Endoscope Image Processing for Lesion Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscope systems face challenges in effectively visualizing lesion areas, particularly those difficult to observe with normal light, as they require operators to switch between normal and special light images, increasing the burden on doctors and risking missed diagnoses.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device and endoscope system that acquires both normal and special light images, detects candidate attention areas based on pixel features in the special light image, calculates reliability, and sets a display mode to enhance visibility of lesion areas within the normal light image, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy and reducing operator burden.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If operators switch between normal and special light images to diagnose lesion areas, then diagnostic accuracy can be maintained, but operator burden increases and risk of missed diagnoses rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges normal light images and special light images into a single composite display. The image synthesis unit combines the normal light image with attention area information extracted from the special light image, creating an integrated view that maintains diagnostic accuracy while eliminating the need for operators to switch between separate images.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an attention area extraction unit that acts as an intermediary, identifying and highlighting critical lesion areas from the special light image and overlaying them on the normal light image. This mediator function guides operator attention to important regions without requiring full image switching.
2Measurement precision
If special light images are used to visualize lesion areas, then visibility of difficult-to-observe lesions improves, but system complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the critical attention area information from the special light image rather than processing or displaying the entire image. The attention area extraction unit identifies and isolates lesion regions, removing unnecessary image data and reducing processing complexity while maintaining high lesion visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality enhancement by highlighting only specific attention areas within the normal light image rather than processing the entire image uniformly. The display unit applies attention area information locally to relevant regions, improving lesion visibility where needed while keeping the rest of the system simple.
3Loss of information
If multiple image types are processed and displayed separately, then comprehensive diagnostic information is provided, but processing time and diagnostic workflow efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple image types into a single integrated display that preserves all diagnostic information. The image synthesis unit merges normal light images with extracted attention areas from special light images, allowing comprehensive diagnosis in one view and eliminating time-consuming image switching workflows.
Data Source
AI summary
The image processing device includes: a first image acquisition section that acquires a first image, the first image being an image that includes an object image including information within a wavelength band of white light; a second image acquisition section that acquires a second image, the second image being an image that includes an object image including information within a specific wavelength band; a candidate attention area detection section that detects a candidate attention area based on a feature quantity of each pixel within the second image; a reliability calculation section that calculates reliability that indicates a likelihood that the candidate attention area is the attention area; and a display mode setting section that performs a display mode setting process that sets a display mode of an output image corresponding to the reliability calculated by the reliability calculation section.