Method and device for video endoscopy with fluorescent light
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Publication Number
US-12201273-B2
Publication Date
2025-01-21
Expiration Date
Abstract
The invention relates to a method for performing video endoscopy with fluorescent light, comprising capturing a first image sequence comprised of temporally consecutive single images, using an endoscopic video system, capturing a second image sequence comprised of temporally consecutive fluorescent images, using the same endoscopic video system, forming a transformation function between different single images of the first image sequence, applying the transformation function to the consecutive fluorescent images of the second image sequence associated with the single images of the first image sequence to obtain transformed fluorescent images, superimposing a current fluorescent image of the second image sequence with at least one or several transformed fluorescent images obtained from the fluorescent images immediately preceding the current fluorescent image in the second image sequence to obtain an improved fluorescent image, and displaying a respective fluorescent image resulting in an improved second image sequence that is comprised of improved fluorescent images.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to video endoscopy with fluorescent light using an endoscopic video system configured to capture two temporally consecutive image sequences. A first image sequence is comprised of temporally consecutive single images in which an object is illuminated and light reflected by the object is captured as a single image. A second image sequence is comprised of temporally consecutive fluorescent images in which the object is irradiated with fluorescence-stimulating radiation and light emitted by the object is captured as a fluorescent image.
The invention associates the single images with fluorescent images such that capturing of the single images and fluorescent images occurs simultaneously, or alternately with minimal temporal offset, so that each single image can be associated with a simultaneously captured fluorescent image or with a fluorescent image captured before or after with minimal temporal offset. The invention determines transformation functions between different single images from position differences of common features in the different single images by analyzing the single images.
The invention applies the derived transformation functions to the fluorescent images that correspond to the associated single images to obtain transformed fluorescent images. A current fluorescent image is superimposed with at least one or several transformed fluorescent images obtained from fluorescent images preceding the current fluorescent image in the second image sequence. The resulting improved fluorescent image is displayed, producing an improved second image sequence comprised of improved fluorescent images.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims: a method claim and a system claim. Each claim centers on associating a reflected-light single-image sequence with a fluorescence image sequence, determining geometric transformation functions from common feature position differences, transforming the fluorescence images accordingly, and superimposing to obtain an improved fluorescence result.
Simultaneous or alternately associated reflected and fluorescence image sequences
Capturing a first image sequence comprised of temporally consecutive single images and a second image sequence comprised of temporally consecutive fluorescent images using the same endoscopic video system, wherein capturing occurs simultaneously or alternately with minimal temporal offset so that each single image can be associated with a simultaneously captured fluorescent image or with a fluorescent image captured before or after the single image with minimal temporal offset.
Transformation function from common feature position differences in single images
Determining, by analyzing the single images of the first image sequence, at least one transformation function between different single images from position differences of common features in the different single images of the first image sequence, the transformation function describing geometric change of image features between two single images.
Apply transformation to associated fluorescent images and superimpose for improved fluorescence
Applying the transformation function to the consecutive fluorescent images associated with the single images to obtain transformed fluorescent images, and superimposing a current fluorescent image with at least one or several transformed fluorescent images obtained from fluorescent images preceding the current fluorescent image to obtain an improved fluorescent image, which is displayed as an improved second image sequence.
Image processing device associates, transforms, and superimposes for improved fluorescent image
A video endoscopy system configured so that an image processing device associates one or several single images of the first image sequence with one or several fluorescent images captured at least approximately simultaneously, determines transformation functions from the single images describing geometric change of image features between two single images from position differences of common features, applies the derived transformation functions to the fluorescent images that correspond to the single images, and superimposes the transformed fluorescent images into an improved fluorescent image.
Across the independent method and system claims, the core coverage is the same: associate reflected-light single-image frames with fluorescence frames (simultaneously or with minimal/approximately simultaneous temporal offset), compute geometric transformation functions from common feature position differences in the single-image sequence, apply those transformations to the corresponding fluorescent images, and superimpose transformed fluorescence frames to obtain an improved fluorescent image that is displayed or generated as an improved fluorescent image.
Stated Advantages
Improved fluorescent image sequence comprised of improved fluorescent images.
Improved fluorescent image obtained by superimposing current fluorescent image with transformed fluorescent images.
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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