Assist device, endoscope system, assist method and computer-readable recording medium
Inventors
TANIGAMI, Yasuo • OTSUKA, Yusuke • KURODA, Noriko • Igarashi, Takaaki
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12599293-B2
Publication Date
2026-04-14
Expiration Date
Abstract
An assist device includes: a processor configured to generate a fluorescence image based on an imaging signal that is generated by capturing an image of fluorescence caused by excitation light that is applied to a living tissue, calculate a fluorescence intensity based on the fluorescence image, based on the fluorescence intensity, estimate a placement period during which a medical tool is placed in a lumen, and output placement period information on the placement period and an observation image obtained by capturing an image of the living tissue.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an assist device that generates a fluorescence image based on an imaging signal obtained by capturing an image of fluorescence caused by excitation light applied to living tissue. The processor calculates a fluorescence intensity based on the fluorescence image, and uses the calculated fluorescence intensity together with correlation information representing a previously measured correlation between a degree of invasion of the living tissue by an energy device and a fluorescence intensity to estimate a placement period during which a medical tool is placed in a lumen of the living tissue.
The assist device causes placement period information to be displayed together with an observation image of the living tissue to assist placement of the medical tool. The invention further includes estimating a presence or absence of a medical tool in the living tissue based on the calculated fluorescence intensity and the correlation information, and causing information indicating the presence or absence to be displayed together with the observation image to assist placement.
An endoscope system is also provided that includes an endoscope insertable into a lumen of a subject, a light source configured to emit excitation light that excites advanced glycation end products caused by performing thermal treatment on living tissue, and an imaging device configured to generate an imaging signal by capturing an image of fluorescence caused by the excitation light. A cut filter is provided on a side of a light receiving surface of the imaging device and blocks light on a side of short wavelengths containing part of a wavelength band of the excitation light, enabling generation of the fluorescence image used to calculate fluorescence intensity and estimate the placement period using the correlation information.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover an assist device, an endoscope system, and corresponding method and software mediums, with the key inventive approach centered on correlating fluorescence intensity with a previously measured relationship to invasion degree for estimating either a placement period or a presence/absence of a medical tool. Across the independent set, there are 3 main inventive feature sets: fluorescence-based intensity generation, correlation-information-based estimation, and display of placement-related information together with an observation image, with the endoscope system additionally specifying thermal-treatment-induced AGE fluorescence and use of a cut filter and detachable control.
Fluorescence image generation from excitation light on living tissue
A processor configured to generate a fluorescence image based on an imaging signal generated by capturing an image of fluorescence caused by excitation light applied to a living tissue.
Fluorescence intensity calculation based on the fluorescence image
A processor configured to calculate a fluorescence intensity based on the fluorescence image.
Correlation-information-based estimation of placement period from invasion degree
Based on the calculated fluorescence intensity and correlation information representing a previously measured correlation between a degree of invasion of the living tissue by an energy device and a fluorescence intensity, estimate a placement period during which a medical tool is placed in a lumen of the living tissue.
Display of placement period information together with an observation image
Cause placement period information to be displayed together with an observation image of the living tissue to assist placement of the medical tool.
Estimation of presence or absence of a medical tool
Based on the calculated fluorescence intensity and correlation information representing a previously measured correlation between a degree of invasion of the living tissue by an energy device and a fluorescence intensity, estimate a presence or absence of a medical tool in the living tissue.
AGE fluorescence excitation caused by thermal treatment and cut-filtered fluorescence capture
A light source configured to emit excitation light that excites advanced glycation end products caused by performing thermal treatment on a living tissue; an imaging device configured to generate an imaging signal by capturing an image of fluorescence caused by the excitation light; and a cut filter provided on a side of a light receiving surface of the imaging device, the cut filter configured to block light on a side of short wavelengths containing part of a wavelength band of the excitation light.
Detachable control device including an assist device
A control device that is detachable from the endoscope, the control device including an assist device that assists a practitioner, the assist device including a processor configured to generate a fluorescence image, calculate a fluorescence intensity, estimate a placement period, and cause placement period information to be displayed together with an observation image.
Non-transitory recording medium executable program for assist device
A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium with an executable program stored thereon, the program causing an assist device to execute generating a fluorescence image, calculating a fluorescence intensity, estimating a placement period based on correlation information, and causing placement period information to be displayed together with an observation image.
Across the independent claims, the inventive core is generating a fluorescence image from excitation light on living tissue, calculating fluorescence intensity, and using correlation information (previously measured between invasion degree by an energy device and fluorescence intensity) to estimate either a placement period in a lumen or a presence/absence of a medical tool. The results are displayed together with an observation image to assist placement, and the endoscope system additionally specifies AGE fluorescence excited by thermal treatment and fluorescence capture using a cut filter, with a detachable control device containing the assist processor.
Stated Advantages
Estimates a placement period during which a medical tool is placed in a lumen of the living tissue.
Assists placement of the medical tool by displaying placement-period information together with an observation image of the living tissue.
Estimates presence or absence of a medical tool in the living tissue.
Assists placement of the medical tool by displaying information indicating presence or absence together with an observation image.
Blocks short-wavelength light components using a cut filter to support fluorescence imaging used for placement-period estimation.
Documented Applications
Endoscope-assisted placement in a lumen of living tissue (transurethral lithotomy context is described in the provided partial content as f-TUL workflow) using fluorescence induced in advanced glycation end products caused by thermal treatment.
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