System for controlling visualization of target region of laser-treatment

Abstract

To provide a system for helping reduce displayed visual effects of undesired laser-induced emissions, such as during an endoscopic or a similar minimally-invasive or other surgical treatment.SOLUTION: A system endoscopically images a first target of a patient using a light source and a light detector, and laser-treats a same or different second target of the patient using a laser source. For example, the system can have at least signal processing circuitry, which can include a target response signal laser-source flashing component detector and a flashing analyzer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This document generally relates to, but is not limited to, systems and methods useful for reducing the visual effects of unwanted laser-induced emissions during endoscopic or similar minimally invasive or other surgical procedures on at least one of the hard or soft tissues of a human or other animal.

Background Art

[0002] Spectroscopy and spectrometry can be used to help identify one or more materials by visible light or other electromagnetic spectrum that is reflected by, or otherwise scattered, transmitted, or absorbed by the material. Spectroscopy can be used to help identify and treat one or more anatomical structures within a living body such as a human.

[0003] In certain endoscopic techniques, light from a visualization illumination source and a laser source can be introduced endoscopically into the cavity of an animal. Light from the illumination source can be used to illuminate the cavity, and light from the laser source can be used to treat a targeted anatomical structure or other area of interest. During treatment of the targeted anatomical structure, laser-induced emissions ("flashes") may be observed on a display screen used to display an image of the response light reaching a photodetector or imaging device from the targeted area of interest. Such response light can be processed and displayed, and / or analyzed, or both, such that it can include the use of one or more spectroscopy techniques. Flashes can result from, for example, a combustion reaction of material decomposition, liquid luminescence cavitation, laser-induced ablation emissions, or incineration of dirt or other contaminants that may be present at the working tip of a laser fiber used to optically couple light from the laser source to the target area.

[0004] When a flash occurs, it can interfere with the imaging signal being displayed, the spectroscopic signal being analyzed, or both. For example, the flash can generate visible distortion artifacts on an image of a target area visually displayed on a display screen, or the flash can generate inconsistent spectroscopic readings of a photodetector that receives light from a target area of interest. Such distortion artifacts or other abnormal responses due to a laser source flash can be undesirable during diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

[0005] The system disclosed herein is a system that uses a light source and a photodetector to endoscopically image a first target of a patient and uses a laser source to laser treat the same or a different second target of the patient, the system comprising a signal processing circuit couplable to the photodetector that receives a target response signal indicative of light received from the patient in response to illumination by at least one of the light source and the laser source, the signal processing circuit including a target response signal laser source flash component detector that detects a laser source flash component of the target response signal, and a flash analyzer that receives the laser source flash component of the target response signal from the target response signal laser source flash component detector and generates a flash warning or a flash control signal based at least in part on an indication of the amount of the laser source flash component of the target response signal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] This document describes, among other things, an endoscope or another system for imaging and laser treating one or more target regions of interest. The system can include a light source and a photodetector for illumination and visualization, respectively, of each target region of interest. The system can also include a laser source for supplying laser energy to the target regions of interest, for example. The system can include a laser source flash component detector for generating a flash warning or a flash control signal, for example, based on how much flash is occurring. The flash warning or flash control signal can then be used to alert the user or to control or compensate for components of the system by improving the displayed image for one or more target regions. How much flash is occurring can be determined using one or more techniques as described herein. For example, an optical filter or analyzer can accumulate response light wavelengths that occur outside the spectral band of the illumination light source, and together, such accumulated response light wavelengths provide an indication of how much laser source-induced flash is occurring. As an alternative or in addition thereto, the amount of distortion artifacts (e.g., saturated pixel columns) displayed on the imaging path or display screen can be used as an indication of how much laser source-induced flash is occurring. Another example and details are further described below.

[0008] FIG. 1A shows an example of a portion of a system 100 that can be used to image and laser treat a target 102 within a human or other animal patient or subject, or one or more regions of interest such as another target 102. A portion of the system 100 can be included within or coupled to a delivery device such as an endoscope 110 for treating a target 102 located within the subject, for example. This can be assisted by visualization or imaging therewith and then by illumination of an internal target 102 or region of interest such as a cavity or other surrounding area in the vicinity thereof.

[0009] In FIG. 1A, system 100 may include an illumination light source 104 that can provide broadband illumination (including light having wavelengths visible to humans, such as, for example, from about 380 nm to 740 nm) to internal target 102. Such illumination can help enable visualization or imaging of target 102 using a photodetector or an imaging pixel array (“camera”) 106, etc. For visualization or imaging, etc., the light detected at camera 106 can be detected, converted, and provided as an electronic response signal. For example, this electronic response signal can represent one of a plurality of two-dimensional (2D) image frames or a video sequence, which can be provided to a display driver 114 for display, etc., on a display screen 108.

[0010] Illumination light from illumination light source 104 can be provided to internal target 102 via one or more optical fibers of an endoscope 110 or another delivery system or another illumination optical system, etc. The distal portion of endoscope 110 can be inserted into a subject through an opening or incision, etc. Laser light from laser source 112 can also be provided via endoscope 110 or another delivery system for treating target 102, etc. For example, such laser treatment can include laser lithotripsy that helps break up biological stones (sometimes referred to as “stones”) at target 102. Another laser treatment procedure can include treating a tumor or pre-cancerous growth, or cauterizing blood vessels or tissue within a patient.

[0011] In FIG. 1B, the controller circuit 116 can be included in the system 100 to help operate one or more components such as the laser source 112, the light source 104, or another component. The controller circuit 116 can also help signal process any response optical signal detected and converted by the camera 106 or another photodetector. The controller circuit 116 further includes or can be coupled to components for performing at least one of detecting, measuring, or analyzing whether a laser source flash is occurring, for example, to generate a flash warning or flash control signal based on how much flash is occurring, as further described below. The flash warning or flash control signal can then be used, as further described below, to improve the displayed image of one or more target regions, alert the user, or control or compensate for components of the system.

[0012] The flash is a reflected emission from the target 102, which can be generated when the laser source 112 delivers energy to treat the target 102. However, the flash can be an undesirable byproduct of the laser treatment, for example, because it can interfere with the visualization or imaging display of the target 102 or its surroundings during the treatment procedure.

[0013] In FIG. 1C, the signal processing circuit 122 can be coupled to receive an electrically converted indicator of the response light from the target 102 from the camera 106 or another photodetector. This indicator of the response light can include a response light component due to the laser source flash and a response light component not due to the laser source flash. The signal processing circuit 122 can include a flash analyzer 120, and the flash analyzer can include or be coupled to a flash component detector 118 for detecting or differentiating the flash component of the response light from the non-flash component of the response light. For example, response light having a wavelength longer than a particular first threshold (e.g., greater than a first threshold of 720 nm) can be considered to represent the flash component of the response light, and response light having a wavelength shorter than the first threshold (e.g., shorter than a first threshold of 720 nm) can be considered to represent the non-flash component of the response light. For example, the non-flash component of the response light can include response light received in response to the illumination light from the light source 104, or response light that conveys spectroscopic information regarding one or more component analyte substances of the target 102.

[0014] FIG. 2 shows an example of a computer-modeled graph of response light intensity versus response light wavelength when the target 102 is illuminated by both the illumination light source 104 and the treatment laser source 112 during the procedure. In FIG. 2, the non-flash component 202 of the response light from the endoscope light source 104 predominates at wavelengths less than 625 nanometers, which can be designated as the first threshold mentioned above. The flash component 204 from the laser source 112 predominates at wavelengths longer than 625 nanometers. As described above, the flash component 204 can result, for example, from the scattering of light during the decomposition of biological substances. The flash component 204 can also result from the burning of the laser fiber. As shown in FIG. 2, the flash component 204 can be stronger than the intensity of the response light based on the illumination by the endoscope light source 202.

[0015] Using the system shown in at least one of FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, the total flash amount can be determined by accumulating or integrating the response optical spectrum energy having a wavelength longer than the first threshold. This total flash amount can then be optionally compared (e.g., using a comparator, etc.) with a second threshold specified. The specified second threshold can be either an absolute second threshold or a relative second threshold. For example, the relative second threshold can be specified with respect to the non-flash component of the response light or with respect to the total amount of response light including both the flash component and the non-flash component. When the total flash amount exceeds the second threshold, a flash alarm or a flash control signal can be generated and this signal can be output. The flash alarm can be displayed or used in another way to inform the user, for example, that imaging or visualization is affected by the laser source flash. As will be further described below, the flash control signal can be used to compensate for the influence of such a laser source flash by adjusting one or more other components, etc. The flash control signal does not necessarily have to be generated as a result of the comparison with the second threshold. For example, a non-threshold indicator for the entire flash can be used to generate a control signal as needed to compensate one or more other components for the effect of the laser source flash, etc.

[0016] FIG. 3 shows in more detail an example of a portion of the flash component detector 118 or the flash analyzer 120, which can receive a signal indicating the response light from the camera or photodetector 106. The flash component detector or flash analyzer 120 can include a response optical wavelength filter 302 useful for separating the laser source flash component of the target response signal from the non-flash component of the target response signal. An integrator or accumulator 304 can be coupled to the output of the filter 302 so as to accumulate the spectral energy of a plurality of wavelengths exceeding the wavelength of the first wavelength threshold.

[0017] The integrator 304 may generate within the system 100 a response indicating the amount of flash occurring. For example, the integrator 304 may integrate at least one portion of the flash signal associated with the intensity of the wavelength received from the camera or photodetector 106. Optionally, the integrator 304 may also integrate the duration of the response light including the wavelength associated with the flash. In one example, the integrator 304 may obtain from the display screen 108, or from a display driver driving the pixels of the display screen 108, a saturated or similar pixel intensity (e.g., the flash may induce pixel saturation where the flash occurs within a pixel column), duration, or pixel count associated with the flash, and integrate them. Alternatively or additionally, the integrator 304 may perform weighted or unweighted integration of at least one spectrometer 402 that reads at one or more specified wavelengths or wavelength bands. A flash warning or flash control signal may be generated based on the output of the integrator or integrator 304, and the warning etc. may be provided to the user, or the flash control signal etc. may be provided to another component. For example, such a flash control signal may be used to compensate a display driver that drives the display screen 108 by replacing non-saturated pixels with flash-saturated pixels. In one example, such a flash control signal may be used to compensate the camera or photodetector 106 as further described below.

[0018] FIG. 4 shows in more detail an example of a portion of the signal processor 122 or the controller circuit 116 that may include one or both of the flash component detector 118 and the flash analyzer 120. A spectrometer 402 or another narrowband optical detector may be included to help spectrally separate the wavelength associated with the laser source flash component of the target response signal from, for example, the wavelength associated with the non-flash component of the target response signal. The spectrometer 402 may be coupled directly, via the response light wavelength filter 302, or both, to the integrator / accumulator 304. The response light wavelength filter 302 may then be coupled to the integrator 304. The integrator 304 may provide an indication of the amount of flash, which may be compared to a threshold value or, alternatively, may be signal processed and used to control the photodetector 106, for example, to control the response from the photodetector based on the flash and non-flash components received from the photodetector 106.

[0019] FIG. 5 shows an example of a conceptualized timing diagram of the operating portion of system 100. At 504, a series of laser pulses are shown as being emitted by a lithotripsy laser, for example to help break up a calculus that is a "stone". At 506, examples of laser flashes resulting as a series of corresponding results for various intensities and durations are shown. Various factors can affect the amount (intensity and duration) of the flash, including contaminants or other substances present near the tip of the laser fiber, past degradation of the laser fiber, or other factors as described herein. At 508, a series of flash detection indicator pulses can be generated by system 100. This may include detecting light from the target area of interest using camera 106 and performing band-pass filtering to accumulate the detected light having a wavelength exceeding the "flash threshold" wavelength. As described, the "flash threshold" wavelength can be selected so as to distinguish between light detected due to the flash and light detected due to the endoscope illumination source. At 508, the various flash detection indicator pulses can have a pulse width and repetition frequency that can follow the parameters for the corresponding laser pulse 504 that causes the flash to occur. However, not all laser pulses 504 necessarily result in a flash occurrence 506 and the resulting flash detection indicator pulses 508. Further, the pulse width / duty of the resulting flash detection display pulses 508 can vary depending on, for example, how much flash is occurring. A flash instance 506 occurs when the intensity of the light detected by camera 106 exceeds a specified flash threshold. In FIG. 5, the duration of a particular flash instance 508 corresponds to the duration of the laser pulse 504 when the intensity is greater than the specified flash threshold. Thus, the pulse width or duty of the flash detection indicator pulse 508 can be shorter than the corresponding fixed time of the corresponding laser source pulse 504.

[0020] FIG. 6 shows an example of 16 image frames displayed on the display screen in cases such as when a flash exists and causes a distortion artifact to be displayed for the saturation column 602 of the pixels shown as corresponding bright horizontal lines in FIG. 6. In one example, such a distortion artifact of the saturation column 602 of the pixels itself can be used to indicate when and how much flash is present. For example, the lower right frame of FIG. 6 shows four saturation columns 602 of the pixels (relatively more flash), and the upper right frame of FIG. 6 shows two saturation columns 602 of the pixels (relatively less flash). Such a flash distortion artifact index can be detected by observing the image intensity of the pixels displayed on the display screen 108, or alternatively or additionally, by initial upstream signal processing of the image signal provided by the camera 106 to the video display driver 114 to generate an image for display on the display screen 108.

[0021] For example, if the initial upstream signal processing of the imaging signal provided to the video display driver 114 by the camera 106 indicates a partial or total column of camera imaging array pixels that exceeds the saturation value indicating a flash, a flash indicator can be generated upstream. In one example, by using the generated upstream flash indicator to compensate for the flash, it is not necessary for the higher intensity horizontal line of saturated pixels to actually appear on the display screen 108. For example, for an appropriately high frame rate, a partial or total column of pixels saturated due to a flash can be replaced by the non-saturated partial or total column of pixels that appeared in the immediately previous or a similar slightly previous frame without significantly changing the vision presented to the user on the display screen 108. One or more other factors can be used in addition to pixel saturation that exceeds a flash threshold indicating a flash. In an example where laser pulse firing trigger information is available, such information can then be used to, for example, adjust the pixel saturation flash threshold. For example, lowering the pixel saturation flash threshold indicating a flash during a time window corresponding to the firing of a laser pulse can help improve the detection of a flash, either by detecting flash-induced imaging distortion artifacts, accumulating spectral information indicating a flash, or any combination of these, or when using one or more other flash indicators.

[0022] In FIG. 6, the bright horizontal columns correspond to the displayed distortion artifacts of the saturated columns 602 of pixels. However, the signal processing circuit 116 or the display driver circuit 114 may include a brightness compensation signal that automatically adjusts the brightness of the pixels of the frame displayed on the display screen 108. In such a scenario, a flash of light may trigger such brightness compensation, resulting in the displayed distortion artifacts of the dark columns 602 of pixels. Such dark partial or total column distortion artifacts may be used similarly to indicate whether a flash of light is occurring and how much flash of light is occurring. Additional compensation may include displaying the same partial or total columns of pixels from the immediately preceding or slightly preceding frame, similar to the above-described approach in response to a bright partial or total saturated column of pixels due to a flash of light. Additionally or alternatively, a separate indicator for flash of light (e.g., using bandpass filtering and spectral accumulation as described above) may be used to adjust the brightness compensation to avoid or reduce the presence of displayed distortion artifacts for the dark columns 602 of pixels that are otherwise overcompensated from the flash of light.

[0023] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a method for providing laser therapy while simultaneously imaging and / or spectroscopically analyzing a target area of ​​interest, such as in an endoscopic or similar minimally invasive procedure.

[0024] At 710, a cavity or other target area of ​​interest within a patient's body may be illuminated, which may include using a broadband illumination source 104 via an endoscope 110 to aid in imaging or otherwise visualizing the target area of ​​interest.

[0025] At 712, laser energy from the laser source 112 can be applied to the target area of ​​interest simultaneously with imaging of the target area of ​​interest to enable a physician or another user to observe the effects of the laser treatment via imaging, such as via the display screen 108.

[0026] At 714, the laser energy and the illumination light can be simultaneously delivered to the target area of interest through the endoscope 110.

[0027] At 716, when the illumination light from the light source 104 and the laser light from the laser source 112 are emitted, the illumination light and the laser light are reflected from the target 102 or otherwise scattered.

[0028] At 718, the reflected light is received by the camera or the photodetector 106 for purposes such as for imaging the target, for spectroscopic analysis of the target, or for both. For example, the spectroscopic analysis of the target can indicate whether the target being treated by the laser is a calculus ("stone") or tissue. Such information can be useful, for example, for a physician or another user to direct the laser towards the desired target, away from nearby organs in a dangerous state, or both.

[0029] At 720, the imaging information from the camera or the photodetector 106 can be signal processed and provided to the display driver 114 for purposes such as to provide imaging display frame information for display on the display screen 108.

[0030] At 722, the display screen 108 can display an image or pictorial representation of the data received through the photodetector 114 and the signals processed by the signal processing circuit 116.

[0031] FIG. 8A shows an example of a method for detecting a flash.

[0032] At 810, the illumination light and the laser light can be delivered endoscopically into the lumen of the anatomical structure and endoscopically directed towards the target 102.

[0033] At 812, the camera or another photodetector 106 can convert the response signal detected from the target into an electrical signal for signal processing.

[0034] At 816, the flash analyzer 120 can perform signal processing, such as serving to determine whether a flash is present (or how much flash is present). This can include accumulating response light of wavelengths associated with the flash rather than illumination, as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, this can include detecting distortion artifacts associated with the flash, such as bright partial or whole columns of saturated pixels, or dark partial or whole columns of pixels with overcompensated brightness due to the flash.

[0035] At 824, based on an indication from the flash analyzer 120 as to whether a flash is present (or how much flash is present), the flash analyzer 120 can generate a flash warning, such as one that can be provided to the user via a visual, audible, tactile, or other warning indicator.

[0036] At 826, based on an indication from the flash analyzer 120 as to whether a flash is present (or how much flash is present), the flash analyzer 120 can generate a flash control signal.

[0037] At 828, a flash control signal can be used to control one or more components that may be included within or coupled to system 100. For example, the flash control signal can be used to control one or more of an illumination light source, a laser source, a display driver, a display screen, a display compensation signal (e.g., brightness compensation), or a spectral target analyzer. For example, illumination light source 104 or laser source 112 can be controlled by a flash control signal (e.g., controller circuitry 116) to increase or decrease the amount of illumination light or laser light emitted to reduce the occurrence or amount of a flash, among other things. Additionally or alternatively, the display driver or display screen can be controlled to replace pixels corresponding to a frame that receives a flash from a previous or slightly previous frame, among other things. Additionally or alternatively, a display compensation signal such as a brightness compensation signal can be adjusted during a flash to avoid overcompensation for brightness due to a flash that causes a dark horizontal row displayed on the display screen. Additionally or alternatively, the spectral target analyzer can be controlled to avoid spectrally sampling a target region during flash generation, among other things. Such spectral analysis can help identify whether a tissue or biological stone is targeted, which can be useful to the user in properly directing the laser towards a target region (e.g., a stone) to be laser treated or away from a non-target region (e.g., tissue) where treatment should be avoided to be appropriate for a particular procedure.

[0038] FIG. 8B shows another example of a method for detecting and responding to a laser source flash.

[0039] At 830, flash component detector 118 can receive a response light signal from a target region of interest via conversion by a camera or another light detector 106 to another representation of an electronic image or response light signal, among other things.

[0040] At 832, the laser source flash component of the converted response optical signal can be separated from the non-flash component of the response optical signal by using a band-pass filter or another wavelength-specific filter as described herein, and by integrating the response over the wavelength of interest representing the flash component of the response optical signal or by otherwise accumulating it.

[0041] At 834, the resulting accumulated response signal can be compared to one or more criteria such as a specified threshold.

[0042] At 836, the spectrometer can suppress the spectral signal sampling of the target region during the generation of the flash. Otherwise, it would interfere with proper spectral analysis such as determining whether the target constitutes a biological stone to be laser-treated or tissue from which laser treatment should be avoided.

[0043] FIG. 8C shows an example of a portion of a method by which a spectrometer can be used (e.g., without the need for a separate wavelength filter) to separate the wavelengths of light to determine whether a flash is present (or how much flash is present), among other things.

[0044] At 840, the spectrometer can measure the wavelengths received from the target response signal.

[0045] At 842, spectrometer 402 can then separate the wavelengths associated with the laser source flash from the wavelengths associated with the non-flash component of the target response signal (e.g., using response optical wavelength filter 302) to enable the accumulation of the energy or intensity of the wavelengths associated with the flash component for comparison with the threshold at 844, among other things.

[0046] At 846, when the comparison at 844 indicates that the flash component exceeds the flash threshold, thereby indicating that a flash is present and may affect the spectrally measured non-flash component, the non-flash component can be mitigated (e.g., ignored, not sampled, or suppressed).

[0047] FIG. 8D shows an example of a portion of a method indicating that a distortion artifact or another component of the target image, captured and signal processed for target image display on the display screen, indicates that a flash is occurring.

[0048] At 850, response light from the target region of interest can be converted into a response signal by a camera or another light detector 106.

[0049] At 852, a distortion or another artifact indicating a flash can be detected. For example, the distortion artifact can include a partial or entire horizontal row of bright (e.g., saturated) pixels on the display screen, or in the imaging array of the camera or another light detector 106, or in an intermediate signal processing component therebetween. Additional or alternative examples of distortion artifacts can include, in examples where brightness auto-compensation is included, a partial or entire horizontal row of dark (e.g., over-compensated for brightness) pixels on the display screen, or in the imaging array of the camera or another light detector 106, or in an intermediate signal processing component therebetween, which can potentially result in over-compensation when a flash occurs. Additional or alternative examples of artifacts can include using the brightness compensation itself to detect and display the presence of a flash.

[0050] At 854, in response to the detection of a flash, the display image can be compensated. For example, this can include replacing one or more partial or entire columns of saturated pixels (or over-compensated pixels) with corresponding pixels from the previous frame or a similarly recent frame. This can provide a relatively consistent accuracy for visualization while suppressing the effects of a flash or over-compensation due to a flash (e.g., auto-brightness compensation). At 856, in response to the detection of a flash, one or more other components included in or coupled to the system, such as a light source, laser source, display driver, display screen, or spectrometer, can be compensated or otherwise controlled as described elsewhere in this specification.

[0051] Figure 9 shows an example of a portion of a method by which a flash analyzer can be used to detect a flash.

[0052] At 910, an integrator can integrate the wavelengths of a target response signal that are associated with the flash component of the target response signal and not associated with the non-flash component of the target response signal.

[0053] At 920, the integrated wavelengths associated with the flash component can be compared to one or more criteria, such as a threshold value, to determine, among other things, whether a flash is occurring.

[0054] At 930, a flash alarm or control signal can be generated in response to a comparison indicating that a flash is occurring. Optionally, integrator 304 stores data associated with the laser source type flash, either temporarily or for communication to a longer-term record. Such recorded data can include, for example, the spectral energy integrated at wavelengths associated with the flash, its duration, or both. Such recorded flash information can be used to augment non-flash spectrometer information regarding the response light from the target, such as that used to spectroscopically analyze the target's material type (e.g., a stone or tissue). Since a particular type of stone produces more flashes than another type of stone, information regarding whether a flash is occurring can be used to help distinguish between various stone types, such as by augmenting the non-flash spectral data being analyzed.

Description of the Reference Numerals

[0055] 100 System 102 Target 104 Light Source 106 Camera / Photodetector 108 Display Screen 110 Endoscope 112 Laser Source 114 Display Driver 116 Signal Processor / Controller Circuit 120 Flash Analyzer 302 Response Light Wavelength Filter 304 Integrator / Accumulator 402 Spectrometer

Claims

1. 1. A system for controlling visualization of a target area on a display screen during laser treatment, comprising: a light source and a laser source coupled to the endoscope; a photodetector configured to receive light from the region of interest; a controller circuit in communication with the photodetector, a flash component detector configured to separate the received light including a laser source flash component and a non-flash component; a flash analyzer configured to determine an amount of the laser source flash component, the flash analyzer configured to generate a flash control signal in response to the analyzed received light; a compensation circuit configured to respond to the flash control signal; a controller circuit comprising: A system including:

2. 2. The system for controlling visualization on a display screen of claim 1, wherein said controller circuitry includes a light wavelength filter for separating said laser source flash components from said non-flash components.

3. 3. The system for controlling visualization on a display screen of claim 2, wherein the compensation circuitry is configured to adjust compensation of brightness displayed on the display screen based on the separated laser source flash component and the non-flash component.

4. 2. The system for controlling visualization on a display screen of claim 1, wherein the laser source flash component is a light component resulting from at least one of a combustion reaction, liquid luminescence cavitation, laser-induced disruptive emission, or incineration of a deposit attached to a tip of a laser fiber that guides light from the laser source.

5. 2. The system for controlling visualization on a display screen of claim 1, wherein when said flash analyzer detects said laser source flash component, said compensation circuit replaces a corresponding pixel from a previous frame into the frame receiving the flash.

6. 2. The system for controlling visualization on a display screen of claim 1, wherein said light detector is a camera and said display screen is a video screen.

7. The flash component detector, a responsive optical wavelength filter; an accumulator coupled to the responsive optical wavelength filter configured to accumulate spectral energy that exceeds a wavelength threshold or a duration of spectral energy associated with the laser source flash component to generate a response indicative of a quantity of the laser source flash component; 2. The system for controlling visualization on a display screen of claim 1, comprising:

8. The system for controlling visualization on a display screen according to claim 7 , wherein the compensation circuit is configured to adjust brightness compensation.

Images