Catheter Tip Tracking on Mapped Medical Images for Precise Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The need for frequent X-ray examinations to verify the positioning of catheters and tubes leads to increased workload and prolonged report turn-around times in radiology departments, with a high incidence of malpositioning, particularly for central venous catheters, which can result in complications like pneumothorax.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method for tracing catheters using sensors to align a medical image with a sensor coordinate system, allowing real-time visualization of the catheter's location relative to the patient's anatomy, enabling precise insertion by mapping the catheter's end to the medical image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If X-ray examinations are performed frequently to verify catheter positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but radiologist workload increases and report turn-around time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by providing real-time catheter tip localization and guidance during the insertion procedure itself, rather than waiting for post-procedure verification. The sensor system continuously tracks catheter position and overlays it on medical images, allowing the radiologist to verify correct positioning immediately during insertion, thus eliminating the need for multiple follow-up X-ray examinations and reducing report turn-around time.
2Speed
If catheter insertion is performed blindly or with ultrasound guidance, then insertion speed is maintained, but malpositioning incidence increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback during catheter insertion by tracking the catheter tip position with sensors and displaying it overlaid on medical images in real-time. This provides the operator with immediate visual feedback on catheter position relative to anatomical structures, enabling precise navigation while maintaining insertion speed. The feedback loop allows continuous adjustment to ensure correct positioning without relying on blind insertion or intermittent ultrasound checks.
3Reliability
If multiple X-ray examinations are performed for verification, then positioning reliability is improved, but the number of harmful exposures to patients increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical/radiological verification method (repeated X-ray examinations) with a sensor-based tracking system. Sensors continuously monitor catheter position and provide real-time visualization on medical images, eliminating the need for multiple ionizing radiation exposures. This substitution maintains positioning verification reliability through continuous optical/magnetic field-based tracking while completely avoiding additional radiation exposure to the patient.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for tracing a catheter or tube, comprising: an input unit (20); and a processing unit (30). The input unit is configured to receive a medical image of a patient. The input unit is configured to provide the medical image of the patient to the processing unit. The input unit is configured to receive a live data stream from one or more sensors, wherein the live data stream comprises data of the patient, and wherein a sensor coordinate system is defined with respect to the one or more sensors. The input unit is configured to provide the live data stream to the processing unit. The processing unit is configured to receive a sensed location of an end of a catheter or tube that is to be inserted into the patient. The processing unit is configured to align the data of the patient received from the one or more sensors with the sensor coordinate system. The processing unit is configured to map the medical image of the patient to the sensor coordinate system. The processing unit is configured to determine a location of the end of the catheter or tube in the sensor coordinate system comprising utilization of the sensed location of the end of the catheter or tube. The processing unit is configured to generate a representation of the sensed location of the end of the catheter or tube with respect to the medical image comprising utilization of the medical image of the patient mapped to the sensor coordinate system and the location of the end of the catheter or tube in the sensor coordinate system.