Method and Apparatus for Detecting Information about the Three-Dimensional Structure of the Inner Surface of a Body Cavity

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention describes a method and device for capturing detailed three-dimensional (3D) information about the inner surface of bodily cavities, such as the stomach or intestines, using an endoscope. The endoscope is equipped with at least three spaced-apart light sources and a camera. By sequentially illuminating the target area from different directions and capturing images from the same position, the system uses photometric techniques to reconstruct the 3D structure based on intensity variations in the images. This approach enables accurate, non-invasive mapping of complex internal surfaces, even when space is limited and traditional stereo vision is impractical.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Medical endoscopy for diagnostics or surgical planning (e.g., mapping the interior of gastrointestinal or respiratory tracts)
• Non-invasive assessment of tissue morphology in hard-to-reach body cavities
• Guidance and navigation of endoscopic capsule robots within the body
• Detection and monitoring of abnormal growths, lesions, or anomalies inside body cavities
• Enhanced virtual endoscopy or training simulations using real patient data
• Quality assurance in minimally invasive medical procedures
• Detailed documentation and longitudinal tracking of internal surface changes during treatment

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables high-precision 3D reconstruction in confined anatomical spaces where stereo cameras cannot fit
• Reduces reliance on doctors' subjective interpretation of 2D images for spatial judgments
• Can be integrated into both conventional and capsule-based endoscopes, expanding its applicability
• Improves diagnostic accuracy and planning for surgical and therapeutic procedures
• Minimally invasive, potentially reducing procedure time, risk, and patient discomfort
• Facilitates remote or automated navigation in robotic/capsule endoscopy applications
• Provides objective, quantitative data for research, documentation, and patient monitoring

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a method and device for recording information about the three-dimensional structure of the inner surface (18) of a body cavity (2), having an endoscope (4) inserted into the body cavity (2), wherein a region of the inner surface (18) is illuminated from different directions, one after another in time, by means of at least three light sources (14a, b, c) disposed spaced apart from each other on or in the endoscope (4) as the endoscope (4) is at rest. Using a camera (16), one image (Ba, b, c) each is recorded of each illuminated region from the same camera position, so that, for a plurality of object points (01, 02) of the region (G), said associated image points (P1, P2) comprise the same image coordinates for each of said object points (01, 02) in each of the three images (Ba, b, c), one after another in time. Information about the three-dimensional structure of the region is derived from the intensities of the image points (P1, P2) in each of the images (Ba, b, c).