Endoscopic Imaging System for Nasal Valve Obstruction Diagnosis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical diagnostic methods for ENT conditions, such as nasal valve collapse, are cumbersome, costly, and time-consuming, often requiring complex imaging procedures like CT or MRI scans that expose patients and staff to health hazards and provide confusing results for patients, while lacking direct visualization and real-time feedback on anatomical changes.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing an endoscope with a control unit and imaging device for direct digital imaging of ENT anatomy, employing object recognition and user input to identify anatomical structures, measure airflow, and provide real-time feedback on nasal valve obstruction and other conditions, allowing for quick and minimally invasive diagnosis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If CT or MRI scans are used to diagnose nasal valve collapse and ENT conditions, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but patient exposure to harmful radiation and health hazards increases, and procedure time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidpatient exposure to radiation and health hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex imaging systems (CT/MRI) with a simpler endoscopic system that uses a camera and lighting to directly visualize nasal valve collapse. The endoscope with illumination and imaging sensor substitutes the need for radiation-based imaging, providing direct optical visualization of the nasal passages and valve structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a visual copy or representation of the nasal valve anatomy through endoscopic imaging. The camera captures images of the nasal passages and valve collapse, providing a visual record that can be analyzed without requiring the patient to undergo hazardous CT or MRI scanning procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If CT or MRI scans are used for ENT diagnosis, then anatomical detail is improved, but procedure time and patient discomfort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanatomical detailVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The endoscopic system replaces time-consuming CT or MRI scanning with a quick visual inspection procedure. The endoscope can be inserted and images captured in real-time during a single office visit, eliminating the need for lengthy scanning procedures while maintaining adequate anatomical detail for diagnosis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If complex imaging procedures like CT or MRI are used, then diagnostic capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic capabilityVSAvoidimaging system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential diagnostic function from complex imaging systems. Instead of using entire CT or MRI machines, the invention uses a focused endoscopic system with a camera, lighting, and basic imaging components to capture and display nasal valve anatomy, eliminating unnecessary complexity while retaining diagnostic capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The complex electromagnetic imaging systems (CT/MRI) are replaced with a simpler optical endoscopic system. The endoscope uses basic optical components (camera, lens, lighting) rather than complex electromagnetic field generation and detection systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining diagnostic utility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If traditional diagnostic methods are used, then comprehensive assessment is improved, but patient comfort and ease of procedure decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomprehensive assessmentVSAvoidpatient comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invasive and uncomfortable positioning required for CT or MRI scanning is replaced with a simple endoscopic procedure. The thin endoscope can be easily inserted into the nasal passage without requiring the patient to be immobilized or confined in a scanning machine, significantly improving patient comfort while providing comprehensive visual assessment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20230200623A1System and method for endoscopic imaging and analyses

Publication Date: 2023.06.29 PACIFICMD BIOTECH LLC

AI summary

A system and method for measuring light within a boundary of an image includes an instrument configured to capture the image; a display; a user input device; and a processor configured to: receive the image from the instrument; obtains a light intensity value of each image pixel around the boundary of the image, wherein at least one light illuminator on the instrument stimulates the each image pixel, wherein the each image pixel reflects a magnitude of light that is captured by one or more spotting devices on the instrument; create a pixel intensity map along the boundary of the image that relates to the light intensity value of the each image pixel; and present a graphical user interface via the display based on the pixel intensity map.