Automatic steering of an introducer with a video laryngoscope
AssigneeCovidien LP
InventorsPeter D.C. Inglis, Derek S. Tata
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and systems for automatic steering of a blind introducer based on images from an independent camera (e.g., a camera of a video laryngoscope) are disclosed. A real time image of a video laryngoscope may be analyzed by a trained ML model to output a classification for the image. The classification may be associated with steering instructions for an introducer. The steering instructions may be provided to the introducer to cause steering of a distal end of the introducer in real time. The trained ML model may be generated by AI or ML training algorithms, based on multiple sets of multiple still-shot training images associated with a finite quantity of classifications.
Claims20
A method for steering an introducer with a video laryngoscope, the method comprising:
- receiving an image from a camera of a video laryngoscope, the image including a distal end of an introducer and an anatomical structure;
- providing the image as an input to a trained machine-learning (ML) model, wherein the ML model is trained to classify images as steering instructions for the introducer, and the trained ML model is trained using a training dataset including a first set of training images pre-classified with a first steering instruction and a second set of training images pre-classified with a second steering instruction;
- receiving as output from the trained ML model, a classification of the image;
- based on the classification, generating a steering instruction for the introducer;
- and
- causing the distal end of the introducer to be steered in accordance with the steering instruction.
A video laryngoscope comprising:
- a handle portion;
- a display screen coupled to the handle portion;
- a blade portion, coupled to the handle portion, configured to be inserted into a mouth of a patient;
- a camera, positioned at a distal end of the blade portion, that acquires a video feed while the video laryngoscope is powered on;
- a memory storing a trained machine-learning (ML) model;
- and
- a processor that operates to:
- receive an indication to automatically steer an introducer;
- receive an image of the video feed from the camera in real time, the image comprising a single frame of the video feed depicting an introducer portion associated with a distal end of the introducer;
- classify, by the trained ML model, the image, wherein the classification includes the steering instruction and the classification is selected from a finite set of at least four classifications;
- based on the classification of the image, generate a steering instruction to steer the distal end of the introducer;
- and
- send the steering instruction to a steering system of the introducer to bend the distal end of the blind introducer in the steering direction.
A method for steering a blind introducer via a third-person perspective camera, the method comprising:
- receiving a video feed from a camera having a third-person view of a blind introducer, the video feed including a distal end of the blind introducer;
- receiving a first image from the video feed of the camera;
- classifying, by a trained machine-learning (ML) model, the first image with a first classification;
- determining, based on the first classification, a first bending angle for the distal end of the blind introducer;
- instructing a steering system of the blind introducer, in real time, to bend the distal end according to the determined first bending angle;
- receiving a second image from the video feed of the camera;
- and
- classifying, by the trained ML model, the second image with a second classification, in real time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.