Intraoperative Blood Flow Imaging via Fluorescence Pseudo-Color Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional intraoperative blood flow assessment methods are limited during surgery, making it difficult to obtain effective and accurate blood flow imaging in real-time, as they are not suitable for operation environments and are restricted by time constraints.

Innovation Solution

An intraoperative blood flow imaging method using fluorescence imaging, which involves setting a time period for observation, preprocessing images to enhance and filter noise, identifying the blood flow area using algorithms, and applying pseudo-color mapping to correlate blood flow perfusion with image values, effectively removing interference and enhancing visibility of blood flow areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional iconography methods (magnetic resonance, CT, ultrasonic images) are used for blood flow assessment, then comprehensive anatomical information can be obtained, but these methods are not available or effective during intraoperative real-time imaging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood flow assessment accuracyVSAvoidintraoperative availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical imaging systems (CT, MRI, ultrasound) with a fluorescence imaging system that uses optical excitation and emission. The fluorescence imaging system employs light sources (laser or LED) to excite fluorescent markers in blood vessels, capturing real-time blood flow dynamics during surgery without requiring complex mechanical scanning or acoustic coupling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the imaging modality from anatomical structural imaging to functional molecular imaging by introducing fluorescent markers. This parameter change enables real-time blood flow visualization during surgery by detecting fluorescent signal intensity and distribution patterns, providing functional information that conventional anatomical imaging cannot provide intraoperatively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If fluorescence imaging is performed continuously during surgery, then real-time blood flow information can be obtained, but image quality is degraded by shadow interference and tissue pulsation artifacts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time imaging capabilityVSAvoidblood flow area identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes interference components (shadow artifacts and tissue pulsation signals) from the fluorescence image sequence through dedicated processing algorithms. By separating the desired blood flow signal from unwanted artifacts, the system maintains real-time imaging capability while improving measurement precision of blood flow areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms through iterative image processing where the identified blood flow area information is used to refine subsequent imaging and processing steps. The system continuously adjusts processing parameters based on real-time analysis of image quality metrics, enhancing blood flow identification accuracy while maintaining real-time performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Quantity of substance

If standard grayscale imaging is used for blood flow visualization, then image data can be obtained, but blood flow areas are difficult to distinguish and perceive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage data acquisitionVSAvoidblood flow area distinguishability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color mapping techniques to transform grayscale fluorescence intensity values into distinct color representations. Different colors represent different blood flow characteristics (e.g., intensity, velocity, perfusion level), making blood flow areas easily distinguishable and interpretable for surgical decision-making while preserving all quantitative image data

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method allows for accurate and distinguishable blood flow area identification by removing shadow and tissue pulsation interference, enabling real-time, effective intraoperative blood flow imaging that correlates with perfusion time, thus supporting timely and precise surgical diagnosis.

Implementation Method 1

intraoperative blood flow imaging method based on fluorescence imaging

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentUS20220071499A1Intraoperative blood flow imaging method based on fluorescence imaging

Publication Date: 2022.03.10 NANJING NUOYUAN MEDICAL DEVICES CO LTD

AI summary

The embodiment of the invention discloses an intraoperative blood flow imaging method based on fluorescence imaging and belongs to the technical field of medical fluorescence imaging. The present invention effectively removes shadow or tissue pulsation interference by utilizing the fluorescence imaging images to identify the blood flow area; and meanwhile, by conducting pseudo-color imaging on the blood flow area, as a pseudo-color value has correlation with a blood flow perfusion time, the present invention may accurately indicate the blood flow areas in the images and is easy to distinguish the blood flow areas.