Learned Lung Deformation Model for Micronodule Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for registering pre-surgical dye sites with CT images during surgery are burdensome for doctors and patients, and struggle with accurately simulating patient-specific mechanical properties and deformations, particularly in the lungs which change from aerated to deaerated conditions during surgery.

Innovation Solution

A learned model is generated using machine learning to estimate lung deformation with high accuracy by learning deformation per micro region, such as vertex units, rather than the entire shape, incorporating upsampling to increase data and using kernel regression models to predict lung deformation during surgery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the entire shape is used as the learning unit for deformation, then the model can handle complex overall deformation, but the estimation accuracy for local regions decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveestimation accuracyVSAvoidlearning unit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the learning process into two levels: (1) learning the deformation of the entire shape as a whole, and (2) learning the deformation of micro regions (vertices) within the shape. This segmentation allows the model to capture both global deformation patterns and local deformation details, thereby improving estimation accuracy without overwhelming complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different learning strategies to different parts of the shape. The entire shape is learned using one approach while micro regions (vertices) are learned using another approach. This local quality principle allows the model to focus computational resources on capturing fine-grained local deformations where precision is most critical, while still maintaining awareness of global shape changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If more measurement data items are collected to improve model accuracy, then the estimation precision increases, but the burden on doctors and patients increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodel accuracyVSAvoidoperational burden
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses upsampling to generate additional training data points from existing measurement data. Instead of collecting more physical measurement data (which increases burden), the system creates synthetic training examples by upsampling the available data, thereby improving model accuracy without requiring additional measurements from patients or doctors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates synthetic training data by copying and transforming existing measurement data through upsampling techniques. This allows the model to learn from multiple variations of the same underlying data, effectively increasing the training dataset size without requiring additional physical measurements, thus maintaining ease of operation while improving model accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3852023B1Machine learning device, inference device, program, and learned model
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 KYOTO UNIV
  • EP3852023B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3852023B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3852023B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A machine learning device includes: a generation unit generating a first shape model representing a shape of an object before deformation and a second shape model representing a shape of the object after the deformation based on measurement data before and after the deformation; and a learning unit learning a feature amount including a difference value between each micro region and another micro region that constitute the first shape model, and a relation providing a displacement from the each micro region of the first shape model to each corresponding micro region of the second shape model.