Endoscope Image Processing Sequence for Low-Latency Wireless Display

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endoscope systems face challenges with signal interference and difficulty in carrying due to wired connections, and the demand for remote medical care necessitates network connectivity that current endoscope systems do not efficiently support.

Innovation Solution

A medical system with an image pickup instrument, signal processing device, display device, and relay device that optimizes processing sequences to minimize the time from image capture to display, utilizing wireless communication and processing specifications to enhance network compatibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wired connection is used between endoscope and processor, then signal transmission stability is improved, but ease of operation and portability deteriorate due to signal cable interference and carrying difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal transmission stabilityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection (signal cable) with a wireless communication system. The endoscope and processor communicate via wireless signals, eliminating the physical cable that caused interference and portability issues while maintaining reliable signal transmission through protocol optimization and error correction mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal transmission stabilityVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If stand-alone endoscope system is used, then system simplicity is improved, but adaptability to network medical systems deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidnetwork compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the endoscope system universally compatible by implementing a standardized communication protocol that works both in standalone mode and within network medical systems. The processor can function independently while also serving as a network node, allowing the same hardware to adapt to different operational contexts without requiring separate systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the endoscope system to dynamically adapt its operational mode. The communication protocol can switch between standalone processing and networked operation based on system configuration, allowing the same hardware to function in different environments and meeting varying medical care requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If processing sequence is not optimized, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates due to delays in image display

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing complexityVSAvoidimage display speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary actions by pre-planning and optimizing the processing sequence before actual image processing occurs. The system determines the optimal order of operations (compression, transmission, processing, display) in advance based on system capabilities and requirements, ensuring that each step is executed efficiently without unnecessary delays while maintaining manageable processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12569113B2Medical system, processing protocol control method, and signal processing device

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)

AI summary

A medical system includes an imager configured to pick up an image and output an image signal, a signal processing device configured to generate an observation image from the image signal, a display configured to display the observation image, and a relay device, and the signal processing device derives a processing sequence that minimizes a time duration from when the imager picks up an image until the display displays the observation image, based on a first specification of the image signal at the imager, a second specification of the signal processing device, a third specification of the observation image at the display, and a communication protocol of the relay device, provides instruction of a fourth specification to the imager based on the processing sequence, and provides instruction of a fifth specification to the display based on the processing sequence.