OCT Signal Processing for Muscularis Mucosa Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current OCT technologies face challenges in visualizing the muscularis mucosa, a deep-layer structure, due to poor signal-to-noise ratio, making it difficult to distinguish and diagnose cancer infiltration effectively, especially in the digestive organ.
Innovation Solution
An optical apparatus that splits light from a wavelength-swept source into sampling and reference lights, using Fourier transformation and differential processing to enhance layer structure information, and constructs an enhanced layer-structure image using noise removal techniques and color mapping to improve visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional OCT measurement is used to obtain tomogram of living body, then noninvasive measurement with high resolution is achieved, but clear visualization of deep-layer structure such as muscularis mucosa cannot be obtained due to poor signal-to-noise ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing preprocessing (smoothing and averaging) on the image data before applying the differential filter. This preliminary processing improves the signal-to-noise ratio of deep-layer structures, enabling clear visualization of the muscularis mucosa while maintaining the high resolution capability of OCT measurement.
2Measurement precision
If differential filter is applied to determine layer boundary position, then pixel position corresponding to layer boundary can be determined, but clear visualization of deep-layer structure such as muscularis mucosa remains difficult due to poor signal-to-noise ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing preprocessing (smoothing and averaging) on the image data before applying the differential filter. This preliminary processing improves the signal-to-noise ratio of deep-layer structures, enabling the differential filter to accurately determine layer boundary positions while maintaining measurement precision.
3Device complexity
If only gray scale and indexed color are used to display reflected light intensity, then simple display is achieved, but distinction of desired layer such as muscularis mucosa is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by displaying the differential image using a color map where different colors represent different intensity ranges. This enhancement allows clear distinction of the muscularis mucosa and other layer boundaries while maintaining relatively simple display implementation.
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
Enables clear identification of desired layers within the subject, enhancing the visualization of muscularis mucosa and aiding in cancer diagnosis by improving the signal-to-noise ratio and providing a clear, color-coded representation of layer structures.
Implementation Method 1
acquires a structure information of the subject based on an interference signal between a return light which is reflected or backscattered at the subject and the reference light
Implementation Method 2
a Fourier transformation device which performs Fourier transformation of the interference signal to extract layer information of the subject
Implementation Method 3
a differentiation processing device which calculates a differential value resulting from differentiation of the layer information
Data Source
AI summary
An optical apparatus for acquiring structure information comprises an optical branching device which splits a light outputted from a wavelength-swept light source into a sampling light and a reference light; a scanning device which scans a subject having a layer structure with the sampling light; and an signal processing device which acquires optical structure information of the subject by processing an interference signal between a return light which is reflected or backscattered at the subject and the reference light which has propagated a predetermined optical path length; wherein the signal processing device includes: a layer information extraction device which extracts layer information of the subject based on the interference signal; a feature value calculation device which calculates a feature value of the layer information; and an enhanced layer-structure image construction device which constructs an enhanced layer-structure image in which the layer structure is enhanced based on the feature value.