Endoscope Image Processing for Smoke and Mist Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope operation systems face challenges in effectively removing smoke and mist from intraoperative images, leading to reduced visual clarity due to insufficient detection and removal methods, which depend on the generation amount and performance of smoke exhaust devices.
Innovation Solution
An information processing device that acquires intraoperative images and generates output images by determining the presence and amount of smoke or mist, using a combination of determination, smoke-removal, and mist-removal processing units to eliminate these obstructions, regardless of their generation amount, and adjusts image contrast to improve visual clarity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If smoke is physically eliminated using a smoke exhaust device, then smoke removal is achieved, but it takes time until the smoke is exhausted and the visual field becomes clear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical smoke exhaust system with an image processing system that uses computer algorithms to detect and remove smoke from endoscope images. This substitution eliminates the time delay associated with physical smoke removal while maintaining visual field clarity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a processed copy of the original endoscope image with smoke removed through signal processing, rather than physically removing the smoke from the surgical field. This allows the original surgical environment to remain unchanged while providing a clear visual representation.
2Reliability
If uniform signal processing is applied to remove smoke from endoscope images, then smoke removal is achieved, but the effect is limited depending on the generation amount of smoke
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic smoke removal processing that adapts to varying smoke conditions. The system adjusts processing parameters based on the detected smoke amount and characteristics, enabling effective smoke removal across different smoke generation scenarios rather than using fixed uniform processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes processing parameters based on smoke detection results. The system modifies signal processing characteristics such as filtering strength and contrast adjustment levels according to the detected smoke concentration, allowing adaptive response to different smoke amounts.
3Device complexity
If smoke detection is performed without quantifying the amount of smoke, then detection is simplified, but the smoke cannot be sufficiently removed depending on the generation amount
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex physical smoke measurement devices with image-based smoke amount estimation using computer vision algorithms. This substitution maintains detection simplicity while enabling quantitative assessment of smoke levels through image analysis techniques.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing device (100) is provided with a generation unit that acquires an input image serving as an intraoperative image and generates an output image based on whether the input image includes an intraoperatively generated matter or not.