Switchable Spectral Filter for Multispectral Endoscopy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical imaging devices face inefficiencies in imaging efficiency and component space usage, particularly in multispectral and hyperspectral imaging applications, where multiple spectral filters are required for different transmission ranges, leading to increased complexity and space requirements.

Innovation Solution

A medical imaging device with a single spectral filter that can switch between two distinct spectral transmission ranges by adjusting its position relative to the image capture sensor system, allowing for improved spectral separation and reduced component count, enabling efficient multispectral and hyperspectral imaging with reduced space requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple spectral filters are used for different transmission ranges, then spectral imaging capability is improved, but device complexity and installation space increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral imaging capabilityVSAvoidcomponent count
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single spectral filter is designed to perform multiple functions by switching between different operating states, each corresponding to a different spectral transmission range. The filter can transmit light according to a first spectral transmission range in a first operating state and a second spectral transmission range in a second operating state, eliminating the need for multiple separate filters while maintaining full spectral imaging capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The spectral filter is designed with dynamic switching capability between different operating states. The filter's transmission characteristics can be changed dynamically by adjusting its operating state, allowing the system to adapt between different spectral ranges as needed rather than requiring static multiple filters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple spectral filters are used for different transmission ranges, then spectral imaging capability is improved, but installation space increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral imaging capabilityVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

A single spectral filter is designed to perform multiple functions by switching between different operating states, each corresponding to a different spectral transmission range. The filter can transmit light according to a first spectral transmission range in a first operating state and a second spectral transmission range in a second operating state, eliminating the need for multiple separate filters while maintaining full spectral imaging capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple spectral filter functions are merged into a single spectral filter component. Instead of having separate physical filters for different spectral ranges, the invention combines all spectral filtering capabilities into one filter that can be switched between different transmission ranges through changes in its operating state

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If spectral filters are fixed in position, then structural simplicity is maintained, but spectral separation efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidspectral separation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The spectral filter is designed with dynamic switching capability between different operating states. The filter's transmission characteristics can be changed dynamically by adjusting its operating state, allowing the system to adapt between different spectral ranges as needed rather than requiring static multiple filters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 enhances imaging efficiency by allowing the device to capture multiple spectral bands with a single filter, reducing the need for multiple filters and space, while maintaining high spectral separation and imaging quality, particularly suitable for time-resolved snapshot methods.

Implementation Method 1

a spectral filter (18), which is assigned to the image capture sensor system (12) and is arranged in front of the image capture sensor system (12) when viewed in a viewing direction (20)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpectral filtering: Filter (optical)

Implementation Method 2

The spectral filter (18) is designed in particular as an interference filter (38)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInterference: Interference

Data Source

PatentEP3834701A1Medical imaging device
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 KARL STORZ SE & CO KG
  • EP3834701A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3834701A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3834701A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a medical imaging device, in particular an endoscopic imaging device, with at least one image acquisition unit (10) comprising at least one image acquisition sensor (12) and at least one optical filter unit (16) comprising at least one spectral filter (18) which is associated with the image acquisition sensor (12) and is arranged in front of it in the viewing direction (20) of the image acquisition sensor (12). It is proposed that the spectral filter (18) in a first operating state is configured to transmit light according to a first spectral transmission range (22) to the image acquisition sensor (12) and in a second operating state is configured to transmit light according to a second spectral transmission range (24), which differs at least partially from the first spectral transmission range (22), to the image acquisition sensor (12).