Patent ID: 8696546
Filing Date: 2014-04-15
Classification: G06T

Abstract:
1. An imaging system for use in endoscopic medical procedures comprising: an image capture device for capturing images of an endoscopic field of view; an elongate member having a light source therein and a cannula for accepting an endoscope or a minimally invasive surgical instrument therethrough, the elongate member operable such that a surgical tool within the endoscopic field of view of the image capture device casts a shadow within the endoscopic field of view of the image capture device; and an image processor operatively connected to the image capture device and configured to (i) detect shadow pixels in the images corresponding to the shadow cast by the surgical tool relative to other shadow pixels in the images, and (ii) utilize neuro-fuzzy shadow filtering to enhance the shadow pixels cast by the surgical tool relative to other shadow pixels in the images such that depth perception relative to the surgical tool within the endoscopic field of view of the image capture device is enhanced.