Three-dimensional measurement endoscope system with virtual rulers

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Surgical Technology
• Endoscopy

Background:

• Conventional endoscopic imaging lacks quantitative three-dimensional (3-D) data.
• Accurate real-time size and position measurements are crucial in endoscopic procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and present an endoscope system capable of real-time 3-D measurements.
• To enable physicians to accurately assess object dimensions and spatial location during endoscopy.

Main Methods:

• The system utilizes four laser beam sources and a camera for 3-D reconstruction.
• A calibration process establishes a mapping function from 2-D image coordinates to 3-D space, correcting for image distortion.
• Laser spots on the object surface are detected and triangulated to determine 3-D coordinates.

Main Results:

• The system successfully measures object size and position in real time.
• It provides undistorted endoscopic images with superimposed, scale-accurate rulers.
• The method corrects for barrel-shaped distortion inherent in endoscopic images.

Conclusions:

• This endoscope system offers quantitative 3-D measurement capabilities, improving upon conventional methods.
• It allows for precise, real-time dimensional analysis directly within the endoscopic view.
• The technology has the potential to enhance surgical precision and decision-making.