Image Processing System for Circulatory Network Differentiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Interventional radiologists face challenges in identifying and treating specific target zones within body circulation networks while minimizing impact on surrounding tissues, as existing imaging systems lack the capability to differentiate effectively between treatment and protection zones.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that process radiological images to differentiate between circulatory networks supplying the target zone of interest and those to be avoided, using a controller and imaging system to calculate and display distinct image elements, allowing for precise guidance of treatment tools and reduced collateral damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional imaging systems are used to guide interventional radiology treatments, then the treatment can be delivered to the target zone, but the system cannot effectively differentiate between the target zone and surrounding tissues to be protected
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the circulatory network into distinct zones based on blood flow pathways: a first zone comprising blood vessels supplying the target zone, and a second zone comprising blood vessels supplying surrounding tissues. This segmentation is achieved by processing the acquired image to calculate and display different image elements for each zone, enabling clear visual differentiation between treatment and protection areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different visual properties to different regions of the image. The first image elements corresponding to the first circulatory network are displayed with first properties, while the second image elements corresponding to the second circulatory network are displayed with second properties. This local differentiation allows the radiologist to easily distinguish between zones that should receive treatment and zones that should be protected.
2Reliability
If the radiologist treats the target zone without differentiated imaging, then the treatment can be applied, but the impact on surrounding tissues cannot be minimized
Solution Approach 1:
Before delivering the treatment, the system performs preliminary analysis by acquiring an image of the body portion and processing it to identify and display the first circulatory network supplying the target zone and the second circulatory network supplying surrounding tissues. This preliminary visualization allows the radiologist to plan the treatment pathway and select injection points that will deliver therapeutic agents to the target zone while avoiding surrounding tissues.
3Area of stationary object
If standard imaging display is used, then the overall anatomy is visible, but the specific circulatory networks for treatment and protection cannot be distinguished
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses different visual properties (such as color, brightness, or contrast) to display the first image elements and second image elements. The first properties and second properties differ in a perceptible way, allowing the radiologist to quickly identify which circulatory network corresponds to the target zone and which corresponds to surrounding tissues, without losing the overall anatomical context.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method to process an acquired image to differentiate a portion of subject anatomy to protect relative to a portion of anatomy to receive treatment is provided. The system includes a controller with program instructions to perform the steps of receiving an instruction to indicate a zone interest of the imaged anatomy to protect associated with treatment of the subject anatomy; calculating a first set of image elements associated with a first circulatory network in communication to supply a first zone of interest to treat and not in communication to supply a second zone of interest to protect; calculating a second set of image elements of the acquired image associated with a second circulatory network in communication to supply the second zone of interest to protect; and creating a display that differentiates the second set of image elements from a remainder of the acquired image.