Multi-band Bayer Filter for Tissue Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally invasive telesurgical systems face challenges in distinguishing between different tissue types during surgical procedures, particularly collagen and lipid, due to similar absorption characteristics in the visible spectrum, leading to difficulties in accurate tissue identification and manipulation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an image sensing apparatus with a pixel array and optical filters configured to capture electromagnetic radiation in multiple wavelength ranges, allowing for the generation of distinct images that enhance visible differences between tissue types by illuminating the surgical scene in specific wavelength ranges, such as 1200-1250 nm and 1300-1350 nm, which are outside the visible spectrum, and combining these images to provide enhanced visual feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visible spectrum imaging is used, then the surgical scene is clearly visible to the surgeon, but collagen and lipid tissues cannot be distinguished due to similar absorption characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system segments the electromagnetic spectrum into multiple wavelength ranges (visible spectrum and near-infrared spectrum) using optical filters. Each filter captures specific wavelength bands, allowing differentiation of tissue types based on their distinct absorption characteristics in different spectral regions. This segmentation enables collagen and lipid tissues to be distinguished by their varying absorption properties across wavelength ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from single-wavelength visible light imaging to multi-wavelength spectral imaging by adding the dimension of wavelength analysis. By capturing images across multiple wavelength ranges and processing them through algorithms that analyze spectral signatures, the system enables tissue differentiation based on absorption characteristics that are not visible in the standard visible spectrum alone.
2Measurement precision
If multiple wavelength ranges are captured, then tissue differentiation is improved, but the device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical filter system is designed with multi-functionality, where filters capture multiple wavelength ranges simultaneously. The same filter configuration serves both visible spectrum imaging for general surgical visualization and near-infrared spectrum imaging for tissue differentiation, eliminating the need for separate imaging systems and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges visible spectrum and near-infrared spectrum capture into a single integrated imaging apparatus. By combining multiple optical filters that operate across different wavelength ranges and processing their outputs through unified image processing algorithms, the system achieves tissue differentiation functionality without requiring completely separate imaging systems.
3Measurement precision
If near-infrared wavelength ranges are used, then collagen and lipid absorption differences are enhanced, but the visible image capture capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic action by sequentially activating different optical filters to capture images in alternating wavelength ranges. The filters are switched in a periodic manner, capturing visible spectrum images for general visualization and near-infrared spectrum images for tissue differentiation, then combining these periodic captures into a unified enhanced surgical view.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical filter configuration is made dynamic, allowing real-time switching between different wavelength range captures. The system can adaptively select which wavelength ranges to emphasize based on surgical needs, dynamically adjusting the balance between visible image capture and tissue differentiation capability through filter switching and adaptive image 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 approach improves the accuracy of tissue identification and manipulation by enhancing visible differences between collagen and lipid, aiding surgeons in performing precise surgeries, especially in areas like the urethra surrounded by lipid layers, thereby improving surgical confidence and precision.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical filter disposed on a first photo-sensor element of the pixel array and a second optical filter disposed on a second photo-sensor element of the pixel array. The first optical filter is configured such that a spectral response of the first optical filter includes a first passband in a first wavelength range, and a second passband in a second wavelength range
Implementation Method 2
a pixel array comprising two or more photo-sensor elements
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus including a pixel array comprising two or more photo-sensor elements; a first optical filter disposed on a first photo-sensor element of the pixel array, the first optical filter configured such that a spectral response of the first optical filter includes: a first passband in a first wavelength range, and a second passband in a second wavelength range, the first passband and the second passband being separated by a first stop band; and a second optical filter disposed on a second photo-sensor element of the pixel array, the second optical filter configured such that a spectral response of the second optical filter includes: a third passband in the first wavelength range, and a fourth passband in the second wavelength range, the third passband and the fourth passband being separated by a second stop band; wherein the second passband and the fourth passband are discrete passbands in an infrared range.