Dynamic Visual Marker Transparency for Catheter Visibility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical systems, such as cardiac ablation systems, face challenges in providing clear visibility of medical catheters and tissue during procedures due to obstructive visual markers.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a processor configured to display a map of the heart with visual markers that can be modified from opaque to translucent when the catheter's distal end is in close proximity, thereby improving visibility without compromising essential procedural information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If opaque visual markers are displayed to provide procedural information, then information visibility is improved, but catheter and tissue visibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The visual marker's transparency is made dynamic, automatically switching between opaque and translucent states based on the catheter's proximity to the marker. When the catheter approaches within a threshold distance, the marker becomes translucent to allow visualization of the catheter and underlying tissue, while maintaining information display functionality when the catheter is farther away.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical parameter (transparency) of the visual marker is changed in response to the catheter's position. The system monitors the distance between the catheter and visual markers, and adjusts the marker's transparency parameter accordingly - reducing transparency (making more translucent) when the catheter is close, and increasing transparency (making more opaque) when the catheter is distant, thus optimizing both information visibility and anatomical structure visibility at different procedural stages.
2Ease of operation
If visual markers are displayed to indicate procedure parameters, then procedural guidance is improved, but anatomical structure visibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The marker transparency transitions dynamically based on real-time catheter positioning. During phases when precise anatomical visualization is needed (catheter close to marker), the marker becomes translucent. During phases when procedural information display is prioritized (catheter farther from marker), the marker becomes opaque, thus adapting the display to the current procedural requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the catheter's position relative to visual markers and uses this feedback to automatically adjust marker transparency. This closed-loop control ensures that the display adapts to the operator's needs in real-time, providing optimal visibility for both procedural guidance and anatomical structure identification without requiring manual intervention.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3
AI summary
A method for improving visualization of at least a catheter in an organ of a patient, the method includes displaying a map of the organ, and at least a first visual marker overlaid on the map. A position, falling within the map, of a distal end of the catheter is received. Displayed on the map are (i) the distal end of the catheter in accordance with the received position, and (ii) instead of the first visual marker, at least a second visual marker, which increases visibility of at least one of the map and the distal end, relative to the first visual marker.