Augmented Valve Repair Imaging for Clearer Regurgitation Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging technologies for transcatheter heart valve repair, such as trans-esophageal echocardiography and transthoracic echocardiography, provide faint and grainy imagery, making it difficult for surgeons to accurately assess implant placement and correct regurgitation during procedures, leading to a trial-and-error process with a steep learning curve.
Innovation Solution
Augmented image data is generated by overlaying reference markers indicating regurgitant flow direction, magnitude, and range, along with clinical recommendations, using processors to analyze echocardiography data and enhance visualization, allowing for clearer interpretation of heart valve regurgitation and guiding precise implant placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If trans-esophageal echocardiography or transthoracic echocardiography is used for imaging during transcatheter valve repair, then real-time visualization of blood flow through the heart valve is achieved, but the image quality becomes faint and grainy making it difficult to interpret regurgitant flow and implant placement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that receives raw echocardiography data and transforms it into augmented visual representations. This intermediary system includes processors that analyze blood flow patterns, calculate regurgitation metrics, and generate enhanced visual displays with reference markers, thereby mediating between the faint raw images and the surgeon's need for clear interpretability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates simplified copies or representations of the complex echocardiography data. Instead of displaying the original faint and grainy images directly, the system generates augmented copies that include reference markers, flow direction indicators, and quantitative regurgitation metrics, making the information more accessible and easier to interpret during the procedure
2Ease of operation
If traditional echocardiography imaging is used during transcatheter valve repair, then real-time feedback on blood flow is provided, but the procedure becomes a trial-and-error process with steep learning curve and increased procedure duration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an enhanced feedback system that provides surgeons with augmented visual information including reference markers indicating optimal implant placement zones, quantitative regurgitation metrics, and real-time assessment of implant effectiveness. This enriched feedback loop reduces the trial-and-error nature of the procedure by giving surgeons clearer guidance on correct placement from the outset
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary analysis of the echocardiography data to identify optimal implant placement locations and predict potential issues before the actual implantation. The system pre-calculates regurgitation risk areas, determines ideal anchor zones, and provides this information to the surgeon in advance, allowing for more deliberate and accurate implant placement rather than reactive trial-and-error adjustments
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for augmenting image data during heart valve repair procedures, such as transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr) or transcatheter tricuspid valve repair (TTVr). Image data may be obtained from an imaging device, and may be output to a display with one or more reference markers overlaid on the image data to simplify the visual data. Image data may be augmented or replaced with the reference markers. In some cases, reference markers may provide information about objects that are difficult to see in the image data. In other cases, the reference markers may provide clinical recommendations or feedback.