Catheter Image Synchronization Using Embedded Alignment Metadata
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical imaging techniques for catheter treatments like PCI are not synchronized, requiring manual mental alignment of multiple image types, which is inconvenient and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A medical image processing system that includes a catheter with ultrasound and optical transceivers, a memory, and a processor to generate synchronized cross-sectional images with embedded meta-information for alignment, allowing seamless integration with fluoroscopic imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If multiple imaging methods (IVUS, OCT, Angio) are used simultaneously for catheter treatment, then comprehensive blood vessel information is obtained, but the images are not synchronized and require manual mental alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by embedding synchronization metadata (rotation angle, position, timestamp) into the image data during acquisition. This preliminary encoding of alignment information eliminates the need for manual mental alignment later, as the images are pre-tagged with their spatial and temporal context for automatic synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary synchronization mechanism that acts as a mediator between multiple imaging modalities. By using a common reference frame (catheter position and rotation angle) as an intermediary, the system enables automatic alignment of IVUS, OCT, and angiographic images without requiring direct manual coordination between them.
2Measurement precision
If meta-information is embedded in images for synchronization, then image alignment accuracy is improved, but image data size and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization metadata is segmented into distinct, standardized parameters (rotation angle, position, timestamp) that can be independently processed and stored. This segmentation allows for efficient encoding and decoding operations, reducing overall processing complexity while maintaining high alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms complex image alignment problems into simple parameter comparisons by changing the representation from full image analysis to metadata parameter matching. By comparing rotation angles, positions, and timestamps rather than performing complex image registration, the system achieves high precision with reduced processing complexity.
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
Enables synchronized display of multiple imaging modalities, improving efficiency and accuracy in catheter treatments by aligning images automatically.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasound transceiver configured to transmit ultrasound waves and receive the waves reflected by the blood vessel
Implementation Method 2
an optical transceiver configured to emit near infrared rays and receive the rays reflected by the blood vessel
Data Source
AI summary
A medical image processing system includes a rotatable catheter insertable into a blood vessel and including at least one of: an ultrasound transceiver configured to transmit ultrasound waves and receive the waves reflected by the blood vessel and an optical transceiver configured to emit near infrared rays and receive the rays reflected by the blood vessel, and a processor configured to generate, based on the ultrasound waves or the near infrared rays, a series of images each showing a location of a boundary of the blood vessel at a rotation angle of the transceiver, generate meta-information about the series of images, embed the meta-information in the series of images, and generate a cross-sectional image of the blood vessel showing the boundary using the series of images with the meta-information, and output the generated cross-sectional image.