Fluoroscopic Target Overlay for Accurate Medical Device Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical navigation systems face inaccuracies due to patient deformation during procedures, as 3D models generated from previous scans do not account for changes in lung volume or patient position, making it difficult to accurately guide medical devices to targets like lesions.
Innovation Solution
A system that overlays a 2D fluoroscopic view with a 3D model of the target, providing real-time alignment feedback through color-coded target markers and distance measurements, allowing for precise navigation of medical devices using a combination of electromagnetic navigation and fluoroscopic imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If 3D models are generated from previously acquired CT scans, then navigation planning can be performed, but accuracy deteriorates due to patient deformation during the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary registration by identifying anatomical landmarks in the fluoroscopic image and matching them with corresponding landmarks in the pre-acquired CT data. This preliminary action establishes an initial transformation matrix that accounts for patient deformation, enabling accurate overlay of the 3D model onto the current 2D fluoroscopic view despite time elapsed between scanning and procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts transformation parameters by detecting anatomical landmarks in real-time fluoroscopic images and using these to update the registration between the pre-acquired 3D CT model and the current patient anatomy. This parameter adjustment compensates for deformation changes that occur between scanning and procedure, maintaining measurement precision despite time loss.
2Measurement precision
If multiple CT scans are performed during the procedure to maintain accuracy, then target location precision is improved, but radiation exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a virtual copy of the 3D CT model and overlays it onto 2D fluoroscopic images through image registration. This virtual overlay provides continuous visual feedback on device-to-target alignment without requiring additional physical CT scans, thereby maintaining measurement precision while eliminating repeated radiation exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces fluoroscopic imaging as an intermediary between the pre-acquired CT data and real-time navigation. By registering the 3D CT model to 2D fluoroscopic frames and overlaying them, the system provides continuous alignment guidance without requiring repeated CT scans, thus reducing radiation exposure while maintaining alignment accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If real-time fluoroscopic imaging is used to visualize the medical device, then navigation accuracy is improved, but the ability to visualize soft tissue targets deteriorates due to poor contrast
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the strengths of two imaging modalities by overlaying the 3D CT model (which shows soft tissue targets with good contrast) onto the 2D fluoroscopic images (which show real-time device position). This combination allows simultaneous visualization of both the medical device in real-time and the soft tissue target from the registered 3D model, resolving the contrast limitation of fluoroscopy.
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
Enables accurate and safe navigation of medical devices to targets by visually aligning the device with the target in three dimensions, reducing the need for multiple CT scans and minimizing radiation exposure.
Implementation Method 1
a live two-dimensional (2D) fluoroscopic view showing the medical device
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for visualizing navigation of a medical device with respect to a target using a live fluoroscopic view. The methods include displaying, in a screen, a three-dimensional (3D) view of a 3D model of a target from the perspective of a medical device tip. The methods also include displaying, in the screen, a live two-dimensional (2D) fluoroscopic view showing a medical device, and displaying a target mark, which corresponds to the 3D model of the target, overlaid on the live 2D fluoroscopic view. The methods may include determining whether the medical device tip is aligned with the target, displaying the target mark in a first color if the medical device tip is aligned with the target, and displaying the target mark in second color different from the first color if the medical device tip is not aligned with the target.