Endoscope Light Source Control Using In-Body Position Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual control of endoscope light sources during surgical procedures poses risks of accidental light exposure to surgical staff, particularly when the endoscope is inserted into or removed from a patient's body, due to coordination issues or forgetfulness.
Innovation Solution
A machine-learning-based detection technique using a statistical classifier to analyze real-time video images from the endoscope, automatically turning the light source on/off based on the endoscope's state within the patient's body and detecting white balancing objects to perform automatic white balancing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual control of endoscope light source is used, then operator can control light on/off state, but risk of accidental light exposure to surgical staff increases due to coordination issues or forgetfulness
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the endoscope to automatically control its own light source by detecting its position through image analysis. The statistical classifier processes images from the endoscope camera to determine whether the distal end is inside or outside the patient's body, and automatically turns the light source on or off accordingly, eliminating the need for manual operator intervention and ensuring consistent safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the endoscope's position by analyzing images captured during insertion and removal operations. The statistical classifier provides real-time feedback about the endoscope state (inside/outside patient body), which triggers automatic light source control actions, creating a closed-loop safety mechanism that responds to position changes.
2Reliability
If automatic light source control is implemented, then safety of surgical staff is improved, but device complexity increases due to image processing and classification systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control (operator physically blocking light or manually switching) with an automated system that uses image processing and statistical classification to detect endoscope position and control light source automatically, substituting human action with computational analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The statistical classifier acts as an intermediary between the endoscope camera and the light source control. It processes images from the camera and translates them into control signals for the light source, serving as an intermediate processing layer that enables automatic control without direct manual intervention.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If operator manually blocks light with palm, then immediate protection against retinal damage, but additional operational steps and potential delay in insertion/removal process
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the endoscope's insertion or removal state through continuous image analysis before the light source needs to be activated or deactivated. This allows the light control to be automatically adjusted in advance or immediately upon position change, eliminating the need for manual blocking actions and reducing operational delays.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope system capable of automatically turning on/off a light source during a surgical procedure is disclosed. This endoscope system includes: an endoscope module; a light source module coupled to the endoscope module; and a light-source control module. Moreover, the light-source control module controls an ON/OFF state of the light source by: (1) receiving real-time video images captured by the endoscope module; (2) processing the real-time video images to determine whether the endoscope module is inserted into a patient's body or is outside of the patient's body; and (3) in response to determining the endoscope module being outside of the patient's body while the light source is turned on, generating a control signal to immediately turn off the light source to the endoscope module, thereby ensuring safety of people in the operating room and preventing sensitive information in the operating room from being captured by the endoscope module.