Automatic C-Arm Positioning for Structural Heart Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for positioning X-ray image acquisition devices during interventional treatments are cumbersome and often result in sub-optimal viewing angles, leading to unnecessary exposure to X-ray radiation and parallax effects that degrade image quality, making precise placement of intracardiac devices challenging.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses a three-dimensional dataset to define optimal viewing directions relative to a reference plane and normal/tangent vectors, allowing for automatic adjustment of the X-ray image acquisition device to achieve precise alignment and minimize parallax, thereby ensuring clear visibility of anatomical structures during procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual control inputs are used to adjust C-arm geometry for viewing directions, then the ability to achieve desired viewing angles is maintained, but the operation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming during invasive procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines optimal viewing directions and steers the C-arm device without requiring manual operator intervention. The computer calculates viewing directions based on three-dimensional anatomical data and automatically positions the C-arm, making the system self-adjusting and eliminating the need for cumbersome manual control inputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment of the C-arm with an automated computer-controlled system. The mechanical positioning is substituted by an automated steering mechanism controlled by computational algorithms that calculate optimal viewing angles and automatically position the device, transforming manual mechanical operation into automated computational control.
2Measurement precision
If the C-arm is frequently adjusted to achieve optimal viewing angles, then image quality improves, but patient exposure to X-ray radiation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates optimal viewing directions before the procedure based on three-dimensional anatomical datasets. By determining the best viewing angles in advance and automatically positioning the C-arm according to these pre-planned directions, the system minimizes the need for frequent adjustments during the procedure, thereby reducing cumulative X-ray radiation exposure while maintaining optimal image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses real-time feedback from the fluoroscopy images and the registered three-dimensional anatomical model to maintain optimal viewing directions. The computer continuously monitors the anatomical structures and automatically adjusts the C-arm position to maintain the pre-determined optimal viewing angles, ensuring high image quality without requiring frequent manual repositioning that would increase radiation exposure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If sub-optimal viewing angles are used to reduce device adjustment, then radiation exposure is reduced, but image quality degrades due to parallax effects making precise device placement challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated computer-controlled steering system that precisely positions the C-arm according to calculated optimal viewing directions. This automated system eliminates the need to compromise on viewing angles, maintaining high image quality without parallax effects while minimizing radiation exposure through reduced manual intervention and fewer adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the geometric parameters of the C-arm (position, angle, orientation) based on real-time requirements determined by the computer algorithm. By automatically optimizing these parameters, the system ensures optimal viewing angles are maintained throughout the procedure without requiring frequent manual adjustments, thus preventing parallax degradation while minimizing radiation exposure from unnecessary repositioning.
Data Source
AI summary
In a method for positioning an X-ray image acquisition device a straight reference plane (30) intersecting a three-dimensional representation of the object, a center point (34) within the intersection of the object, a normal vector (38) to the reference plane and at least one tangential vector (40) within the reference plane are created. Thereafter, the reference plane, the object's frame of reference and the X-ray image acquisition's frame of reference are registered. At least one viewing direction derived from the normal vector (38) and/or at least one tangential vector (40) is defined, wherein the X-ray image acquisition device is adjusted to the geometrical parameters of the X-ray image acquisition device. Thereby, planned and stored optimal viewing directions may be made available by a single push of a button, leading to automatically positioning of the X-ray image acquisition device and a much faster adjustment of the live guidance image, thus resulting in less exposure of radiation as well as a less cumbersome adjustment procedure. Furthermore a more optimal deployment of the interventional devices can be reached, since they can be more accurately positioned.