Shared-Memory Medical Image Processing for Reflectance and Fluorescence
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing medical image processing apparatuses face an increase in circuit scale when separate memories and image processing units are provided for processing first and second captured images, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A medical image processing apparatus and system that utilizes a single memory and shared image processing units to process both normal and fluorescence images by alternating light sources and image capture periods, reducing the need for duplicate hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If separate memories and image processing units are provided for processing first and second captured images, then image processing capability is improved, but circuit scale increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling a single memory and image processing units to handle both first captured images (reflectance) and second captured images (fluorescence). The memory is configured to store different types of image data, and the image processing units can process both reflectance and fluorescence images sequentially, eliminating the need for separate dedicated hardware for each image type while maintaining full processing capability for both modalities
2Speed
If separate memories and image processing units are provided for processing first and second captured images, then processing speed is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through time-division multiplexing where the single memory and image processing units are alternately used to process first captured images and second captured images. The system switches between processing reflectance images and fluorescence images in a periodic manner, allowing high processing speed for each image type while using shared hardware resources, thus avoiding the complexity of parallel dedicated processing paths
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 generates high-quality images suitable for observation without increasing the circuit scale, optimizing resource utilization and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the first captured image is an image in which an observation target is irradiated with light in a first wavelength band, and light reflected by the observation target is captured by an image sensor
Implementation Method 2
the second captured image is an image in which the observation target is irradiated with excitation light in a second wavelength band, which is different from the first wavelength band, and fluorescence from the observation target excited by the excitation light is captured by an image sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
A memory controller 931, in a first observation mode, writes a first captured image into a first memory area of a memory 92, reads first to fourth divided images obtained by dividing the first captured image from first to fourth divided areas of the first memory area, respectively, and outputs the first to fourth divided images to image processing units 932 to 935, respectively, and in a second observation mode, writes the first and second captured images into second and third memory areas, respectively, each having the same memory capacity as that of each of the divided areas in the memory 92, respectively, reads the first and second captured images from the second and third memory areas, respectively, and outputs the first and second captured images to two image processing units 932 and 933, respectively.