Intraluminal Data Co-Registration Using Cardiac-Phase X-Ray Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for co-registering intravascular imaging modalities with x-ray angiography are prone to errors, require multiple x-ray angiographic images, and are limited by 2D segmentation inaccuracies, leading to suboptimal treatment of vascular diseases.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for synchronizing intraluminal data with x-ray image data using cardiac cycles, creating a cumulative image to align intravascular data with x-ray images, and correcting for motion artifacts, utilizing deep learning-based Bayesian filtering for improved registration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If 2D segmentation is used for co-registration, then the process is simplified, but registration accuracy deteriorates due to segmentation inaccuracies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveco-registration process simplicityVSAvoidregistration accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the 2D segmentation step from the co-registration process. Instead of segmenting vessels in 2D angiographic images, the system directly uses the intravascular imaging data (from catheters, wires, or balloons) as the reference framework, thereby removing the source of segmentation inaccuracies while simplifying the overall process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary reference framework based on intravascular imaging devices (catheters, wires, balloons) that serves as a common reference for both intravascular and angiographic images. This intermediary eliminates the need for 2D segmentation by providing a direct geometric reference that can be tracked across different imaging modalities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple x-ray angiographic images are required for co-registration, then registration completeness is improved, but procedure time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregistration completenessVSAvoidprocedure time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the co-registration problem into two independent parts: (1) establishing the reference framework using intravascular imaging devices, and (2) tracking the devices across images. This segmentation allows accurate registration to be achieved with fewer images, as the intravascular device positions provide direct spatial reference without requiring multiple angiographic views for 3D reconstruction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary action by establishing the intravascular device reference framework before attempting co-registration. By pre-defining the spatial positions of intravascular devices (catheters, wires, balloons) as reference points, the system eliminates the need for multiple angiographic images that would otherwise be required to establish 3D anatomical references.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If anatomical assessment alone is used, then the assessment process is simplified, but functional severity evaluation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassessment simplicityVSAvoidfunctional severity accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges anatomical imaging data (angiography, IVUS, OCT) with functional assessment data (pressure measurements, FFR, iFR) into a unified co-registered framework. By combining these previously separate assessments into a single integrated system with common spatial reference, the patent enables simultaneous evaluation of both anatomical severity and functional significance without increasing procedural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3884868B1Method and system for registering intra-object data with extra-object data
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 PIE MEDICAL IMAGING
  • EP3884868B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3884868B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3884868B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for correlating intraluminal data with x-ray image data, the method comprising, under control of one or more computer systems configured with specific executable instructions: providing x-ray image data of a tubular organ; providing intraluminal data of the tubular organ; synchronizing the x-ray image data with the intraluminal data based on a cardiac cycle extracted from an available input signal and/or the x-ray image data and/or the intraluminal data to match x-ray image data with intraluminal data in a specific cardiac phase; co-registering x-ray image data with intraluminal data by creating a cumulative image at the specific cardiac phase which reconstructs the path followed by an intraluminal wire used for acquiring the intraluminal data to link the intraluminal data to spatial locations of the path followed by the wire within the x-ray image. A corresponding system and computer program are also disclosed.