C-arm X-ray Volume Reconstruction with Electromagnetic Sensor Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for generating volume data sets from moving tissues or organs, such as the heart, are inadequate in reducing movement artifacts caused by arrhythmias, particularly in patients with cardiac arrhythmias, as they fail to accurately capture the anatomy and morphology of the heart tissue.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a C-arm x-ray device combined with an electromagnetic position detection system, where an X-ray positive electromagnetic sensor is placed on the tissue or organ, allowing for precise tracking of its movement and synchronization with X-ray projections to reconstruct a volume data set that accounts for specific movement phases, thereby reducing smearing and movement artifacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional ECG-triggered reconstruction methods are used for moving tissues, then the volume data set can be generated efficiently, but movement artifacts and smearing occur in patients with arrhythmias
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the triggering parameter from ECG signals to electromagnetic sensor position data. By monitoring the actual position of the electromagnetic sensor on the moving tissue and selecting X-ray projections based on position stability rather than cardiac cycle phase, the system adapts to arrhythmic conditions while maintaining reconstruction efficiency and accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the physiological ECG-triggering mechanism with an electromagnetic positioning system. Instead of relying on electrical cardiac signals, the system uses electromagnetic fields to track sensor position and triggers reconstruction based on mechanical/positional stability of the tissue, thereby eliminating ECG-related artifacts in arrhythmia patients
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple C-arm adjustments are performed to capture sufficient projections, then complete volume data can be obtained, but examination time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary detection of the electromagnetic sensor's movement pattern and identifies stable position phases before initiating the C-arm adjustment and X-ray projection acquisition. This preliminary positioning information allows the system to plan and execute C-arm movements more efficiently, capturing necessary projections during optimal tissue stability phases and reducing unnecessary adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the electromagnetic sensor position during the examination and uses this real-time feedback to dynamically adjust the reconstruction triggering. The feedback loop allows the system to optimize C-arm adjustment timing and duration based on actual tissue movement patterns, minimizing examination time while ensuring complete volume data acquisition
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables the generation of high-quality volume data sets that accurately represent the anatomy of moving tissues, improving the accuracy of procedures like catheter ablation and reducing X-ray dose exposure by effectively capturing the morphology of the heart tissue, even in complex cases with arrhythmias.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic position detection system, where an X-ray positive electromagnetic sensor is placed on the tissue or organ, allowing for precise tracking of its movement
Implementation Method 2
C-arm of the C-arm x-ray device for recording a large number of X-ray projections of the patient's tissue or organ from different projection directions
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and to a device for obtaining a volume data set of a mobile tissue or organ (H) of a patient (P) by means of a C-arm X-ray device (1) and an electromagnetic position detection system (10), in which at least one, preferably X-ray positive electromagnetic sensor (13) of the position detection system (10) is arranged at least indirectly on the tissue or organ (H). The C-arm X-ray device (1) enables a plurality of X-ray projections from the tissue or organ (H) of the patient (P) from various projection directions to be obtained. A first method consists of reconstructing a volume data set, based on each X-ray projection, in which the X-ray positive electromagnetic sensor (13) essentially adopts a position (19) characterising a determined displacement phase of the tissue or organ (H). A second method consists of reconstructing a volume data set, based on each X-ray projection, that had been captured at the time when the electromagnetic sensor (13) was essentially located in a position characterising a determined displacement phase of the tissue or organ (H). A third method does not capture an X-ray projection for the reconstruction of the volume data set if the electromagnetic sensor (13) is essentially located in a position characterising a determined displacement phase.