Endoscope System Emphasizing Abnormal Blood Vessel Index Values
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Solution Overview
Problem
In endoscope systems, doctors face challenges in diagnosing with multiple index values, as displaying numerous index values with coloring can overwhelm and hinder determination, necessitating a method to narrow down and prioritize relevant information during diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope system comprising an image acquisition unit, extraction unit, index value calculation unit, determination unit, color information setting unit, and image generation unit, which acquires images, extracts structures, calculates index values, determines normal or abnormal values, sets color information based on priority, and generates emphasized images to focus attention on critical index values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If multiple index values are displayed with coloring to provide comprehensive diagnostic information, then the completeness of diagnostic information is improved, but the complexity of information processing increases and makes determination difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the multiple index values into two distinct categories: abnormal index values (displayed with coloring) and normal index values (displayed without coloring or with different styling). This segmentation allows the system to maintain comprehensive diagnostic information while reducing the visual complexity and helping doctors focus on clinically significant abnormalities.
2Loss of information
If multiple index values are displayed with coloring to provide comprehensive diagnostic information, then the completeness of diagnostic information is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to information overload
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the display characteristics of index values based on their clinical significance. Abnormal index values receive special visual treatment (coloring) while normal values are displayed in a standard manner. This localized enhancement of visual properties helps doctors quickly identify and focus on critical diagnostic information without being overwhelmed by the entire set of index values.
3Reliability
If all index values are emphasized equally to ensure none are missed, then the reliability of diagnosis is improved, but the productivity deteriorates due to increased time for analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates the abnormal index values from the complete set of index values by applying coloring only to those that deviate from normal ranges. This extraction approach maintains diagnostic reliability by ensuring abnormal values are not missed, while simultaneously improving productivity by enabling doctors to quickly identify and prioritize critical findings without needing to analyze every single index value in detail.
Data Source
AI summary
The image acquisition unit acquires an image captured by an endoscope. The extraction unit extracts a blood vessel of an observation target. The index value calculation unit calculates a plurality of blood vessel index values based on the blood vessel. The determination unit determines whether each of the plurality of blood vessel index values is a normal value or an abnormal value. The color information setting unit sets color information for an abnormal index value, which is the blood vessel index value determined to be the abnormal value by the determination unit, or sets color information for a normal index value, which is the blood vessel index value determined to be the normal value by the determination unit. The image generation unit generates an emphasized image, in which the blood vessel is emphasized, based on the color information.