Integrated Fiducial and Position Sensor for Medical Image Registration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for recognizing real-world fiducials in medical image data are inadequate, particularly in accurately registering images with reference coordinate systems for precise medical procedures.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a fiducial component with a position sensor, which is recognizable in image data and provides position data, allowing for the creation of an image representation registered to a reference coordinate system, either by attachment to the patient or adjacent positioning, with a program instructing the digital computer to recognize the predetermined shape of the position sensor as a fiducial.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a fiducial component is placed on the patient's skin for image registration, then the registration accuracy is improved, but the fiducial component must be removed and reattached for subsequent procedures which introduces time loss and potential positioning errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage registration accuracyVSAvoidtime for removal and reattachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the fiducial component and position sensor into a single integrated assembly that remains on the patient throughout multiple procedures. The position sensor continuously tracks the fiducial's location, eliminating the need for removal and reattachment while maintaining registration accuracy across different time points and imaging sessions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The position sensor is pre-positioned on the fiducial component before the patient leaves the imaging facility. This preliminary positioning ensures that the fiducial's location is already tracked when the patient returns for subsequent procedures, eliminating the time-consuming process of repositioning and ensuring consistent registration accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If a fiducial component is removed and reattached to the same skin surface, then the same anatomical location can be targeted, but the precision of position matching is compromised due to skin movement or changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereusability of fiducial componentVSAvoidposition matching precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The position sensor provides continuous feedback on the fiducial's location relative to the patient's anatomy. When the fiducial is reattached, the system uses this feedback to verify and adjust the position, ensuring that it matches the original registration point even if skin conditions have changed, thereby maintaining high position matching precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual positioning and visual alignment methods with an automated optical or electromagnetic tracking system. The position sensor electronically tracks the fiducial's location, eliminating reliance on manual placement precision and providing objective, quantifiable position data that can be accurately matched across multiple procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If conventional pattern recognition software is used to identify fiducials, then the process is simple, but the accuracy of fiducial recognition in complex medical images is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of recognition systemVSAvoidfiducial recognition accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The position sensor acts as an intermediary between the fiducial component and the image processing system. Instead of relying solely on pattern recognition software to identify the fiducial in complex medical images, the position sensor provides direct positional data that supplements and enhances the image-based recognition, significantly improving accuracy while maintaining reasonable system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8457718B2Recognizing a real world fiducial in a patient image data

Publication Date: 2013.06.04 ETHICON ENDO SURGERY INC

AI summary

Medical apparatus is described including a fiducial component and a position sensor. The component is recognizable as at least a part of a fiducial when appearing in image data of a patient. The component is attachable to the patient. The sensor is attachable to the component at a predetermined location and orientation on the component or is capable of being positioned adjacent the fiducial component without attachment thereto at a predetermined location and orientation. A storage medium is described containing a program which instructs the computer to recognize a predetermined shape of each of at least one portion of a position sensor as at least a part of a real-world fiducial in image data of a patient. The position sensor is adapted to provide position data. Medical apparatus which includes the position sensor and the storage medium is also described.