Fluorescence Endoscope Imaging for Heat Denaturation Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for visualizing heat denaturation states in biological tissue during surgical procedures, such as holmium laser nucleation of the prostate, struggle to accurately differentiate between regions of insufficient and excessive heat denaturation, which can lead to bleeding or perforation, due to limitations in fluorescence intensity thresholding methods.
Innovation Solution
A medical device and endoscope system that utilize a processor to generate fluorescence images, identifying regions of insufficient and excessive heat denaturation by distinguishing pixels based on specific fluorescence intensity thresholds, and superimpose these regions for clear identification in an output image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single fluorescence intensity threshold is used to identify heat denaturation regions, then the imaging process is simple, but the ability to differentiate between insufficient and excessive heat denaturation is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the fluorescence intensity range into multiple segments by establishing a first fluorescence intensity threshold and a second fluorescence intensity threshold. This segments the heat denaturation regions into three categories: insufficient heat denaturation (fluorescence intensity below first threshold), appropriate heat denaturation (between first and second thresholds), and excessive heat denaturation (above second threshold). This segmentation enables clear differentiation between regions prone to bleeding and perforation while maintaining a relatively simple imaging process.
2Reliability
If fluorescence intensity thresholding is used to visualize heat denaturation, then heat denaturation states can be visualized, but the risk of bleeding or perforation cannot be accurately assessed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different visual representations to different local regions based on their fluorescence intensity characteristics. Regions with insufficient heat denaturation (below first threshold) are displayed with one visual characteristic, regions with appropriate heat denaturation (between thresholds) with another characteristic, and regions with excessive heat denaturation (above second threshold) with a third visual characteristic. This local quality differentiation allows surgical professionals to accurately assess the severity of heat denaturation and identify regions at risk for bleeding or perforation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color changes to represent different levels of heat denaturation. By assigning different colors or color intensities to pixels based on their fluorescence intensity relative to the established thresholds, the system provides intuitive visual feedback about the severity of heat denaturation in different regions, enabling accurate assessment of surgical risks.
3Measurement precision
If multiple fluorescence intensity thresholds are established, then differentiation between insufficient and excessive heat denaturation is improved, but the complexity of image processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-establishing the first and second fluorescence intensity thresholds based on calibration or reference data before the actual surgical imaging. This preliminary setup allows the imaging system to automatically and efficiently classify regions during surgery without requiring complex real-time calculations, thereby achieving high measurement precision while minimizing the complexity of the image processing system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances surgical precision by enabling clear differentiation between regions prone to bleeding and perforation, thereby reducing the risk of complications through improved visualization of heat denaturation states.
Implementation Method 1
imaging fluorescence generated from the biological tissue by irradiating the biological tissue with excitation light
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device includes a processor including hardware, the processor being configured to: acquire an imaging signal obtained by imaging an urinary bladder; generate a fluorescence image based on the imaging signal; identify a region constituted by pixels having a fluorescence intensity equal to or lower than a first fluorescence intensity from among pixels of the fluorescence image, as an insufficient heat denaturation region having an insufficient heat denaturation; identify a region constituted by pixels having a fluorescence intensity equal to or higher than a second fluorescence intensity from among the pixels of the fluorescence image, as an excessive heat denaturation region having an excessive heat denaturation; and output an output image on which the insufficient heat denaturation region and the excessive heat denaturation region are superimposed in an identifiable manner.