Endoscope Optical Flow Monitoring for Lens Impairment Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgeons face difficulties in determining whether image inaccuracies in endoscope graphics are due to optical system impairments such as contamination or damage, which can complicate surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that utilize image data analysis to determine the state of an endoscope's optical system by evaluating optical flow vectors, identifying impairments, and providing output signals for user action or automatic corrections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If image data is acquired by the optical system for surgical use, then surgical visualization is enabled, but image inaccuracies may occur due to optical system impairment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by continuously monitoring the optical system state through image flow vector analysis before surgical procedures commence. The system proactively detects impairments such as contamination or damage by analyzing optical flow patterns in real-time, enabling early intervention before image inaccuracies affect surgical visualization quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the detected optical system state to trigger alerts or corrective actions. When image flow vector analysis indicates impairment, the system provides feedback through notifications to the surgical team, enabling them to address the issue before it compromises image accuracy during surgery
2Productivity
If the surgeon relies on the presented graphic image, then surgical procedure continues, but image inaccuracies due to optical impairment may lead to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains surgical procedure continuity by providing real-time feedback on optical system health. The image flow vector analysis continuously monitors for impairments and alerts the surgical team, allowing them to maintain productivity while ensuring surgical accuracy through timely detection and correction of optical issues
Solution Approach 2:
The optical monitoring system operates autonomously during surgical procedures, continuously analyzing image data without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability ensures that the system maintains both productivity and reliability by automatically detecting impairments and alerting the surgical team without disrupting the surgical workflow
3Ease of operation
If optical system impairment is not detected, then no corrective action is taken, but image accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by automatically performing image quality assessment through optical flow vector analysis. The evaluation module continuously analyzes image data to detect impairments without requiring manual inspection by the surgical team, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring high measurement precision through automated, continuous monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual optical system inspection with an automated computational approach. Instead of requiring surgeons to visually assess optical system health, the system uses image flow vector analysis and pattern recognition algorithms to automatically detect impairments, simplifying operation while improving detection precision
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a device and a system for determining a state of an optical system for an endoscope. The device comprises: an input interface configured to receive image data acquired by means of the optical system; a computing device configured to implement at least one evaluation module configured to determine an entire optical flow of the obtained image data, to identify on this basis at least one image flow vector, and, if at least two different image flow vectors have been identified, to determine on this basis at least one state of the optical system; and an output interface which is configured to generate an output signal which comprises an item of information about the determined at least one state of the optical system.