Fluorophore Blood Flow Direction Detection for Surgical Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cognitive analysis of fluorescence images during surgery is error-prone, necessitating a more reliable method to automatically detect blood vessels and determine blood flow direction for surgical assistance.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method using a fluorophore bolus to automatically detect blood vessels and determine blood flow direction by analyzing spatial and temporal gradients of fluorescence intensity, overlaying time-varying marker data to visualize blood flow direction in output images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cognitive analysis of fluorescence images is performed manually by surgeons or assistants, then the ability to identify blood vessels and tissue types is maintained, but the process is error-prone and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic blood vessel identification and flow direction determination without requiring manual cognitive analysis by surgeons or assistants. The computation module autonomously processes fluorescence image data to detect blood vessels and determine blood flow direction, eliminating human error while maintaining rapid real-time analysis capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual cognitive analysis mechanism with an automated computational system. The computation module uses image processing algorithms to automatically identify blood vessels and determine flow direction, substituting human visual inspection and interpretation with machine-based automated detection
2Productivity
If automatic detection of blood vessels and flow direction is implemented, then reliability and speed are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The computation module performs multiple functions using a single integrated system: it detects blood vessel structures, determines blood flow direction, and generates visual output data. This multi-functional approach achieves high productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity, as one module handles multiple analytical tasks
Solution Approach 2:
The system analyzes changes in fluorescence intensity parameters over time and space to determine blood flow direction. By monitoring temporal and spatial gradient changes in fluorescence signal characteristics, the computation module extracts flow direction information without requiring complex additional hardware
3Measurement precision
If fluorescence intensity gradients are analyzed to determine blood flow direction, then measurement precision is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the fluorescence intensity distribution as feedback to iteratively refine blood flow direction determination. The computation module analyzes temporal and spatial gradients of fluorescence signals, using this feedback information to accurately calculate flow direction while managing the complexity of gradient analysis through structured processing
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
Provides accurate and rapid visualization of blood flow direction, enhancing surgical orientation by automating the detection and marking of blood vessels and flow patterns in real-time surgical imaging.
Implementation Method 1
apparatus for measuring blood flow direction using a fluorophore, in particular a bolus of a fluorophore... acquiring at least one input frame of input image data in at least part of a fluorescence spectrum of the fluorophore
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus (1) and method for automatically determining the blood flow direction (42) in a blood vessel (14) using the fluorescence light from a fluorophore (16). Blood flow direction (42) is determined by first identifying a blood vessel structure (38) in an input frame (6) from a camera assembly (2) using a pattern recognition module (26). Blood flow direction (42) is determined from the spatial gradient (dl/dx) of the fluorescence intensity (I) along the identified blood vessel structure (38) and the temporal gradient (dl/dt). An output frame (48) is displayed on a display (36) with time-varying marker data (52) overlaid on the identified blood vessels structure (38) and representative of the blood flow direction (42).