Fluorescence Endoscope Imaging for Thermal Denaturation Mapping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies struggle to accurately visualize the thermally denatured state of living tissues during thermal treatments, particularly in areas adjacent to the target organ, leading to potential unintended thermal invasion in nearby organs during surgical operations.
Innovation Solution
A medical apparatus is developed to include a processor that captures fluorescence images and generates thermal denaturation information by extracting a thermally denatured area based on fluorescence imaging, allowing for precise visualization of thermal denaturation using a processor, endoscope, light source, and control apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fluorescence imaging is used to visualize thermally denatured tissue, then measurement precision of thermal denaturation is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional light source and imaging components
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is configured to perform both conventional white light imaging and fluorescence imaging using a single device. The light source can emit either white light or excitation light, and the image sensor captures both reflected light and fluorescence signals, eliminating the need for separate imaging devices and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the optical parameters by switching between white light and excitation light modes. By adjusting the light source output and image sensor settings, the system can capture different types of information (structural vs. thermal) from the same tissue sample, improving measurement precision without requiring entirely separate devices.
2Productivity
If thermal treatment is applied to target organ, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but harmful thermal invasion to adjacent organs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary visualization of the target organ and adjacent organs using fluorescence imaging before thermal treatment. By pre-identifying the location and extent of the target lesion and its proximity to adjacent organs, the operator can plan the thermal treatment to achieve effective treatment while avoiding harmful thermal invasion to adjacent structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback during thermal treatment by continuously capturing fluorescence images that visualize thermal denaturation. This allows the operator to monitor the treatment progress and adjust the thermal energy delivery in real-time, ensuring effective treatment of the target while preventing excessive thermal spread to adjacent organs.
3Measurement precision
If area of interest is manually defined by user, then measurement precision for specific regions is improved, but operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the imaging field into multiple regions of interest (ROIs) that can be independently analyzed. Users can manually define specific ROIs when needed, but the system also provides automatic ROI detection based on fluorescence intensity thresholds and anatomical landmarks, reducing the manual input requirement while maintaining precision for specific areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically identifying and analyzing areas of interest based on fluorescence signal characteristics and pre-stored anatomical information. This automatic analysis reduces the burden on users to manually define areas while maintaining measurement precision, as the system autonomously detects relevant regions based on their thermal denaturation characteristics.
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 identification and visualization of thermally denatured areas, enhancing the operator's ability to avoid unintended thermal invasion during procedures like stomach cancer surgeries.
Implementation Method 1
a fluorescence image that is generated based on an imaging signal captured at a timing of application of excitation light
Data Source
AI summary
A medical apparatus includes: a processor including hardware, the processor being configured to acquire area information that includes information on an area of interest based on input from a user, the area of interest being an organ that is adjacent to a target organ that is a target for thermal treatment, acquire a fluorescence image that is generated based on an imaging signal captured at a timing of application of excitation light, extract a thermally denatured area based on the fluorescence image, and generate thermal denaturation information based on the area of interest and the thermally denatured area.