Single-Sensor Video Filtering for Fluorescent Light Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging technologies require multiple sensors or complex methods to separate fluorescent and non-fluorescent light signals, which are costly and inefficient, especially when fluorescent wavelengths are in the visible range.
Innovation Solution
A method using a single image sensor to generate two separate video data streams through image processing, one emphasizing fluorescent light and the other the image background, by applying a filter provision that amplifies or reduces the effect of spectrally limited light relative to the background.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to separately acquire fluorescent and non-fluorescent light signals, then signal separation quality is improved, but hardware cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing functions into a single image sensor by capturing both fluorescent and non-fluorescent light signals simultaneously through different spectral channels. The filter provision separates the combined signal into fluorescent and non-fluorescent components through image processing, eliminating the need for multiple physical sensors while maintaining signal separation quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter provision acts as an intermediary that processes the combined video data stream from the single image sensor. It applies spectral filtering algorithms to separate fluorescent and non-fluorescent light signals, enabling precise signal separation without requiring multiple physical sensors.
2Measurement precision
If complex image processing methods are applied to separate fluorescent and non-fluorescent signals, then signal separation accuracy is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter provision is pre-configured with spectral characteristics of fluorescent and non-fluorescent light. This preliminary setup allows the system to rapidly separate signals using pre-computed filter kernels, reducing real-time processing requirements while maintaining high separation accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes processing parameters by adjusting filter bandwidths and spectral ranges based on the specific fluorophore being detected. This adaptive parameter adjustment optimizes the balance between separation accuracy and processing speed for different imaging conditions.
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 reduces hardware costs and maintains high image quality, allowing for real-time separation of fluorescent and non-fluorescent light signals without losing image information, suitable for applications like tumor detection in brain surgery.
Implementation Method 1
a video data stream recorded by a sensor, in particular an image sensor
Implementation Method 2
a filter provision applicable to the video data stream with respect to spectrally limited light
Implementation Method 3
the excitation light interacts with a fluorophore in the scene, which is intercalated, for example, in certain tissue types, which then upon the optical excitation emit a light spectrum deviating from the excitation light as fluorescent light
Data Source
AI summary
In a method for processing a video data stream recorded by a sensor, in particular an image sensor, by a filter provision applicable to the video data stream, which is stored with respect to a spectrally limited light, it is provided that unsegmented further video data streams, in particular a first video data stream and a second video data stream, be generated from the recorded video data stream, with the spectrally limited light being amplified or reduced in the first and second video data streams in relation to a background due to the filter provision. A visualization system configured to carry out the method is also provided.