System and method for guiding and tracking a region of interest using an endoscope

An endoscope comprising an insertion portion having a tip section with at least one viewing element for capturing images of a body cavity comprising a region of interest, the at least one viewing element being in data communication with a display screen, the display screen being coupled with a processor for executing a plurality of programmatic instructions, stored in non-transient memory, for displaying the region of interest within an endoscopic image on a target area of the display screen, the plurality of programmatic instructions comprising:

• capturing an image of the region of interest through the at least one viewing element;
• displaying the region of interest on the display screen;
• recording a demarcation of the region of interest on the display screen;
• recording a demarcation of the target area on the display screen;
• determining a transformation to be applied to the region of interest;
• and
• applying the determined transformation to provide guidance to direct a movement of the insertion portion toward the target area based on said recorded demarcation of the target area such that the region of interest is positioned in the target area on the display screen.

A method of repositioning a region of interest from a first location to a second location on at least one display screen of an endoscopy system, said endoscopy system having an insertion portion with at least one viewing element, comprising:

• selecting a first location comprising a detected region of interest on the at least one display screen;
• selecting a second location on the at least one display screen;
• estimating a transformation to be applied to guide a movement of said region of interest toward said second location;
• applying said estimated transformation;
• evaluating if the region of interest is displayed at said second location on the at least one display screen;
• and
• if said region of interest is not displayed at said second location, repeatedly estimating a new transformation based on a most recent location of the region of interest and guiding a movement of said region of interest toward said second location;
• wherein applying the estimated transformation comprises generating and electronically displaying a visual guide that directs a movement of the insertion portion such that the region of interest moves into the second location on the display.

A method of repositioning a region of interest from a first location to a second location on at least one display screen of an endoscopy system, said endoscopy system having an insertion portion with at least one viewing element, comprising:

• selecting a first location comprising a detected region of interest on the at least one display screen;
• selecting a second location on the at least one display screen;
• estimating a transformation to be applied to guide a movement of said region of interest toward said second location;
• applying said estimated transformation;
• evaluating if the region of interest is displayed at said second location on the at least one display screen;
• and
• if said region of interest is not displayed at said second location, repeatedly estimating a new transformation based on a most recent location of the region of interest and guiding a movement of said region of interest toward said second location;
• wherein applying the estimated transformation comprises using motors in said endoscope to automatically move the insertion portion in order to position the region of interest in the second location.