Bronchoscope Navigation Using Bronchus Diameter Reach Limits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies face challenges in accurately guiding a bronchoscope to a predetermined position within a bronchus due to the mismatch between the inner diameter of the bronchus and the outer diameter of the bronchoscope, making it difficult to reach target locations for medical procedures.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and method that derive the inner diameter of a bronchus from bronchial images and determine the arrival position of a bronchoscope based on this diameter and its own outer diameter, providing navigation assistance through video images and alert information to guide the bronchoscope to the target position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the bronchoscope is inserted into the bronchus to reach the target position, then the medical procedure can be performed, but the mismatch between the inner diameter of the bronchus and the outer diameter of the bronchoscope makes it difficult to reach the target location

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition accuracyVSAvoidinsertion difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by calculating the inner diameter of the bronchus from volume data before the bronchoscope insertion procedure begins. The arrival position is determined in advance based on the relationship between the bronchus inner diameter and bronchoscope outer diameter, allowing the operator to plan the insertion path and understand limitations before actually performing the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides continuous feedback during the insertion process by displaying the calculated arrival position and comparing it with the actual bronchoscope position. This feedback mechanism helps the operator understand how close the bronchoscope is to the target position and whether further insertion is feasible, resolving the difficulty of judging insertion depth and feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the inner diameter of the bronchus is smaller than the outer diameter of the bronchoscope, then the bronchoscope cannot be inserted further, but this limitation makes it difficult to reach the target position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion safetyVSAvoidtarget position reachability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system calculates and identifies the arrival position in advance based on the diameter relationship between the bronchus and bronchoscope. By determining the maximum feasible insertion depth before the procedure begins, the system ensures that the target position is reachable while maintaining safety margins, preventing forced insertion that could cause damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system calculates the arrival position considering not only where the bronchoscope can physically fit but also adds a safety margin. This partial action approach determines a conservative arrival position that ensures the bronchoscope can be inserted without forcing it, while still reaching or approaching the target position for effective medical procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of operation

If the bronchoscope is guided to the target position using existing technologies, then navigation assistance is provided, but the mismatch between diameters makes accurate guidance difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation assistanceVSAvoidarrival position accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces mechanical trial-and-error insertion methods with computational analysis. By using volume data to calculate the inner diameter of the bronchus and comparing it with the outer diameter of the bronchoscope, the system determines the arrival position through information processing rather than mechanical probing, significantly improving position accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the approach from fixed or estimated arrival positions to dynamic calculation based on actual anatomical parameters. By deriving the inner diameter from volume data and using it to determine the arrival position, the system adapts to individual patient anatomy, improving both navigation assistance and arrival position accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12539018B2Information processing apparatus, bronchoscope apparatus, information processing method, and program

Publication Date: 2026.02.03 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a processor. The processor derives an inner diameter of a bronchus on the basis of volume data including a bronchial image showing the bronchus, and derives an arrival position of a bronchoscope that is inserted into the bronchus on the basis of the inner diameter and an outer diameter of the bronchoscope.