Intraoperative Image Registration for Accurate Catheter Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing minimally invasive medical procedures lack effective systems and methods to enhance workflow by coordinating medical tools with anatomic passageway images, leading to inaccuracies in navigating instruments to target locations.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that records shape data for medical instruments during imaging, segments and registers image data to shape data, and updates target locations from pre-operative to intra-operative positions using intra-operative imaging, ensuring accurate navigation through anatomic passageways.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If image data is displayed on a monitor during minimally invasive surgery, then the surgeon can view anatomical structures, but the surgical field becomes contaminated with bacteria from the open surgical site
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the imaging function into separate components: a sterile imaging probe that can be introduced through the minimally invasive access, and a separate display system outside the surgical field. This segmentation allows the imaging function to be performed without contaminating the sterile field while maintaining visibility of anatomical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary sterile barrier system including drape assemblies with transparent windows and sterile conduits that allow imaging equipment to visualize through the drape without direct exposure to the surgical field. This intermediary protects the imaging equipment from bacterial contamination while maintaining imaging capability.
2Ease of operation
If traditional open surgical techniques are used, then the surgeon has direct visual access to the surgical site, but the procedure requires larger incisions and has longer recovery times
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces direct mechanical visual access (surgeon looking directly at the site) with an optical imaging system that captures and transmits visual information electronically. This substitution allows minimally invasive access while maintaining visual guidance through the use of imaging probes and display systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional direct visual access to three-dimensional volumetric imaging capabilities. The imaging system provides multi-planar reconstruction and cross-sectional views that give the surgeon comprehensive spatial understanding without requiring direct line-of-sight access to all anatomical structures.
3Measurement precision
If imaging equipment is placed near the surgical site for real-time imaging, then anatomical structures can be visualized, but the equipment is exposed to harsh surgical environment and bacterial contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs sterile drapes with integrated imaging windows and sterile barriers as intermediaries that protect imaging equipment from the harsh surgical environment while allowing real-time imaging. These barriers maintain the integrity of the imaging system while enabling visualization through controlled interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system is segmented into sterile and non-sterile components. The imaging probe or transmitter can be introduced through sterile access points and positioned within the surgical field, while the main imaging equipment remains outside the sterile field in a protected environment. This segmentation allows real-time imaging while protecting sensitive equipment from contamination and harsh conditions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system may comprise a processor and a memory having computer readable instructions stored thereon. The computer readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the system to record shape data for an instrument during an image capture period of an imaging system and receive image data from the imaging system corresponding to the image capture period. A portion of the image data corresponds to the instrument. The computer readable instructions further cause the system to identify a target in the image data, segment the portion of the image data, register the image data to the shape data by comparing the shape data to the portion of the image data corresponding to the instrument, and update a location of the target from a pre-operative location to an intra-operative location based upon the image data.