Medical Fluorescence Image Processing for Natural Color Toggling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical fluorescence observation devices suffer from poor visualization of tissue anatomy due to low-intensity blue fluorescence excitation light, making it difficult to see bleedings, and pseudocolor representations inaccurately depict fluorescence colors.
Innovation Solution
An image processor for medical fluorescence observation devices that retrieves and processes digital white-light and fluorescence-light images separately, allowing for customizable output color images through color conversion functions, enabling accurate representation of both anatomy and fluorescence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single camera with standardized optical filters is used to capture both fluorescence and anatomy images, then the device complexity is reduced, but the visualization quality of tissue anatomy deteriorates due to low-intensity blue fluorescence excitation light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging function into two separate cameras: a first camera for capturing white-light anatomy images and a second camera for capturing fluorescence images. This segmentation allows each camera to be optimized for its specific function, with the white-light camera providing adequate illumination for anatomy visualization while the fluorescence camera captures the low-intensity fluorescence signal without requiring the anatomy camera to compensate with excessive blue light intensity.
2Reliability
If pseudocolor is used to mark fluorescence in digitally mixed images, then the fluorescence visualization is enhanced, but the color accuracy deteriorates because pseudocolor does not accurately represent the colors of fluorescence as perceived by the human eye
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color conversion functions to transform the fluorescence image data into colors that accurately represent how the fluorescence would be perceived by the human eye under white-light illumination. This allows the fluorescence to be visualized with natural colors rather than arbitrary pseudocolors, maintaining both detection reliability and color accuracy simultaneously.
3Adaptability or versatility
If blue light is used to visualize tissue anatomy, then fluorescence excitation is achieved, but the anatomy visualization quality deteriorates because bleedings are very hard or even impossible to see
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the fluorescence excitation function from the anatomy imaging function by using two different light sources and two different cameras. The fluorescence camera uses blue light to excite fluorophores while the white-light camera uses full-spectrum white light to illuminate the anatomy, allowing bleedings to be clearly visualized without compromising fluorescence excitation capability.
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
Enhances visualization of tissue anatomy and fluorescence by providing natural-looking color images, improving surgical guidance and image analysis accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
retrieve a digital fluorescence-light color image of an object recorded in a second imaged spectrum that overlaps with a fluorescence emission spectrum of at least one fluorophore
Data Source
AI summary
An image processor for a medical fluorescence observation device is configured to retrieve a digital white-light color image of an object recorded in a first imaged spectrum, retrieve a digital fluorescence-light color image of the object recorded in a second imaged spectrum that overlaps a fluorescence emission spectrum of at least one fluorophore, output at least one digital output color image of a set of digital output color images containing a digital output color image generated from only the digital fluorescence-light color image, a digital output color image generated from only the digital white-light color image, and a digital output color image generated from a combination of the digital fluorescence-light color image and the digital white-light color image, receive a display selection signal from a selector device, and select the at least one digital output color image from the set for outputting depending on the display selection signal.