Anatomical Model Refinement Using Constrained Control Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current clinical workflows for treating anatomical structures like the mitral valve require manual interaction, which is cumbersome, unintuitive, and often not reproducible due to the complex geometry of these structures, leading to inaccurate models for medical interventions.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that refine a model of an anatomical structure in an image by adjusting control points based on user input, with restrictions provided by anatomical and image context information to ensure accurate representation of the structure, using a processor to acquire and adjust the model, and render the refined model for improved visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual interaction is used to annotate anatomical structures in 2D slices, then the process allows direct user control, but the workflow becomes cumbersome, unintuitive and not reproducible
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic model refinement based on user input at control points, eliminating the need for manual annotation of entire 3D structures. The computational system serves itself by automatically propagating adjustments throughout the model based on local user inputs, making the process both easier and more reproducible
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical annotation processes with an automated computational system. Instead of manually annotating multiple 2D slices, users provide input at control points and a computational algorithm automatically refines the 3D model, substituting manual mechanical work with automated image processing and model adjustment
2Device complexity
If the mitral valve annulus is approximated to a geometric primitive shape, then the model can be edited with few degrees of freedom, but the complex anatomy cannot be accurately represented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the annulus model into multiple discrete control points distributed along the annular structure. Each control point can be independently adjusted, allowing the model to represent complex anatomical variations while maintaining computational manageability through localized control rather than global parameter adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from 2D slice annotations to 3D control point manipulation. By placing control points in three-dimensional space along the annulus, the system captures the full 3D geometry and complexity of the mitral valve annulus, enabling accurate representation of saddle-shaped and non-planar anatomical structures
3Area of stationary object
If 16 two-dimensional views are used to define trigone points, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but the views are not optimal for defining 3D positions and annotations are not intuitive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the annotation process from multiple 2D reformatted views to a single 3D visualization space. Control points are placed and adjusted directly in three-dimensional space, making the annotation process more intuitive while maintaining comprehensive anatomical coverage that would otherwise require multiple 2D slices
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of projecting 3D anatomical structures onto multiple 2D planes for annotation, the patent inverts the approach by working directly in 3D space. Users annotate control points in the native 3D coordinate system of the anatomical model, eliminating the need for complex 2D reformats and making the process more intuitive
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a method and apparatus for refining a model of an anatomical structure in an image. A model for the anatomical structure in the image is acquired. The model comprises a plurality of control points, each control point corresponding to a feature in the anatomical structure. The model is placed in the image with respect to the anatomical structure. Based on a user input received to adjust the model in the image, a position of at least one of the plurality of control points is adjusted to alter a shape of the model to the anatomical structure in the image, wherein adjustment of the position of one or more of the at least one control points is restricted based on information relating to the at least one control point.