3D Endoscope Navigation View for Real-Time Orientation Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Steerable endoscopes can become disoriented during navigation, leading to potential tissue damage and increased procedure time due to looping and difficulty in maintaining the correct direction towards a target site, especially in minimally invasive surgeries like NOTES.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that utilizes a patient computer model referenced to a fixed frame, determining the endoscope's position and shape, and displaying this information on a screen to provide navigation assistance, including graphical directions to landmarks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a steerable endoscope is used to navigate through body lumens, then the ability to reach target sites is improved, but the risk of disorientation and looping increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously provides visual feedback by displaying the endoscope's position, orientation, and shape relative to the patient's anatomy on a monitor. This real-time feedback loop allows the operator to see the distal tip's location and adjust steering accordingly, preventing disorientation and looping while maintaining the ability to reach target sites through complex body lumens.
Solution Approach 2:
A computer-generated visual representation acts as an intermediary between the operator and the actual endoscope position. This virtual model displays the endoscope's configuration and location relative to anatomical landmarks, serving as a mediator that translates complex spatial information into intuitive visual cues that prevent operator disorientation.
2Device complexity
If the endoscope is manually steered without navigation assistance, then the procedure is simpler, but the procedure time increases due to difficulty in maintaining correct direction
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation system provides continuous visual feedback showing the endoscope's current position and orientation relative to the target site and anatomical landmarks. This real-time information allows operators to make quick, informed steering adjustments, significantly reducing procedure time despite the added system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-displays anatomical landmarks and target site locations based on patient-specific imaging data before the procedure begins. This preliminary preparation allows operators to plan their navigation path in advance, reducing exploration time and improving procedural efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the endoscope tip is turned multiple times during navigation, then the ability to navigate complex anatomy is improved, but the likelihood of looping and disorientation increases
Solution Approach 1:
A computer-generated visual representation acts as an intermediary between the operator and the actual endoscope position. This virtual model displays the endoscope's configuration and location relative to anatomical landmarks, serving as a mediator that translates complex spatial information into intuitive visual cues that prevent operator disorientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a visual information dimension by displaying a separate graphical representation of the endoscope's position and orientation alongside the traditional endoscopic view. This additional dimensional information helps operators maintain spatial awareness and directionality even when the endoscope is steered through complex three-dimensional anatomy.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical system comprises an elongate instrument including a camera configured to capture at least one real-time image of anatomy within a patient anatomy. The system further comprises a processor configured to display, on one or more display screens, a three-dimensional patient computer model of the patient anatomy. The processor is further configured to display, over the three-dimensional patient computer model, a representation of a view angle of the elongate instrument. The representation of the view angle is displayed so as to appear to project from a synthetic representation of a distal tip of the elongate instrument. The processor is further configured to display the at least one captured real-time image.