Fluorescence Endoscope Feedback for Ureter Stent Placement Timing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endoscopic procedures for urinary tract calculus fragmentation risk damaging the ureter, necessitating the use of a stent for protection, but there is no effective method to determine the optimal placement period for the stent.

Innovation Solution

An endoscope system that generates fluorescence images based on excitation light to estimate the placement period of medical tools like stents in the urinary tract by calculating fluorescence intensity, using a processor to output placement period information and observation images.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a stent is placed to protect the ureter after calculus fragmentation, then the reliability of the procedure is improved, but the loss of time increases due to uncertain placement period

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveureter protectionVSAvoidstent placement period

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs fluorescence imaging to provide real-time feedback on tissue damage程度, enabling dynamic adjustment of stent placement duration. The system continuously monitors tissue recovery through fluorescence intensity changes, creating a closed-loop feedback mechanism that optimizes stent retention time based on actual tissue condition rather than fixed protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical assessment methods (visual inspection, palpation) with optical detection using fluorescence imaging. This substitution enables quantitative, objective measurement of tissue damage and recovery, transforming the stent placement decision from a qualitative clinical judgment to a data-driven determination based on fluorescence intensity thresholds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If fluorescence imaging is used to determine stent placement period, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue damage assessmentVSAvoidimaging system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple functions into a single endoscopic system: the fluorescence imaging device serves both as a diagnostic tool for tissue damage assessment and as a guidance system for stent placement duration. The same optical components used for imaging are leveraged to monitor tissue recovery, eliminating the need for separate assessment devices and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes changes in fluorescence intensity parameters to quantify tissue damage and recovery. By monitoring the temporal evolution of fluorescence signal characteristics (intensity, wavelength shifts), the system transforms complex biological processes into measurable physical parameters that can be objectively thresholded and analyzed, simplifying the decision-making process despite the sophisticated imaging technology.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables precise determination of the stent placement period, reducing tissue damage risk and improving procedural efficiency by providing real-time feedback on tissue invasion and stent necessity.

Implementation Method 1

an imaging device configured to generate an imaging signal by capturing an image of fluorescence caused by excitation light that is applied to a living tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 2

a cut filter that is provided on a side of a light receiving surface of the imaging device, the cut filter being configured to block light on a side of short wavelengths containing part of a wavelength band of the excitation light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical filtering: Filter (optical)

Data Source

PatentUS12599293B2Assist device, endoscope system, assist method and computer-readable recording medium

Publication Date: 2026.04.14 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)

AI summary

An assist device includes: a processor configured to generate a fluorescence image based on an imaging signal that is generated by capturing an image of fluorescence caused by excitation light that is applied to a living tissue, calculate a fluorescence intensity based on the fluorescence image, based on the fluorescence intensity, estimate a placement period during which a medical tool is placed in a lumen, and output placement period information on the placement period and an observation image obtained by capturing an image of the living tissue.