Endoscope Insertion Support System for Tubular Path Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In endoscope insertion procedures, particularly in tubular organs like bronchi, it is challenging to efficiently navigate the endoscope to target regions near the periphery of branching paths due to the complexity of the tubular structure, leading to prolonged insertion times and inaccurate targeting.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope insertion support system that sets hierarchical volume areas within three-dimensional image data, extracts tubular path information, detects heteromorphic states, and adjusts volume area sizes and directions to match the tubular path shape, enabling accurate navigation and efficient extraction of area information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If segmentation processing is performed on the entire three-dimensional image data to extract tubular path information, then complete tubular path extraction is achieved, but processing time is excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the three-dimensional image data into multiple volume areas based on hierarchical relationships of tubular organs. Instead of processing the entire image at once, the system segments it into manageable portions (volume areas) that can be processed independently and in parallel, significantly reducing overall processing time while maintaining extraction completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by performing hierarchical clustering analysis and volume area setting before actual segmentation processing. The system pre-identifies potential tubular organ regions and organizes them into hierarchical volume areas, so that when segmentation is performed, it only needs to process pre-identified regions rather than the entire three-dimensional space, thereby reducing processing time.
2Ease of manufacture
If fixed-size volume areas are used for segmentation processing, then processing simplicity is maintained, but accurate extraction of tubular paths with varying diameters is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the volume area size adaptive rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts the size of volume areas based on the local characteristics of the tubular organ, such as diameter variations and branching patterns. This allows the segmentation processing to maintain simplicity in methodology while achieving high accuracy in extracting tubular paths of varying dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by assigning different volume area sizes to different regions of the three-dimensional image data based on local tubular organ characteristics. Regions with larger diameters or complex branching structures receive larger volume areas, while simpler regions receive smaller volume areas. This localized adaptation ensures accurate extraction throughout the entire tubular path without requiring uniformly large processing regions.
3Measurement precision
If hierarchical volume areas are set to accurately follow tubular path shapes, then extraction precision is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent manages complexity by segmenting the hierarchical volume area setting process into distinct stages: first performing hierarchical clustering analysis to identify potential tubular regions, then setting volume areas based on these clusters, and finally performing segmentation processing. This staged approach breaks down the complex task of creating precise hierarchical volume areas into manageable steps, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining extraction precision.
4Measurement precision
If the volume area size is increased to cover entire tubular organs, then complete path coverage is achieved, but processing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by segmenting the processing into hierarchical levels. At each level, volume areas are set to cover specific portions of the tubular organ hierarchy rather than the entire organ at once. This allows complete path coverage to be achieved through multiple passes over smaller, more efficient processing units, maintaining both completeness and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary hierarchical clustering analysis to identify and organize tubular organ regions before segmentation processing. This preliminary organization into hierarchical volume areas allows the system to know in advance which regions need to be processed and at what scale, enabling efficient processing that maintains complete path coverage without requiring a single large processing operation.
Data Source
AI summary
According to the invention, a VOI (Volume of Interest) generation setting section disposed in an endoscope insertion support apparatus comprises a VOI setting function section, a VOI extending function section, a VOI direction determining function section, a VOI branch determining function section, a VOI resetting function section, a VOI information storage function section, a VOI size determining function section and a VOI branch extracting function section. This configuration enables a VOI to be effectively set in a tubular organ having a strictured part and tubular path area information on the tubular organ to be extracted.