Endoscopic Observation State Display for Unobstructed Image Viewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopic image display systems compromise the visibility of endoscopic images when superimposing notification indications, such as map images, either in the main display region or a sub-display region, leading to user distraction and reduced focus on the endoscopic image.
Innovation Solution
A medical image processing apparatus that acquires a series of medical images, determines the observation state of a photographic subject in small areas, and displays an observation state indication on the monitor based on these determinations, allowing the indication to be shown only when necessary and hidden after a predetermined time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If notification indication is displayed in the main display region, then the notification is visible, but the visibility of the endoscopic image decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The display is divided into a main display region for endoscopic images and a sub display region for notification indications. This segmentation allows both types of information to be displayed simultaneously without interfering with each other, resolving the contradiction between notification visibility and endoscopic image visibility.
2Illumination intensity
If notification indication is displayed in the sub display region, then the endoscopic image visibility is maintained, but the display region is small and the visibility of the notification indication decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the size of the sub display region, the patent uses temporal dimension by displaying notification indications only at appropriate timing (when observation state changes). This allows sufficient display space while maintaining notification visibility through strategic timing rather than spatial expansion.
3Area of stationary object
If notification indication is provided on a sub-monitor, then the main monitor can be fully used for endoscopic images, but the user is unable to concentrate attention on the endoscopic image
Solution Approach 1:
The notification indication display is merged with the main monitor rather than using a separate sub-monitor. This integration allows the user to view both endoscopic images and notification indications on a single display device, maintaining full monitor area for imaging while providing necessary notifications without requiring the user to switch between separate displays.
4Loss of information
If observation state indication is displayed continuously, then the user is always informed of the observation state, but the visibility of the endoscopic image is impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The observation state indication is displayed periodically only when the observation state changes, rather than continuously. This periodic display ensures that users are informed of important state changes while minimizing the time the indication occupies display space and impacts endoscopic image visibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a medical image processing apparatus and a medical image processing method that effectively display an observation state indication related to the comprehensiveness of observation while suppressing a decrease in the visibility of an endoscopic image. The medical image processing apparatus is a medical image processing apparatus including a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to acquire a plurality of medical images in a time-series manner, make a determination of an observation state in units of a small area of a photographic subject on the basis of the medical images, cause the memory to store a result of the determination, and upon an observation state of the photographic subject being changed, cause a monitor to display an observation state indication of the photographic subject, the observation state indication being based on the result of the determination stored in the memory.