Pixilated Shutter Aperture Control for Stereo Endoscopic Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional three-dimensional stereoscopic imaging systems face issues with maintaining a constant horizon when rotated due to fixed channel orientation, and they struggle to adjust light levels for optimal image quality and depth of field, particularly in fluorescent imaging scenarios.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device with a shutter comprising a plurality of pixels configured into zones, controlled by a controller to adjust light levels and maintain stereo orientation, allowing for adjustable apertures and modes to optimize image quality and depth of field, and combine different light conditions for enhanced imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single channel imaging system with pupil splitting is used, then device complexity is reduced, but image quality and depth of field cannot be simultaneously optimized due to fixed light levels
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is divided into multiple independently controllable zones (first zone, second zone, third zone) that can be selectively opened or closed. This segmentation allows different portions of the aperture to control different imaging parameters, enabling simultaneous optimization of image quality and depth of field while maintaining a single-channel system structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter zones are dynamically controllable, allowing the system to adjust light levels in real-time based on imaging requirements. The controller can open or close specific zones to optimize for either image quality (more light) or depth of field (less light), providing adaptability without increasing physical system complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If maximum light is provided to the image sensor, then image quality is improved, but depth of field is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture is segmented into multiple zones that can be independently controlled. By opening only the inner zones (first and second zones) while closing the outer zone (third zone), the system provides moderate light levels that optimize depth of field while maintaining sufficient image quality. This spatial segmentation of the aperture allows decoupling of the trade-off between light quantity and depth of field.
Solution Approach 2:
Different zones of the shutter provide different functions: inner zones (first and second zones) control for image quality, while the outer zone (third zone) controls for depth of field. By selectively activating specific zones based on imaging requirements, the system achieves local optimization of imaging parameters without compromising overall system complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If too much light is provided during fluorescent imaging, then the fluorescent image is obscured, but insufficient light reduces image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter zones are dynamically adjusted based on the imaging mode. During fluorescent imaging, the controller closes the outer zone (third zone) and selectively opens inner zones to provide reduced, controlled light levels that prevent obscuration of the fluorescent signal while maintaining sufficient illumination for image quality. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction between light quantity and fluorescent image visibility.
4Manufacturing precision
If two channel stereoscopic imaging is used, then stereo depth is achieved, but the system cannot maintain constant horizon when rotated due to fixed channel orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is segmented into zones that can be independently controlled to maintain proper stereo geometry during rotation. By selectively opening or closing specific zones based on the device's rotational position, the system maintains a constant horizon and proper stereo disparity alignment even when rotated, while still providing stereoscopic depth perception.
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
The solution enables high-quality, depth-enhanced imaging with adjustable light control, maintaining stereo orientation and optimizing image clarity and focus across various lighting conditions, including fluorescent imaging.
Implementation Method 1
a lens assembly, a shutter, an image sensor, and a controller. The lens assembly is configured to focus light.
Implementation Method 2
The shutter may be an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) shutter with adjustable pixels that can be switched to be transparent or opaque.
Implementation Method 3
The imaging device includes a light source configured to provide a white light and an excitation light configured to generate a fluorescent light
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
An imaging device (12) for obtaining an image of an interior of a body of a patient includes a lens assembly (18), a shutter (20) formed of a plurality of pixels (20a) and a controller (16) configured to actuate the plurality of pixels (20a) of the shutter (20) to define a plurality of zones, the plurality of zones including an inner zone (IZ) and an outer zone (OZ), each of the plurality of zones configured to be opened and closed. The controller (16) further actuates the shutter (20) so as to open and close the inner zone (IZ) and outer zone (OZ) to control the amount of light from the lens assembly (18) onto an image sensor (24).