Automatic Ablation Antenna Segmentation From CT Trajectory Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing CT imaging technologies struggle to accurately identify and segment medical instruments like ablation antennas due to limited resolution and clarity, leading to misidentification of structures and interference, especially during percutaneous procedures where visual inspection is not possible.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for automated identification and segmentation of ablation antennas in CT images by determining a trajectory and characteristics of the instrument, using electromagnetic tracking and radiographic imaging techniques to distinguish between high intensity areas within and outside a predetermined radius, providing guidance for navigation and displaying projected ablation zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If automated identification and segmentation of ablation antennas in CT images is implemented, then measurement precision and manufacturing precision are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ablation antenna into multiple portions (entry point portion, shaft portion, distal portion) and segments the CT image into multiple slices. This segmentation allows the system to process and identify the antenna incrementally through different image slices, improving measurement precision while managing computational complexity through divide-and-conquer processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional image slices to three-dimensional spatial reconstruction by determining the trajectory of the antenna through multiple slices. This dimensional transformation enables precise localization of the antenna in 3D space, enhancing measurement precision while the algorithmic approach manages the increased computational dimensionality.
2Productivity
If CT imaging is used to identify medical instruments, then productivity is improved, but object-affected harmful factors increase due to interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates the ablation antenna signal from the CT image data by determining its trajectory through the skin entry point and analyzing characteristic data. This extraction process separates the antenna identification task from the general CT imaging process, improving productivity for antenna-specific identification while minimizing harmful interference effects on the overall imaging process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses characteristic data (such as radiopacity, shape, or material properties) as an intermediary to distinguish the ablation antenna from surrounding tissues and structures. This intermediary approach allows efficient antenna identification without requiring separate imaging modalities, thereby improving productivity while reducing interference with the CT scan process.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided in accordance with the present disclosure are systems and methods for identifying a percutaneous tool in image data. An exemplary method includes receiving image data of at least a portion of a patient's body, identifying an entry point of a percutaneous tool through the patient's skin in the image data, analyzing a portion of the image data including the entry point of the percutaneous tool through that patient's skin to identify a portion of the percutaneous tool inserted through the patient's skin, determining a trajectory of the percutaneous tool based on the identified portion of the percutaneous tool inserted through the patient's skin, identifying a remaining portion of the percutaneous tool in the image data based on the identified entry point and the determined trajectory of the percutaneous tool, and displaying the identified portions of the percutaneous tool on the image data.