Endoscope Illumination Control for Stable Brightness and Tissue Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing teleoperated surgical systems face issues with inconsistent scene brightness and tissue damage due to varying working distances between the endoscope tip and the tissue and the distal tip of the endoscope, leading to distracting brightness changes and potential tissue damage from improper illumination.
Innovation Solution
A controller system that includes camera control units and an illumination controller to maintain consistent scene brightness by adjusting camera exposure time, video pipeline gain, and output optical power, while detecting tissue contact to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If high intensity light source is used for imaging large target area, then illumination quality is improved, but risk of tissue damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination controller dynamically adjusts the output optical power of the light source based on real-time detection of distal tip position and tissue contact status. When tissue contact is detected or working distance decreases below threshold, the system automatically reduces illumination intensity to safe levels, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high illumination quality and preventing tissue damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the controller continuously monitors working distance measurements and tissue contact detection signals, then adjusts light source output accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures illumination intensity is optimized for imaging quality while automatically preventing excessive illumination that could cause tissue damage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If working distance varies between endoscope tip and tissue, then imaging flexibility is improved, but scene brightness consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination controller dynamically adjusts output optical power in response to measured working distance variations. When the distal tip moves closer to or farther from tissue, the system automatically modulates light intensity to compensate for distance changes, maintaining consistent scene brightness despite variations in imaging flexibility and working distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the illumination parameter (output optical power) based on detected working distance. By adjusting this parameter in real-time according to distance measurements, the system maintains constant scene brightness while allowing the endoscope to operate with flexible working distances during surgical procedures.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If tissue contact detection is implemented, then tissue safety is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller system performs multiple functions: it measures working distance, detects tissue contact, adjusts illumination intensity, and maintains scene brightness consistency. By integrating these functions into a single multi-functional controller, the system improves tissue safety through contact detection while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its existing illumination and imaging components to detect tissue contact by monitoring changes in reflected light intensity and working distance. Rather than adding separate dedicated sensors, the system leverages its own operational parameters for detection, thereby improving tissue safety with minimal additional complexity.
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 consistent scene brightness and safe illumination levels, minimizing tissue damage and reducing distracting brightness fluctuations during surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The light reflected from tissue is monitored and if the reflected light indicates that the light source is not directed at tissue, the light intensity is turned down to a safe level.
Implementation Method 2
an illumination apparatus that provides a second level of illumination
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
Scenes captured with an endoscope (201) of a teleoperated surgical system (200) and displayed on a display unit (251) maintain a consistent brightness even though optical output power of an illuminator (210) changes, and working distance (204) between tissue (203) and the distal tip of the endoscope changes. Teleoperated surgical system (200) also automatically detects when endoscope (201) contacts tissue (203) and adjusts the output optical power of illuminator (210) so that tissue damage does not occur.