Stacked Imaging Sensor With Antireflection Layer for Lesion Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging devices, such as those described in Patent Document 1, are unable to further improve image quality, particularly for lesion portions like cancer, during medical imaging using endoscopic systems.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device with a stacked structure of substrates, where at least one support layer includes an antireflection layer that selectively shields excitation light and transmits fluorescence, allowing for improved optical design to enhance image quality by selectively shielding excitation light and transmitting fluorescence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional imaging device configuration is used, then the device structure is simple, but the image quality of lesion portions cannot be further improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional single-substrate imaging device to a stacked structure with multiple substrates arranged in different spatial dimensions. The first substrate contains a first pixel array for visible light imaging, while the second substrate contains a second pixel array for infrared light imaging. This dimensional reorganization allows simultaneous acquisition of multiple wavelength images without interfering with each other, thereby improving lesion detection capability while maintaining reasonable device complexity through systematic structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device is segmented into functionally independent modules: the first substrate for visible light imaging, the second substrate for infrared imaging, and intermediate layers for light management. Each substrate is further divided into pixel arrays sensitive to specific wavelength ranges. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently for its specific function, improving overall image quality while enabling modular manufacturing and assembly.
2Manufacturing precision
If excitation light is transmitted to the subject, then fluorescence emission can be detected, but excitation light reflection degrades image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediate layers between the substrates and the subject, including antireflection layers and light-shielding films. The antireflection layer reduces reflection of excitation light from the substrate surface, while the light-shielding film selectively blocks reflected excitation light from reaching the pixel arrays. These intermediary elements mediate between the excitation light source and the imaging sensors, eliminating the harmful reflection effect while preserving the useful fluorescence signal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful reflected excitation light into a beneficial filtering opportunity. By placing light-shielding films with specific spectral characteristics, the system selectively blocks reflected excitation light wavelengths while allowing fluorescence wavelengths to pass through. This transforms the problematic reflection into a controlled optical filtering process that enhances image quality by removing noise while preserving the desired fluorescence signal.
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 achieves further improvement in image quality for lesion portions by selectively managing excitation light and fluorescence, leading to better detection and visualization of lesions during medical imaging.
Implementation Method 1
the antireflection layer includes a light-shielding film that shields excitation light with which a subject is irradiated and/or a transmission film that transmits fluorescence emitted from the subject by the excitation light
Implementation Method 2
transmits fluorescence emitted from the subject by the excitation light, in this case, the excitation light may have a wavelength of 760 nm±10 nm, and the fluorescence may have a wavelength of 850 nm±10 nm
Implementation Method 3
a first pixel array unit in which a plurality of pixels having at least a first photoelectric conversion unit that performs photoelectric conversion is arranged
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an imaging device capable of further improving image quality of a subject, particularly a lesion portion such as cancer. There is provided an imaging device including: a first substrate including a first pixel array unit in which a plurality of pixels having at least a first photoelectric conversion unit is arranged in a two-dimensional manner, a first wiring layer, and a first support layer stacked in this order; and a second substrate including a second pixel array unit in which a plurality of pixels having at least a second photoelectric conversion unit is arranged in a two-dimensional manner, a second wiring layer, and a second support layer stacked in this order, in which the first support layer and the second support layer are bonded to each other to form a stacked structure, and at least one of the support layers includes an antireflection layer.