In Vivo Motility Events Bar for Intestinal Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing small intestine motility disorders, such as manometry, are invasive, do not provide visualization of the small intestine, and are complex to interpret, limiting their effectiveness in accurately analyzing intestinal motility.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for displaying motility events in an image stream captured by an in vivo imaging device, which selects and aligns pixel strips from image frames to form a motility events bar, allowing for the visualization and analysis of intestinal motility properties, including contractions, static closed lumen, and turbid lumen sequences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If in-vivo imaging methods are used to capture large numbers of images, then visualization of the small intestine is achieved, but the complexity of interpreting the results increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the continuous image stream into discrete motility events by detecting specific patterns (contractions, static closed lumen, turbid lumen sequences). This segmentation transforms the complex continuous data into manageable discrete events that are easier to interpret diagnostically.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts key motility features from the full image stream by identifying and isolating specific motility events. This extraction process removes irrelevant information and focuses on the diagnostically significant patterns, simplifying interpretation while preserving essential visualization capabilities.
2Measurement precision
If manometry is used to diagnose motility disorders, then pressure changes can be measured, but the procedure becomes invasive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pressure measurement system (manometry) with an optical imaging system that captures image streams. This substitution eliminates the need for invasive pressure sensors while providing visualization of motility events through non-invasive capsule endoscopy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from pressure (manometry) to visual patterns in image streams. By detecting motility events through image analysis rather than pressure changes, the system achieves comparable diagnostic information without the invasiveness of mechanical probes.
3Loss of time
If only a portion of the small bowel is evaluated, then the procedure time is reduced, but the diagnostic coverage is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary automated analysis of the entire image stream to identify and mark motility events throughout the small bowel. This preliminary processing enables comprehensive evaluation of the entire small intestine without requiring extended manual review time, as the system pre-identifies all relevant regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an automated event detection algorithm as an intermediary between the full image stream and the diagnostic interpretation. This intermediary processes the complete dataset, identifies all motility events, and presents them in a simplified format, enabling comprehensive coverage without proportional increase in interpretation time.
Data Source
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Figure 2A~3B
AI summary
A system and method may analyse and display intestinal motility events, based on an image stream captured by an in vivo imaging device. According to some embodiments, the system includes a storage unit to store image frames from the image stream, a processor to select a a strip of pixels from a plurality of image frames of the image stream and to align the selected strips adjacently to form a motility events bar, and a visual display unit for displaying the motility events bar to a user.