Thermal Endoscope Catheter Alignment for Precise Tissue Ablation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope systems struggle to accurately detect and target abnormal tissues without using developers that increase tissue burden and fail to identify tissues lacking visible light band changes, necessitating improved methods for objective and precise tissue identification and ablation.
Innovation Solution
A thermal image endoscope system with a thermal image capturing assembly, towing component, and control device that adjusts the position of the endoscope head to align with abnormal tissues, using a laser for ablation, and a method to determine abnormal areas based on temperature differences in thermal pixels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visible light source and developer are used to detect abnormal tissues, then tissue fluorescence difference can be generated, but tissue burden increases and abnormal tissues without significant color changes cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the visible light source and developer chemical system with a thermal imaging system. The thermal image capturing assembly uses thermal radiation detection to identify abnormal tissues based on temperature differences, eliminating the need for chemical developers and visible light illumination, thus reducing tissue burden while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from visible light fluorescence to thermal radiation. By detecting temperature differences rather than relying on color changes or fluorescence, the system can identify abnormal tissues without requiring chemical developers, solving both the tissue burden issue and the detection limitation.
2Measurement precision
If thermal image capturing assembly is added to detect abnormal tissues, then objective and accurate targeting is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the thermal image capturing assembly with the existing endoscope catheter structure. The thermal imaging components are integrated into the catheter, allowing the system to maintain a compact form factor while adding thermal detection capability, thus reducing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope catheter is designed to perform multiple functions: thermal imaging for detection, towing component for positioning, and disposing component for ablation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity while achieving accurate targeting.
3Measurement precision
If towing component is used to adjust endoscope head position, then precise alignment with abnormal tissues is achieved, but device complexity and operation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses thermal imaging to provide real-time feedback on the location of abnormal tissues. The thermal image capturing assembly continuously monitors the tissue temperature distribution, and this information is fed back to control the towing component, enabling automatic or semi-automatic positioning of the endoscope head, thus reducing operation difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal imaging capability allows for preliminary identification and marking of abnormal areas before the actual ablation procedure. The system can pre-position the endoscope head by towing component based on thermal image analysis, preparing the precise alignment in advance and reducing the complexity of real-time control during the procedure.
4Productivity
If laser apparatus is used for ablation, then abnormal tissue removal is achieved, but energy consumption and potential tissue damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a laser apparatus for tissue ablation, replacing mechanical or electrical ablation methods. The laser provides precise, controlled energy delivery that can be focused on specific abnormal tissues identified by thermal imaging, improving ablation efficiency while allowing for better energy control and reduced collateral damage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate detection and precise ablation of abnormal tissues by avoiding tissue burden and ensuring objective targeting, utilizing thermal imaging to identify and mark abnormal areas for subsequent laser treatment.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal image capturing assembly positioned at the head part and configured to capture a thermal image from a shooting area and convert the thermal image into an image signal
Implementation Method 2
a laser apparatus including a light emitting tube. The light emitting tube is coupled to the input end of the light pipe. The laser apparatus is actuated to emit laser through the light emitting tube
Implementation Method 3
using a laser for ablation
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal image endoscope system includes a thermal image endoscope catheter and a control device. The thermal image endoscope catheter including: a tube body; a thermal image capturing assembly and a disposing component are positioned at a head part of the tube body, the thermal image capturing assembly captures a thermal image from a shooting area; the disposing component has a disposing area and the disposing area is inside the shooting area; a towing component is connected to the head part. The control device including: a driving component is connected to a towing component, a controller actuates the driving component according to a disposing command received by a receiving component to drive the towing component to tow the head part, and actuates a gate of a light guide assembly to selectively couple or decouple a light pipe of the light guide assembly to the disposing component.