Endoscope Shape Detection Using Virtual Magnetic Elements
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope shape detection systems struggle to accurately display the shape of insertion portions with small radii of curvature due to limited spacing between magnetic-field generating elements, resulting in an incomplete representation of bent shapes.
Innovation Solution
A shape-of-endoscope detecting system that interpolates data using virtual elements to increase the apparent number of magnetic-field generating elements, allowing for precise display of curved shapes by detecting positions with external magnetic-field detecting elements and inferring the shape of the insertion portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If magnetic-field generating elements are disposed at predetermined intervals in the insertion portion, then the system configuration remains simple, but the shape display precision deteriorates when the insertion portion is bent with small radius of curvature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual magnetic-field generating elements that are not physically present but are mathematically constructed based on the positions of actual elements. These virtual elements copy the magnetic field characteristics and allow the system to detect shapes with small radii of curvature without adding physical components, thus improving measurement precision while maintaining simple device configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional array of physical elements to a two-dimensional or three-dimensional distribution by introducing virtual elements at calculated positions. This dimensional expansion allows the system to capture curvature information that would be missed by linear spacing alone, improving shape detection precision without physical complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the number of magnetic-field generating elements is increased to improve shape detection precision, then the shape display precision improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of physically adding more magnetic-field generating elements, the patent creates virtual copies of existing elements at mathematically determined positions. These virtual elements provide the additional measurement points needed for high-precision shape detection without the cost and complexity of manufacturing and installing additional physical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of element distribution from fixed physical spacing to dynamically calculated virtual positions based on detected curvature. By modifying the spatial parameters through computational methods rather than physical additions, the system achieves higher measurement precision without increasing the quantity of physical elements.
3Device complexity
If magnetic-field generating elements are spaced further apart to simplify the system, then the device complexity decreases, but the ability to detect small radius curvatures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent compensates for large physical spacing by creating virtual elements at intermediate positions through mathematical calculation. These virtual copies fill the gaps between physically spaced elements, enabling the detection of small radius curvatures while maintaining simple, widely-spaced physical element distribution.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables high-precision display of the actual shape of the endoscope insertion portion, even when bent at small curvatures, without the need for increasing the number of physical elements or modifying the configuration, thereby improving the accuracy of shape representation.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of magnetic-field generating elements disposed in the insertion portion of an endoscope, which is inserted into a human body, at predetermined intervals is driven in order to generate magnetic fields around the elements
Implementation Method 2
Magnetic-field detecting elements disposed outside the human body are used to detect the three-dimensional positions of the respective magnetic-field generating elements
Data Source
AI summary
Position detecting elements are disposed in an endoscope insertion portion at predetermined intervals. Even when the endoscope insertion portion is bent, position data representing the detected positions of the elements is used to infer or detect the shape of the insertion portion. A virtual element is disposed between adjoining elements so that a predetermined condition will be met. Position data of the virtual element is used together with the actually detected position data in order to interpolate data for the purpose of detecting the shape of the insertion portion. Consequently, as if a larger number of elements were disposed, the shape of the insertion portion can be detected highly precisely.