IVUS Pullback Speed Feedback for Consistent Intraluminal Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

In intraluminal imaging procedures, maintaining consistent probe movement speeds during pullback is challenging, leading to degraded image quality due to variable speeds that are dependent on physician experience, which can result in distorted or confusing data.

Innovation Solution

A system that determines pullback speed based on intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) images and provides real-time speed feedback to clinicians, ensuring consistent probe movement within a desired range, thereby improving image quality and consistency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual pullback control is used, then ease of operation is improved, but speed consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidspeed consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides real-time visual feedback to the operator through a display device, showing the actual pullback speed and comparing it against a target speed range. This allows the operator to continuously adjust their manual control to maintain speed within the optimal range, resolving the contradiction between manual ease of operation and speed consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical speed control mechanisms (such as motorized pullback devices) with an operator-guided manual system augmented by electronic feedback. This substitution allows the operator to maintain direct tactile control while receiving real-time speed information, achieving both ease of operation and speed consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If pullback speed is increased, then productivity is improved, but image quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveproductivityVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the target pullback speed based on the specific imaging task and vessel characteristics. Rather than using a fixed high speed, the system allows real-time modification of the target speed range to optimize both productivity and image quality for different procedural conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

By providing continuous feedback on actual versus target speed, the system enables operators to maintain higher average speeds while ensuring that speed never exceeds the threshold that would degrade image quality. This resolves the contradiction between productivity and image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If pullback speed is decreased, then image quality is improved, but productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidproductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback mechanism allows operators to confidently maintain higher speeds by providing real-time confirmation that speed remains within the optimal range. This eliminates the need to deliberately slow down to ensure image quality, thereby maintaining productivity while preserving image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-establishes the optimal speed range based on imaging requirements before the pullback begins. This preliminary configuration allows operators to immediately operate at optimal speeds without trial and error, achieving both high image quality and productivity from the start.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system enhances image quality and consistency by allowing clinicians to maintain steady probe speeds, reducing the need for manual estimation and equipment, and providing accurate length and volume estimates of the imaged vessel.

Implementation Method 1

The transducers emit ultrasonic energy and receive ultrasound echoes reflected from the vessel. The ultrasound echoes are processed to create an image of the vessel of interest.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasound: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 2

The transducers emit ultrasonic energy and receive ultrasound echoes reflected from the vessel.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEcho: Echo

Data Source

PatentUS12514542B2Speed determination for intraluminal ultrasound imaging and associated devices, systems, and methods

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 PHILIPS IMAGE GUIDED THERAPY CORP

AI summary

Disclosed is an intraluminal ultrasound imaging system, including a processor circuit in communication with an intraluminal ultrasound imaging catheter, and configured to receive a plurality of intraluminal ultrasound images obtained by the imaging catheter while the imaging catheter is moved through a body lumen of a patient. The processor circuit is further configured to determine a longitudinal translation speed of the imaging catheter based on the plurality of images and a known time interval between images, and display a speed indicator based on the longitudinal translation speed.