Estimating Deflated Lung Shape for VATS

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Solution Overview

Problem

During minimally invasive thoracic surgery, the deflation of the lung changes its shape, making pre-surgical plans based on CT images less applicable, and it is not practical to perform another CT scan during the procedure, necessitating a solution to accurately update surgical plans in real-time.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for estimating the deflated lung shape using a computing device, which includes a total air volume estimation unit, an outflow air volume estimation unit, and a pre-operative plan transformation unit, allowing for the updating of surgical plans based on the estimated lung shape by comparing pre-surgical CT images with video images captured during the procedure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If pre-surgical plans are based on CT images of inflated lung, then surgical planning can be performed in advance, but the plans become inaccurate when lung is deflated during surgery

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgical planning accuracyVSAvoidapplicability of pre-surgical plan
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter of lung volume from inflated state (CT scan) to deflated state (video image) by calculating air volume loss and applying geometric transformation to the 3D lung model, thereby adapting the pre-surgical plan to the actual intraoperative lung shape

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a 3D copy of the lung from CT images and then transforms this digital model to represent the deflated state by removing air volume, allowing the surgical plan to be applied to the actual deflated lung geometry without requiring another CT scan

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If another CT scan is performed during VATS procedure, then accurate lung shape information can be obtained, but it is not practical due to additional time and resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelung shape measurement accuracyVSAvoidsurgical procedure time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical CT scanning process with a computational method that uses video images and 3D modeling to estimate deflated lung shape, eliminating the need for additional imaging hardware and reducing procedural time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary 3D lung model construction from preoperative CT images before surgery, enabling real-time transformation and adaptation during the actual surgical procedure without requiring additional preoperative imaging

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If lung is deflated during VATS, then surgical access is improved, but the pre-surgical plan based on inflated lung shape becomes less applicable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgical accessVSAvoidsurgical plan precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically transforms the static 3D lung model from inflated to deflated state by calculating volume loss and applying geometric deformation, allowing the surgical plan to adapt to the dynamic change in lung shape during the procedure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3213259B1System for estimating a deflated lung shape for video assisted thoracic surgery
Publication Date: 2021.01.13 EDDA TECHNOLOGY INC
  • EP3213259B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3213259B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3213259B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The present teaching relates to surgical procedure assistance. In one example, a first volume of air inside a lung is obtained based on a first image of the lung captured prior to a surgical procedure. The lung has a first shape on the first image. A second volume of air deflated from the lung is determined based on a second image of the lung captured during the surgical procedure. A second shape of the lung is estimated based on the first shape of the lung and the first air volume inside the lung and second volume of air deflated from the lung. A surgical plan is updated based on the estimated second shape of the lung.