Endoscope Low Visibility Detection Using Instrument Marker Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscope systems face challenges in promptly determining low visibility conditions during medical procedures, where the distal end of a treatment instrument or treatment section cannot be observed due to smoke, mist, or obstruction by peripheral organs, leading to difficulties in maintaining clear visibility and effective treatment.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope system equipped with a low visibility determining method that includes a position determining section, an image recognizing section, and a low visibility determining section, which analyze the position and recognition of the treatment instrument within the image pickup region, using markers and image processing to differentiate between good and low visibility states, and outputs this information to the surgeon for timely intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If smoke detecting means is used to detect smoke from images, then smoke can be detected and pneumoperitoneum can be controlled to remove smoke, but the system cannot determine whether the distal end portion or treatment section is actually visible when smoke is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a distal end portion detecting means as an intermediary component that specifically detects whether the distal end portion or treatment section is within the image pickup region. This mediator bridges the gap between smoke detection and visibility determination, providing direct information about the treatment area's observable status independent of smoke interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the detection function into two independent components: smoke detecting means for detecting smoke presence, and distal end portion detecting means for determining visibility status. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interference, enabling independent evaluation of smoke conditions and treatment area visibility.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the system only monitors smoke generation, then smoke removal can be controlled, but it cannot detect when the treatment section is hidden by peripheral organs or other obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The distal end portion detecting means serves as an intermediary that specifically monitors whether the treatment section is within the image pickup region. This mediator provides direct feedback about treatment area visibility regardless of the cause of obstruction, enabling the system to detect hiding by peripheral organs, smoke, or other obstructions uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the distal end portion detecting means continuously monitors the treatment section's visibility status and provides real-time information to the control means. This feedback loop enables prompt detection of low visibility states and allows for immediate corrective actions to restore optimal viewing conditions.
3Productivity
If no specific determination system is implemented, then the endoscope system can operate normally, but it cannot promptly determine low visibility states to enable timely surgical intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the distal end portion detecting means continuously monitor treatment section visibility before critical low visibility conditions occur. The system proactively detects potential visibility problems and provides early warning, enabling surgeons to take preventive corrective actions before the visibility deteriorates to a critical level that would delay treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous feedback from the distal end portion detecting means to the control means and surgeon enables real-time awareness of visibility conditions. This immediate feedback loop eliminates delays in detecting low visibility states, allowing for prompt surgical intervention to restore optimal viewing conditions and maintain surgical efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
An endoscope system includes an image pickup section, provided in an endoscope, which performs image pickup, a determining section that determines whether or not a specific observation object exists inside an image pickup region of the image pickup section, a recognizing section that determines whether or not the specific observation object a recognized as an image from the picked-up image in the image pickup region picked up by the image pickup section, and a low visibility determination output section that determines, when the determining section determines that the specific observation object exists inside the image pickup region and the recognizing section cannot recognize the specific observation object as an image, that the image pickup section is in a low visibility condition and outputs a low visibility determination result.