Surgical Video Overlay Transparency by ROI and Peripheral Region
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical overlay technologies in video feeds struggle with optimal transparency adjustment, leading to obscured underlying structures or difficult readability, necessitating manual user intervention to balance visibility and readability.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that dynamically adjust overlay transparency based on the region of interest (ROI) and peripheral region within the field of view, using an image processor to control video displays, with transparency dependent on the overlay's position, adapting to surgical procedure characteristics and user preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If overlay transparency is increased to improve readability, then overlay text becomes easier to read, but underlying anatomical structures become harder to see
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different transparency levels to different regions of the overlay based on their functional importance. Critical information overlays (such as anatomical labels and surgical guidance) use higher transparency for readability, while less critical overlays (such as status indicators and metadata) use lower transparency to preserve visibility of underlying structures. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by matching transparency to functional requirements rather than applying a uniform transparency level.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If overlay transparency is decreased to improve visibility of underlying structures, then anatomical details become easier to see, but overlay text becomes harder to read
Solution Approach 1:
The system categorizes overlays into different types based on their content and function, then assigns appropriate transparency levels to each category. Information overlays that provide critical surgical guidance receive higher transparency, while decorative or supplementary overlays receive lower transparency. This localized quality adjustment ensures optimal visibility for each overlay type without requiring uniform transparency across all overlays.
3Device complexity
If uniform transparency is applied to all overlays, then implementation is simple, but optimal visibility cannot be achieved for different overlay types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a tiered transparency system where overlays are assigned to different transparency levels based on their functional importance. This creates a simple yet effective differentiation mechanism that does not require complex real-time adjustment systems. The transparency levels are pre-configured based on overlay type, providing optimal visibility for each category while maintaining relatively simple implementation through automated classification and assignment.
4Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If manual transparency adjustment is required to optimize visibility, then optimal conditions can be achieved, but user workload increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines and applies appropriate transparency levels to overlays based on their type and function, eliminating the need for manual user adjustment. The automated classification system assigns transparency levels without user intervention, and the system maintains these settings dynamically during the surgical procedure. This self-service approach achieves optimal visibility conditions while significantly reducing user workload by removing the manual adjustment step entirely.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention, inter alia, relates to a method for visual support of a surgical procedure as well as a system for visual support of a surgical procedure. A method for visual support of an, in particular endoscopic or open, surgical procedure, wherein visual information of the surgical procedure is superimposed by at least one overlay containing additional, in particular surgical, information inside a field of view (20), wherein an image processor (56) controls a video display (52) to display the at least one overlay, comprises that the field of view (20) is divided into a region of interest (ROI) (22) and a peripheral region (24), wherein a transparency of each of the at least one overlay is determined depending on its position being located within the ROI (22) or the peripheral region (24).