Endoscope Length Measurement Mode via Compatibility Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endoscope systems lack the ability to determine whether a length measurement mode can be executed based on the connection of a compatible endoscope, necessitating the need for a system that can differentiate and enable or disable length measurement modes accordingly.

Innovation Solution

The endoscope system includes a measurement light-emitting unit and a system controller that determines the connection of a length measurement-compatible endoscope, enabling or disabling the length measurement mode based on the presence of this unit, and superimposes a virtual scale on the subject image for accurate length measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the system always displays virtual scale for length measurement, then measurement functionality is available, but the system cannot accommodate both measurement-compatible and non-measurement endoscopes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different endoscope typesVSAvoidaccuracy of virtual scale display
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts its measurement functionality based on the detected endoscope type. When a measurement-compatible endoscope is detected, the system enables virtual scale display and length measurement mode. When a non-measurement endoscope is detected, the system disables these features. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the measurement features conditional rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the system enables length measurement mode for all endoscopes, then measurement function is provided, but incorrect measurements may occur with incompatible endoscopes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavailability of measurement functionVSAvoidaccuracy of length measurement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of the endoscope type before enabling length measurement mode. The processor device checks whether the connected endoscope is measurement-compatible through detection signals or identification mechanisms. Only after confirming compatibility does the system activate the virtual scale display and measurement functions, preventing inaccurate measurements from incompatible devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If the system adds detection mechanisms for endoscope compatibility, then measurement accuracy is ensured, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of length measurementVSAvoidcomplexity of compatibility detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses an intermediary detection mechanism where the processor device receives identification signals from the endoscope or checks compatibility through intermediate detection steps. This intermediary approach allows the system to verify endoscope type without requiring complex direct analysis of the endoscope's internal structure, thus maintaining measurement precision while limiting the increase in system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4209821B1Endoscope system and method for operating same
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 FUJIFILM CORP
  • EP4209821B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4209821B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4209821B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There are provided an endoscope system that can determine whether or not a length measurement mode can be executed depending on connection of an endoscope and a method of operating the endoscope system. An endoscope system (10) includes an endoscope (12) and a processor device (14) that includes a system controller (41) formed of an image control processor. The system controller (41) determines whether or not the endoscope (12) is a length measurement-compatible endoscope in a case where the endoscope (12) is connected to the processor device (14), and enables switching of a mode to a length measurement mode in a case where the endoscope (12) is the length measurement-compatible endoscope.