Medical Control Device for Fluorescence Signal Evaluation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In photodynamic diagnosis, the low signal level of fluorescence from photosensitive substances limits the calculation of evaluation values needed for controlling the focal position and brightness of images, making it difficult to generate suitable images for observation due to the presence of excitation light components, particularly in the blue wavelength band which does not contribute to human visibility.
Innovation Solution
A medical control device that includes a light source controller to emit excitation light and green wavelength band light simultaneously, a captured image acquiring unit, an evaluation value calculator, an operation controller, and an adjustment processing unit to remove the green wavelength band component from the image, allowing for appropriate evaluation value calculation and control operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the entire excitation light is cut by an optical filter, then the fluorescence image can be captured, but the signal level becomes remarkably low and appropriate evaluation values cannot be calculated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light spectrum into multiple wavelength bands (first wavelength band for excitation light, second wavelength band for green light). By using a light source that emits multiple wavelength bands simultaneously and capturing them in a single image, the system separates the functions of fluorescence excitation and brightness evaluation, resolving the contradiction between filtering excitation light and maintaining sufficient signal for evaluation.
2Illumination intensity
If a part of the excitation light is transmitted to increase signal level, then the image brightness improves, but the blue wavelength band component remains which does not contribute to human visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the green wavelength band component from the captured image through adjustment processing. This extraction approach eliminates the harmful blue wavelength band light that does not contribute to human visibility while preserving the useful fluorescence signal, thereby improving image brightness without retaining harmful components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the wavelength band parameters of the light source to include both the first wavelength band (excitation light) and the second wavelength band (green light). By adjusting the spectral composition parameters and using image processing to remove specific wavelength components, the system achieves appropriate brightness while eliminating non-visible harmful light.
3Illumination intensity
If green wavelength band light is added to the light source, then the image brightness and visibility improve, but the image contains unwanted green light component that must be removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by adding the green wavelength band light to the light source before image capture. This preliminary addition of green light enables subsequent image processing to easily remove the green component and calculate appropriate evaluation values, as the green light is already present in the captured image data and can be separated through wavelength-based processing.
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 generation of images with sufficient brightness and visibility, allowing for accurate evaluation value calculation and appropriate control operations, resulting in images suitable for observation without altering the color of the fluorescent region, thus aiding in cancer detection.
Implementation Method 1
a light source configured to emit excitation light in a first wavelength band and light in a second wavelength band different from the first wavelength band
Implementation Method 2
an imaging device configured to generate a captured image by capturing an image of an observation target irradiated with light emitted from the light source
Implementation Method 3
the adjustment processing execution unit is configured to perform adjustment processing for removing the component of the light in the second wavelength band contained in the captured image
Data Source
AI summary
A medical control device includes: a light source controller configured to control a light source configured to emit excitation light in a first wavelength band and light in a second wavelength band; a captured image acquiring unit configured to acquire a captured image obtained by capturing an image of an observation target irradiated with light emitted from the light source; an evaluation value calculator configured to calculate, based on the captured image, an evaluation value used for at least one of a first control for controlling a focal position of an imaging device configured to generate the captured image or a second control for controlling a brightness of the captured image; an operation controller configured to perform, based on the evaluation value, at least one of the first control or the second control; and an adjustment processing execution unit configured to perform adjustment processing on the captured image.