CT Image Mucus Removal via Guidewire Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radiographic imaging of body cavities using CT is compromised by the presence of substances other than air, such as mucus, which reduces image quality, as seen in nasal sinus imaging where mucus-filled sinuses result in lower radiodensity and reduced contrast.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a guidewire with a position sensor to track the position of a distal end within the body cavity, registering this position on a CT image and reassigning voxels within a predefined imaging volume to a uniform radiodensity value, effectively treating mucus or other substances as air to enhance image clarity and contrast.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If CT imaging is performed on body cavities containing mucus or other substances, then the imaging capability is maintained, but image quality and contrast are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the radiodensity parameter of voxels containing mucus to match the radiodensity of air, transforming the harmful mucus regions into visually similar regions that do not interfere with image quality. This parameter transformation allows the imaging system to maintain its capability while eliminating the contrast reduction caused by mucus.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate processing step that identifies mucus-based substances and transforms their radiodensity values. This intermediary process acts as a mediator between the raw CT data and the final image, removing the harmful effect of mucus without altering the physical imaging process itself.
2Area of stationary object
If the entire body cavity is imaged, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the body cavity imaging into two parts: a predefined volume of interest where mucus removal processing is applied, and the rest of the cavity that is imaged but not processed. This segmentation allows comprehensive imaging coverage while limiting the computationally intensive mucus removal processing to only the necessary region.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the mucus removal processing locally only within the predefined volume of interest rather than throughout the entire body cavity. This local application maintains comprehensive imaging coverage while significantly reducing processing time and computational resources by focusing efforts only where needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for radiographic imaging of a body cavity includes imaging the body cavity using computerized tomography (CT) to form a CT image, registering a tracking system with the CT image, inserting into the body cavity a guidewire, including a position sensor, operating in the tracking system, attached to a distal end of the guidewire, in response to signals from the position sensor acquired by the tracking system, displaying a position of the distal end of the guidewire on the CT image. The method further includes assigning voxels within a predefined imaging volume relative to the distal end and having a radiodensity less than a predetermined threshold to have a uniform radiodensity of a predefined default value, incorporating the voxels with the assigned predefined default value into the CT image so as to form an updated CT image, and displaying the updated CT image.