Contrast Injection Imaging Replay Loop

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Solution Overview

Problem

During interventional procedures, clinicians face challenges in visualizing vessel structures due to the transient nature of contrast agent injections, which are brief and inconvenient, leading to the need for repeated injections and increased use of contrast agents, potentially harming patients.

Innovation Solution

An imaging system that automatically detects contrast agent puffs and generates a replay loop of contrast-enhanced images, allowing clinicians to analyze vasculature details repeatedly and reduce the number of contrast agent injections by providing a video playback of relevant images synchronized with live fluoroscopy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If transient contrast agent puffs are used to visualize vessels during interventional procedures, then vessel structures can be delineated accurately, but the imaging duration is too short for clinicians to fully analyze the information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevessel delineation accuracyVSAvoidimaging duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by capturing and storing contrast-enhanced images during the transient puff, then replaying them in a loop after the contrast agent has cleared. This allows clinicians to analyze vessel structures at their own pace without needing to view them during the brief contrast window.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a visual copy of the transient contrast-enhanced images and displays them as a replay loop. This copy persists indefinitely, allowing repeated viewing without requiring additional contrast agent injections or relying on the fleeting original images.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Loss of information

If repeat puff injections are performed to review vessel information, then clinicians can re-examine vasculature details, but the number of contrast agent injections increases posing health risks to patients

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevessel information reviewVSAvoidpatient health risk from contrast agent

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a persistent visual copy of the contrast-enhanced images that can be reviewed repeatedly without requiring additional contrast agent. The replay loop functions as a permanent record that clinicians can consult as needed, eliminating the need for repeat injections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system recovers the valuable vessel information captured during the transient contrast puff and preserves it through the replay loop. Instead of discarding the information when the contrast clears, the system maintains it in a reusable format that eliminates the need for additional contrast administration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Loss of information

If multiple contrast agent injections are administered to ensure complete vessel visualization, then comprehensive vasculature information is obtained, but the quantity of contrast agent used increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomprehensive vasculature informationVSAvoidcontrast agent quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a persistent copy of the complete vasculature information captured during a single contrast puff. The replay loop preserves all visible vessel structures indefinitely, allowing comprehensive review without requiring additional contrast agent to capture more complete images.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS11559274B2Contrast injection imaging

Publication Date: 2023.01.24 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

Imaging systems and methods for imaging assisted interventional procedure that receive images of a region of interest, that automatically detect in the images a contrast agent puff as it courses through the region of interest, and that generate a display including a video replay loop of contrast enhanced images based on the automatic detection of the contrast agent puff.