Intra Cardiac Echo Probe Navigation Roadmap
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Solution Overview
Problem
The positioning of intra cardiac echo (ICE) probes for imaging coronary circulation is challenging due to the lack of visibility of coronary arteries and the need for precise angle alignment with blood flow, making existing methods difficult and often requiring X-ray radiation and contrast agents.
Innovation Solution
An ICE imaging device and system that includes an image acquisition unit and processing unit to calculate the optimal location, orientation, and access path of the ICE probe based on imaging parameters and anatomical content, reducing the need for X-ray radiation and contrast agents by providing a roadmap for precise probe placement and guiding robotic navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional X-ray and contrast agent methods are used for coronary imaging, then coronary arteries become visible, but patient exposure to radiation and harmful substances increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/radiological imaging system (X-ray with contrast agents) with an acoustic imaging system (intra-cardiac echo probe using ultrasound). This substitution eliminates the harmful effects of ionizing radiation and contrast agents while providing real-time imaging of coronary circulation through sound wave-based echocardiography
Solution Approach 2:
The intra-cardiac echo probe acts as an intermediary device that can be positioned inside the heart chamber to obtain indirect images of coronary arteries. Instead of using harmful external agents, the probe uses ultrasound waves to visualize coronary circulation from within the heart, providing a safer alternative
2Ease of operation
If ICE probe positioning is performed without guidance, then the procedure is simpler, but imaging accuracy and Doppler angle alignment deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by calculating and displaying the optimal access path and target position for the ICE probe before the actual imaging procedure. The roadmap shows the ideal trajectory and orientation needed to achieve proper Doppler angle alignment and coronary artery visualization, allowing operators to plan and execute precise probe positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous feedback by displaying the calculated optimal position, orientation, and access path of the ICE probe in real-time. This feedback mechanism guides the operator to adjust probe placement to achieve the desired imaging parameters, improving both ease of operation and measurement precision through iterative refinement
3Device complexity
If manual ICE probe positioning is used, then device complexity is lower, but positioning accuracy and imaging quality worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-service by using the ICE probe's own imaging capabilities to guide its positioning. The probe captures images of coronary arteries and heart chambers, which are then processed to calculate the optimal position and orientation, creating a self-guided navigation system that improves accuracy without requiring complex external navigation equipment
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 efficient imaging of coronary circulation with reduced use of X-ray radiation and contrast agents, improving the positioning of ICE probes for optimal imaging and diagnostic parameter calculation, such as flow velocity and perfusion scores, while creating a fluid dynamic model for coronary circulation assessment.
Implementation Method 1
An intra cardiac echo (ICE) probe or catheter allows to record ultra-sound images from inside the heart chambers
Implementation Method 2
the ICE probe can be used to record Doppler ultrasound (US) images of coronary arteries of a patient's heart. Such Doppler images allow to derive coronary blood flow
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an intra cardiac echo imaging device, an intra cardiac echo imaging system and method for assessing coronary circulation using an intra cardiac echo probe. An image of a cardiac region is received, wherein the image provides at least one or more coronary vessels and/or at least one heart chamber; at least one region of interest within the image is defined; imaging parameters of an intra cardiac echo probe are received; and at least one of a location, an orientation and access path of the intra cardiac echo probe relative to the region of interest is calculated based on: anatomical content in the region of interest and/or in the cardiac region and the imaging parameters of the intra cardiac echo probe; a roadmap and the at least one of the calculated location, orientation and access path of the intra cardiac echo probe is output to a display.