Endoscope Image Processing Adaptive Acquisition Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image processing systems for endoscopes face challenges in providing high-accuracy analysis results for navigation while maintaining image display quality, as they often use the same acquisition conditions for both display and analysis, which can lead to inadequate information for analysis and reduced visibility for the surgeon.
Innovation Solution
The system sets distinct acquisition conditions for image display and analysis, allowing for adaptive switching between them based on the analysis results, using a processor to control the video processor to acquire images suitable for both visibility and analyticity, enabling the generation of support information for the surgeon.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the same acquisition condition is used for both image display and image analysis, then the system structure is simple, but the image analysis accuracy is insufficient and image display quality is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image acquisition process into two distinct modes: display-purpose acquisition condition and analysis-purpose acquisition condition. The video processor alternates between these two modes, acquiring images optimized for display at one time and images optimized for analysis at another time, thereby resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and analysis accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different acquisition conditions based on the current operational phase. The control unit manages the alternation between display-purpose and analysis-purpose acquisition modes, allowing the system to adapt its image acquisition strategy to meet different requirements at different times
2Speed
If the frame rate is increased for better real-time display, then the visibility for surgeon is improved, but the image analysis quality deteriorates due to reduced exposure time
Solution Approach 1:
The video processor periodically alternates between display-purpose acquisition mode (with higher frame rate for real-time display) and analysis-purpose acquisition mode (with lower frame rate but longer exposure time for high-quality analysis). This periodic switching allows the system to maintain both real-time display capability and high-quality image analysis capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the frame rate and exposure time based on the current acquisition mode. During display-purpose acquisition, the frame rate is increased for real-time feedback, while during analysis-purpose acquisition, the exposure time is extended to capture sufficient light, thereby resolving the contradiction between display speed and analysis quality
3Measurement precision
If multiple image pickup apparatuses are used to capture both display and analysis images, then the image quality for both purposes is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single video processor perform multiple functions by alternating between display-purpose acquisition mode and analysis-purpose acquisition mode. The same hardware components (image pickup element, lens, etc.) are used for both display image acquisition and analysis image acquisition, just at different times with different parameter settings, thereby eliminating the need for multiple dedicated image pickup apparatuses
Solution Approach 2:
The video processor dynamically reconfigures its operating parameters to suit different acquisition purposes. By switching between display-purpose and analysis-purpose modes, the same hardware can deliver optimized performance for both display quality and analysis quality without requiring duplicate equipment
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes a processor including hardware. The processor is configured to: set a first acquisition condition and a second acquisition condition for a video processor configured to acquire a first image that is based on a display-purpose acquisition condition for acquiring an image for display at a frame rate for viewing and a second image that is based on an analysis-purpose acquisition condition for acquiring an image for image analysis at a frame rate that is lower than the frame rate for viewing, in a mixed manner, the first acquisition condition including the display-purpose acquisition condition, the second acquisition condition including the display-purpose acquisition condition and the analysis-purpose acquisition condition; generate support information based on an image analysis result; and control switching between the first acquisition condition and the second acquisition condition according to the image analysis result.