Graphical Longitudinal IVUS Display with Automated Measurements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intraluminal imaging systems require time-consuming manual calculations and interactions with nonsterile equipment for accurate assessment of lumen dimensions and disease severity during procedures like IVUS pullback, lacking direct association of measurements with specific vessel locations.
Innovation Solution
A graphical longitudinal display system that automatically generates and displays stylized graphics of lumen dimensions and measurements, allowing clinicians to view clinically relevant data in a simplified format, including quantitative information and treatment device positions, facilitating rapid assessment and reporting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual calculations and interactions with nonsterile equipment are used for accurate assessment of lumen dimensions, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic measurements and calculations of lumen dimensions, area, and percent constriction without requiring clinician interaction with nonsterile equipment. The processor circuit automatically processes IVUS images to generate measurement data, enabling the system to serve itself rather than requiring manual intervention for each measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement processes with automated electronic image processing. The processor circuit uses software algorithms to automatically measure lumen dimensions from IVUS images, substituting the mechanical interaction with nonsterile equipment with an automated computational system that maintains measurement precision while eliminating time loss.
2Measurement precision
If detailed measurements are calculated for accurate assessment, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processor circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: capturing IVUS images, processing images, calculating lumen dimensions, determining area, computing percent constriction, and generating graphical displays. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional processor circuit, the system achieves detailed measurements without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines image capture, image processing, measurement calculation, and display generation into an integrated system. The processor circuit merges multiple measurement functions (diameter, area, percent constriction) into a unified processing workflow, reducing the complexity that would arise from separate dedicated devices for each measurement type.
3Loss of information
If multiple cross-sectional views are displayed in traditional ILD format, then information completeness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms the traditional longitudinal display of multiple cross-sectional views into a graphical representation that plots lumen dimensions against longitudinal position. This dimensional transformation converts a series of 2D cross-sections into a 2D graphical plot where the vertical axis represents lumen dimension and the horizontal axis represents longitudinal position, making trends and abnormalities immediately visible without requiring clinicians to mentally process multiple static images.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of displaying multiple cross-sectional views stacked longitudinally as in traditional ILD, the patent inverts the approach by creating a graphical plot where lumen dimension is the primary visual element and longitudinal position is the axis. This inversion allows clinicians to assess lumen characteristics along the entire vessel length in a single visual display, improving workflow efficiency while preserving all clinical information.
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
Enhances the efficiency of intraluminal imaging by automating measurements and calculations, reducing case time, and improving image quality and consistency, enabling real-time assessment and streamlined reporting of lumen conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The transducers emit ultrasonic energy and receive ultrasound echoes reflected from the vessel. The ultrasound echoes are processed to create an image of the vessel of interest.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an intraluminal ultrasound imaging system, including a processor circuit in communication with an intraluminal ultrasound imaging catheter, and configured to receive a plurality of intraluminal ultrasound images obtained by the imaging catheter while the imaging catheter is moved through a body lumen of a patient, wherein the plurality of intraluminal ultrasound images comprise axial cross-sectional views of the body lumen. The processor circuit is further configured to generate a stylized graphic of the body lumen based on the plurality of intraluminal ultrasound images, wherein the stylized graphic comprises a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the body lumen, and output, to a display in communication with the processor circuit, a screen display comprising the stylized graphic.