Intravascular Data Co-Registration Using a Stitched Vessel Roadmap
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In intravascular imaging, co-registration of data from invasive devices with non-invasive images is challenging due to the lack of a single contrast-filled x-ray frame serving as a roadmap, especially in peripheral vasculature where vessels require multiple external images, complicating navigation and data mapping.
Innovation Solution
A system for co-registering intravascular data with multiple external x-ray images by stitching together images and tracking the intravascular device's position using geometric and mathematical techniques, employing transformation matrices and landmark detection, to create a stable roadmap image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple external x-ray images are used to image long peripheral vessels, then the ability to visualize the entire vessel is improved, but the difficulty of co-registration increases because there is no single contrast-filled x-ray frame to serve as a roadmap
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple external x-ray images into a single stitched roadmap image that covers the entire vessel length. The system merges sequential x-ray frames by aligning them based on detected landmarks and geometric transformations, creating a comprehensive roadmap that resolves the contradiction between visualizing long vessels and maintaining co-registration accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary stitching algorithm that acts as a mediator between the multiple x-ray images and the intravascular data. This intermediary process automatically aligns and registers the images by detecting common landmarks and applying geometric transformations, eliminating the need for manual co-registration and simplifying the complex task of integrating multiple images.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual co-registration methods are used, then the flexibility to handle different vessel configurations is improved, but the time required for the procedure increases and location accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service co-registration where the system automatically performs the alignment and registration tasks without requiring manual intervention. The automated landmark detection and image stitching processes handle the co-registration independently, eliminating the time-consuming manual procedures while maintaining adaptability to different vessel configurations through algorithmic processing.
3Device complexity
If a single contrast-filled x-ray frame is used as roadmap, then the co-registration process is simplified, but the ability to image long peripheral vessels is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the long vessel into multiple overlapping x-ray frames that are captured sequentially. Instead of requiring a single large frame, the system divides the imaging task into smaller, manageable segments that can be individually processed and then stitched together, enabling long vessel imaging while maintaining relatively simple co-registration processes for each segment.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a medical imaging system, including a processor circuit configured for communication with an x-ray imaging device movable relative to a patient and an intravascular catheter or guidewire sized and shaped for positioning within a blood vessel of the patient, wherein the processor circuit is configured to receive a first angiographic image of a first length of the vessel and a second angiographic image of a second length of the vessel, wherein the first image is obtained at a first position and the second angiographic image is obtained at a second position. The processor is further configured to generate a roadmap image of a combined length of the blood vessel by combining the first image and the second image, and to receive intravascular data associated with the blood vessel, and to co-register the intravascular data to corresponding locations in the roadmap image; and output the roadmap image and a graphical representation of the intravascular data at the corresponding locations in the roadmap image.