ICE-X-Ray Position Fusion for Catheter FOV Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The field of view (FOV) in intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) is narrower than in transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), leading to challenges in depicting the lesion site and medical devices like the left atrial appendage closure device, which may be partially or entirely out of the FOV, complicating manipulation and imposing a heavy burden on the manipulator.
Innovation Solution
A medical image processing apparatus and program that calculates moving support information to adjust the position of the ultrasonic catheter, ensuring the region of interest is within the FOV by detecting the catheter's position and imaging target in both ultrasonic and X-ray images, and providing guidance for robotic assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If ICE is used to perform catheterization procedures, then the invasiveness is reduced and local anesthesia can be used, but the field of view becomes narrower causing the lesion site and medical devices to be partially or entirely out of the FOV
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an image processing system that fuses ICE images with X-ray images as an intermediary solution. The system processes and combines images from both modalities to create a composite view that provides both the minimally invasive capability of ICE and the wide field of view of X-ray imaging, effectively mediating between the conflicting requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges ICE imaging with X-ray imaging into a unified visualization system. By combining the advantages of both imaging modalities, the system achieves both reduced invasiveness (from ICE) and expanded field of view (from X-ray), resolving the contradiction between these two parameters
2Measurement precision
If the manipulator manually searches for the region of interest in the ICE FOV, then the imaging target can be found, but the manipulation complexity and burden increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the image processing system continuously analyzes ICE images, automatically identifies the region of interest and medical device positions, and provides real-time guidance feedback to the manipulator. This feedback loop enables accurate target detection while significantly reducing manipulation complexity by eliminating the need for manual searching
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting and tracking the region of interest and medical devices within the ICE field of view. The image processing apparatus independently identifies targets, calculates optimal viewing angles, and guides catheter positioning without requiring manual intervention, thereby reducing manipulation burden while maintaining high detection accuracy
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
Facilitates accurate depiction of the region of interest and medical devices within the FOV, reducing manipulation complexity and burden on the operator, and enabling robotic support for catheterization procedures.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic catheter with a built-in phased array element configured to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves at its tip
Implementation Method 2
an X-ray diagnostic apparatus is an apparatus that transmits X-rays through an object and visualizes the transmission image
Data Source
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AI summary
In one embodiment, a medical image processing apparatus includes processing circuitry configured to: acquire an ultrasonic image generated from a signal that is acquired by a detector of an ultrasonic catheter inserted into an object's body; acquire an X-ray image depicting the detector and an imaging target that is at least one of a medical device inserted into the object's body and a region of interest inside the object's body; detect a position of the detector depicted in the X-ray image and a position of the imaging target depicted in at least one of the ultrasonic image and the X-ray image; and uses respective positions of the detector and the imaging target to calculate moving support information for moving the ultrasonic catheter in a manner such that the imaging target is included within a field of view "FOV" of the detector or moved towards the center of the FOV.