Endoscope System Guideline-Compliant Image Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope systems lack effective assistance for capturing images according to established guidelines, particularly for less-experienced doctors, as previous techniques struggle to ensure imaging is performed correctly, especially in varying patient anatomies and without clear feedback on adherence to guidelines.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope system with a reference imaging condition storage unit, image acquisition unit, at-examination imaging condition acquisition unit, still image saving request signal output unit, and display unit that assists in capturing reference-equivalent images by comparing examination images to reference images, providing feedback on similarity and operational assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If guidelines require specific imaging positions and angles for thorough examination, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but operation difficulty increases for less-experienced doctors
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback by comparing captured images with reference images from guidelines. The image comparison unit calculates similarity metrics and displays whether the current imaging conditions meet the required guidelines, enabling doctors to adjust their positioning and angulation based on quantitative feedback rather than relying solely on experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary processing layer between the doctor's operation and the final image quality assessment. The image comparison unit acts as a mediator that objectively evaluates whether the imaging meets guideline requirements, translating complex guideline criteria into simple pass/fail indicators that guide the doctor's adjustments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual extraction of required images from moving images is performed, then image capture flexibility is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically identifying and flagging images that meet guideline requirements during the imaging process. Rather than requiring manual review after the examination, the system pre-processes the moving images in real-time, identifies compliant frames, and prepares them for immediate use, significantly reducing post-examination processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service functionality where the image comparison unit automatically performs the task of identifying required images without doctor intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously comparing each frame against reference images, determining compliance, and highlighting suitable images for capture, eliminating the need for manual extraction.
3Ease of operation
If insertion length-based automatic imaging is implemented, then operation ease is improved, but imaging precision deteriorates due to patient anatomical variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that compare images captured at different insertion lengths with reference images. Even when automatic imaging is triggered by insertion length, the image comparison unit provides feedback on whether the captured image actually meets guideline requirements, allowing the system to adjust or reject images that don't conform despite correct insertion depth.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts imaging parameters based on real-time comparison results. When an image captured at a specific insertion length doesn't match the reference image criteria, the system can modify parameters such as bending angle, rotation, or insertion depth to achieve the required imaging quality, rather than relying solely on fixed insertion length rules.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are an endoscope system and a method of operating the same capable of assisting in capturing an image defined by guidelines. In order to obtain a reference-equivalent image equivalent to a predetermined reference image for each examination region, an examination image is acquired by imaging an examination region. An at-examination imaging condition acquisition unit acquires an at-examination imaging condition obtained at an acquisition timing of an examination image. A still image saving request signal output unit outputs a still image saving request signal for requesting saving of a still image of the examination image in a case where an at-examination imaging condition satisfies a reference imaging condition for obtaining a predetermined reference image for each examination region.