Hyperspectral imaging in a light deficient environment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopes with integrated color digital cameras are delicate and prone to misalignment or damage due to their configuration, which degrades image quality, and existing hyperspectral and fluorescence imaging systems require large physical space, making them unsuitable for endoscopic applications in light deficient environments.
Innovation Solution
A system with a light engine that generates pulsed electromagnetic radiation at specific wavelengths, allowing for fluorescence and hyperspectral imaging at the distal end of the endoscope, combined with a monochromatic sensor to capture multiple wavelength bands, including RGB and fluorescence data, without the need for complex optical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If endoscopes with integrated color digital cameras are used, then color imaging capability is improved, but device reliability deteriorates due to misalignment and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the color imaging functionality from the integrated camera system and implements it separately using wavelength-specific filters (e.g., cyan, magenta, yellow filters) positioned in the optical path. This allows the sensor to capture color information without requiring multiple aligned sensors, thereby maintaining reliability while achieving color imaging capability.
2Measurement precision
If hyperspectral and fluorescence imaging systems are used, then imaging precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to large physical space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests multiple imaging functionalities (hyperspectral imaging, fluorescence imaging, and color imaging) within a single compact endoscope device. By integrating wavelength-specific filters and a single sensor array, the system achieves multiple imaging modes without requiring separate large-scale systems, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining imaging precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal imaging system where a single sensor array can perform multiple imaging functions (color imaging, hyperspectral imaging, fluorescence imaging) by switching or combining different wavelength-specific filters. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated systems, significantly reducing device complexity and physical space requirements.
3Illumination intensity
If multiple distinct pixel sensors are used for color imaging, then color accuracy is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wavelength-specific filters (cyan, magenta, yellow) as intermediaries between the light source and the sensor. These filters selectively transmit specific wavelength ranges to the sensor, enabling accurate color capture without requiring multiple precisely aligned pixel sensors. This intermediary approach maintains color accuracy while significantly reducing manufacturing precision requirements.
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 high-quality imaging with precise measurements and enhanced tissue differentiation in light deficient environments, reducing the risk of damage and providing valuable diagnostic information in a compact form factor.
Implementation Method 1
A system with a light engine that generates pulsed electromagnetic radiation at specific wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
A system with a light engine that generates pulsed electromagnetic radiation at specific wavelengths, allowing for fluorescence and hyperspectral imaging at the distal end of the endoscope, combined with a monochromatic sensor to capture multiple wavelength bands
Implementation Method 3
allowing for fluorescence and hyperspectral imaging at the distal end of the endoscope
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscopic imaging system for use in a light deficient environment includes an imaging device having a tube, one or more image sensors, and a lens assembly including at least one optical elements that corresponds to the one or more image sensors. The endoscopic system includes a display for a user to visualize a scene and an image signal processing controller. The endoscopic system includes a light engine having an illumination source generating one or more pulses of electromagnetic radiation and a lumen transmitting one or more pulses of electromagnetic radiation to a distal tip of an endoscope.