Fluorescence Endoscopic Imaging for Thermal Denaturation Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical technologies struggle to effectively visualize the cauterization state of biological tissues using energy devices, particularly in procedures like endoscopic submucosal dissection, where thermal denaturation information is crucial for precise treatment.

Innovation Solution

A medical device and system that utilizes excitation light to generate fluorescence from advanced glycation end-products in thermally treated tissues, combining it with imaging to specify blood vessel regions and thermal denaturation information, enabling accurate visualization of thermal treatment effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If fluorescence imaging is used to visualize thermal denaturation, then measurement precision of thermal treatment effects is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple imaging systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal denaturation detection accuracyVSAvoidimaging system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines white light imaging and fluorescence imaging into a single integrated imaging system. The imaging device captures both types of images simultaneously or sequentially, merging two imaging functions into one device to reduce overall system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision for thermal denaturation detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging device is designed with multi-functionality to perform both white light imaging for anatomical visualization and fluorescence imaging for thermal denaturation detection. This universal imaging approach eliminates the need for separate imaging systems, reducing device complexity while achieving precise thermal treatment monitoring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If multiple imaging modes are integrated, then information completeness about tissue state is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complex image processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue state information completenessVSAvoidimage processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically processes and integrates white light and fluorescence images, providing real-time feedback on thermal denaturation status overlaid on anatomical structures. This automated feedback mechanism reduces the burden on operators by performing complex image processing tasks automatically, maintaining ease of operation while delivering complete tissue state information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control device acts as an intermediary that automatically performs image processing, registration, and integration between white light and fluorescence images. This intermediary processing reduces the complexity faced by operators, as the system handles the complex tasks of aligning and combining multiple image types automatically

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If fluorescence imaging is implemented, then reliability of thermal treatment monitoring is improved, but loss of time increases due to additional imaging and processing steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal treatment monitoring accuracyVSAvoidimaging and processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging system operates continuously during thermal treatment, capturing white light and fluorescence images in real-time without interrupting the treatment process. This continuous imaging approach ensures reliable thermal denaturation monitoring while minimizing time loss, as the system accumulates data throughout the treatment rather than requiring separate imaging sessions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 the visualization of thermal denaturation in biological tissues, allowing for precise identification of treated regions, thereby improving the accuracy and safety of minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Implementation Method 1

a light source configured to emit excitation light for exciting an advanced glycation end-product generated by subjecting a biological tissue to a thermal treatment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 2

an imaging element configured to generate an imaging signal by capturing fluorescence emitted by the excitation light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence detection: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentUS20250352029A1Medical device, medical system, operation method of medical device, and computer-readable recording medium

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYST CORP

AI summary

A medical device includes a processor including hardware, the processor being configured to: acquire a display image in which a blood vessel region of a blood vessel in a subject is specified and a fluorescence image overlapping at least a part of a visual field region of the display image; specify thermal denaturation information in the blood vessel region based on the display image and the fluorescence image; and output the thermal denaturation information.