Information processing apparatus for epilepsy diagnosis, Intravascular device, Information processing method for epilepsy diagnosis, and Computer program for epilepsy diagnosis

Abstract

An information processing apparatus for epilepsy diagnosis includes a reception unit that receives designation of a first site in a brain tissue of a test subject that is a detection target of an electrical signal, a wire information reception unit that receives wire information, a determination unit that determines a second site in a blood vessel in or near the brain tissue of the test subject based on the wire information, the second site being suitable for detection of the electrical signal from the first site using a device for epilepsy diagnosis disposed in the blood vessel, and a display control unit that displays the second site in the blood vessel in a prescribed display section.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device for diagnosing epilepsy. Background Art

[0002] In surgeries for refractory epilepsy (epilepsy whose seizures cannot be relieved by medication), a portion of brain tissue is removed. Various methods are available to determine the site of resection, but each method presents numerous challenges.

[0003] For example, measuring brain waves with electrodes attached to the scalp is non-invasive and can be performed at various facilities. However, this method has low spatial and temporal resolution, making it difficult to accurately identify the area to be removed.

[0004] Alternatively, for example, brainwaves can be measured by attaching subdural electrodes after craniotomy and inserting deep EEG electrodes. While this method offers high spatial and temporal resolution, it is highly invasive and can potentially cause complications due to the intracranial electrodes. Furthermore, this method also presents challenges, such as the inability to maintain intracranial electrodes for extended periods of time, depending on the state of the brain surface, and the limited availability of specialized neurosurgeons, leading to limited facilities.

[0005] In recent years, technologies have been published that use electrodes placed within blood vessels to sense the electrical activity of neural tissue within the vessels. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that expands a stent equipped with electrodes within a cerebral blood vessel, causing it to become lodged in the vessel wall and thereby sense the electrical activity of nearby neural tissue.

[0006] Prior art literature

[0007] Patent Literature

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-159079. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0010] Here, when determining the epileptic focus and detecting epileptic seizures, the question arises as to where in the blood vessels the signal from the designated brain tissue should be received.

[0011] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technology for appropriately sensing the electrical activity of brain tissue in epilepsy diagnosis.

[0012] Solutions for solving problems

[0013] To achieve the above-mentioned object, one embodiment of the present invention is an information processing device for diagnosing epilepsy, comprising:

[0014] an accepting unit that accepts designation of a first site in the brain tissue of a subject as a detection target for an electrical signal;

[0015] A thread information receiving unit, which receives thread information;

[0016] a determination unit that determines, based on the wire information, a second site in a blood vessel in or near the brain tissue of the subject, the second site being suitable for detecting an electrical signal from the first site using an epilepsy diagnosis device disposed in the blood vessel; and

[0017] A display control unit displays the second site in the blood vessel on a predetermined display unit.

[0018] Effects of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique for appropriately sensing the electrical activity of brain tissue in epilepsy diagnosis. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 A diagram showing an overview of image display.

[0021] Figure 2 A diagram schematically showing the structure of the system.

[0022] Figure 3 A block diagram showing the hardware structure of the server.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional structure of a server.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of image display processing.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing an example of a relationship table.

[0026] Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of image display processing.

[0027] Figure 8 This is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the electroencephalogram analysis process.

[0028] Figure 9 A diagram showing blood vessels in the brain. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] (Implementation Method)

[0030] <Summary>

[0031] Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described using the drawings. Figure 1 This is a diagram showing an overview of image display by the server 1 (information processing device) to which this embodiment is applied.

[0032] exist Figure 1 In the example of , the server 1 acquires various images from the image acquisition device IM.

[0033] The image acquisition device IM is a device that acquires images representing in vivo information of a patient PT (a subject; a living organism such as an animal or human). More specifically, the image acquisition device IM acquires, as in vivo information, an image (first image) representing living tissue generating electrical signals and a vascular image (second image) representing blood vessels within or near the living tissue.

[0034] While living tissue includes nerves (nervous tissue) such as the brain and muscles (muscle tissue) such as the heart, this embodiment uses brain tissue as an example of living tissue. Specifically, the server 1 acquires a brain tissue image BI (first image) and a blood vessel image VI (second image) representing the brain tissue of the patient PT from the image acquisition device IM.

[0035] Brain tissue image BI is an image of brain tissue acquired using, for example, MRI (Magnetite Resonance Imaging). Specifically, brain tissue image BI is obtained by taking a cross-sectional image of brain tissue using magnetic resonance imaging. It is a three-dimensional image based on this cross-sectional image or its composition. Brain tissue image BI enables observation of the target brain tissue from various angles. Using brain tissue image BI, a doctor DC can understand the shape, size, and condition of the brain tissue (e.g., the presence or absence of a tumor).

[0036] The vascular image VI is, for example, a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) image acquired using the aforementioned MRI. The vascular image VI allows observation of the target blood vessels (their course) from various angles. The doctor DC can use the vascular image VI to understand the course of the blood vessels in the head, their thickness, and the condition of the blood vessels (e.g., the presence or absence of tumors).

[0037] The server 1 displays the acquired brain tissue image BI and blood vessel image VI on the terminal 2 of the doctor DC (display unit of the terminal 2; a predetermined display unit). In this embodiment, the server 1 performs two displays according to the setting of the position specifying mode (predetermined mode).

[0038] For example, when the position specification mode is on, server 1 displays the brain tissue image BI and the blood vessel image VI side by side on terminal 2. In this case, server 1 accepts the specification of a location within the brain tissue as a target for electrical signal detection (hereinafter referred to as the first location DP). Server 1 then identifies a location within the blood vessel corresponding to the first location DP, i.e., a location suitable for detecting electrical signals from the first location DP using a device located within the blood vessel (hereinafter referred to as the second location CP). Server 1 then displays the identified second location CP on terminal 2.

[0039] Furthermore, for example, when the position specification mode is off, the server 1 associates the brain tissue image BI with the vascular image VI. The server 1 then overlays (combines) the brain tissue image BI with the vascular image VI and displays the combined image FI (third image) on the terminal 2. The method for associating the brain tissue image BI with the vascular image VI will be described later.

[0040] The doctor DC refers to the brain tissue image BI and the blood vessel image VI or the composite image FI displayed on the terminal 2 to confirm the position (intravascular position) of the intravascular device (not shown; device for epilepsy diagnosis). The doctor DC then delivers the intravascular device into the brain blood vessels of the patient PT while inserting the catheter used in conventional intravascular brain surgery. Figure 1 As shown, the doctor DC displays the angiographic image AI (real-time image; fourth image) obtained by the angiographic examination AM on the display unit of the terminal 2 or another display device (eg Figure 1 While referencing the angiographic image AI, the physician DC delivers the intravascular device into the brain blood vessels of the patient PT using an external display device 3 (e.g., a terminal 2). Specifically, the physician DC places the intravascular device at the second location CP displayed on the terminal 2 and uses the indwelling intravascular device to detect electrical signals from the first location DP. The inserted intravascular device may be a single or multiple devices.

[0041] In addition, the angiographic image AI is an image showing the direction of blood vessels and the location of devices within the blood vessels. Figure 1 In the angiographic image AI, the position indicated by reference numeral VD indicates the current position of the intravascular device in the blood vessel (e.g., the position of the tip). By comprehensively observing the angiographic image AI (fourth image) and the composite image FI (third image), the doctor DC can easily and accurately deliver the intravascular device to the second location.

[0042] Furthermore, the association between the brain tissue image BI, the blood vessel image VI, the synthesized image FI, and the angiographic image AI may be arbitrary and may or may not be performed.

[0043] The angiographic image AI may be displayed alone, or may be displayed in parallel with at least one of the brain tissue image BI, the blood vessel image VI, and the composite image FI.

[0044] Intravascular devices are inserted into brain blood vessels via the same catheter used for intravascular brain surgery. Placed within a living blood vessel, they contain at least one electrode that detects activity in nearby living tissue outside the blood vessel. By securing the device at a specific location within the blood vessel, it can stably measure brain waves. Furthermore, because intravascular devices are inserted into extremely thin blood vessels, determining their placement within the tissue is clinically important.

[0045] In intravascular devices, electrodes can be placed on a wire member. In this case, compared to stents, the expansion force is smaller, and the slidability relative to the catheter is superior, thus making it easier to transport to the highly curved and small-diameter cerebral vessels. Furthermore, because the wire member can inhibit contact with the blood vessels (particularly in a natural state, the rod-shaped wire member has little contact with the blood vessel wall), it is less likely to cause harmful effects even if left in place for a long time, which is preferable in this respect. Therefore, it is preferably left in place for more than one day in the blood vessel.

[0046] The intravascular device comprises a core material and an insulator. More specifically, the outer periphery of the core material can be covered with the insulator.

[0047] As the core material, for example, an ultrafine wire made of stainless steel or nickel-titanium alloy can be used. Examples of the ultrafine wire as the core material include an ultrafine wire having a diameter of about 0.1 mm to 1 mm.

[0048] Examples of the insulator include polyimide tubes and PTFE tubes. The insulator itself is a cylindrical body, but since the inside thereof is filled with a core material, it can also be regarded as a wire member as an intravascular device.

[0049] Furthermore, the intravascular device may include an intravascular electrode and an intravascular backup electrode, which may be slightly separated from each other and provided on the same wire member. Furthermore, without limitation, the number of electrodes provided in one intravascular device may be one, or three or more.

[0050] By using such a thin, non-expandable intravascular device, it is easy to deliver the device near the first site, even at the distal end of a blood vessel. In other words, this type of intravascular device offers a high degree of freedom in its placement within the vessel, requiring the second site to be accurately determined while performing the delivery operation. This contrasts with stent-type intravascular devices, whose inherent size and expansion force naturally restrict their placement within the vessel.

[0051] In addition, the intravascular device can also have a portion composed of an X-ray non-transmissive member (e.g., platinum). Thereby, the position of the intravascular device within the blood vessel can be grasped in real time as in the angiogram image AI (fourth image) and the like as described above.

[0052] The server 1 acquires the potential information obtained by the intravascular electrode (via the intravascular device, the terminal 2), and calculates the measurement result of the brain wave (brain wave analysis).

[0053] The doctor DC determines the site (e.g., tumor) to be resected based on the measurement result of the brain wave. Then, the doctor DC performs a surgical operation to resect the portion of the brain tissue determined.

[0054] Hereinafter, the image display and the brain wave analysis will be described in detail.

[0055] <System configuration>

[0056] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the outline of the configuration of the system of the present embodiment. The system of the present embodiment is configured by connecting the server 1 that performs processing, the terminal 2, and the image acquisition device IM to each other via a prescribed network N such as the Internet. In addition, the terminal 2 is connected to the intravascular device.

[0057] The server 1 performs various processing in cooperation with the respective actions of the terminal 2 and the image acquisition device IM. The terminal 2 displays the medical record of the patient PT.

[0058] <Hardware configuration>

[0059] Figure 3 This is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the server 1 of the present embodiment. The server 1 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a bus 14, an input / output interface 15, an output section 16, an input section 17, a storage section 18, a communication section 19, and a drive 20.

[0060] The CPU 11 performs various processing in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 12 or a program loaded from the storage section 18 to the RAM 13. In the RAM 13, necessary data and the like are also appropriately stored on the basis of the various processing performed by the CPU 11. The CPU 11, the ROM 12, and the RAM 13 are connected to each other via the bus 14. The input / output interface 15 is also connected to the bus 14.

[0061] The input / output interface 15 is connected to an output unit 16, an input unit 17, a storage unit 18, a communication unit 19, and a driver 20. The output unit 16 comprises a display, a speaker, and other components, and outputs various information as images and sounds. The input unit 17 comprises a keyboard, a mouse, and other components, and inputs various information. The storage unit 18 comprises a hard disk, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), and other components, and stores various data. The communication unit 19 communicates with other devices via a network N, including the Internet.

[0062] A removable medium 21 composed of a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory is appropriately installed in the drive 20. Programs read from the removable medium 21 by the drive 20 are installed in the storage unit 18 as needed. Furthermore, similarly to the storage unit 18, the removable medium 21 can also store various data stored in the storage unit 18.

[0063] In addition, although not shown in the figure, the terminal 2 has Figure 3 The hardware structure shown.

[0064] <Functional Structure>

[0065] Figure 4 This is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the server 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0066] In the CPU 11 of the server 1, during operation, the image acquisition unit 31, the designation acceptance unit 32, the position identification unit 33, the association unit 34, the electroencephalogram acquisition unit 35, the electroencephalogram analysis unit 36, and the display control unit 37 function. Furthermore, the storage unit 18 of the server 1 includes an image DB 41 and an electroencephalogram information DB 42.

[0067] The image acquisition unit 31 acquires a brain tissue image BI and a blood vessel image VI of the patient PT acquired by the image acquisition device IM. Various image information acquired by the image acquisition unit 31 is stored in the image DB 41 .

[0068] The designation accepting unit 32 (accepting means) accepts designation of the first region DP in the brain tissue image BI from the doctor DC.

[0069] In the present embodiment, the designation accepting unit 32 accepts the designation of the first part DP by the doctor DC in a state where the brain tissue image BI is displayed on the terminal 2 .

[0070] The first part DP can be regarded as a part of the brain tissue (eg, the temporal lobe, the hippocampus, the amygdala, the cortical tubercle, etc.) where the doctor DC wants to measure the brain waves.

[0071] In addition, the method of designating the first part DP is not particularly limited. For example, the designation accepting unit 32 may accept the designation of the first part DP by accepting the selection of a part in the brain tissue from the doctor DC instead of using an image. In this case, a correlation table ( ) is prepared in advance in the storage unit 18, which associates the position (or part, or region) of the brain tissue with the position (or part, or region) of the blood vessel. Figure 6 A or Figure 6 B), the position determination unit 33 described later can refer to the association table to determine the second part CP described later.

[0072] The position identifying unit 33 (identifying means) identifies the second part CP corresponding to the above-mentioned first part DP in the blood vessel image VI.

[0073] Here, the first site DP is a location within the brain tissue, and the second site CP is a site within the blood vessel (orientation) corresponding to the first site DP. It is desirable that the second site CP be a site within the brain tissue along the blood vessel that is shortest in distance (e.g., Euclidean distance) from the first site DP. This is because the second site CP within the blood vessel allows for more accurate acquisition of EEG waves from the first site DP.

[0074] In addition, the determination method is not particularly limited, and various methods can be applied.

[0075] For example, the position identifying unit 33 may identify the second part CP corresponding to the first part DP using the above-mentioned association table.

[0076] In addition, for example, when the brain tissue image BI and the vascular image VI are three-dimensional images, the position determination unit 33 can also determine the second part CP corresponding to the above-mentioned first part DP based on the position of their respective centers of gravity and cross-sectional directions, by merging the positional relationship between the brain tissue image BI and the vascular image VI.

[0077] Furthermore, for example, when the composite image FI is manually composited by a doctor DC or the like, the second part CP corresponding to the first part DP may be specified using the composite image FI.

[0078] In addition, the position identifying unit 33 may identify the second part CP based on information on the intravascular device (device).

[0079] Examples of the information on the intravascular device include information on the intravascular delivery performance of the intravascular device and information on the size and / or expansion force of the intravascular device.

[0080] In the case of a wire, for example, information on the intravascular device (wire information) includes effective length, diameter (at the time of release), and diameter of a catheter suitable for combined use (insertion).

[0081] For example, the position determination section 33 calculates a position where the intravascular device can be disposed, based on the intravascular transportability, size, and expandability of the intravascular device. Specifically, the position determination section 33 calculates a position and a region (for example, a blood vessel thicker than the blood vessel diameter of the superior sagittal sinus) of a blood vessel where the intravascular device can be disposed, based on the size and the like of the intravascular device. Then, the position determination section 33 determines a position of a blood vessel having a course with the shortest distance from the first site DP as the second site CP, among the blood vessels where the intravascular device can be disposed.

[0082] Here, the intravascular transportability refers to an index indicating the slidability with respect to the catheter. The higher the slidability, the more excellent the intravascular transportability.

[0083] Further, the expandability refers to an index indicating the expandability in the blood vessel. The intravascular device provided with the electrode is expanded in the cerebral blood vessel to be anchored to the blood vessel wall, thereby sensing the electrical activity of the nearby neural tissue, and thus, for example, in the case where the intravascular device having high expandability is used, the blood vessel diameter where the intravascular device is anchored also needs to be a certain degree large (thick).

[0084] In addition, the method of acquiring the information on the intravascular device is not particularly limited, and for example, the information on the intravascular device can be received by an unillustrated reception section (device reception unit), or can be acquired from the DB or the like stored in the storage section 18 in advance.

[0085] The association section 34 associates the brain tissue image BI with the blood vessel image VI. For example, in the case where the brain tissue image BI and the blood vessel image VI are three-dimensional images, the association section 34 can also associate the positional relationship of the brain tissue image BI with the blood vessel image VI based on the positions of the respective centers of gravity and the sectional directions. In addition, the association section 34 can also associate the brain tissue image BI with the blood vessel image VI and generate a composite image FI.

[0086] The brain wave acquisition section 35 acquires the brain wave from the intravascular device inserted into the cerebral blood vessel of the patient PT from the doctor DC. Specifically, the brain wave acquisition section 35 acquires the potential information from the intravascular electrode in the intravascular device. The acquired brain wave is stored in the brain wave information DB 42.

[0087] The brain wave analysis section 36 analyzes the brain wave acquired from the brain wave acquisition section 35. For example, the brain wave analysis section 36 performs Fourier transform or the like on the brain wave described above, and generates information for the doctor DC to make a diagnosis.

[0088] The display control section 37 (display control unit) displays various information on the terminal 2.

[0089] For example, the display control unit 37 displays the brain tissue image BI and the vascular image VI on the terminal 2. Furthermore, the display control unit 37 displays items representing the first part DP in the brain tissue image BI and the second part CP in the vascular image VI on the terminal 2. Here, the term "item" refers to an icon such as a dot or a frame representing the first part DP and the second part CP. Alternatively, the display control unit 37 may display items representing the vascular image VI (second image) and the second part CP on the terminal 2 instead of the brain tissue image BI (first image).

[0090] Furthermore, for example, the display control unit 37 displays the analysis results obtained by the electroencephalogram analysis unit 36 ​​on the terminal 2 .

[0091] <Processing Content: Image Display Processing>

[0092] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of image display processing according to the present embodiment. Figure 5 In the example, the server 1 acquires the brain tissue image BI and the blood vessel image VI from the image acquisition device IM and displays them on the terminal 2. Figure 5 This is, for example, image display processing when the position specification mode is on.

[0093] In step S1, the image acquisition unit 31 acquires a brain tissue image BI acquired by the image acquisition device IM, and stores it in the image DB 41. The brain tissue image BI is an image of brain tissue acquired using, for example, MRI.

[0094] In step S2, the image acquisition unit 31 acquires the blood vessel image VI acquired by the image acquisition device 1M and stores it in the image DB 41. The blood vessel image VI is, for example, a magnetic resonance angiography image (MRA) acquired using the above-described MRI.

[0095] In step S3, the designation accepting unit 32 accepts the designation of the first part DP in the brain tissue image BI. For example, the designation accepting unit 32 accepts the designation of the first part DP by the doctor DC selecting a portion of the brain tissue image BI or a portion of the brain tissue.

[0096] In step S4 , as described above, the position identifying unit 33 identifies the position of the second part CP in the blood vessel image VI corresponding to the first part DP in the brain tissue image BI specified in step S4 .

[0097] The position determination unit 33 uses, for example, Figure 6 The association table shown in A determines the second part CP. Figure 6 The association table shown in A is stored in advance in the storage unit 18, for example.

[0098] Figure 6A represents an example of the association table of this embodiment. Figure 6 In the association table shown in A, a first site in the brain tissue is associated with a second site in the blood vessel corresponding to the first site.

[0099] For example, when the designation accepting unit 32 accepts "brain tissue xxx" which is a part of the brain tissue as the first part DP, the position specifying unit 33 refers to Figure 6 A specifies the "intravascular site aaa" which is the site within the blood vessel corresponding to the "brain tissue xxx" as the second site CP.

[0100] Furthermore, when acquiring information on the intravascular device as described above, the position determination unit 33 may also use, for example, Figure 6 The association table shown in B determines the second part CP. Figure 6 The association table shown in B is stored in advance in the storage unit 18, for example.

[0101] Figure 6 B shows an example of the association table of this embodiment. Figure 6 In the association table shown in B, a first part in the brain tissue is associated with one or more second parts in the blood vessels corresponding to the first part.

[0102] For example, when the designation accepting unit 32 accepts "brain tissue xxx" as a part of the brain tissue as the first part DP and acquires information (such as size and expandability) of the intravascular device, the position specifying unit 33 refers to Figure 7 In the example of B, the position identification unit 33 obtains "intravascular location ppp," "intravascular location qqq," and "intravascular location rrr" as the intravascular locations corresponding to "brain tissue xxx." Furthermore, the position identification unit 33 identifies the location where the intravascular device can be placed from among "intravascular location ppp," "intravascular location qqq," and "intravascular location rrr." In this case, the association table simply records information about the blood vessel diameter and the distance from the corresponding brain tissue, in association with the intravascular location. This allows the position identification unit 33 to consider, for example, the blood vessel diameter and the size of the intravascular device and identify the location closest to the corresponding tissue as the second location CP among the locations where the intravascular device can be placed.

[0103] The position identifying unit 33 is not limited to using the above table. For example, when the first part DP and information (size, expansibility, etc.) of the intravascular device are input, the position identifying unit 33 may use a predetermined function that outputs the second part CP.

[0104] In step S5, the display control section 37 arranges and displays the brain tissue image BI and the blood vessel image VI on the terminal 2. In the present embodiment, the arrangement and display includes: separately displaying the brain tissue image BI and the blood vessel image VI in a non-overlapping manner in one display section or a plurality of display sections; and displaying the brain tissue image BI and the blood vessel image VI in a partially or entirely overlapping manner in a display section. The partially overlapping of the brain tissue image BI and the blood vessel image VI means, for example, that the reduced blood vessel image VI is displayed at the end of the brain tissue image BI. The entirely overlapping of the brain tissue image BI and the blood vessel image VI means, for example, that the images of either or both are adjusted in transmittance, and are overlapped and displayed.

[0105] Further, in the case where the display control section 37 arranges and displays the brain tissue image BI and the blood vessel image VI, in the case where the display angle or the display mode (for example, the cross-sectional 2D display mode, the 3D display mode, or the like) of one of the images is changed, the display angle or the display mode of the other image can also be changed in conjunction (in linkage).

[0106] In addition, the display control section 37 can also display the above-described composite image in the display section of the terminal 2.

[0107] In step S6, the display control section 37 displays the item indicating the second site CP on the blood vessel image VI. In addition, the display control section 37 can also display the item indicating the first site DP on the brain tissue image BI.

[0108] Figure 7 is a diagram indicating one example of the image display processing of the present embodiment. In Figure 7 , the server 1 acquires the brain tissue image BI and the blood vessel image VI from the image acquisition device IM, and displays them on the terminal 2. Figure 8 is the image display processing in the case where, for example, the position designation mode is off.

[0109] Steps S11 and S12 are the same as the above-described steps S1 and S2, and thus the explanation is omitted.

[0110] In step S13, the association section 34 associates the brain tissue image BI and the blood vessel image VI as described above. Further, the association section 34 generates a composite image FI in which the associated brain tissue image BI and blood vessel image VI are synthesized. As described above, in the case where the brain tissue image BI and the blood vessel image VI are three-dimensional images, the association section 34 can also associate the positions of the brain tissue image BI and the blood vessel image VI, for example, based on the positions of the respective centers of gravity and the cross-sectional directions.

[0111] Alternatively, the association unit 34 may obtain a composite image FI manually synthesized by a physician, such as a doctor DC, by combining the brain tissue image BI and the vascular image VI. For example, the physician DC may obtain brain tissue data and vascular data obtained by MRI. The physician DC then uses predetermined software to overlay the brain tissue data and vascular data to generate the composite image FI.

[0112] Furthermore, for example, when the brain tissue image BI and the blood vessel image VI are synthesized using an apparatus such as MRI, the correlating unit 34 may acquire a synthesized image FI synthesized by the MRI or the like.

[0113] In step S14 , the display control unit 37 displays a composite image FI obtained by combining the brain tissue image BI and the blood vessel image VI on the terminal 2 .

[0114] <Processing Content: Brainwave Analysis Processing>

[0115] Figure 8 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of image display processing according to this embodiment. Figure 9 In the process, the server 1 obtains brain waves from the intravascular device and displays the results of the brain wave analysis on the terminal 2.

[0116] Specifically, in step S21 , the electroencephalogram acquisition unit 35 acquires electroencephalograms (electroencephalogram signals) from the intravascular electrodes and stores them in the electroencephalogram information DB 42 .

[0117] Then, in step S22 , the electroencephalogram analysis unit 36 ​​analyzes the acquired electroencephalogram.

[0118] Furthermore, in step S23 , the display control unit 37 displays the analysis result on the terminal 2 .

[0119] <Direction of blood vessels in the brain>

[0120] Figure 9 This figure shows an example of the course of blood vessels in the brain.

[0121] For example, a thin intravascular device of about 0.25 mm can be used to place an intravascular electrode in the distal part (thin part) of the blood vessel. Figure 9 In FIG, it is assumed that the above-mentioned intravascular electrode is placed in the site (region) indicated by the black dot.

[0122] For example, the second part CP may be located in a blood vessel upstream of the superior sagittal sinus. Here, upstream of the superior sagittal sinus refers to a blood vessel that is thinner than the superior sagittal sinus and located upstream of the blood flow.

[0123] Further, for example, the second site CP can also be a position in a blood vessel whose inner diameter is 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less. As the inner diameter of the blood vessel, if the blood vessel is circular, it can be the diameter, and if the blood vessel is elliptical, the inner diameter of the largest portion can be adopted. Further, 1 mm and 10 mm are one example, and it can also be a position in a blood vessel whose inner diameter is within a prescribed range.

[0124] Further, the second site CP can also be a position in a blood vessel within a prescribed region (for example, a region indicated by a black dot in Figure 4 Fig. 6).

[0125] <Advantages of the Present Embodiment>

[0126] According to the above-described embodiment, for example, if the intravascular device of the present application is appropriately disposed in a blood vessel in the brain to detect brain waves at sites near the left brain and the right brain, respectively, it can be used to determine an epileptic focus and detect a seizure. By correlating the brain tissue and the blood vessel and showing the second site in the blood vessel that corresponds to the first site of the brain tissue, the physician can easily grasp the site at which the intravascular electrode is disposed in order to appropriately sense the electrical activity of the living tissue that generates an electrical signal.

[0127] Further, according to the above-described embodiment, by displaying a composite image of the brain tissue image and the blood vessel image, the physician can easily grasp the site at which the intravascular electrode is disposed in order to appropriately sense the electrical activity of the living tissue that generates an electrical signal.

[0128] Thus, when measuring the brain waves at the first site of the brain tissue, it is possible to improve the spatial resolution and the temporal resolution.

[0129] Further, thus, the intravascular electrode can be left in the blood vessel for a long time compared to the intracranial electrode, and thus it is possible to continuously measure the brain waves.

[0130] Further, thus, even if the physician is not a specialist in brain surgery, as long as the physician is one who can perform intravascular surgery, the facilities in which the physician can perform the surgery increase compared to the case where a subdural electrode is attached and a deep brain wave electrode is inserted.

[0131] Further, according to the above-described embodiment, by performing analysis processing on the brain waves obtained from the intravascular electrode, it is possible to grasp the state of the brain waves in real time.

[0132] Further, according to the above-described embodiment, since a fine portion of the blood vessel is shown as the second site, it is difficult to reach using a conventional intravascular device, but if an intravascular device that is fine (about 0.25 mm, for example) and has a small expansion force is used, the intravascular electrode can be left in the distal portion that can be reached, and thus various diagnoses can be performed.

[0133] Such intravascular devices are much less invasive than intracranial electrodes, and therefore the risk of side effects and complications caused by their use is low.

[0134] Furthermore, whereas intracranial electrodes only measure electrical potentials on the surface of the brain, the aforementioned intravascular devices can measure electrical potentials deep within the brain, thus enabling monitoring of a wider range of brain regions.

[0135] Furthermore, intracranial electrodes require craniotomy and are limited in the area where they can be attached. On the other hand, the above-mentioned intravascular devices can be easily placed even in areas that are far apart, such as the forehead and the back of the head.

[0136] While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications and improvements within the scope that can achieve the object of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

[0137] (Variation)

[0138] In the above embodiment, although an example of displaying brain tissue images and blood vessel images in an examination for surgical operation for intractable epilepsy is described, brain tissue images and blood vessel images may be displayed in the same manner as described above as long as they are used for epilepsy diagnosis.

[0139] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which a brain tissue image and a blood vessel image are displayed side by side or a composite image is displayed according to a mode (position designation mode), but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0140] For example, based on the information indicating the second site and the angiographic image information, when it is detected that the intravascular device approaches, reaches, or passes through one or more of the second sites, the detected situation may be reported (displayed) in real time.

[0141] Furthermore, for example, the brain tissue image and the blood vessel image may be displayed without setting different modes.

[0142] Furthermore, for example, a composite image may be displayed without setting different modes. Furthermore, for example, a brain tissue image, a blood vessel image, and a composite image may be displayed side by side.

[0143] In the above embodiment, although an example of obtaining brain tissue images using MRI is described, the present invention is not limited thereto and brain tissue images may also be obtained using CT (Computed Tomography) or MEG (Magnetoencephalography).

[0144] In the above-described embodiments, although MRA is used as the blood vessel image, the method of acquiring the blood vessel image is not particularly limited, and various methods can be used for acquisition.

[0145] In the above-described embodiments, although the example in which the electrical signal of the living body tissue sensed by the intravascular electrode (measuring the brain wave) is described, the intravascular electrode can be used in various uses.

[0146] Further, for example, the above-described series of processes can be executed by hardware, and can be executed by software. In other words, the above-described functional configuration is merely an example, and is not particularly limited. That is, as long as the above-described system has a function of being able to execute the above-described series of processes as a whole, the functional block used to realize this function is not particularly limited to the above-described example. Further, the position of the functional block is also not particularly limited to ​ and can be an arbitrary position. For example, the functional block of the server can be transferred to another device or the like. Conversely, the functional block of another device can be transferred to the server or the like. Further, one functional block can be constituted by a single piece of hardware, can be constituted by a single piece of software, or can be constituted by a combination thereof.

[0147] In a case where the series of processes are executed by software, the program constituting the software can be installed to a computer or the like from a network, a storage medium. The computer can be a computer assembled in a dedicated hardware. Further, the computer is a computer capable of executing various functions by installing various programs, and for example, can be a general-purpose smartphone, a personal computer other than a server.

[0148] The storage medium containing such a program can be constituted not only by a non-illustrated removable medium separately provided outside the device main body in order to provide the program to the user or the like, but also by a storage medium provided to the user or the like in a state of being pre-installed in the device main body.

[0149] In addition, in the present specification, the steps of explaining the program stored in the storage medium certainly include processing performed in order of time series, but are not necessarily processing performed in time series, and include processing performed in parallel or individually. Further, in the present specification, the term of the system means a device as a whole constituted by a plurality of devices, a plurality of units, or the like.

[0150] Explanation of Reference Signs

[0151] 1: Server

[0152] 2: Terminal

[0153] 11: CPU

[0154] 18: Storage Unit

[0155] 19: Communication Unit

[0156] 31: Image acquisition unit

[0157] 32: Designated Receiving Department

[0158] 33: Position determination unit

[0159] 34: Related Department

[0160] 35: Brainwave Acquisition Department

[0161] 36: Brainwave Analysis Department

[0162] 37: Display control unit

Claims

1. An information processing device for epilepsy diagnosis, comprising: an accepting unit that accepts designation of a first site in the brain tissue of a subject as a detection target for an electrical signal; a thread information receiving unit for receiving thread information of a device for epilepsy diagnosis; a determining unit configured to determine, before delivering the device into the blood vessel, a second location in a blood vessel in or near the brain tissue of the subject based on the wire information, the wire information including at least one of an effective length, a diameter, and a diameter of a catheter suitable for concurrent use, the second location being suitable for detecting an electrical signal from the first location using the device; as well as A display control unit displays the second site in the blood vessel on a predetermined display unit.

2. The information processing device for epilepsy diagnosis according to claim 1, wherein: It also includes a device receiving unit that receives information about the device. The determination unit determines the second portion based on the information of the device.

3. The information processing device for epilepsy diagnosis according to claim 2, wherein: The information about the device includes information related to the intravascular delivery performance of the device.

4. The information processing device for epilepsy diagnosis according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The information about the device includes information related to the size and / or expansion force of the device.

5. The information processing device for epilepsy diagnosis according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The second site is a position in the blood vessel that is upstream of the superior sagittal sinus in blood flow.

6. The information processing device for epilepsy diagnosis according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The second site is a position in the blood vessel where the inner diameter of the blood vessel is 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

7. The information processing device for epilepsy diagnosis according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The display control unit displays a first image representing the brain tissue and a second image representing the blood vessel side by side on the display unit.

8. The information processing device for epilepsy diagnosis according to claim 7, wherein: The display control unit arranges and displays a fourth image obtained by angiographic examination on a predetermined display unit in addition to the first image and the second image.

9. An intravascular device, which is a wire-type intravascular device, is disposed in a blood vessel of a living being and has at least one electrode for detecting activity of brain tissue outside the blood vessel located adjacent thereto. The intravascular device is disposed at the second site displayed by the information processing apparatus for epilepsy diagnosis according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and is used to detect an electrical signal from the first site.

10. An information processing device for epilepsy diagnosis, comprising: an image acquisition unit that acquires, from the image acquisition device, a first image representing a brain tissue of a subject and a second image representing blood vessels in or near the brain tissue of the subject; an associating unit configured to associate the first image with the second image, and if the first image and the second image are three-dimensional images, to associate the positional relationship between the first image and the second image based on the positions of their respective centers of gravity and cross-sectional directions; as well as a display control unit configured to display the first image and the second image on a predetermined display unit; The information processing device for epilepsy diagnosis is configured as follows: Before delivering epilepsy diagnostic devices into blood vessels, The first image and the second image are displayed on the predetermined display unit using a display method corresponding to whether the position specification mode is turned on or off, or displaying the first image and the second image, and / or a composite image of the first image and the second image, on the predetermined display unit regardless of the position designation mode, When the display angle or display mode of one of the first image and the second image is changed, the display angle or display mode of the other image is changed in conjunction with the change.

11. The information processing device for epilepsy diagnosis according to claim 10, wherein: The display control unit overlaps the first image and the second image and displays the overlapped image as a third image on the predetermined display unit when the position specification mode is off.

12. The information processing device for epilepsy diagnosis according to claim 10 or 11, wherein: The display control unit arranges and displays a fourth image obtained by angiographic examination on the predetermined display unit in addition to the first image and the second image.

13. An information processing method for epilepsy diagnosis, comprising: an acceptance step of accepting designation of a first site in the subject's brain tissue as a detection target for the electrical signal; a determining step of determining, before delivering the epilepsy diagnostic device into the blood vessel, a second location in the blood vessel in or near the brain tissue of the subject based on wire information of the device, the wire information including at least one of an effective length, a diameter, and a diameter of a catheter suitable for use with the device, the second location being suitable for detecting an electrical signal from the first location using the device; as well as A display control step of displaying the second portion of the blood vessel on a predetermined display unit.

14. A computer program for diagnosing epilepsy, configured to cause a computer to execute: an acceptance step of accepting designation of a first site in the subject's brain tissue as a detection target for the electrical signal; a determining step of determining, before delivering the epilepsy diagnostic device into the blood vessel, a second location in the blood vessel in or near the brain tissue of the subject based on wire information of the device, the wire information including at least one of an effective length, a diameter, and a diameter of a catheter suitable for use with the device, the second location being suitable for detecting an electrical signal from the first location using the device; as well as A display control step of displaying the second portion of the blood vessel on a predetermined display unit.

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