelength characteristics to design targeted filtering. The excitation light cut filter is engineered to precisely block excitation wavelengths while transmitting the longer wavelength fluorescence, transforming what would be a harmful interference into a well-defined optical separation that enhances detection precision.
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 solution enables the simultaneous acquisition of high-quality visible light and infrared fluorescence images, improving the detection of lesions by accurately distinguishing between different fluorescence wavelengths, thus enhancing diagnostic capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a light splitting unit that splits first light from a subject into second light and third light. The first light includes the second light and the third light. The second light includes infrared light, and at least one of a group consisting of green light and blue light
Implementation Method 2
The first light reception region is configured to generate at least one of the group consisting of a B signal according to the blue light and a G signal according to the green light
Implementation Method 3
The infrared light transmitted through the first light reception region is incident on the second light reception region. The second light reception region is configured to generate an IR signal according to the infrared light
Implementation Method 4
a dichroic prism that separates visible light into red, green, and blue components
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging device includes a light splitting unit which splits first light from a subject into second light and third light, first and second imaging units, and an arithmetic unit. The first light includes the second light having infrared light and at least one of green light and blue light, and the third light having red light or the green light. The first imaging unit includes a first and a second light reception regions. The first light reception region generates at least one of the group consisting of a B signal according to the blue light and a G signal according to the green light. The second light reception region generates an IR signal according to the infrared light. The arithmetic unit generates a visible light image signal from the R signal, the G signal, and the B signal and generates an infrared light image signal from the IR signal.