Surgical Imaging System Using Eulerian Video Processing
Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical procedures like endoscopy and microscopy face challenges due to the lack of landmarks in internal anatomies, leading to increased procedure times and complications from unreliable localization techniques, such as tattoos and suction cups, which are affected by organ movement and non-rigidity.
Innovation Solution
A surgical imaging system utilizing circuitry to accentuate image characteristics like motion and color changes, employing Eulerian video processing to identify physiological features and landmarks by comparing accentuated motions with stored data, allowing for precise localization of internal organs and structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If tattoos and suction cups are applied to internal organs for localization, then the ability to locate and re-locate specific areas is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to organ movement and non-rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical localization methods (tattoos, suction cups) with an optical/image processing system that uses Eulerian video processing to detect and track physiological motion patterns. The system substitutes physical markers with computational analysis of tissue motion characteristics captured through imaging, thereby avoiding the reliability issues of mechanical attachment methods while maintaining localization precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the organ's own physiological motion (heartbeat, breathing, peristalsis) as the localization feature rather than requiring external markers. By detecting and tracking these inherent motion patterns through image processing, the system makes the tissue itself serve as the localization reference, eliminating the need for tattoos or suction cups that fail due to tissue movement.
2Device complexity
If traditional image capture methods are used in endoscopy, then the simplicity of the system is maintained, but the ability to identify landmarks and physiological features deteriorates due to lack of contrast and motion detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static image capture into dynamic motion analysis by applying Eulerian video processing that specifically enhances and tracks temporal changes in tissue motion. Instead of relying on static visual landmarks that are difficult to detect, the system dynamically analyzes motion patterns, color changes, and temporal variations to automatically identify and track physiological features and landmarks throughout the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes color and intensity changes in the captured images as key indicators for identifying physiological features. By enhancing and analyzing temporal color variations and motion-induced intensity changes, the system can distinguish landmarks and tissue types without requiring complex additional imaging modalities, thus maintaining relative system simplicity while improving detection capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual localization techniques are used during surgery, then the procedural flexibility is maintained, but the procedure time increases due to repeated localization efforts
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback by automatically tracking physiological motion patterns and providing real-time localization information throughout the procedure. The Eulerian video processing continuously monitors tissue motion and updates landmark positions dynamically, eliminating the need for repeated manual localization efforts while maintaining procedural flexibility through adaptive tracking of moving targets.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical imaging system comprising circuitry configured to accentuate an image characteristic of an area in captured images; identify the change of the image characteristic in the area; and identify the position of a physiological feature relative to the surgical device on the basis of the change in the image characteristic.