In-Vivo Imaging Light Control via Dynamic Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-vivo imaging devices face challenges with limited dynamic range, leading to underexposure or overexposure in environments with varying illumination conditions, particularly during low frame rates and movement through body lumens.
Innovation Solution
The device adjusts illumination intensity and duration based on reflected light measurements, using a light sensing unit to control the illumination sources and prevent over or underexposure by altering exposure time and gain factors, and determining device location through environmental measurements like pH and temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the illumination intensity is increased to improve image brightness, then the image brightness is improved, but overexposure occurs in bright regions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts illumination intensity based on real-time feedback from light sensing units. The illumination control unit modifies the intensity of illumination sources according to measured light levels, enabling the system to adapt to varying environmental conditions and prevent both overexposure and underexposure
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where light sensing units continuously measure the amount of light in the imaged region and transmit this information to the illumination control unit, which then adjusts illumination intensity accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures optimal exposure accuracy across different lighting conditions
2Use of energy by moving object
If the frame rate is reduced to conserve energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but exposure accuracy deteriorates due to movement and varying illumination conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts illumination intensity for each frame based on real-time light measurements, allowing it to maintain exposure accuracy even at low frame rates where movement and environmental changes occur between frames
Solution Approach 2:
The light sensing units measure illumination conditions before the imaging sensor captures each frame, allowing the system to pre-adjust illumination intensity to compensate for upcoming changes in lighting conditions or device movement
3Reliability
If the dynamic range of the imaging sensor is increased, then the sensor can capture both dark and bright regions, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces light sensing units as intermediary components that measure illumination levels and provide feedback to the illumination control unit. This indirect measurement approach enables the system to compensate for limited sensor dynamic range through active illumination adjustment rather than requiring a complex high dynamic range sensor
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the illumination parameter (intensity) based on measured light levels to effectively extend the usable dynamic range of the imaging sensor. By adjusting illumination intensity across different scenes and conditions, the system achieves reliable imaging across a wide range of brightness levels without requiring a inherently high dynamic range sensor
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 ensures accurate and efficient illumination, preventing exposure issues and adapting to changing environmental conditions within the body, resulting in improved image quality and device operation.
Implementation Method 1
the illumination produced by the device is varied in intensity and/or duration according to, for example, the amount of illumination produced by the device, which is reflected back to the device
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method for operating an in vivo imaging device (10A) wherein the illumination produced by the device may be varied in intensity and/or duration, and/or the gain level or other parameters may be varied, according to, for example, the amount of illumination produced by the device which is reflected back to the device. In addition, a method is provided for detecting problematic pixels in an imaging device. This method may define and exclude non-functional pixels, based on for example an initial short exposure that enables a threshold saturation level to be reached only for problematic pixels. Moreover, a method is described for determining when an in vivo device enters the body, for example by calculating the progress of a dark frame, based on the light saturation threshold of the dark frame.