Forward-Looking Conical Image Rendering for Catheter Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical imaging technologies, such as IVUS and OCT, primarily provide planar or two-dimensional images, limiting the ability to visualize tissues distal to the catheter or endoscope tip, which is essential for guiding therapeutic procedures and diagnosing diseases in a minimally invasive manner.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for rendering conical forward-looking image data, utilizing a three-dimensional geometric model of a conical polyhedron, which is displayed on a two-dimensional monitor with nutation to convey the three-dimensional nature of the tissue, allowing for enhanced visualization of tissues ahead of the catheter or endoscope tip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If planar or two-dimensional imaging is used, then device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to visualize tissues distal to the catheter tip is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms two-dimensional planar image data into a three-dimensional conical representation that preserves spatial relationships and provides forward-looking visualization of tissues distal to the catheter tip, resolving the contradiction by adding dimensional information without requiring complex hardware changes
2Loss of information
If mechanically steered transducers are used to rotate and sweep out conical surfaces, then forward-looking visualization capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual three-dimensional conical representation by mathematically transforming existing two-dimensional image data, eliminating the need for complex mechanical steering systems while preserving the forward-looking visualization capability through software-based rendering
3Loss of information
If greater angles from perpendicular are employed to see tissue distal to the tip, then forward visualization capability is improved, but image quality and precision deteriorate due to increased reflections from the catheter sheath
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reconstructures the conical surface from multiple two-dimensional images taken at various angles, using three-dimensional rendering to synthesize a clear forward-looking view that overcomes the limitations of individual angled views and reduces the impact of sheath reflections
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus and method for rendering for display forward-looking image data. The apparatus includes rendering for display image data from a forward-looking conical section of tissue collected by an image data collection device, comprising a data input unit configured to receive the image data; and an image data processing unit configured to rasterize the image data onto a projected three-dimensional geometric model to produce a rasterized image, thereby giving the appearance of three-dimensions when displayed The method includes a method of rendering for display image data from a forward-looking conical section of tissue collected by an image data collecting device, comprising receiving the image data; and rasterizing the image data onto a projected three-dimensional geometric model to produce a rasterized image, thereby giving the appearance of three dimensions when displayed.