Endoscope System Superimposing Insertion Form on Stereoscopic Organ Model
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscope systems lack the ability to accurately visualize the insertion form and position of the endoscope within a subject's organ, often requiring the use of X-ray apparatuses for lesion identification and organ shape correction.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope system that includes an endoscope with an image pickup portion, an insertion form information acquisition portion, and a control portion to superimpose the insertion form image onto a stereoscopic model of the organ, based on positional information, allowing for accurate visualization and presentation of the insertion form and image pickup image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an X-ray apparatus is used in combination with an endoscope to identify lesion positions and ascertain insertion state, then the accuracy of organ shape visualization is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the X-ray imaging function from the system and replaces it with an endoscope-equipped image pickup portion that directly captures images inside the organ. This eliminates the need for external X-ray apparatus while maintaining the ability to visualize organ shape and insertion state through the endoscope's own imaging capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the insertion tool for examining the organ and as the imaging device for capturing the organ's shape and the endoscope's insertion form. The image pickup portion integrated into the endoscope enables single-device multi-functionality, replacing the need for separate X-ray apparatus.
2Measurement precision
If an X-ray apparatus is used to identify lesion positions, then the diagnostic accuracy is improved, but the loss of time for additional imaging procedures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lesion identification function with the routine endoscopic examination process. The image pickup portion captures images during the normal insertion and examination of the endoscope, eliminating the need for separate X-ray imaging procedures. This integration allows simultaneous achievement of lesion identification and insertion state monitoring without additional time loss.
3Ease of operation
If the insertion form of the endoscope is not visualized, then the examination procedure is simplified, but the ability to ascertain image pickup position is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a visual copy of the endoscope's insertion form by capturing an image of the insertion portion itself using the image pickup portion. This copied image is then superimposed on the organ shape image, providing spatial reference information that helps ascertain the image pickup position without complicating the examination procedure. The copying approach maintains simplicity while delivering essential positional information.
Data Source
AI summary
The endoscope system includes: an endoscope including an insertion portion to be inserted into a subject, and an image pickup portion that picks up an image of inside of the subject; an image pickup information acquisition portion that acquires positional information of the image pickup portion; an insertion form information acquisition portion that acquires insertion form information of the insertion portion inside the subject; and a control portion that, on a stereoscopic model image that simulates a predetermined organ inside the subject, superimposes an insertion form image that is based on insertion form information that is acquired by the insertion form information acquisition portion, and based on positional information of the image pickup portion that is acquired by the image pickup information acquisition portion, also pastes an image pickup image that is picked up by the image pickup portion, and presents the resulting stereoscopic model image.