Optical Fiber Image Correction for Microendoscope Drift

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The optical fiber drift phenomenon in microendoscopy systems causes variations in the scanning positions of optical fiber units, leading to inaccurate image reconstruction and degradation of image quality due to misalignment and brightness inconsistencies.

Innovation Solution

An optical fiber image correction method that corrects the central positions and brightness of optical fiber units using gray value-based position adjustment and regression-fitting of brightness coefficients, ensuring real-time and efficient image quality improvement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If galvanometer scanning and optical fiber bending occur during use, then the system can operate and scan images, but the scanning position and optical fiber central position vary over time causing image quality degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescanning operationVSAvoidscanning position accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the actual positions of optical fiber units through image processing and comparing them with reference positions. The system calculates position differences and uses these feedback signals to dynamically adjust scanning positions, ensuring that the scanning coordinates match the actual optical fiber arrangement, thereby resolving the position accuracy degradation during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts scanning parameters (scanning coordinates and positions) based on detected position variations of optical fiber units. By changing the scanning position parameters in real-time to match the actual optical fiber configuration, the system compensates for drift caused by bending and galvanometer inaccuracies, maintaining image quality throughout operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the central position of each optical fiber unit is not accurately determined, then the system can process images, but information is extracted from wrong positions leading to poor image quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage processing speedVSAvoidcentral position accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by establishing reference positions for all optical fiber units before actual image processing begins. These reference positions are stored and used as the basis for subsequent real-time corrections, allowing the system to quickly compensate for position drift without performing complex calculations during fast image processing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical position determination methods with computational approaches. Instead of relying on precise mechanical positioning, the system uses image processing algorithms to detect optical fiber unit positions and calculates correction values computationally, achieving high precision without mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If optical fiber drift occurs, then the optical fiber can be flexed and positioned during use, but the central position of each optical fiber unit varies causing wrong information extraction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical fiber positioning flexibilityVSAvoidimage information accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the system to automatically detect and correct its own position drift without external intervention. The image processing system continuously monitors optical fiber unit positions, calculates drift corrections, and adjusts scanning parameters autonomously, maintaining reliability despite the flexibility and movement of the optical fiber bundle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4379649B1Optical fiber image correction method and apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 WUXI HISKY MEDICAL TECH
  • EP4379649B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4379649B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4379649B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(c)

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an optical fiber image correction method, device and computer readable storage medium. The method comprises: obtaining a current optical fiber image and a central reference position of an optical fiber; in the current optical fiber image, correcting a central position of each optical fiber unit in the current optical fiber image according to a position difference condition between the central reference position of the optical fiber and a target position determined based on gray values in a neighboring range of the central reference position of the optical fiber; correcting brightness of the current optical fiber image that has completed a position correction according to a currently determined brightness correction coefficient. In this way, in the process of observing objects with the microendoscopic, it not only can quickly and efficiently realize correction of the optical fiber drift aiming at the acquired optical fiber image, but also can quickly and efficiently realize real-time correction of parameters, thereby improving the quality of the optical fiber image during observation and ensuring consistency of the quality of the optical fiber image so as to