HERALDS: a flexible, high-resolution volumetric endoscopy-design, calibration, and performance evaluation
Optics Express
|May 4, 2026
Summary
This study details the design and calibration of HERALDS, a novel 3D endoscopic imaging system. It enables precise quantitative analysis for early gastrointestinal lesion detection and treatment assessment.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Gastroenterology
- Optical Engineering
Background:
- Quantitative 3D imaging is vital for gastrointestinal lesion detection and treatment assessment, especially for early polyp screening to prevent cancer.
- High-resolution Endoscopy with Resolved spatio-Angular disparity for Layered Depth Sensing (HERALDS) is a developed volumetric imaging tool for gastrointestinal analysis.
- Systematic discussion of HERALDS design principles and calibration methods is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a systematic design strategy for HERALDS focusing on optimal spatial arrangement and information maximization for enhanced imaging throughput.
- To present a comprehensive calibration framework to minimize distortions and integration errors in the HERALDS system.
- To detail an efficient point spread function acquisition method for reliable 3D reconstruction.
Main Methods:
- Developed a systematic design strategy for HERALDS based on optimal spatial arrangement and information maximization.
- Implemented a comprehensive calibration framework to mitigate distortions and integration errors.
- Employed an efficient point spread function acquisition method for reconstruction.
- Evaluated system resolution and reconstruction algorithms via numerical simulations.
- Verified quantitative imaging performance using high-precision standards.
Main Results:
- The study outlines a systematic design strategy and calibration framework for the HERALDS system.
- Numerical simulations and experimental verification demonstrate the system's resolution and reconstruction accuracy.
- The HERALDS system's quantitative imaging performance was validated through repeated measurements.
Conclusions:
- This work supports the implementation and replication of the HERALDS system.
- Provides valuable insights into the design, calibration, and performance evaluation of multi-view 3D imaging systems.
- Advances the application of quantitative 3D imaging for early gastrointestinal disease detection and treatment.
