Endoscopic Image Reconstruction Using Aiming-Beam Target Maps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopic tracking systems struggle with image distortion and deformation, leading to inaccurate localization and tracking of endoscope positions and orientations, which can prolong procedures and compromise patient safety.
Innovation Solution
An imaging system captures endoscopic images with an aiming beam footprint, and a video processor identifies landmarks to generate a target map, integrating multiple images for robust tracking and localization, resilient to image rotation, magnification, and changes in endoscope orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional endoscopic tracking systems are used, then the system is simple to operate, but image distortion and deformation lead to inaccurate localization and tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing multiple endoscopic images and generating a target map before the actual tracking procedure. This pre-processing creates a reference framework that enables accurate localization during the procedure, resolving the contradiction by preparing the measurement environment in advance to compensate for image distortion issues
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary target map that serves as a mediator between the distorted endoscopic images and the tracking system. This target map, generated from integrated multiple images with identified landmarks, acts as a reference framework that corrects for image distortion and enables accurate localization without requiring direct processing of distorted real-time images
2Measurement precision
If multiple images are integrated to generate a target map, then tracking precision is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs image integration and target map generation as a preliminary action before the actual tracking procedure begins. By completing the computationally intensive image processing in advance, the system achieves high tracking precision during the procedure without real-time processing delays, thus resolving the time-precision tradeoff
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses self-service by automatically identifying landmarks and integrating images without requiring manual intervention during the procedure. The automated landmark identification and image integration processes enable the system to generate accurate target maps independently, reducing both processing time and operational complexity
3Reliability
If the system accounts for image rotation and magnification changes, then tracking accuracy is improved, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The target map serves as an intermediary that inherently accounts for image rotation and magnification changes. By generating a reference map from multiple images captured at different orientations and distances, the system creates a distortion-corrected framework that automatically compensates for these variations, improving reliability without requiring complex real-time computational corrections
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods for endoscopic mapping of a target and tracking of endoscope locations inside a subject's body during a procedure are disclosed. An exemplary system comprises an imaging system configured to capture an endoscopic image of the target that includes a footprint of an aiming beam directed at the target, and a video processor configured to identifying one or more landmarks from the captured endoscopic image and determine their respective locations relative to the aiming beam footprint, and generate a target map by integrating a plurality of endoscopic images based on landmarks identified from one or more of the plurality of endoscopic images. The target map can be used to track endoscope location during an endoscopic procedure.