3D Catheter Selection System for Patient Anatomy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Selecting the appropriate catheter configuration for a patient's anatomy during medical procedures is challenging due to anatomical differences, leading to repeated insertions and removals, which can result in injuries, embolization, mechanical injuries, and increased adverse event rates.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing pre-procedure 3D imaging with MRI or CT scans to reconstruct patient anatomy, comparing it with various catheter configurations to select the optimal catheter configuration for successful navigation through the patient's anatomy, employing a central processing unit for automatic or manual analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple catheters are inserted to accommodate patient anatomy, then the appropriate catheter configuration can be found, but the risk of injury and adverse events increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocedure success rateVSAvoidinjury risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary 3D imaging and virtual catheter testing before the actual procedure to identify the optimal catheter configuration in advance. This preliminary action allows the clinician to select the correct catheter before insertion, avoiding multiple trial insertions and reducing the risk of injury to the patient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a 3D copy or virtual model of the patient's anatomy from imaging data and tests catheter configurations in this virtual environment. This copying approach allows virtual simulation of catheter navigation through the patient's specific anatomical structures without actual physical insertion, enabling safe pre-procedure planning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If multiple catheters are inserted to accommodate patient anatomy, then the appropriate catheter configuration can be found, but time and resources are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocedure success rateVSAvoidprocedure time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary 3D imaging and virtual catheter testing before the actual procedure to identify the optimal catheter configuration in advance. This preliminary action allows the clinician to select the correct catheter before insertion, avoiding multiple trial insertions and reducing the risk of injury to the patient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a 3D copy or virtual model of the patient's anatomy from imaging data and tests catheter configurations in this virtual environment. This copying approach allows virtual simulation of catheter navigation through the patient's specific anatomical structures without actual physical insertion, enabling safe pre-procedure planning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If multiple catheters are inserted to accommodate patient anatomy, then the appropriate catheter configuration can be found, but the complexity of the procedure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocedure success rateVSAvoidprocedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces a 3D imaging and virtual simulation intermediary between the clinician's knowledge and the actual catheter selection. This intermediary processes anatomical data and simulates catheter performance to objectively determine the optimal configuration, reducing the complexity of the decision-making process and eliminating the need for multiple trial insertions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 reduces the need for multiple catheter insertions, minimizes procedural risks, and optimizes catheter selection, thereby reducing injuries, radiation exposure, and adverse event rates, while improving procedure efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

an imaging device, which can be a pre-procedure magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device or x-ray computed tomography (CT) device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic Resonance Imaging:

Implementation Method 2

an imaging device, which can be a pre-procedure magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device or x-ray computed tomography (CT) device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectX-ray Computed Tomography: X-Ray

Data Source

PatentEP3144834B1System and method for optimal catheter selection for individual patient anatomy
Publication Date: 2024.03.20 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
  • EP3144834B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3144834B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3144834B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

In the present invention, a system and method for selection of an optimal catheter for use in a medical procedure relative to the anatomy of a patient includes the steps of providing a system including a scanning device 10 capable of obtaining image data on a ROI within the anatomy of a patient and reconstructing a 3D image of the ROI from the image data, a display 46 capable of illustrating the 3D image and a 3D catheter model, and a CPU 40 operably connected to the scanning device 10 and the display 46 and operable to analyze the 3D image in comparison with the 3D catheter model, obtaining image data of the ROI of the patient, reconstructing a 3D image of the ROI from the image data and comparing the 3D catheter model with the 3D image of the ROI to determine the catheter with the optimal configuration for use in the procedure.