Endoscope Arm Motion Control for Wider Laparoscopic Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing endoscopic surgical apparatus limits the imaging range, restricting the ability to capture desired images during surgeries.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that controls the motion of an arm section supporting the camera, allowing for various imaging options by adjusting the position and attitude of the endoscope, enabling wider range imaging and zoom operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the cropping position of the captured image is controlled, then the focus on the treatment tool is improved, but the imaging range is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefocus on treatment toolVSAvoidimaging range
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The arm section is made dynamically controllable, allowing real-time adjustment of the endoscope's position and attitude. This enables the system to switch between focused views (improving measurement precision) and wide-angle views (expanding imaging range) based on surgical needs, resolving the contradiction between focus and range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adds spatial dimensionality control by adjusting the arm section's position and attitude in three-dimensional space. This allows the endoscope to capture images from multiple angles and distances, simultaneously achieving focused detail views and comprehensive wide-area imaging that cannot be obtained with fixed cropping alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the arm section motion is controlled for various imaging, then the imaging versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging versatilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The arm section is designed as a multi-functional platform that can perform multiple imaging tasks (wide-area capture, focused detail imaging, angled views) through a single integrated structure. This universal design achieves imaging versatility without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same arm mechanism serves multiple purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system achieves versatility by changing operational parameters (arm position, arm attitude, endoscope orientation) rather than adding multiple fixed configurations. This parameter-based adaptability allows the same hardware to perform diverse imaging functions, improving versatility while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3420878B1Information processing device for medical use, information processing method, information processing system for medical use
Publication Date: 2021.11.17 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3420878B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3420878B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3420878B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

[Problem] A surgical apparatus of the related art controls only the cropping position of a captured image, and thus only executes a limited range of image control in laparoscopic surgery. [Solution] A medical information processing apparatus including: an image control section that controls processing of a captured image from a camera; and an arm control section that controls a motion of an arm that supports the camera. One of the image control section and the arm control section executes control on a basis of control information from another control section.