Endoscope Illumination Switching for Stone Dust Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
During transurethral ureterolithotripsy using a ureteroscope, the scattering of illumination light by calculus fragments leads to poor visibility due to the dusting technique, which existing endoscope devices struggle to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope device with a light source capable of switching illumination light spectrum, an imaging device to detect visibility deterioration, and a controller to adjust light output based on detection results, switching to blue light when visibility is impaired to maintain clarity without increasing perfusate flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the dusting technique is used to crush calculus into fine particles, then the calculus can be discharged outside the body together with perfusate, but illumination light is scattered by calculus fragments floating during the crushing process, resulting in poor visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of illumination light wavelength dynamically. When calculus fragments are detected in the visual field, the light source switches from white light to blue light (wavelength 400-500 nm). This parameter change reduces light scattering by the fragments, maintaining visibility while the dusting technique continues to operate effectively for calculus discharge
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the image processor continuously monitors the visual field for calculus fragments. When fragments are detected causing visibility deterioration, the controller receives this feedback and automatically adjusts the illumination light wavelength. This closed-loop feedback system maintains optimal visibility conditions while enabling effective dusting operation
2Productivity
If a dual-channel flexible ureteroscope with increased perfusate flow is used, then calculus fragments can be discharged more efficiently, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the endoscope device to adjust its own illumination parameters automatically based on visual field conditions. The light source and control system work together to detect visibility deterioration and switch to blue light autonomously, eliminating the need for additional complex discharge mechanisms while maintaining effective calculus fragment removal
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures clear endoscopic images by automatically adapting illumination light to blue light when visibility is compromised by calculus fragments, maintaining image quality with a simple operation and without increasing perfusate volume.
Implementation Method 1
illumination light is scattered by calculus fragments floating during the crushing process, resulting in poor visibility
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope device includes: a light source capable of switching an optical spectrum of illumination light; an imaging device configured to acquire an image by receiving reflection light of the illumination light; an image processor configured to determine whether or not visibility deterioration has occurred within a visual field of the image acquisition section due to a fragment of a calculus crushed by being irradiated with a laser beam from a laser pulse generator; and a controller configured to control the light source based on a determination result obtained by the image processor. The controller causes the light source to emit white light as the illumination light in response to the image processor determining that the visibility deterioration has not occurred, and switches the illumination light emitted from the light source to light in a blue region in response to the image processor determining that the visibility deterioration has occurred.