Image Processing Apparatus for Catheter Tip Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical professionals face challenges in concentrating on the area of interest during catheter examination or treatment of blood vessels, as they need to monitor multiple devices and their movements, which can lead to distractions and increased risk of complications.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that sets a region of interest, such as the tip of a catheter or guide wire, and notifies the user through various means when the region of interest approaches the edge of the image, moves at high speed, or exceeds predetermined threshold values, thereby ensuring the user's attention is focused on the critical area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the medical professional monitors multiple devices and their movements, then the safety and reliability of the procedure is improved, but the medical professional's attention is分散 and the complexity of the operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an automated image processing system as an intermediary between the multiple medical devices and the physician. This system automatically detects device positions, tracks movements, and generates alerts when devices approach critical areas or exceed safety thresholds, thereby mediating the monitoring task and reducing the cognitive burden on the physician while maintaining high safety standards
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous real-time feedback by automatically analyzing images, detecting device positions and movements, and providing immediate visual or audible alerts to the physician when predefined safety conditions are met or exceeded. This automated feedback loop enables the physician to maintain focus on the primary procedure while the system monitors multiple devices simultaneously
2Measurement precision
If the medical professional focuses on the area of interest, then the quality of the examination or treatment is improved, but the monitoring of device positions and movements may be neglected
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting and tracking device positions before critical events occur. It continuously monitors device movements and predicts potential safety issues in advance, allowing the physician to focus on the primary examination or treatment while the system proactively manages device monitoring and alerting
Solution Approach 2:
The automated monitoring system acts as an intermediary that assumes the task of tracking device positions and movements, freeing the physician to concentrate on the area of interest. The system processes images, detects device locations, and manages alerts, thereby mediating between the multiple devices and the physician's attention
3Productivity
If multiple devices are used for examination or treatment, then the effectiveness of the procedure is improved, but the complexity of monitoring and the risk of complications increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal multi-functional image processing system that can simultaneously detect, track, and monitor multiple different types of medical devices (catheters, guide wires, balloons, stents, embolic materials, filters) using the same automated algorithms and interface. This multi-functional approach reduces the overall system complexity compared to having separate monitoring systems for each device type
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the monitoring functions for multiple devices into a single integrated platform. It combines image acquisition, processing, device detection, tracking, and alert generation into one unified system, thereby reducing the complexity of managing multiple separate monitoring tasks while enabling the use of multiple devices for comprehensive examination or treatment
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure pertains to a feature for supporting a healthcare worker during a catheter examination or medical treatment of a blood vessel so as to facilitate concentration on work in an area of attention and provide support in making a determination regarding the area of attention. More specifically, in an image processing apparatus 1, an image acquisition unit 110 acquires an X-ray image, created on the basis of an absorption rate of X-rays, where at least a blood vessel and a device for examining or medically treating the inside of the blood vessel is included in a photographic subject.