Colonoscopy Imaging System with Real-Time Coverage Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is challenging for physicians to ensure comprehensive examination of the colon interior surface during procedures like colonoscopy, as they struggle to keep track of examined and unexamined areas simultaneously and monitor the time spent on each segment, leading to potential missed abnormalities and hasty examinations.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize a video processing system to capture partial images of the colon's interior surface, integrate them into complete two-dimensional views, and provide warnings for missing areas or excessive scanning speed, with on-screen navigation cues to guide the operator to missed regions and alert them to inadequate examination time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the physician manually tracks examined areas during colonoscopy, then the procedure remains simple and quick, but areas may be missed and examination completeness cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a two-dimensional map copy of the three-dimensional colon cavity based on captured images. This map serves as a visual representation that the physician can use to track examined areas without mentally tracking the complex 3D space, thereby ensuring completeness while maintaining procedural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a computer-generated map as an intermediary between the physician and the actual colon cavity. This map acts as a mediator that simplifies the tracking task by presenting a flattened, easily interpretable representation of the cavity surface, allowing the physician to monitor examination progress without direct mental tracking of the 3D space
2Productivity
If the physician moves quickly through the colon to improve efficiency, then productivity increases, but examination quality decreases and abnormalities may be missed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the computer-generated map continuously updates to show which areas have been examined and which remain unexamined. This real-time feedback allows the physician to maintain high speed while ensuring thorough coverage, as the map provides immediate visual confirmation of examination progress and alerts to any missed areas
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis and mapping of the colon cavity before the physician completes the examination. By pre-processing the spatial relationships and creating the reference map in advance, the system enables the physician to move quickly through the procedure while the automated system ensures no areas are missed through continuous comparison with the pre-established map
Data Source
AI summary
A method for examining an interior surface of a cavity includes the steps of capturing partial images of an interior surface of a cavity; joining the captured partial images to form a complete image of the interior surface of the cavity; and providing an warning if the joined partial images does not form a complete image of the interior surface of the cavity.