3D Puncture Route Guidance for Avoidance Tissue Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound-guided puncture procedures require significant manual skill and experience to avoid critical tissues such as blood vessels and nerves during puncture, posing a risk of unintended puncture.
Innovation Solution
A puncture support apparatus and program that utilizes a camera and ultrasound diagnostic system to detect probe and needle positions, form three-dimensional models of the subject and avoidance tissues, and specify a recommended puncture route to avoid these tissues, providing real-time guidance to operators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual puncture technique is used with ultrasound guidance, then the puncture can be performed with existing equipment, but the operator requires significant experience and skill to avoid critical tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by acquiring multiple ultrasound images from different angles, constructing three-dimensional models of critical tissues and target lesions before puncture, and pre-calculating the optimal puncture route that avoids critical tissues. This preliminary modeling and route planning enables less experienced operators to perform safe punctures without requiring extensive manual skill.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary computational model that mediates between the operator and the actual puncture procedure. The three-dimensional models and automated route specification act as an intermediary that translates complex anatomical relationships into a clear, safe puncture path, reducing the burden on operator skill while maintaining high reliability.
2Measurement precision
If automated route specification is implemented, then puncture accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves high puncture accuracy by utilizing the existing ultrasound diagnostic apparatus for multiple functions: image acquisition, three-dimensional model construction, critical tissue identification, and route calculation. By making the ultrasound system multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated devices while still providing automated route specification with high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual three-dimensional copy of the patient's anatomy through image processing and modeling. This digital model allows for precise route planning and simulation without requiring complex physical guidance devices during the actual puncture procedure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables less skilled operators to perform precise punctures by offering a recommended route that avoids critical tissues, reducing the risk of complications and improving procedural accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting ultrasound from an ultrasound probe toward a subject, receives a reflected wave from the subject in the ultrasound probe
Data Source
AI summary
A volume data acquisition unit acquires volume data including a puncture target object and an avoidance tissue. A model forming unit forms a subject model that is a three-dimensional model including a puncture target object model and an avoidance tissue model, based on the volume data. A puncture route specifying unit specifies, in the subject model, a recommended puncture route which is a route that extends from a body surface position of a subject E to the puncture target object model while avoiding the avoidance tissue model and through which a puncture needle is to pass. A display control unit notifies an operator of the specified recommended puncture route.