Capsule endoscope with a dynamic adjustable color illumination spectrum
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Publication Number
US-11700437-B2
Publication Date
2023-07-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
A capsule endoscope device, system and method for dynamically adjusting a color illumination spectrum. A plurality of different color groups of LEDs may emit light, recorded by an image sensor, corresponding to a plurality of different respective wavelength subranges. A driving circuit may send a driving current to independently activate each different color group of LEDs during entirely or partially non-overlapping time pulses. A single color group of LEDs is independently activated at any one time, and the plurality of different color groups of LEDs are sequentially activated in successive time pulses to simulate a white light or multi-color illumination spectrum over a plurality of the time pulses. The activation pattern of the color groups of LEDs may be dynamically adjusted, in real-time, to achieve a flexible and customizable illumination spectrum ideal for imaging a variety of different environments e.g., in the GI tract.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a capsule endoscope with a dynamic adjustable color illumination spectrum for recording in-vivo images through at least one transparent optical end. The capsule-shaped body encloses electronic components including an image sensor housed behind the at least one transparent optical end and configured to record in-vivo images. The illumination spectrum is dynamically adjusted by emitting light using multiple groups of single-color light emitting diodes (LEDs).
The capsule endoscope includes a first group of LEDs each having a single first color, a second group of LEDs each having a single second color, and a third group of LEDs having a single third color. The groups correspond to different respective wavelength subranges, and the first, second, and third colors are different. A driving circuit independently activates the first, second, and third groups during entirely non-overlapping time pulses that occur sequentially so that one single-color group is independently activated at any one time to simulate a white light or multi-color illumination spectrum over a plurality of time pulses.
Different color groups of LEDs emit light absorbed by biological tissue at different respective penetrative depths, so that the discrepancy between the penetration depths generates a depth profile of the illuminated biological tissue. One or more processors simulate an image of the biological tissue based on the depth profile. In addition, color-group-specific images are sequentially recorded as archived images, stored, and selected and adjusted to form white light or non-white multi-color images.
Claims Coverage
The provided material includes two independent claims. Across these independent claims, the inventive features center on generating a dynamic adjustable color illumination spectrum using sequential, entirely non-overlapping time pulses of distinct single-color LED groups, recording and archiving color-group-specific images, and using archived images and/or depth profiles to form white light or non-white multi-color images and simulated images of biological tissue.
Dynamic adjustable color illumination spectrum in a capsule endoscope
A capsule endoscope that includes a capsule-shaped body with at least one transparent optical end and an image sensor configured to record in-vivo images, where different LED color groups correspond to different wavelength subranges and are independently activated during entirely non-overlapping sequential time pulses to simulate a white light or multi-color illumination spectrum.
Penetrative-depth-based depth profile for simulated tissue imaging
Different color groups emit light absorbed by biological tissue at different respective penetrative depths, such that the discrepancy between the penetration depths generates a depth profile, and one or more processors simulate an image of the biological tissue based on the depth profile.
Sequential recording of color-group scattering images and archived image selection
Operating an in-vivo capsule endoscope by sequentially activating first, second, and third single-color LED groups during respective entirely non-overlapping time pulses, sequentially recording first, second, and third groups of images depicting scattering as archived images, storing the archived images, and selecting and adjusting the archived images to form white light or non-white multi-color images.
Collectively, the independent claims require sequential activation of distinct single-color LED groups using entirely non-overlapping time pulses to simulate adjustable white or multi-color spectra, with archived color-group images used for forming the desired illumination outputs, and with penetrative-depth discrepancies used to generate a depth profile for simulated tissue imaging.
Stated Advantages
Simulate a white light or multi-color illumination spectrum over a plurality of time pulses.
Generate a depth profile of illuminated biological tissue by exploiting discrepancies in penetrative depths from different LED color groups.
Simulate an image of biological tissue based on the depth profile.
Select and adjust archived color-group images to form white light or non-white multi-color images.
Documented Applications
In-vivo capsule endoscopy for recording images and operating the capsule endoscope to emit a dynamic adjustable color illumination spectrum (including imaging biological tissue such as illuminated biological tissue in the in-vivo setting).
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