Catheter Navigation Visual Support via 3D Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for navigating medical catheters into small vessel branches during minimally invasive procedures, such as EVAR, are time-consuming and prone to errors due to limited visibility in two-dimensional fluoroscopy images, making precise alignment and orientation challenging.
Innovation Solution
A method that utilizes presegmented volume images of the hollow organ system, combined with current projection images from a cone beam X-ray device, to determine the position and orientation of the catheter tip relative to the vessel branch, providing visual, acoustic, or haptic feedback for rapid and accurate navigation, potentially reducing radiation and contrast agent use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a doctor navigates catheters using trial and error method with fluoroscopy control, then the procedure can be performed with standard equipment, but the navigation is time-consuming and prone to errors due to limited depth perception in 2D images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms 2D fluoroscopy images into 3D spatial understanding by registering multiple 2D images to reconstruct 3D catheter geometry and positioning. This dimensional enhancement provides depth perception and precise spatial orientation that was previously unavailable in standard fluoroscopy, enabling accurate catheter navigation without time-consuming trial and error.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously provides visual feedback by displaying registered 3D catheter models overlaid on live fluoroscopy images. This real-time feedback shows the exact position and orientation of the catheter tip relative to target vessels, allowing the operator to make precise adjustments without relying on instinct or repeated attempts, thereby reducing both time and errors.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple catheters with various shapes are used to probe different vessel branches, then the ability to access various branches is improved, but the device complexity and procedure time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a computational image registration system as an intermediary between the operator and the catheter manipulation process. This system acts as a virtual guide that provides real-time spatial information about catheter position and vessel anatomy, enabling the operator to effectively use simpler catheters with greater precision and adaptability to different vessel branches without needing to switch between multiple specialized catheter types.
3Speed
If traditional fluoroscopy with contrast agent is used for navigation, then real-time imaging is achieved, but patient exposure to radiation and harmful contrast agents increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic or selective fluoroscopy imaging rather than continuous imaging. By using image registration technology, the system can maintain real-time navigation capability while acquiring fluoroscopy frames only when necessary for updating the 3D reconstruction, thereby reducing overall radiation exposure and contrast agent usage while maintaining adequate imaging speed for safe procedure conduct.
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 faster, safer, and more gentle interventions by providing real-time visual support for catheter navigation, reducing the risk of injury and minimizing patient exposure to radiation and contrast agents.
Implementation Method 1
recording a current projection image of the catheter tip (e.g., by a cone beam X-ray device)
Data Source
AI summary
For particularly quick and error-reduced navigation in vessel branches, a method is provided for visual support during navigation of a medical catheter introduced into a hollow organ system of a patient in a hollow organ branch, comprising the following steps: providing an, in particular pre-segmented, volume image of the hollow organ system and the hollow organ branch, which has been captured by means of an X-ray device; providing information relating to the geometric shape of the catheter tip; receiving a current projection image of the catheter tip, in particular by means of a cone beam X-ray device; registering the volume image and the projection image in the event that there is no pre-registration; determining the current position and current orientation of the catheter tip on the projection image based on the projection image; determining the relative position and relative orientation of the catheter tip in relation to the hollow organ branch; and displaying information relating to the determined relative position and/or relative orientation of the catheter tip in relation to the hollow organ branch.