Endoscope Tip Positioning via Region-of-Interest Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In endoscopic examinations, it is challenging for users to return the endoscope tip to the correct position of a region of interest, especially when the observation target's shape changes, causing the region of interest to be overlooked or difficult to re-locate.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope system with a medical image processing system that includes an imaging element, a region-of-interest detection unit, a first determination unit, and a display control unit, which uses similarity analysis and time-based determinations to assist the user in returning the endoscope tip to the correct position by displaying the region-of-interest image and enhancing it when re-located.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the tip portion moves quickly through the observation target, then the examination efficiency is improved, but the region of interest may be overlooked or difficult to re-locate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of regions of interest and stores their position information before the tip portion moves away. When the tip portion returns to the area, the stored position information is used to automatically guide the tip portion back to the correct location, ensuring reliable re-detection without requiring the user to manually search again.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to the user by displaying information about the detected region of interest and its position relative to the tip portion's current location. This feedback mechanism helps the user understand where the region of interest is and guides the tip portion back to the correct position, improving both detection reliability and examination efficiency.
2Reliability
If the tip portion returns to the region of interest manually, then the region of interest can be re-detected, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically determining the tip portion's position relative to the region of interest and providing guidance information that allows the tip portion to return to the correct position without requiring complex manual manipulation. The system handles the positioning assistance automatically based on detected region of interest data.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the observation target shape changes, then the examination adapts to different conditions, but the region of interest position becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its operation by continuously detecting the region of interest and updating its position information based on real-time images. When the observation target shape changes, the system re-detects the region of interest and updates the guidance information, maintaining position accuracy despite changes in the target's morphology.
Data Source
AI summary
A region of interest located in a first part to be observed is detected from a medical image at a first timing. In a case where a tip portion of an endoscope moves from the first part to be observed toward a second part to be observed and then moves to the first part to be observed again, a return determination unit performs first determination processing for determining whether the tip portion has returned to the first part to be observed, by using a medical image acquired a second timing. A display control unit performs display control of a monitor by using a determination result of the return determination unit.