Medical Device Target Navigation with Live Fluoroscopy Overlays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical navigation systems face inaccuracies due to patient deformation during procedures, particularly in lung navigation, as 3D volumes generated from previous scans do not account for changes in lung volume and patient pose, leading to inadequate real-time visualization of medical devices relative to targets.

Innovation Solution

A system that overlays a 2D fluoroscopic view with a 3D model of the target, using a live fluoroscopic view to align the medical device with the target, providing color-coded alignment indicators and distance measurements for precise navigation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If 3D volumes are generated from previously acquired CT scans for navigation, then a navigation plan can be created to facilitate device advancement, but the accuracy deteriorates due to patient deformation during the procedure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation accuracyVSAvoidlung deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by acquiring fluoroscopic images during the procedure before final target localization, using these images to generate a fluoroscopic 3D reconstruction that accounts for actual patient positioning and lung deformation during the procedure, thereby improving navigation accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of imaging modality from static pre-procedure CT scans to dynamic fluoroscopic imaging during the procedure, allowing real-time capture of patient anatomy and device position, thus adapting to lung deformation and pose changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If real-time imaging is used to display current location of medical device, then navigation accuracy is improved, but radiation exposure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time location accuracyVSAvoidradiation exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses partial action by acquiring fluoroscopic images at specific critical moments during the procedure (before target localization and for final confirmation) rather than continuous imaging, thereby obtaining necessary real-time location data while minimizing overall radiation exposure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If fluoroscopic 3D reconstruction is generated to improve target identification, then navigation precision is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetarget identification accuracyVSAvoidimaging system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fluoroscopic imaging system serves multiple functions: it captures real-time patient anatomy, tracks medical device position, generates 3D reconstructions for target identification, and provides final confirmation of device placement, replacing the need for separate imaging systems for each function

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

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

Enhances the accuracy and safety of medical device navigation by ensuring alignment with targets in real-time, reducing the need for multiple scans and exposure to radiation, and providing comprehensive visualization of both the device and target.

Implementation Method 1

a fluoroscopic imaging device 124 capable of acquiring fluoroscopic or x-ray images or video of the patient P

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectX-ray: X-Ray

Data Source

PatentEP3689285B1Systems and methods for visualizing navigation of medical devices relative to targets
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 COVIDIEN LP
  • EP3689285B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3689285B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3689285B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems (200) and methods for visualizing navigation of a medical device with respect to a target using a live fluoroscopic view. The methods include displaying, in a screen (206), a three-dimensional (3D) view of a 3D model of a target from the perspective of a medical device tip. The methods also include displaying, in the screen, a live two-dimensional (2D) fluoroscopic view showing a medical device, and displaying a target mark, which corresponds to the 3D model of the target, overlaid on the live 2D fluoroscopic view. The methods may include determining whether the medical device tip is aligned with the target, displaying the target mark in a first color if the medical device tip is aligned with the target, and displaying the target mark in second color different from the first color if the medical device tip is not aligned with the target.