Monochrome Sensor Distal End Placement for Hyperspectral Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopes with traditional image sensors are limited by the size constraint of the distal end, leading to fragile designs and the inability to capture hyperspectral images within the body cavity, as they require the image sensor to be placed in the handpiece unit, resulting in degraded image quality and mechanical fragility.
Innovation Solution
A monochrome image sensor with a checkerboard pattern of long and short exposure pixels is integrated into the distal end of the endoscope, allowing for hyperspectral and color imaging in a light-deficient environment, enabling improved dynamic range and spatial resolution while maintaining mechanical robustness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional color image sensor is placed in the handpiece unit, then color imaging is achieved, but the endoscope becomes mechanically fragile and image quality degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional sensor placement by moving the image sensor from the handpiece unit to the distal end of the endoscope. This reversal allows the sensor to be positioned within the body cavity, eliminating the need for long light transmission paths and reducing mechanical fragility. The distal end placement enables direct imaging at the source, improving both reliability and image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates the image sensor within the distal end structure of the endoscope, nesting the sensing component directly in the imaging location. This nested configuration eliminates separate handpiece units and long transmission paths, creating a compact, robust design that maintains mechanical durability while enabling direct hyperspectral and color imaging.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pixel sensor types are used for hyperspectral imaging, then spectral information is captured, but the pixel array size increases and cannot fit in the distal end
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal monochrome pixel array that can detect all wavelengths of light uniformly. Instead of using separate specialized pixels for different spectral bands, the same pixel elements serve multiple functions by capturing hyperspectral data through temporal sampling at different exposure times. This multi-functional approach enables hyperspectral imaging without increasing the physical area of the pixel array, allowing it to fit within the distal end constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temporal parameter of light exposure rather than using spatial separation of pixel types. By varying the exposure time and using sequential wavelength illumination, the system encodes spectral information in the temporal domain. This parameter change allows a compact monochrome array to capture hyperspectral data that would traditionally require a large multi-type pixel array.
3Manufacturing precision
If the image sensor is placed in the handpiece unit, then the distal end structure is simplified, but image quality degrades due to light transmission loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the image sensor from the handpiece unit and relocates it to the distal end. This extraction eliminates the intermediate light transmission path through the endoscope body, removing the source of light loss and degradation. The sensor is now directly exposed to the light reflected from the tissue, ensuring maximum signal quality without transmission losses.
4Measurement precision
If a monochrome sensor is used instead of color sensor, then spatial resolution and sensitivity improve, but color imaging capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic illumination with different wavelengths and sequential temporal sampling to encode color information. By illuminating with different spectral bands in sequence and capturing images at different exposure times, the monochrome sensor reconstructs color information temporally. This periodic action allows the loss of spatial resolution from demosaicing to be avoided while still achieving color imaging 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
This configuration enables high-definition hyperspectral and color imaging within the body cavity, enhancing image quality and mechanical durability by allowing the image sensor to be placed at the distal end of the endoscope, overcoming the limitations of traditional designs.
Implementation Method 1
The pixel array has only monochrome pixels that are color agnostic and can sense reflected electromagnetic radiation with a wide range of wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
The pixel array may then return two exposure frames for each reading of the pixel array, including a short exposure frame and a long exposure frame. The short exposure frame and the long exposure frame may be combined to generate a combined exposure frame with increased dynamic range
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and devices for hyperspectral imaging with increased dynamic range are disclosed. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation, wherein the pixel array comprises a plurality of pixels each configurable as a short exposure pixel or a long exposure pixel. The system includes a controller comprising a processor in electrical communication with the image sensor and the emitter. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises one or more of electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 513 nm to about 545 nm, electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 565 nm to about 585 nm, or electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 900 nm to about 1000 nm.