IVUS Preview Images With Longitudinal Blood Vessel Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Navigating and comparing multiple intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) images for identifying regions of concern in a vessel is time-consuming and difficult, making it challenging to quickly identify regions of interest for efficient vascular catheterization procedures.

Innovation Solution

A system that displays an IVUS image alongside a longitudinal view of a blood vessel, allowing temporary display of additional IVUS images as previews, with indicators showing acquisition locations, and includes measurements like cross-sectional area and diameter, enabling quick browsing and comparison.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple IVUS images are displayed simultaneously for comparison, then the ability to identify regions of interest improves, but the device complexity and difficulty of operation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification accuracy of regions of interestVSAvoiddisplay system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display system is segmented into distinct functional areas: a main IVUS image display region, a longitudinal view region showing the blood vessel with multiple measurement sites, and a preview panel for comparing additional images. This segmentation allows multiple images to be displayed simultaneously in an organized manner that improves region identification without overwhelming the user with complex integrated displays

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system adds a longitudinal dimension to the display by showing a longitudinal view of the blood vessel with multiple IVUS measurement sites marked along its length. This longitudinal perspective provides spatial context that helps physicians quickly identify regions of interest by seeing their position along the vessel, transforming the navigation task from searching through individual cross-sectional images to visualizing locations along a continuous vessel path

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If multiple IVUS images are displayed simultaneously, then the comparison capability improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomparison capabilityVSAvoidnavigation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The longitudinal view of the blood vessel serves as an intermediary that connects and contextualizes multiple IVUS images. Instead of requiring direct manipulation of multiple separate image windows, the system provides a longitudinal roadmap that shows where each image was acquired, allowing physicians to navigate and compare images by following the vessel's course rather than manually switching between images

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-processes and organizes multiple IVUS images along the longitudinal path of the blood vessel before display, automatically assigning each image to its correct anatomical location. This preliminary organization eliminates the need for physicians to manually sort or navigate through images, as they are already arranged in spatial context along the vessel

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If physicians navigate through multiple IVUS images sequentially, then the thoroughness of examination improves, but the time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexamination thoroughnessVSAvoidnavigation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By adding the longitudinal dimension to the display, the system allows physicians to see all IVUS measurement sites along the vessel simultaneously rather than navigating through images sequentially. The longitudinal view acts as a roadmap that provides an overview of the entire examined segment, enabling quick identification of regions of interest without time-consuming sequential navigation through individual cross-sectional images

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The longitudinal view serves multiple functions simultaneously: it displays the overall vessel anatomy, marks the location of each IVUS measurement site, provides spatial context for comparing images, and enables quick navigation to regions of interest. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate tools and steps into a single integrated display

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4337100B1Preview of intraluminal ultrasound image along longitudinal view of body lumen
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP4337100B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4337100B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4337100B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A co-registration system includes a processor circuit that displays a preview intravascular image along a longitudinal view of a blood vessel. The processor circuit receives, from an x-ray imaging device, x-ray images of the blood vessel while an intravascular catheter/guidewire moves through the blood vessel. The processor circuit receives, from the catheter, intravascular data representative of the blood vessel while the catheter moves through the blood vessel. The longitudinal view of the blood vessel is generated based on the intravascular data. The processor circuit co-registers the intravascular data to an x-ray image received from the x-ray imaging device. The processor circuit generates and displays a preview intravascular image in conjunction with the longitudinal view and overlaid over another intravascular image or an x-ray image in response to a user input.