Automated Access Path Planning for Percutaneous Lung Interventions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for planning percutaneous, minimally invasive interventions on the lungs, such as biopsies, often fail to account for vessels and bronchi in the access path, leading to potential damage and complications like pneumothorax and internal bleeding, especially when lesions are deep or behind the ribs, resulting in repeated procedures and patient burden.
Innovation Solution
An automated device and method for planning access paths using 3D image data from computed tomography or magnetic resonance tomography, which segments bones, vessels, and bronchi, and calculates paths that avoid these structures, allowing for selection of the shortest and safest route with predefined clearance distances, displayed interactively for user confirmation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If automated planning with segmentation is implemented, then safety and precision of access path planning is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The planning system segments the 3D image data into distinct anatomical structures (bones, vessels, bronchi, soft tissue) using automated segmentation algorithms. This segmentation enables precise identification of critical structures that must be avoided during needle insertion, thereby improving planning precision without requiring manual annotation of each structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediate computational layer that processes segmented anatomical data through path planning algorithms. This intermediary processing stage automatically generates optimized access paths that avoid critical structures, resolving the complexity issue by automating what would otherwise require complex manual planning procedures.
2Device complexity
If manual planning methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of intervention is worsened due to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The planning system performs self-service by automatically segmenting anatomical structures and calculating optimal access paths without requiring manual intervention. The system uses automated algorithms to identify critical structures and generate safe needle trajectories, eliminating human error while maintaining operational simplicity through user-friendly interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical planning methods with automated computational algorithms. Instead of relying on human operators to visually inspect 3D images and manually plan paths, the system uses computer-based segmentation and path optimization algorithms to automatically determine safe access routes, thereby improving reliability.
3Reliability
If clearance distances are enforced to avoid vessels and bronchi, then safety is improved, but the number of viable access paths is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The path planning system dynamically adjusts the clearance distance parameter based on the specific anatomical context. For critical structures like large vessels or main bronchi, larger clearance distances are enforced, while for smaller or less critical structures, smaller clearances are permitted. This dynamic adjustment maintains safety while preserving more access path options.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows modification of clearance distance parameters to balance safety requirements with the need for viable access paths. By adjusting these parameters, the system can enforce stricter safety margins when necessary or relax them when anatomical conditions permit, thereby optimizing the number of available safe access routes.
Data Source
AI summary
A device and a method are disclosed for automated planning of an access path for a percutaneous, minimally invasive intervention on an area of the body, in particular on the lungs. In the method, 3D image data of the body area are prepared, from which bones and elements endangered by the intervention are automatically segmented. In a display of the 3D image data and/or of image data derived therefrom, a target position is marked in the 3D image data by a user. On the basis of one or more predefined path geometries, the target position and the segmented data, a planning module automatically determines one or more access paths to the target position which do not run through bones and which do not intersect any elements endangered by the intervention, or intersect only a minimal number of elements endangered by the intervention. The one or more access paths are presented to the user on a monitor for information and/or interactive selection and/or correction in a display of the 3D image data or of image data derived therefrom.