Synchronized Endoscope Pressure Imaging for Rapid GERD Differentiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional diagnostic methods for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) impose significant burden on patients and require lengthy procedures, and existing endoscopic systems struggle to distinguish GERD from other diseases.
Innovation Solution
An endoscopic system that includes a processor to generate synchronized temporal change images of pressure and observation images of the lower esophageal sphincter, combined with sound data, to facilitate rapid diagnosis by superposing these images for integrated display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional diagnostic methods (24-hour esophagus pH monitoring or impedance-pH monitoring) are used, then GERD can be diagnosed, but patient burden increases and procedure duration lengthens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential diagnostic functions needed for GERD diagnosis from the complex 24-hour monitoring system. By using an endoscope with integrated pressure and sound sensors, it captures critical data (pressure changes and gas release sounds) during a brief examination period, eliminating the need for prolonged 24-hour monitoring while maintaining diagnostic reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary diagnostic actions by capturing pressure and sound data during the endoscopic procedure itself. The gas release sound detection and pressure temporal change imaging provide immediate diagnostic information about LES function and GERD presence, eliminating the need for subsequent separate monitoring periods
2Ease of operation
If conventional endoscopic observation alone is used, then the procedure is simple, but the ability to distinguish GERD from other diseases is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges endoscopic imaging with pressure sensing and sound detection capabilities into a single integrated system. The superposition image technology combines visual observation of the valve portion with temporal pressure changes and gas release sound data, maintaining procedural simplicity while dramatically improving disease differentiation accuracy through multi-parameter analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscopic system performs multiple diagnostic functions simultaneously: visual observation of the lower esophageal sphincter, pressure measurement to detect temporal changes, sound detection for gas release analysis, and integrated superposition imaging. This multi-functional approach enables comprehensive GERD diagnosis and differentiation from other conditions without requiring separate procedures
3Measurement precision
If multiple diagnostic parameters (pressure, sound, images) are integrated, then diagnosis accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the pressure sensor and sound sensor are integrated within the endoscope system. The superposition image function nests multiple data layers (visual image, pressure temporal changes, sound waveforms) within a single integrated display, enabling comprehensive diagnosis while managing system complexity through hierarchical integration
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscopic system includes a processor. The processor generates from a measured value of pressure in a lumen of a subject a first temporal change image of the pressure in the lumen, generates an observation image for observing an opened/closed state of a valve portion in the lumen of the subject in real time from an image pickup signal obtained by picking up an image of the opened/closed state of the valve portion in the lumen in real time using an endoscope, and generates a superposition image by superposing the first temporal change image and the observation image in a temporally synchronized manner.