Endoscope Processor Distance Ratio Correction for Blood Vessel Index Accuracy

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Accurately calculating blood vessel index values such as density, thickness, and length is challenging due to changes in observation distance, and existing methods like fluorescence correction are insufficient for acquiring specific blood vessel index values for diagnostic criteria.

Innovation Solution

A processor device for an endoscope that includes a distance-invariant blood vessel index value calculation method, using a storage unit to store initial blood vessel index values and a distance ratio, and an index value correction unit to adjust these values based on calculated distance ratios, allowing for accurate acquisition of blood vessel index values at specific observation distances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If blood vessel index values are calculated from images acquired at different observation distances, then the measurement can be performed flexibly, but the accuracy of the blood vessel index values deteriorates because they change with observation distance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility of measurementVSAvoidaccuracy of blood vessel index values
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by introducing a distance ratio parameter (ratio between first observation distance and second observation distance) to transform blood vessel index values calculated at one observation distance to another observation distance. This allows the system to maintain measurement flexibility while achieving accurate blood vessel index values at specific observation distances by mathematically adjusting for distance variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If fluorescence intensity is adjusted according to observation distance, then the visual representation is corrected, but the actual blood vessel index values at specific observation distances cannot be acquired

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluorescence intensity correctionVSAvoidacquisition of specific blood vessel index values
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the correction process into two distinct parts: (1) fluorescence intensity adjustment for visual representation, and (2) distance ratio-based calculation for obtaining accurate blood vessel index values. By separating these functions, the system can provide both visually corrected images and accurate quantitative measurements at specific observation distances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary calculation method that uses the distance ratio as a mediator to transform blood vessel index values from one observation distance to another. This intermediary approach allows the system to bridge the gap between fluorescence correction and accurate measurement acquisition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If observation distance is accurately adjusted to a specific distance, then diagnostic criteria can be applied, but it is difficult to achieve accurate adjustment and maintain image quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of observation distance adjustmentVSAvoiddifficulty of adjusting observation distance
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating the distance ratio between different observation distances and storing it in advance. This allows the system to perform accurate blood vessel index value calculations without requiring real-time precise adjustment of the observation distance, thereby reducing operational difficulty while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3238604B1Processor device and control program for an endoscope
Publication Date: 2021.12.08 FUJIFILM CORP
  • EP3238604B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3238604B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3238604B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

There are provided a processor device for an endoscope capable of acquiring a blood vessel index value of a specific observation distance used for predetermined diagnostic criteria, an operation method thereof, and a control program. A distance acquisition unit (72) acquires a non-magnified observation distance L1 at the start of the change of the imaging magnification, and acquires magnified observation distance L2 at the end of the change of the imaging magnification. A distance ratio calculation unit (74) calculates a first distance ratio D between the non-magnified observation distance L1 and the magnified observation distance L2. A blood vessel index value calculation unit (76) calculates a blood vessel index value of the non-magnified observation distance L1 from the image signal acquired at the non-magnified observation distance L1. An index value correction unit (78) corrects the blood vessel index value of the non-magnified observation distance L1 according to the first distance ratio D to acquire a blood vessel index value of the magnified observation distance L2.