Autonomous Endoscopic System Using Driving Records
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopic surgery techniques, particularly in kidney stone removal, face challenges such as radiation exposure for doctors and patients, operator fatigue, and the risk of medical accidents due to limited endoscope flexibility and precision, especially in complex internal structures.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous endoscopic system that uses kinematic driving records to autonomously navigate and position the endoscope, reducing operator fatigue and improving precision by allowing the endoscope to drive to specific locations based on previous records, thereby reducing operation time and improving surgical stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If autonomous driving records are stored and reused for endoscope navigation, then operation time is reduced and productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for recording and playback systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by recording the driving trajectory and operational data during the first manual procedure. This recorded information is then reused as a template for subsequent procedures, eliminating the need to manually repeat the same navigation path and reducing operation time while maintaining consistent surgical outcomes
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of the driving record from the first procedure and uses this copy to guide the endoscope in subsequent procedures. This copying approach allows the system to replicate successful navigation paths without requiring the operator to manually recreate them, thereby improving productivity while the complexity is confined to the recording and playback mechanism
2Measurement precision
If radiodiagnostic equipment is continuously used to check endoscope position, then measurement precision is improved, but harmful radiation exposure increases for doctors and patients
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary position detection using radiodiagnostic equipment only during the first procedure to establish the driving record. Subsequent procedures use this pre-recorded trajectory information for navigation, eliminating the need for continuous radiation exposure while maintaining the ability to achieve precise positioning based on the stored spatial data
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts the essential positional and navigational information from the radiodiagnostic images during the first procedure and stores it as a driving record. This extraction allows the system to operate without continuous radiodiagnostic equipment in subsequent procedures, removing the harmful radiation exposure while preserving the measurement precision achieved during the initial setup
3Ease of operation
If operators manually control the endoscope for long periods, then ease of operation is maintained, but operator fatigue increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the endoscope to navigate autonomously by playing back the stored driving record, which automatically controls the endoscope's movement along the recorded trajectory. This self-service capability eliminates the need for continuous manual manipulation, reducing operator fatigue and maintaining consistent surgical precision without relying on human endurance
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical manual control system with an automated control system that uses pre-recorded driving data to guide the endoscope. This substitution transfers the control burden from the operator to the automated system, maintaining ease of operation through simple activation while significantly improving reliability by eliminating fatigue-related errors
Data Source
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AI summary
According to an embodiment, an autonomous endoscopic system capable of controlling movement of an endoscope inserted into a protective sheath installed in the body of a patient may comprise: an endoscope operating device capable of operating a relative position of the endoscope with respect to the protective sheath, a rolling angle of the endoscope, and a bending angle of a bending portion which is located at the end of the endoscope and is bendable; and a control unit for controlling the endoscope operating device, wherein the control unit controls the endoscope operating device on the basis of a driving record of the endoscope.