Endoscope Probe Alignment and Directional Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic systems face challenges in determining the observational direction, leading to user confusion when the angle between the endoscope's optical axis and the reference direction exceeds a certain threshold, making it difficult for users to accurately navigate and diagnose within the body.
Innovation Solution
An endoscopic system with a shank and photodetector having an optical axis transverse to the shank, featuring first and second probes for position detection, and a controller that establishes a reference direction and indicates it to the user through image processing, ensuring alignment within a predetermined threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the endoscope is used to observe internal body structures, then diagnostic capability is improved, but user confusion occurs when the angle between optical axis and reference direction exceeds threshold
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the angle between the optical axis and reference direction, and provides real-time feedback to the user through directional indicators displayed on the screen. When the angle exceeds a predetermined threshold, the system automatically indicates the reference direction to guide the user, ensuring continuous orientation awareness without interrupting the diagnostic observation.
Solution Approach 2:
A directional indicator serves as an intermediary element between the complex spatial relationship of the endoscope and the user's perception. This visual cue translates the abstract angular relationship into an intuitive directional guide, mediating the user's understanding of the optical axis orientation relative to the reference direction.
2Ease of operation
If directional indicators are always displayed, then user orientation is improved, but image display complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of always displaying directional indicators, the system applies partial action by showing indicators only when necessary - specifically when the angle between the optical axis and reference direction exceeds a predetermined threshold. This selective display reduces image clutter and processing complexity while maintaining user orientation during critical moments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the display parameter (visibility of directional indicator) based on the angular parameter. When the angle exceeds the threshold, the indicator becomes visible; otherwise, it remains hidden. This parameter-based control optimizes the balance between user orientation and display simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed technology is directed to an endoscopic system comprises an endoscope having a shank and a photodetector engaged with one another and having an optical axis in a direction transverse to the shank. A display device for displaying an image acquired through the photodetector. A first probe is disposed in the endoscope on or around the optical axis at a position off the shank. A second probe is disposed in the endoscope at or near a position where the shank and the optical axis intersect with each other. A sensor for detecting the position of the first probe and the position of the second probe and a controller. The controller is configured to establish a first reference direction in an actual space. To acquire a direction from the second probe toward the first probe and to perform a process for indicating the first reference direction to a user.