Colonoscopy Video Surface Area Measurement System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Colon cancer diagnosis during colonoscopy often results in missed adenomas due to variability in examination technique, with current methods relying heavily on visual observation and lacking objective assessment of colon surface coverage and data visualization.
Innovation Solution
A real-time computer-assisted colonoscopy performance quality measurement system that estimates the orientation and travel distance of the colonoscope, visualizing the percentage of the visible colon surface area, providing feedback to ensure comprehensive examination and integrated into existing systems without modification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If real-time computer-assisted measurement system is implemented, then adenoma detection rate is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a computer vision system as an intermediary between the colonoscope and the practitioner. This intermediary automatically analyzes video frames to calculate visible surface area metrics, eliminating the need for complex manual measurements and providing objective data to assist practitioners in detecting adenomas more reliably
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical assessment methods with automated computer vision algorithms. Instead of practitioners manually estimating surface area coverage, the system uses image processing to automatically calculate visible surface area percentages from video frames, reducing device complexity while improving detection reliability
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive data visualization is provided, then examination quality assessment is improved, but information processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the colon examination into discrete quadrants and calculates visible surface area for each quadrant independently. This segmentation allows comprehensive assessment of examination quality without overwhelming data processing complexity, as each quadrant can be analyzed separately and aggregated into overall metrics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates simplified visual representations (copies) of the complex examination data. Instead of presenting raw video frames and complex calculations, the system generates visualizations showing percentage coverage of quadrants, providing comprehensive quality assessment in an easily interpretable format
3Productivity
If real-time feedback is provided to practitioners, then polyp detection rate is improved, but computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by calculating visible surface area metrics at strategically selected moments during the examination rather than continuously processing every video frame. This approach provides real-time feedback to improve polyp detection while reducing computational energy requirements through selective analysis
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention comprises a system and a computer-implemented method designed for measuring the visible colon surface area that has been seen from a colonoscope, and for displaying the results of the measurement. The method estimates the orientation of the camera of the colonoscope, estimates the travel distance of the scope camera from the axial vector lengths coming from or headed towards the focus of expansion point, and visualizing the percentage of the visible surface of the entire colon.