Endoscopy Composite Image Stream Processing for Multi-Modality Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern endoscopy devices are limited in their ability to simultaneously generate and display real-time image feeds from multiple imaging modalities, and they cannot provide suitable images to CADe and CADx algorithms concurrently, which requires different image types as inputs, leading to inefficiencies in endoscopic procedures.
Innovation Solution
The development of systems and techniques that capture composite image streams from multiple lighting modalities and process them using different computer-aided detection and diagnosis modules, allowing for concurrent analysis and display of multiple image streams without manual toggling between modalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the endoscopy device operates in one imaging modality at a time with manual toggling, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity and efficiency of the procedure deteriorates due to time loss from manual switching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging process by capturing multiple imaging modalities (e.g., white light, narrow band imaging) simultaneously through separate imaging paths or channels within the endoscopy device. Each modality is processed independently through its own neural network, allowing parallel operation without manual switching, thereby improving procedure efficiency while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple imaging modalities into a single endoscopy device that captures and processes multiple image streams simultaneously. By combining multiple imaging paths and integrating them with a unified processing system that uses separate neural networks for each modality, the device achieves simultaneous multi-modality operation, eliminating the need for manual toggling and improving productivity.
2Loss of information
If the device captures and processes multiple imaging modalities simultaneously, then the quantity of information available to the operator is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple imaging paths and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the information processing by dedicating separate neural networks to different imaging modalities. Each neural network is specialized for processing its specific modality (e.g., one for white light, another for narrow band imaging), which preserves the quality and characteristics of each information stream while maintaining manageable system complexity through functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal processing architecture where a single endoscopy device performs multiple imaging functions simultaneously. The device captures multiple modalities through integrated imaging paths and processes them through specialized neural networks, providing comprehensive information availability while using a unified system framework that manages complexity through multi-functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system displays multiple simultaneous imaging modalities to the operator, then the adaptability of the system is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as the operator may focus on only one stream
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the display and processing by maintaining separate neural networks for different imaging modalities, allowing each to be optimized and processed independently. This segmentation enables the system to adapt to different procedural needs by selectively emphasizing different modalities while keeping the operator interface manageable through organized, modality-specific processing streams.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and processing techniques for simultaneously analyzing multiple imaging modalities. The discussed technique can include capturing a combined image stream including a first modality stream and at least a second modality stream. The technique continues by analyzing the first modality stream with a first analysis module and, concurrently, analyzing a second modality stream with a second analysis module. The combined image stream can be generated using timed lighting modalities to generate interleaved image streams or by extracting narrow color bands from a primary color sensor.