Registration System for Imaging Device Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current interventional systems are limited to specific instruments equipped with optical fiber members visible in magnetic resonance images, restricting the types of instruments that can be used during procedures.

Innovation Solution

A registration system that allows users to add markers arbitrarily in images to register imaging devices with tracking devices, enabling registration of any visible object, including interventional instruments like catheters or needles, without the need for pre-marked optical fiber members, using object detection units and registration units to determine accurate registration parameters across different projection images.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If specific interventional instruments with optical fiber members and markers are used, then registration with magnetic resonance imaging is possible, but the types of instruments that can be used are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregistration accuracyVSAvoidinstrument compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables universal registration capability across different imaging modalities (magnetic resonance imaging, x-ray, optical tracking) and different interventional instrument types. The registration method does not require specific instrument features like optical fiber members, allowing any visible instrument to be registered, thus achieving multi-functionality and broad compatibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If markers are added at arbitrary positions in images, then registration can be performed with any visible object, but the complexity of the registration process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject flexibilityVSAvoidregistration process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual marker placement and mechanical registration procedures with automated computer-based image processing and algorithmic registration. The object detection unit automatically identifies markers at arbitrary positions, and the registration unit computationally determines registration parameters, substituting complex manual mechanical processes with automated digital operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates digital representations (copies) of physical markers and objects in the image space. By working with digital marker positions and object representations rather than physical manipulations, the system simplifies the registration process while maintaining flexibility in marker placement and object types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3025304B1Registration system for registering an imaging device with a tracking device

Publication Date: 2021.09.08 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

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AI summary

The invention relates to a registration system (13) for registering an imaging device (2) like an x-ray C-arm device with a tracking device (4) like an optical shape sensing tracking device. An object detection unit (5) is adapted to a) allow a user to add markers to an image of an object for indicating arbitrary positions on the object and b) provide a representation of the object based on the added markers, wherein a registration unit (6) determines registration parameters based on a location of the object tracked by the tracking device and on the location of the representation. This kind of registration can be performed with any object being visible for the user in the image, thereby permitting to use a wide variety of objects for the registration.