3D Tool-Centric Navigation for Hollow Anatomical Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally invasive procedures using navigated imaging devices expose patients and procedural staff to ionizing radiation, necessitating a reduction in their use while maintaining effective navigation in hollow anatomical structures.
Innovation Solution
A device and method for navigation in hollow anatomical structures that utilizes 3D image data to estimate and render a tool-centric view, allowing visualization of the scene inside the structure without relying on imaging capabilities of the tool, using a data input, processor, and output interface to transfer and generate a rendered image based on registered tool pose.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If navigated imaging devices with imaging capabilities are used, then navigation effectiveness is improved, but radiation exposure to patients and staff increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the imaging function by rendering a synthetic view from the tool tip's perspective using preoperative 3D image data. Instead of using a physical imaging device at the tool tip that would require radiation, the system generates a computational representation of what would be visible, allowing navigation guidance without actual radiographic imaging during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational rendering system that mediates between the tool's physical position and the need for imaging information. The rendering engine acts as an intermediary that translates tool pose data into a visual representation without requiring direct radiation exposure, thereby enabling navigation guidance while eliminating the harmful radiation exposure pathway.
2Loss of information
If imaging devices with imaging capabilities are inserted into the tool, then real-time visualization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of physically inserting imaging devices into the tool, the patent creates a virtual copy of the imaging function through computational rendering. The system uses preoperative 3D image data and tool pose information to generate a synthetic view, eliminating the need for physical cameras or transducers within the tool structure while maintaining visualization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/imaging system (physical cameras, transducers, and associated electronics within the tool) with a computational system. The rendering engine substitutes for the physical imaging hardware, using software-based image synthesis to provide visualization, thereby significantly reducing the mechanical complexity of the tool while maintaining the essential visualization function.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If tool-centric view is generated from 3D image data, then radiation exposure is reduced, but computational processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by using preoperative 3D image data that has already been acquired and processed. Instead of requiring real-time radiation-based imaging during the procedure, the system uses pre-acquired 3D data and performs computational rendering based on tool pose, shifting the computational workload to occur before the procedure and during image synthesis rather than requiring continuous real-time radiographic imaging.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to medical navigation. In order to provide facilitated information for navigation in hollow anatomical structures, a device (10) for navigation in hollow anatomical structures is provided that comprises a data input (12), a data processor (14) and an output interface (16). The data input is configured: to provide 3D image data of a hollow structure in a region of interest of a subject, wherein the 3D image data comprises a coordinate space; to provide a current pose of a tool with a tool tip inserted in the hollow structure. The data processor is configured: to transfer the estimated current pose of the tool tip to the coordinate space of the 3D image data based on the registration of the tool tip with the coordinate space of the 3D image data; and to generate, from the 3D image data, a rendered image showing a scene inside the hollow structure relating to the transferred estimated current pose of the tool tip. The output interface is configured to provide the rendered image to a user.