Endoscope Brightness Profiling for Trocar Insertion Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical systems face challenges in handling endoscopes during minimally invasive procedures, particularly in accurately determining the insertion and withdrawal times of the endoscope through trocar sleeves, and in managing light transmission efficiency due to aging or damage.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize an image sensor to detect brightness profiles during insertion and withdrawal of the endoscope through trocar sleeves, enabling automatic determination of insertion and withdrawal times, controlling light intensity, and assessing optical waveguide transmission quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If the endoscope shaft is inserted into and withdrawn from the trocar sleeve manually, then the surgical procedure can be performed, but the insertion and withdrawal times cannot be automatically determined

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic determination of insertion and withdrawal timesVSAvoidsystem complexity for detecting brightness profiles

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the endoscope's own image sensor to detect brightness changes during insertion and withdrawal, allowing the endoscope to self-monitor and self-report its positional state without requiring external detection devices or complex additional sensors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit continuously monitors brightness values detected by the image sensor and uses this feedback to automatically determine insertion and withdrawal times, creating a closed-loop system that autonomously tracks endoscope position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Illumination intensity

If the light source intensity is increased to improve illumination, then the image quality improves, but the risk of light-related damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight intensity for imagingVSAvoidlight-related damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors brightness values during endoscope insertion and withdrawal and automatically adjusts light source intensity based on this feedback, reducing intensity during critical phases (insertion/withdrawal) when damage risk is highest while maintaining adequate illumination during stable positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The light source intensity is dynamically adjusted rather than maintained at a constant high level, allowing the system to optimize illumination for imaging while minimizing light-related damage risk by reducing intensity during insertion and withdrawal phases

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Use of energy by moving object

If the optical waveguide is used to guide light, then light transmission is achieved, but degradation from aging or damage reduces transmission efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight transmission efficiencyVSAvoidoptical waveguide transmission quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system monitors brightness values during endoscope insertion and withdrawal and uses this information to detect changes in optical waveguide transmission quality, allowing for real-time assessment of waveguide health and identification of degradation from aging or damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces direct physical inspection of the optical waveguide with optical measurement methods, using brightness detection to indirectly assess waveguide transmission quality without requiring mechanical access or physical manipulation of the waveguide

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enhances the handling of endoscopes by precisely tracking procedural times and ensuring safe, efficient use by minimizing light-related risks and detecting optical waveguide degradation, thereby improving surgical procedure management.

Implementation Method 1

light from a light source (44), such as an external light source, is guided to a distal end of the endoscope shaft (32) by an optical waveguide (46)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical waveguide: Waveguide (optics)

Implementation Method 2

detecting first brightness values at the distal end of the endoscope shaft (32) by an image sensor (36) and detecting a first temporal brightness profile

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12527465B2Method for operating a surgical system

Publication Date: 2026.01.20 OLYMPUS WINTER & IBE GMBH

AI summary

A method including: upon or during the insertion of an endoscope shaft into a trocar sleeve, detecting first brightness values at a distal end of the endoscope shaft by an image sensor over time and detecting a first temporal brightness profile depending on the detected first brightness values and the time, and/or upon or during the withdrawal of the endoscope shaft from the trocar sleeve, detecting second brightness values at the distal end of the endoscope shaft by the image sensor over time and detecting a second temporal brightness profile depending on the detected second brightness values and the time.