Endoscopic Heat Map Overlay for Lesion Visibility Grading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopic examination methods face challenges in maintaining the visibility of the original image while providing an indication of the lesion's possibility, and existing techniques fail to convey the degree of possibility effectively.
Innovation Solution
An endoscopic examination support apparatus that includes a video acquisition means, lesion detection means, heat map generation means, and display control means to superimpose areas with varying lesion possibilities using different display modes based on thresholds, ensuring visibility by adjusting transparency levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a heat map is superimposed on an endoscope image to show lesion area, then the lesion detection capability is improved, but the visibility of the original endoscopic image deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different transparency levels to different regions of the heat map overlay. High-lesion-likelihood areas are displayed with lower transparency to maintain visibility of the underlying endoscopic image, while still providing clear indication of the lesion area. This local variation in transparency resolves the contradiction between lesion detection emphasis and overall image visibility.
2Device complexity
If a single threshold is used for heat map display to simplify the system, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to convey lesion possibility degree deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the heat map display into multiple threshold levels (first threshold and second threshold). Areas exceeding the first threshold are displayed with one transparency level, while areas exceeding the second threshold are displayed with a different transparency level. This segmentation allows the system to convey different degrees of lesion possibility without requiring complex additional hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses different transparency levels (which can be perceived as visual intensity changes) to represent different lesion possibility degrees. By varying the transparency of the heat map overlay based on the threshold level exceeded, the system provides rich information about lesion probability using simple display mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
In the endoscopic examination support apparatus, the video acquisition means acquires an endoscopic video captured by an endoscope. The lesion detection means detects a lesion candidate from the endoscopic video. The heat map generation means generates a heat map which represents a lesion possibility of the lesion candidate included in the endoscopic video by a color. The display control means superimposes and displays an area where the lesion possibility is equal to or higher than a first threshold on the endoscopic video in a first display mode, and superimposes and displays an area where the lesion possibility is equal to or higher than a second threshold on the endoscopic video in a second display mode.