Radiopaque Marker Detection in Catheter Tomographic Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in endovascular treatment is accurately determining the positional correspondence between blood vessel tomographic images and X-ray images, as existing methods rely on landmarks and have low detection rates for radiopaque markers due to heartbeats, breathing, and individual vascular variations.
Innovation Solution
An X-ray marker detection device and method that extracts a line along the catheter from pre-movement X-ray images and synchronously displays tomographic and X-ray images to highlight the radiopaque marker position, improving detection accuracy by using a blood vessel model to correct for breathing and heartbeat influences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automatic detection of radiopaque marker is performed on X-ray images, then detection speed is improved, but detection accuracy deteriorates due to heartbeats, breathing, and individual vascular variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary extraction of the catheter line from pre-movement X-ray images (captured before the probe starts moving) to establish a reference line. This preliminary action creates a stable reference that is not affected by subsequent probe movement, heartbeats, or breathing, enabling accurate marker detection despite physiological variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter line extracted from pre-movement images serves as an intermediary element that mediates between the static anatomical structure and the moving probe. By using this intermediate reference line, the system can accurately locate the radiopaque marker without being directly affected by probe movement or physiological variations.
2Speed
If radiopaque marker detection is performed on X-ray images captured during probe movement, then real-time positioning is achieved, but detection reliability deteriorates due to probe movement and physiological variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures and processes X-ray images before the probe starts moving to establish a reference catheter line. This preliminary action ensures that the reference line is obtained when the catheter is stationary and anatomical structures are stable, providing a reliable baseline for subsequent real-time marker detection during probe movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection process is segmented into two distinct phases: (1) preliminary line extraction from pre-movement images when the catheter is stationary, and (2) real-time marker detection using the established reference line. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high reliability in the reference establishment phase while achieving real-time performance in the detection phase.
3Measurement precision
If multiple imaging modalities (tomographic and X-ray) are used simultaneously, then positional correspondence accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges tomographic imaging data with X-ray imaging data by synchronously displaying both modalities and overlaying the detected radiopaque marker position on the X-ray image. This merging allows physicians to correlate the high-resolution tomographic images with the real-time X-ray angiography, achieving accurate positional correspondence without requiring complex integration of multiple imaging systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The detected radiopaque marker position acts as an intermediary that links the tomographic and X-ray imaging modalities. By detecting the marker position in the X-ray image and displaying it in correspondence with the tomographic images, the system provides a simple yet effective way to establish positional relationships between different imaging modalities without complex registration algorithms.
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
Enhances the detection rate of radiopaque markers on X-ray images by synchronously displaying tomographic and X-ray images, allowing for precise positioning and improved treatment accuracy in endovascular procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a radiopaque marker is installed in the vicinity of a sensor in a catheter
Data Source
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AI summary
[Object] To improve a detection rate of a radiopaque marker on an X-ray image acquired while a tomographic image is acquired. [Solution] According to a radiopaque marker detection method of detecting the radiopaque marker disposed in a probe on multiple X-ray images captured while the probe for acquiring the tomographic image moves in an axial direction of a catheter, a position of the radiopaque marker disposed in the probe on each of the multiple X-ray images captured during the movement of the probe is detected from the X-ray images captured during a predetermined period before the probe starts to move, by extracting a line extending along the probe and using the extracted line.