Custom Templates for Guided Interventional Procedures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current minimally invasive medical procedures face challenges in accurately targeting tissues and instruments due to limited visualization, especially in soft tissues, and existing methods are often time-consuming, costly, and expose patients to radiation and contrast agents.
Innovation Solution
The use of custom templates aligned with pre-procedure scans to guide instruments during procedures, allowing for precise placement of needles and devices through guide elements, with optional use of position sensing systems or live imaging for registration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If real-time imaging modalities such as X-ray or ultrasound are used during the procedure, then the physician can visualize instrument position and tissue location, but the patient is exposed to radiation and contrast agents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing comprehensive volumetric imaging (CT or MRI) before the procedure to create detailed 3D anatomical models. These pre-acquired images contain all necessary spatial information about targets and critical structures, eliminating the need for repeated real-time imaging during the procedure and thereby reducing radiation exposure while maintaining visualization capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of the patient's anatomy through volumetric imaging data and 3D reconstructions. These digital models serve as virtual representations that can be manipulated, measured, and used for planning without requiring physical exposure to radiation during the actual procedure, replacing the need for repeated X-ray or contrast agent administration
2Measurement precision
If volumetric imaging such as CT or MRI is used for pre-procedure planning, then accurate 3D anatomical information is obtained, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs volumetric imaging and creates 3D anatomical models during the pre-procedure planning phase, consolidating all necessary measurements and spatial relationships before the actual intervention. This preliminary capture of precise 3D data eliminates the need for time-consuming repeated imaging during the procedure, reducing overall procedure time while maintaining high measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces repeated mechanical imaging processes during the procedure with computational methods. By using pre-acquired volumetric data and performing virtual manipulations, measurements, and planning on the 3D models, the system substitutes physical re-imaging with digital processing, significantly reducing procedure time while preserving anatomical accuracy
3Device complexity
If static 2D images are used for guidance, then the equipment is simple and cost-effective, but accurate targeting of instruments into 3D target sites is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms 2D static images into 3D volumetric representations by acquiring and reconstructing volumetric imaging data. This dimensional enhancement provides depth information and spatial context that are impossible to obtain from 2D images alone, enabling accurate 3D instrument targeting while keeping the imaging equipment itself relatively simple and cost-effective
4Measurement precision
If the procedure is performed inside the scanner, then accurate image guidance is available, but the procedure becomes inconvenient and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs all necessary imaging, measurements, and treatment planning inside the scanner during the pre-procedure phase, capturing complete 3D anatomical information and creating detailed virtual models. This preliminary completion of imaging tasks allows the actual procedure to be performed outside the scanner using portable equipment, greatly improving convenience while maintaining the accuracy benefits of scanner-based imaging
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of the scanner's 3D anatomical models and treatment plans that can be accessed and used outside the scanner environment. These digital replicas contain all the precision information from the scanner imaging, allowing accurate guidance to be maintained while performing the procedure in more convenient locations with simpler, portable equipment
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and devices are provided for assisting or performing guided interventional procedures using custom templates. The system uses pre-procedure scans of a patient's anatomy to identify targets and critical structures. A template is then manufactured containing guide elements. During a procedure, the template may be aligned to the patient and instruments passed though the guide elements and into various targets. The template may be aligned using one or more of, for example, a position sensing system or a live imaging modality to register the patient to the template. The system makes optional use of devices designed to immobilize or track an organ during therapy.