Catheter Tip Projection onto Vascular Surface for 3D Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In catheterization procedures, physicians face challenges in accurately navigating a catheter within a vascular structure due to the limitations of two-dimensional x-ray projection images, which fail to provide clear three-dimensional spatial information.
Innovation Solution
An imaging apparatus and method that provide a three-dimensional representation of the vascular structure, determine the position and orientation of the catheter tip, and project it onto the vascular surface, allowing for accurate visualization and movement within the structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a two-dimensional x-ray projection image is used for catheter navigation, then the imaging system remains simple and real-time imaging is achieved, but the three-dimensional spatial relationship between the catheter tip and vascular structure cannot be accurately grasped
Solution Approach 1:
The patent projects the three-dimensional catheter tip position onto the two-dimensional vascular structure surface, adding spatial dimensionality to the navigation display. This allows physicians to perceive depth and spatial relationships on a 2D display without requiring complex 3D visualization systems, effectively bridging the gap between 2D imaging and 3D spatial understanding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate representation - the projection of the catheter tip onto the vascular surface - that mediates between the actual 3D catheter position and the 2D display. This intermediate projection serves as a visual cue that helps physicians infer three-dimensional spatial relationships from two-dimensional images without requiring full 3D imaging complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a three-dimensional representation with projection is implemented, then the spatial relationship visualization is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By projecting 3D catheter tip position onto the 2D vascular surface, the system adds spatial dimensionality to the navigation interface. This enhancement improves ease of operation by providing intuitive spatial cues while maintaining compatibility with existing 2D display systems, avoiding the need for complex 3D visualization hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy - the projected image of the catheter tip on the vascular surface - that represents the actual 3D position in a 2D format. This copied representation maintains the essential spatial information needed for navigation while being displayable on conventional 2D screens, thus improving usability without proportionally increasing system complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If only two-dimensional imaging is used, then the imaging system remains simple and real-time, but the precision of catheter placement is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The projection method encodes three-dimensional spatial information into a two-dimensional representation by mapping the catheter tip position onto the vascular surface. This dimensional transformation preserves critical spatial relationships (distance, orientation, depth) in a format that can be displayed on 2D screens, preventing information loss while maintaining imaging simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The projected image serves as an intermediary that carries three-dimensional spatial information through a two-dimensional display medium. This intermediate representation preserves the essential spatial cues needed for precise catheter placement while avoiding the need for complex 3D imaging systems, thus preventing information loss without overcomplicating the imaging apparatus.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging apparatus images a first object (10), like a tip of a catheter, disposed within a second object, such as a vascular structure of a person. A three-dimensional representation of the second object including a representation of a surface (23) of the second object and the position of the first object relative to the position of the second object are provided. A projection (22) of the first object onto the representation of the surface of the second object is determined and shown to a user like a physician on a display (18). The three-dimensional spatial relationship between the first object and the second object is thereby shown in a way that is very native for the user, i.e. a visualization can be provided, which allows the user to easily and accurately grasp the three-dimensional spatial relationship between the first object and the second object.