Monochromatic Sensor Color Imaging with Sequential Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
In minimally invasive surgeries, accurately visualizing target treatment sites, such as tumors or lesions in the gastrointestinal tract, using monochromatic sensors is challenging due to limitations in imaging methods and devices for colorizing these images, which can lead to image processing delays and reduced effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for generating a color image using a monochromatic image sensor by sequentially illuminating a surface with multiple colors, capturing image frames, normalizing color intensities, generating color intensity maps, and determining a correlation score to create a colorized image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional colorizing methods are used on monochromatic images, then color information is added to target treatment sites, but image processing delays increase and effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by capturing multiple wavelength images simultaneously during the imaging process, rather than attempting to colorize monochromatic images after capture. This preliminary multi-spectral capture eliminates subsequent colorizing processing delays while preserving color information integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/image processing system approach of colorizing monochromatic images with an optical system approach that captures multiple wavelengths simultaneously using a multi-spectral sensor. This substitution eliminates complex post-processing algorithms and reduces processing time while maintaining color accuracy.
2Loss of time
If multiple wavelengths are captured simultaneously, then color information is preserved without processing delays, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system achieves multi-functionality by integrating a multi-spectral sensor capable of capturing multiple wavelengths simultaneously within a single imaging device. This universal sensor replaces the need for separate monochromatic sensors and post-processing colorization systems, reducing overall system complexity despite the advanced sensor capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the spectral parameter by using a sensor that detects multiple wavelengths simultaneously rather than a single wavelength. This parameter change enables direct color information capture without requiring complex post-processing systems, effectively managing device complexity through optimized sensor selection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If monochromatic sensors are used, then spectral flexibility is achieved, but color visualization capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by capturing multiple wavelength images simultaneously during the imaging process, rather than attempting to colorize monochromatic images after capture. This preliminary multi-spectral capture eliminates subsequent colorizing processing delays while preserving color information integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of generating a color image using a monochromatic image sensor. The method includes sequentially illuminating a surface in a plurality of colors, one color at a time. The monochromatic image sensor captures a plurality of image frames of the surface based on the plurality of colors. The plurality of image frames are identified, and at least one feature in the target of the plurality of image frames is highlighted. Color intensities of the plurality of image frames are normalized. A color intensity map of the target for each of the plurality of image frames is generated. A correlation score is determined by comparing each color intensity map of the plurality of image frames. The color image is generated based on the correlation score.