Apparatus and methods relating to expanded dynamic range imaging endoscope systems
First Claim
1. A method of obtaining an image of a target having good dynamic range comprising:
- a) emitting illumination light from a tunable light source configured to emit illumination light comprising a variable selected spectral output and a variable wavelength dependent intensity distribution, wherein the light source is configured to independently increase or decrease the variable selected spectral output and the variable wavelength dependent intensity distribution as desired, to illuminate a target;
b) sensing emanating light from the target via an image sensor configured to detect light emanating from a target and transmit an image of the target to a processor; and
,c) determining whether the emanating light saturates, overexposes or underexposes sensing elements of the image sensor;
d) where the emanating light saturates, overexposes or underexposes sensing elements of the image sensor, selectively adjusting the selected spectral output and wavelength dependent intensity distribution of the illumination light to provide a compensatory illumination light configured to compensate for the oversaturation or underexposure in a specific wavelength distribution in the image without substantially changing acceptable wavelengths; and
,e) combining data about the adjusting of the light source with data from the image to provide an enhanced dynamic range compared to the image sensor alone.
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Abstract
The apparatus and methods herein provide quantitatively controllable light sources and expanded dynamic range endoscopy systems that can improve the quality of images and the ability of users to distinguish desired features when viewing tissues by providing methods and apparatus that improve the dynamic range of images from endoscopes, in particular for example with endoscopes that have dynamic range limited because of small image sensors and small pixel electron well capacity, and other optical system constraints. The apparatus and methods herein, for example, combine light sources with quantitatively variable spectral output and quantitatively variable wavelength dependent intensity distribution with image sensors and controllers to create an expanded dynamic range endoscopy system. By digitally combining illumination data from the digitally controllable light source with the digital image data from the image sensor the system synthesizes expanded dynamic range images whose dynamic range exceeds the dynamic range of the image sensor alone thus providing greatly enhanced information content in the acquired images.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of obtaining an image of a target having good dynamic range comprising:
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a) emitting illumination light from a tunable light source configured to emit illumination light comprising a variable selected spectral output and a variable wavelength dependent intensity distribution, wherein the light source is configured to independently increase or decrease the variable selected spectral output and the variable wavelength dependent intensity distribution as desired, to illuminate a target; b) sensing emanating light from the target via an image sensor configured to detect light emanating from a target and transmit an image of the target to a processor; and
,c) determining whether the emanating light saturates, overexposes or underexposes sensing elements of the image sensor; d) where the emanating light saturates, overexposes or underexposes sensing elements of the image sensor, selectively adjusting the selected spectral output and wavelength dependent intensity distribution of the illumination light to provide a compensatory illumination light configured to compensate for the oversaturation or underexposure in a specific wavelength distribution in the image without substantially changing acceptable wavelengths; and
,e) combining data about the adjusting of the light source with data from the image to provide an enhanced dynamic range compared to the image sensor alone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification