DE102017103804A1 - Endoscopic image recording method and associated device - Google Patents

Abstract

To simplify the documentation of endoscopic examinations to be performed with an endoscopy camera (2), it is proposed to optically read in an information (4) with an endoscope (12) used with the endoscopy camera (2), which permits identification of the object to be examined, and Connection to this reading subsequent images with this information (4) to link, so that an association of the images to the object or to the specific examination is possible, it being provided that the information (4) computer-assisted extracted from a camera image and / or computer-aided with subsequently recorded images is linked (see.).

Description

The invention relates to an endoscopic image recording method in which an image data stream is generated with an endoscopy camera. The invention further relates to an endoscopy device with an endoscopy camera, which is set up to record an image data stream. Furthermore, the invention is concerned with the use of endoscopes and endoscopy arrangements.

Endoscopic image acquisition methods are known and are used for endoscopic examinations of various kinds, for example in medical applications or in the inspection of manufactured parts for the purpose of quality control or maintenance of hard to reach mechanical parts.

In this case, it has become customary to enter identification information about an external input means for the documentation of the endoscopic examination, in particular of a medical treatment performed with the examination, and to associate it with the recorded images of the image data stream. Thus, a variety of information, such as patient data or about a maintenance time or a part number, the image data stream and thus also individual images are assigned, so that a detailed documentation of the endoscopic examination is possible.

A keyboard is often used as the external input means, or it can be provided, for example, that the correct information is selected by a user from a predefined set of possible identification information.

The invention has for its object to simplify the documentation of endoscopic examinations.

To achieve this object, the features of claim 1 are provided according to the invention in an endoscopic image recording method. In particular, it is thus proposed according to the invention for solving the problem in an endoscopic image recording method of the type mentioned above that identification information is extracted from the image data stream in a computer-assisted manner and at least subsequently captured images of the image data stream are linked to the extracted identification information. In this case, "still images" as well as videos can be understood. By "computer-aided" can be understood, for example, that the extraction of a computer, such as a micro-controller or a PC or the like, in particular automated, is made.

In other words, it is thus proposed to use an imaging optics of an endoscopy camera, for example a video endoscope with which an image data stream is generated, to read in information that identifies an object to be endoscopically examined, for example a patient or a workpiece , suitable is.

For this purpose, for example, the information can be imaged by means of an imaging optics on an image sensor of the endoscopy camera, so that the camera can provide the optical information for further processing within the endoscope. Thereafter, the information can be processed externally or by the endoscope itself and in particular linked to the recorded image data.

An advantage of a method having the features of claim 1 is that it is possible to dispense with the use of an additional input device for entering the identification information. Furthermore, additional reading devices are dispensable and the reading can be done optically and non-contact, ie in particular with a distance, for example on a sterile device.

These advantages significantly simplify and speed up the documentation of the endoscopic examination. On the other hand, the security of the documentation can be significantly increased, since input errors caused by a user can be largely excluded. Especially in medical applications, where high demands are placed on the security of the documentation of treatments, the latter aspect offers a huge advantage. In addition, hygienic standards can be maintained in hospitals.

According to the invention, the object can also be achieved by further advantageous embodiments of the subclaims.

Thus, according to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it may be provided that the extraction of the identification information and / or the linking of the images with the identification information, in particular automatically, is performed by the endoscopy device, preferably by an image processing unit. Thus, for example, it can be ensured that the images of the image data stream are already linked to the identification information as soon as the endoscope retransmits the image data stream, for example to a storage medium or to an external server. In addition, the application of the method is simplified.

In many applications, identification information is used in coded form. For example, as a bar or QR code on patient cards or about lasered on a workpiece. In order to enable a linking of image data with the identification information in such a case as well, it can be provided according to the invention that the identification information is extracted from a camera image by intelligent image processing. Alternatively or additionally, the identification information can be extracted from a camera image of a machine-readable code, preferably a barcode or a QR code, by feature recognition and decoding. In both cases, it can be provided for this purpose that, for this purpose, an algorithm is executed by the endoscopy device, in particular by an image processing unit.

Instead of a bar code or QR code, which are widely used in hospitals, according to the invention, similar 1D or 2D codes or normal text strings in plain text or even, with appropriate equipment of the image processing unit, handwritten labels can be read in each case to a useful Extract identification information.

For example, to adapt to different data systems that may be common in different hospitals, it may also be provided that the executable algorithm is configurable. In this case, it is preferable if the configuration can be carried out by a user during operation of the endoscopy camera. A configuration according to the invention may, for example, be such that codes to be recognized by a program which can not be recognized, in particular machine-readable codes, can be distinguished. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that by configuring the algorithm, the image recording method, preferably in operation, can be adapted to different codes. This makes it possible, for example, to distinguish respectively barcodes to be recognized or comparable machine-readable codes from other machine-readable codes which are also within the field of vision of the endoscopy camera but are not of interest for the specific application. By means of such a configuration and adaptability of the algorithm, it is thus possible, in particular, to prevent unwanted reading-in of incorrect codes.

In a further embodiment of the image recording method according to the invention can be provided that a user signal can be generated, which prompts a user to start an identification information reading process or to start an identification information extraction process or to accept an already extracted identification information. Such a user signal can in particular be generated by the endoscopy device, in particular an endoscope or a CCU. According to the invention, it is advantageous in this case if the image recording method is only continued when a user acknowledges the corresponding request, for example by pressing a control key. By these embodiments, it is avoidable that a wrong code is read in by accident, which is not intended for the documentation.

A particularly simple and elegant embodiment provides that the user generates the user signal described above by aligning the endoscopy camera, preferably over a certain predetermined period of time, to a code to be read.

In an analogous manner, according to the invention, it can also be provided that the user signal is acknowledged by the user in that the user aligns the endoscopy camera with a code to be read in for a certain predetermined period of time.

To achieve the above object, the features of the independent device claim 7 are provided according to the invention. In particular, according to the invention for solving the problem in an endoscopy device of the type mentioned, which can be set up in particular for applying an image recording method according to the invention, it is proposed that means are formed on the endoscopy device for, preferably computer-aided, linkage of image data recorded with the endoscopy camera with identification information extracted from such image data.

The advantage here is that an investigation carried out with a set up according to claim 7 endoscopy examination can be documented quickly, reliably and safely without additional input means.

An endoscopy device according to the invention can be formed, for example, by an endoscope with a connected camera head or a video endoscope. In this case, the endoscope provides imaging optics with which an object to be examined can be imaged onto a sensor of the endoscopy camera. Preferably, the endoscopy device can also have a camera control unit (CCU) for controlling and controlling the endoscopy device.

In a preferred embodiment it is provided that the endoscopy device, in particular an image processing unit, is set up to undertake the extraction of the identification information from the image data and / or the linking of the identification information with the image data in a computer-assisted manner. Thus, a way is described how the extraction and / or the link can be made in particular automated. For this purpose, a camera control unit (CCU) of the endoscope can be set up accordingly, wherein the CCU can be embodied in a camera head of the endoscope or separately from the camera head and in particular can have an image processing unit.

Integrated in the CCU or connected to this can be a so-called recorder, so a memory unit. This recorder / memory unit can store parts of the image data stream or the entire image data stream or individual (still) images or video sequences selected for documentation purposes from the image data stream, in each case together with the linked identification information for documentation purposes.

For the most efficient computer-aided execution of a method according to the invention, it can be provided that an image processing unit of the endoscopy device is set up to execute an algorithm which extracts identification information from the image data stream by intelligent image processing and / or by feature recognition and decoding. In this case, it is considered advantageous if the endoscopy device provides means for configuring the algorithm by a user, for example a control unit.

A further advantageous embodiment provides that the endoscopy device comprises means for generating and / or acknowledging a user signal, as already described above, so that the advantages of the image recording method according to the invention can be fully utilized.

In order to achieve the stated object, according to the invention, in an application of an image recording method as described here, the features of the secondary, application-directed claim 11 are provided. In particular, it is thus proposed according to the invention that, when using an image recording method according to the invention, in particular as described above and / or according to one of the claims directed to an endoscopic image recording method, to prepare an endoscopic examination an endoscopy device as described above and / or after one of the directed to an endoscopy device Claims is used.

Finally, the use of an endoscope for reading in an identification information is proposed to solve the stated object, preferably as part of an endoscopy device as described above and / or according to one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the identification information is computer-aided linked to images that are transmitted via the endoscope in have been recorded in a normal operation. In this case, it can be provided in particular that an image recording method with features according to one of claims 1 to 6 is executed.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to embodiments, but is not limited to these embodiments.

Further exemplary embodiments result from the combination of the features of individual or several protection claims with one another and / or with one or more features of the respective exemplary embodiment. In particular, embodiments of the invention can thus be obtained from the following description of a preferred embodiment in conjunction with the general description, the claims and the drawings.

• 1 eine erfindungsgemäße Endoskopieanordnung mit einem Videoendoskop, die zur Ausführung eines erfindungsgemäßen Bildaufnahmeverfahrens eingerichtet ist,
• 2 eine weitere erfindungsgemäße Endoskopieanordnung,
• 3 ein Ablaufschema eines erfindungsgemäßen Bildaufnahmeverfahrens, sowie
• 4 ein weiteres beispielhaftes Ablaufschema eines erfindungsgemäßen Bildaufnahmeverfahrens.

It shows:

• 1 an endoscopy device according to the invention with a video endoscope, which is set up to carry out an image recording method according to the invention,
• 2 another endoscopy device according to the invention,
• 3 a flowchart of an image recording method according to the invention, as well as
• 4 a further exemplary flowchart of an image recording method according to the invention.

The designated as a whole with 1 Endoskopieanordnung the 1 is formed by a video endoscope 12 and a camera control unit (CCU) 6 , The video endoscope 12 , which has an imaging optics 5 and an endoscopy camera 2 has a cable with the CCU 6 connected. Over the cable can one with the Endoskopie camera 2 generated image data stream 3 to the CCU 6 be transported. The CCU 6 has an image processing unit 8th as well as an internal storage unit 13 on and gives the image data stream 3 via another cable to a monitor 10 continue to allow the user live images.

As in 1 indicated, following the use of an endoscope according to the invention, the imaging optics 5 and thus the Endoscopic Camera 2 to a code to be read 7 on a patient card, for example 11 is arranged to be aligned. Such a patient card may, for example, be located in an operating room in the immediate vicinity of a patient. The code 7 is thus on an image sensor of the endoscopy camera 2 imaged and digitized there. A digital picture of the code 7 can from the endoscopy camera 2 to the CCU 6 be passed on, so that the image processing unit 8th the digital image of the code 7 can handle. With appropriate programming of the image processing unit 8th It is possible, from the image of the code 7 identification information 4 to extract and cache first.

Subsequently, the video endoscope 12 used for an endoscopic examination of the patient, using the endoscopic camera 2 a picture data stream 3 to the CCU 6 transfers. The CCU 6 , more precisely, the image processing unit 8th the CCU 6 , so can after reading the code 7 with the endoscopy camera 2 taken pictures with the identification information 4 link and save to the storage unit 13 transfer. This contains the storage unit 13 after examining a set of images, due to the link with the identification information 4 can be clearly assigned to the investigation.

2 shows a further endoscopy device according to the invention 1 , In this case, the image processing unit 8 is located in a camera head 9 who has an endoscopy camera 2 carries and modular to an endoscope 12 with imaging optics 5 is connectable. In such an embodiment of the endoscopy device 1 can therefore the extraction of identification information 4 and / or the link with the image data already in the camera head 9 take place so that image data with already linked documentation information to the CCU 6 can be transmitted.

One advantage of the method is, inter alia, that both bar codes 7 , as in 1 shown as well as QR codes, as in 2 represented, can be read with known from the prior art endoscopes.

The 3 and 4 illustrate possible embodiments of image acquisition methods according to the invention by means of flowcharts. Starting from one with the endoscopy camera 2 generated image data stream 3 will be a query first 14 "Code reading active?" Processed, which ensures that the endoscopy camera 2 the code 7 can read. Is the endoscopy camera 2 in a corresponding mode, the reading is carried out by processing the method step 15 "read code". This step may also include extracting the identification information 4. Subsequently, by means of a new query 17 "Use code?", Which ideally must first be acknowledged by the user, the linking of image data with the identification information 4 triggered, so that in the result another image data stream 3 can be output, for example, can only have such image data with the read identification information 4 are linked. As indicated by the arrows and symbolic "Yes" and "No" can be jumped back to previous steps in the process at different points of the process, for example, if accidentally a wrong code 7 has been read in and the query 17 "Use code?" Is acknowledged by the user as "No".

In summary, to simplify the documentation of endoscopic examinations to be performed with an endoscopy camera, it is proposed to optically read in an endoscope used with the endoscopy camera information that permits identification of the object to be examined, and subsequently to record these images with this information link, so that an association of the images to the object or to the specific examination is possible. In this case, it is provided that the information is extracted computer-assisted from a camera image and / or linked computer-aided with the subsequently recorded images.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

endoscopy arrangement

2

Endoscopic Camera

3

Image data stream

4

identification information

5

imaging optics

6

CCU

7

code

8th

Image processing unit

9

camera head

10

monitor

11

patient card

12

endoscope

13

storage unit

14

Query: code reading active?

15

Read code

16

Query: use code?

17

Use code to label images

Claims (12)

Endoscopic image recording method, in which an image data stream (3) with an endoscopy camera (2) of an endoscopy device (1) is generated, characterized in that from the image data stream (3) identification information (4) is extracted computer-assisted and at least subsequently recorded images of Image data stream (3) with the extracted identification information (4) are linked. Endoscopic image recording method according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the extraction of the identification information (4) and / or the link, in particular automatically, by the endoscopy device (1), preferably by an image processing unit (8), is made. Endoscopic image recording method according to one of Claims 1 or 2 , characterized in that the identification information (4) is extracted from a camera image by intelligent image processing and / or from a camera image of a machine-readable code (7), preferably a bar code (7) or a QR code (7), by feature recognition and decoding , In particular wherein for this purpose an algorithm of the endoscopy device (1), in particular of an image processing unit (8) is executed. Endoscopic image recording method according to Claim 3 , characterized in that the algorithm can be configured, preferably in operation, that codes (7) to be recognized for a specific application are not distinguishable, in particular machine-readable, and / or that by configuring the algorithm the image recording method, preferably in the Operation, is adaptable to different codes (7). Endoscopic image recording method according to one of Claims 1 to 4 Characterized in that a user signal can be generated, in particular of endoscopy assembly (1) is generated which prompts a user for starting an identification information read procedure or for starting an identification information extraction process, or for accepting an already extracted identification information (4), preferably wherein the image capture process is only continued when a user acknowledges the appropriate request. Endoscopic image recording method according to Claim 5 , characterized in that the user generates and / or acknowledges the user signal by aligning the endoscopy camera (2), preferably over a certain predetermined period of time, with a code (7) to be read. Endoscopy arrangement (1), in particular for the application of an image recording method according to one of the Claims 1 to 6 , with an endoscopy camera (2), which is set up for recording an image data stream (3), characterized in that means are formed for, preferably computer-aided, linking of the endoscopy camera (2) recorded image data with an extracted from such image data identification -information (4). Endoscopy arrangement (1) according to Claim 7 , characterized in that the endoscopy device (1), in particular an image processing unit (8), is adapted to carry out the extraction of the identification information (4) from the image data and / or the linking of the identification information (4) with the image data computer-aided. Endoscopy arrangement (1) according to one of Claims 7 or 8th characterized in that the image processing unit (8) is arranged to execute an algorithm which extracts the identification information (4) from the image data stream (3) by intelligent image processing and / or by feature recognition and decoding, preferably wherein the endoscopy device (1) comprises means for Configuration of the algorithm by a user. Endoscopy arrangement (1) according to one of Claims 7 to 9 , characterized in that the endoscopy device (1) comprises means for generating and / or acknowledging a user signal according to Claim 5 having. Application of an image recording method according to one of Claims 1 to 6 for preparing an endoscopic examination using an endoscopy device (1) according to any one of Claims 7 to 10 , Use of an endoscope (12), preferably as part of an endoscopy device (1), in particular according to one of Claims 7 to 10 for reading identification information (4), wherein the identification information (4) is computer - linked with images recorded via the endoscope (12) in a normal mode, in particular wherein an image recording method according to one of the Claims 1 to 6 is performed.

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