Implanted Lead Orientation Detection Using Image Marker Planes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable medical devices face challenges in accurately determining the orientation of patient-implanted leads for electrical stimulation therapy, which affects the targeting of specific patient tissue and can lead to inefficiencies and potential side effects.
Innovation Solution
The system determines the orientation of implanted leads by leveraging hyperintensive regions in patient images from orientation markers on the leads, using processing circuitry to analyze lead geometry and image content, allowing for precise positioning of electrodes relative to the targeted anatomy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If lead orientation is determined using traditional imaging methods, then the imaging process is simple, but the orientation determination precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces orientation markers as intermediary objects attached to the lead. These markers serve as mediators between the imaging system and the lead orientation determination. The markers contain hyperintensive regions that create distinctive signal patterns, enabling precise orientation measurement without requiring complex direct imaging of the lead itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes hyperintensive regions (analogous to color/brightness changes) in the orientation markers that produce distinctive signal intensities in the images. These hyperintensive regions create detectable variations in image signal strength, allowing the processing circuitry to identify marker orientation through intensity analysis rather than requiring complex structural imaging.
2Measurement precision
If hyperintensive regions are used to determine lead orientation, then the orientation accuracy is improved, but the image processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The orientation markers are designed to self-generate detectable signal patterns through their inherent hyperintensive regions. The markers automatically create distinctive intensity variations in the images based on their orientation, eliminating the need for external calibration or complex measurement procedures. The system leverages the natural signal properties of the markers themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The orientation markers are pre-configured with specific hyperintensive region patterns before implantation. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the markers are imaged, they automatically produce the distinctive signal patterns needed for orientation determination, removing the need for post-implantation calibration or complex pattern recognition algorithms.
3Reliability
If traditional electrode selection methods are used, then the programming process is straightforward, but the therapy efficacy is reduced due to inaccurate lead orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback by determining lead orientation based on image analysis of hyperintensive regions in the orientation markers. This orientation information feeds back into the electrode selection process, enabling clinicians to accurately identify which electrodes are positioned toward target tissue. The feedback loop connects imaging data directly to therapy programming decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual trial-and-error electrode selection with an automated image-based orientation determination system. Instead of relying on mechanical probing or trial stimulation to identify effective electrodes, the system uses optical/imaging detection of marker hyperintensive regions to directly determine lead orientation and guide electrode selection.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes memory configured to store image content representative of a lead implanted within a patient, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to determine a reference point in the image content, determine a plane in the image content that corresponds to an orientation marker based on the reference point, determine an orientation of the lead based on the determined plane, and output information indicative of the determined orientation.