Virtual 3D Model Generation for Endoscopic Surface Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic examinations of body interiors, such as the bladder, face challenges due to the restricted field of view of endoscopes, leading to incomplete surface acquisition and difficulty in navigating and re-identifying examined areas, which can result in missed malign tissue regions.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that generate a virtual 3D model of the body interior by acquiring data from an endoscope's position, orientation, and distance to the surface, allowing for complete surface acquisition and documentation, with a data processing system that projects endoscopic images onto the model, enabling targeted navigation and identification of examined areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the field of view of an endoscope is restricted, then the endoscope can be maneuvered in body interiors, but complete surface acquisition becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional endoscopic images to three-dimensional virtual models by acquiring position and orientation data of the endoscope. This dimensional transformation allows complete surface acquisition while maintaining the maneuverability benefits of endoscopic navigation through the body interior.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual three-dimensional copy of the body interior surface by combining multiple two-dimensional endoscopic images with position and orientation data. This virtual model serves as a complete documentation of the surface, ensuring no areas are overlooked while preserving the advantages of endoscopic maneuverability.
2Ease of operation
If endoscopic images are displayed without spatial depth information, then the endoscope can be used for examination, but identification of surface areas becomes ambiguous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces position and orientation data as intermediary information that links the two-dimensional endoscopic images to specific three-dimensional surface areas. This intermediary data layer restores spatial depth information, enabling unambiguous identification of examined areas while maintaining the simplicity of endoscopic examination.
3Reliability
If multiple endoscopic images are acquired from different surface areas, then comprehensive documentation is achieved, but difficulty in refinding specific areas increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously tracking and recording the position and orientation of the endoscope during examination. This feedback information is stored with each endoscopic image, creating a navigable database that enables easy refinding of specific surface areas in subsequent examinations while maintaining comprehensive documentation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for generating at least one section of a virtual 3D model of a body interior, in particular a hollow organ, uses data that are provided by at least one endoscope introduced into the body interior. The data comprise at least one position and orientation of the endoscope, the at least one position and orientation being assigned at least one distance between the endoscope and the at least one point on a surface of the body interior, and at least one endoscopic image of the surface of the body interior in the region of the at least one point on the surface of the body interior. From the said data relating to a number of different positions and orientations of the endoscope is/are generated the section or sections of the 3D model in superposition with the associated endoscopic image. An appropriate apparatus is also described.