Endoscope Marker Alignment via Field of View Matching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Medical apparatuses struggle to accurately display and align markers on images from different observation fields of view, making it difficult for surgeons to diagnose and treat conditions by comparing normal-light and special-light observation images simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A medical apparatus and method that includes an imager capturing images from two observation fields, a discriminator determining field of view matching, and a processor displaying matching markers on both images when the fields align, allowing simultaneous display of aligned images with markers indicating the same positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If markers are displayed on both images without field of view matching determination, then marker display is simple, but markers do not accurately indicate the same positions on both images
Solution Approach 1:
The discriminator determines whether the first observation field of view and the second observation field of view match before the processor displays markers. This preliminary field of view matching determination ensures that markers will accurately indicate the same positions on both images, preventing misalignment errors before they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a discriminator that provides feedback about field of view matching status to control marker display. When the discriminator determines that fields of view match, the processor displays markers; when they don't match, markers are not displayed. This feedback mechanism ensures position accuracy while avoiding incorrect marker placement.
2Measurement precision
If field of view matching determination is implemented, then marker position accuracy is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into distinct functional modules: an imager for capturing images, a discriminator for determining field of view matching, and a processor for displaying markers. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, with the discriminator handling the complex matching determination while the processor focuses on marker display.
Solution Approach 2:
The discriminator acts as an intermediary between the imager and the processor. It receives observation field of view information from the imager, performs the matching determination, and provides control signals to the processor based on this determination. This intermediary role simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing the complex matching logic in a dedicated component.
3Ease of operation
If markers are displayed without verifying field of view matching, then display operation is simple, but diagnostic accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs field of view matching determination and controls marker display without requiring manual verification by the surgeon. The discriminator and processor work together to automatically ensure that markers only appear when fields of view match, maintaining diagnostic reliability while keeping the operation simple for the user.
Data Source
AI summary
A processor of an endoscope apparatus that is a medical apparatus generates two images that are a normal-light observation image and a special-light observation image that are obtained by picking up a return light, determines matching of observation fields of view with respect to the two images, generates a marker M that indicates a position on a living tissue for at least one of the two images based on the determination result, causes the generated two images to be displayed within a screen of a monitor, and displays the generated marker M by superimposing the marker M on at least one of the two images.