Colonoscopy video processing for quality metrics determination

• US 20060293558A1
• Filed: 06/16/2006
• Published: 12/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation Incorporated (Iowa State University), Mayo Foundation For Medical Education And Research (Mayo Clinic), Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Original Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Inventors: De Groen, Piet C., Oh, Junghwan, Tavanapong, Wallapak, Wong, Johnny
• Granted Patent: US 7,894,648 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/101
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/31 for the rectum, e.g. proctoscopes, sigmoidoscopes , colonoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/0012 Biomedical image inspection

Abstract

A computer-based method that allows automated measurement of a number of metrics that likely reflect the quality of a colonoscopic procedure. The method is based on analysis of a digitized video file created during colonoscopy, and produces information regarding insertion time, withdrawal time, images at the time of maximal intubation, the time and ratio of clear versus blurred or non-informative images, and a first estimate of effort performed by the endoscopist. As these metrics can be obtained automatically, the method allows future quality control in the day-to-day medical practice setting on a large scale. In addition, the method can be adapted to other healthcare procedures. The method may be useful to assess progress during colonoscopy training, or as part of endoscopic skills assessment evaluations.

Claims

1. A method for evaluating the quality of an endoscopy procedure performed by inserting and withdrawing an endoscopic camera through a lumen, the method comprising:

acquiring digital video data containing images of an endoscopy procedure;

analyzing the digital video data to acquire information relating to movement of the camera through the lumen; and

calculating from the camera movement information at least a first quality metric relating to the endoscopy procedure.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein analyzing the digital video data comprises determining whether an image is informative or non-informative.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the image is informative if the image is in focus and non-informative if the image is out of focus.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein analyzing the digital video data comprises determining whether the images show the camera advancing or withdrawing.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein analyzing the digital video data comprises determining a boundary between images representative of an insertion phase of the endoscopy procedure and images representative of a withdrawal phase of the endoscopy procedure.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein analyzing the digital video data comprises segmenting the images of the endoscopy procedure into sequences of images representative of camera insertion and sequences of images representative of camera withdrawal.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein analyzing the digital video data comprises determining whether an image shows a lumen view or a wall view of the lumen.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining that the endoscopic procedure is of satisfactory quality if the quality metric at least meets a predetermined threshold.

9. A method for evaluating the quality of an endoscopy procedure performed by inserting and withdrawing an endoscopic camera through a lumen, the endoscopy procedure recorded as digital video data containing images of the endoscopy procedure, the method comprising:

determining whether an image is non-informative or informative;

analyzing the informative images to acquire information relating to movement of the camera through the lumen; and

calculating from the camera movement information at least a first quality metric relating to the endoscopy procedure.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the quality metric measures an overall duration of an insertion phase of the endoscopy procedure including non-informative images.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the quality metric measures an overall duration of a withdrawal phase of the endoscopy procedure including non-informative images.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the quality metric compares a duration of a withdrawal phase of the endoscopy procedure with and without the non-informative images.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the quality metric determines a number of endoscopic camera motion changes and compares the number of endoscopic camera motion changes to a duration of a withdrawal phase of the endoscopy procedure without the non-informative images.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the quality metric compares a duration of a withdrawal phase of the endoscopy procedure without the non-informative images to the number of images that are images of a wall of the lumen.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the quality metric compares the number of images of a wall of the lumen to the number of images of the lumen.

16. The method of claim 9 further comprising determining that the endoscopic procedure is of satisfactory quality if the quality metric at least meets a predetermined threshold.

17. A system for evaluating the quality of an endoscopy procedure performed by inserting and withdrawing an endoscopic camera through a lumen, the endoscopy procedure recorded as digital video data containing images of the endoscopy procedure, the system comprising:

a first means for analyzing the digital video data to acquire information relating to movement of the camera through the lumen;

a second means for calculating from the camera movement information at least a first quality metric relating to the endoscopy procedure; and

a third means for assigning a satisfactory rating to the endoscopic procedure if the quality metric at least meets a predetermined threshold and assigning an unsatisfactory rating to the endoscopic procedure if the quality metric does not meet the predetermined threshold.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the first means comprises a software program adapted for determining whether an image is informative or non-informative.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the second means comprises a software program adapted for determining the one or more quality metrics.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the first, second and third means comprise a software program adapted for automatically analyzing the digital video data, calculating the at least first quality metric and assigning the satisfactory or unsatisfactory rating to the endoscopic procedure.