Endoscopic Image Rotation with Channel Guide Overlay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical operators face difficulty in promptly grasping the direction of a treatment tool's entry into an endoscopic image due to the rotation of the endoscopic image, which complicates the alignment of the tool with the target region during procedures.
Innovation Solution
An endoscopic device that generates and outputs a display image by modifying the endoscopic image based on acquired angle information, along with channel guide images, to assist the operator in determining the correct entry direction of the treatment tool by integrating a processor to manage image pickup signals, channel information, and angle data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the endoscopic image is rotated to change the treatment tool appearance direction, then the operator can adjust the viewing angle for comfort, but the operator loses prompt grasp of the treatment tool entry direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a channel guide image as an intermediary visual element that mediates between the rotated endoscopic image and the treatment tool entry direction information. This guide image provides reference markings that indicate the original orientation and entry directions, allowing operators to maintain comfort from image rotation while still accessing directional information through the guide overlay.
Solution Approach 2:
The display image is segmented into multiple functional components: the rotated endoscopic image for comfortable viewing and a separate channel guide image layer that provides directional reference information. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between rotation comfort and directional awareness.
2Ease of operation
If the endoscopic image is rotated, then the treatment tool can appear from a more convenient direction, but the alignment of the tool with the target region becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The channel guide image serves as a visual mediator that bridges the rotated image orientation and the target region alignment requirements. It provides reference markers and directional cues that simplify the alignment process, reducing the complexity that would otherwise result from image rotation.
3Ease of operation
If the endoscopic image is modified based on angle information, then the display can be optimized for viewing comfort, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary rotation of the endoscopic image to the desired display angle before presenting it to the operator. This preliminary action optimizes the viewing comfort in advance, and the channel guide image is simultaneously prepared with corresponding directional references, reducing the need for complex real-time processing during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscopic device generates an endoscopic image based on an image pickup signal generated by an image pickup device at a distal-end portion of an insertion portion, acquires channel information regarding a channel formed in the insertion portion, acquires angle information regarding a display angle of the endoscopic image, and generates and outputs a display image including a display endoscopic image generated based on modifying the endoscopic image based on the angle information, and a channel guide image generated based on the angle information and the channel information.