Endoscope Orientation Tracking via Motion Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
During neurosurgery and other procedures, the alignment of an endoscope's probe is difficult to discern when the probe tip is hidden by tissue, leading to impaired hand-eye coordination for the surgeon.
Innovation Solution
A visualization system that includes an observation apparatus and an optical inspection tool, where the system uses a motion sensor connected to a control unit to determine the angular position of the endoscope's probe relative to the observation apparatus' viewing axis, allowing the alignment of the endoscope's image to be adjusted and tracked on a display device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the probe tip is hidden by tissue structure, then the viewing direction becomes indiscernible, but the probe can still be positioned in deep operation channels
Solution Approach 1:
A motion sensor is introduced as an intermediary device attached to the probe to detect angular position. This sensor mediates between the hidden probe tip and the external display system, providing indirect information about probe orientation through detected motion data that is then processed and displayed as visual feedback
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously detecting the probe's angular position via motion sensor and displaying this information in real-time on the display device. The displayed viewing direction information feeds back to the operator, allowing them to maintain awareness of probe orientation despite the tip being hidden within tissue
2Ease of operation
If the probe alignment is not clearly discernible, then hand-eye coordination is hampered, but manual guidance allows flexible positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces direct mechanical visual observation of probe alignment with an electronic sensing and display system. Instead of relying on the operator's visual assessment of probe orientation, a motion sensor electronically detects angular position and the display device presents this information, substituting mechanical visual feedback with electronic information processing
3Loss of information
If a mechanical marking is used on the probe tip, then viewing direction can be indicated, but the marking becomes hidden when the probe tip is obscured
Solution Approach 1:
The motion sensor acts as an intermediary that captures viewing direction information without requiring visible mechanical markings on the probe. The sensor detects angular position internally and transmits this data externally, eliminating the need for external visual markers that would be hidden when the probe tip is obscured
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of relying on physical markings on the probe, the system creates a digital copy or representation of the viewing direction information through the motion sensor and displays it on the screen. This virtual representation preserves the orientation information even when the physical probe tip is hidden
Data Source
AI summary
A visualization system includes an observation apparatus having a first image recording device to observe an operation region with a first observation plane, and an endoscope having a probe and a second image recording device to observe the operation region with a second observation plane. A display device represents a first image recorded by the first image recording device in a first orientation and a second image recorded by the second image recording device in a second orientation. The visualization system further includes a tracking system to determine an orientation of the endoscope relative to the observation apparatus and a controller configured to transform the second image based on the orientation of the endoscope relative to the observation apparatus.