Off-Camera Endoscopic Calibration for Aging Optical Properties

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Solution Overview

Problem

Calibration data for image capture devices, particularly endoscopic devices, becomes outdated over time due to wear and changes in optical properties, and is not optimized for different controller systems, leading to inaccurate image processing.

Innovation Solution

Off-loading calibration data from the image capture device to a central calibration server, where it is dynamically generated and updated based on the current device condition and controller system configuration, allowing for periodic adjustments and enhancements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If calibration data is stored locally on the image capture device, then quick access and processing is enabled, but the calibration data becomes outdated over time due to device wear and optical property changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage processing accuracyVSAvoidcalibration data validity period
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by periodically transmitting calibration images from the image capture device to a external processing system, which analyzes the images to detect changes in optical properties and device wear. Based on this feedback, calibration data is dynamically updated and transmitted back to the device, ensuring continuous accuracy despite device aging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The calibration data is transformed from a static, fixed value stored locally to a dynamic, periodically updated parameter. The system enables continuous recalibration by receiving updated calibration data from external sources based on current device condition, making the calibration adaptable to changing optical properties over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If calibration data is stored locally on the image capture device, then immediate processing is possible, but memory requirements increase the device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage processing accuracyVSAvoiddevice memory requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts the calibration data storage function from the image capture device itself and relocates it to an external processing system or cloud-based calibration server. The device retains only minimal calibration parameters or placeholders, significantly reducing its memory requirements while maintaining access to accurate calibration data through periodic updates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of manufacture

If calibration data is fixed at factory calibration, then initial setup is simple, but the data is not optimized for different controller systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefactory calibration simplicityVSAvoidcontroller system compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration data is made dynamic and adaptable to different controller systems through periodic external updates. The system receives calibration images and transmits updated calibration data tailored to the specific controller system configuration, enabling the same image capture device to work optimally with multiple different controller systems without requiring complex factory re-calibration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3840685B1Off-camera calibration parameters for an image capture device
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS INC
  • EP3840685B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3840685B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3840685B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A surgical system comprises a network accessible database configured to store calibration data for an endoscopic image capture device. The surgical system also comprises an image processor configured to be communicatively coupled to the endoscopic image capture device to receive image data of a surgical site during a surgical or diagnostic procedure. The image processor is configured to retrieve the calibration data from the network accessible database via a network connection. The image processor is further configured to process the received images based on the retrieved calibration data. The surgical system further comprises a user control system coupled to the image processor and configured to receive the processed images from the image processor. The user control system comprising a display configured to display the processed images. The calibration data is periodically or dynamically updated on the database to account for changes in the surgical system or new calibration methodologies.