Endoscopic Image Scale Generation for Lesion Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current endoscopic diagnosis methods for measuring lesion sizes are cumbersome, time-consuming, and have low accuracy, often requiring specialized endoscopes or robotic arms for precise measurements.

Innovation Solution

An endoscopic diagnosis apparatus that captures images using a normal endoscope, detects regions of artificial objects or water jets in contact with the subject, calculates their size in pixels, and generates scales for accurate size measurement, allowing for easy and precise lesion size determination without the need for special operations or equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If measuring forceps are inserted into the forceps channel for size measurement, then the size of the lesion portion can be measured, but the operation becomes time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelesion size measurementVSAvoidmeasurement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical measurement method using measuring forceps with an optical measurement method. The endoscope captures an image of the lesion, and a processor automatically calculates the lesion size by detecting the lesion area in pixels and converting it to actual size using calibration data. This eliminates the need for physical insertion of measuring instruments, significantly reducing operation time and complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If measuring forceps are pressed against the region of interest to bend the tip portion for measurement, then the size can be measured, but measurement accuracy becomes low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelesion size measurementVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical bending method with an optical imaging and computational method. The endoscope captures a clear image of the lesion, and the processor detects the lesion boundaries and calculates the area in pixels. Using calibration data that relates pixel area to actual size, the system computes the lesion size without any physical contact or bending, thereby maintaining high measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If measuring forceps are pressed against the region of interest, then the size can be measured, but it becomes difficult to perform measurement in some portions of the subject

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelesion size measurementVSAvoidmeasurement accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical insertion and pressing of measuring forceps with an optical imaging approach. The endoscope can capture images of lesions in various locations within the body cavity without requiring physical contact for measurement. The processor then automatically measures the lesion size from the captured image, making measurement accessible in all portions of the subject regardless of anatomical constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The endoscope system is designed to perform both imaging and measurement functions using the same device. The endoscope captures images for visualization, and the integrated processor automatically performs size measurement on detected lesions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate measuring instruments and makes the measurement capability universally applicable to all lesions visible in the endoscopic field of view.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Measurement precision

If a special endoscope with two openings for water streams is used, then the size of the lesion portion can be determined, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelesion size determinationVSAvoidendoscope structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the standard endoscope multi-functional by integrating image-based measurement capability. The same endoscope used for capturing visual images of the lesion can also perform size measurement through its integrated processor that analyzes the captured images. This eliminates the need for special endoscopes with additional openings or structures, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10813541B2Endoscopic diagnosis apparatus, image processing method, program, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2020.10.27 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

There are provided an endoscopic diagnosis apparatus, image processing method, and recording medium that enable easy measurement of the size of a lesion portion or the like based on an endoscopic image captured through a normal operation without a special operation. A region detecting unit detects, from an endoscopic image, a region of an artificial object or the like that is in contact with a subject. An imaging size calculating unit calculates, in number of pixels, an imaging size in the endoscopic image of the region of the artificial object or the like that is in contact with the subject. A pixel size calculating unit calculates an actual size corresponding to one pixel. A scale generating unit generates scales indicating an actual size of the subject in the endoscopic image. A control unit performs control to combine the endoscopic image and the scales and to display.