Real-Time Biopsy Tool Tracking in 3D Imaging Workflows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biopsy procedures under ultrasound guidance face challenges in accurately positioning and orienting biopsy tools within 3D workflows, as existing technologies struggle to provide intuitive and user-friendly visualization of the tool and surrounding anatomy, especially when transitioning between 2D and 3D image renderings.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of ultrasound tracking technology (InSitu) that estimates the 3D position of sensors on the biopsy tool, allowing for real-time visualization and overlay of tool positions and relative offsets on 2D image slices, enabling accurate tracking and orientation within 3D environments by integrating with both ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging systems for enhanced anatomical visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If real-time 3D tracking and visualization of biopsy tools is implemented, then positioning accuracy and procedural effectiveness are improved, but device complexity and system integration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple imaging modalities (ultrasound and MRI) and tracking technologies into a unified 3D visualization system. The biopsy tool tracking system integrates sensor data from the instrument with anatomical imaging data, merging these streams to provide comprehensive real-time positioning information that improves measurement precision while managing system complexity through integrated processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs intermediate processing layers including an interpretation module and image processing module that act as mediators between the raw sensor data and the final visualization. These intermediary components transform complex sensor readings and imaging data into processed overlay information, enabling accurate positioning feedback without requiring direct complex interactions between all system components.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are disposed along the instrument length for 3D tracking, then tracking precision and orientation accuracy are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The biopsy instrument is segmented into multiple sections with sensors disposed at different locations along its length. This segmentation enables the system to track both position and orientation of the instrument by detecting the spatial relationships between multiple sensor points, thereby improving tracking precision while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular sensor placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from 2D imaging to 3D visualization by incorporating depth information through multiple sensors positioned along the instrument. This dimensional enhancement allows the system to accurately represent the instrument's position and orientation in three-dimensional space, improving tracking precision by adding the depth dimension to the tracking capability.
3Ease of operation
If image slices are dynamically selected and updated based on sensor positions, then visualization relevance and user-friendliness are improved, but processing speed and computational load may decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects and updates image slices based on the real-time positions of sensors on the biopsy instrument. This dynamic adaptation allows the visualization to automatically adjust to the instrument's location, improving ease of operation by presenting relevant anatomical information without requiring manual adjustment. The interpretation module continuously processes sensor data to determine optimal image slice selection, balancing user-friendliness with processing efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for tracking an instrument includes two or more sensors (22) disposed along a length of an instrument and being spaced apart from adjacent sensors. An interpretation module (45) is configured to select and update an image slice from a three-dimensional image volume in accordance with positions of the two or more sensors. The three-dimensional image volume includes the positions two or more sensors with respect to a target in the volume. An image processing module (48) is configured to generate an overlay (80) indicating reference positions in the image slice. The reference positions include the positions of the two or more sensors and relative offsets from the image slice in a display to provide feedback for positioning and orienting the instrument.