Medical Image Processing System for Deep Brain Stimulation Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image guidance systems for deep brain stimulation surgeries face challenges in determining the optimal stimulation location due to patient movement, magnetic resonance imaging issues, and poor electrophysiological signals, which can impact the accuracy and efficacy of the procedure.
Innovation Solution
A medical image processing system that transforms a deep brain stimulation targets atlas from the Montreal Neurological Institute brain space to the subject's brain space using the Diffeomorphic Anatomical Registration Through Exponential Lie (DARTEL) algorithm, marking coordinates with the largest Voxel value in brain MR images, and storing them in a format for a guiding device to display, thereby enhancing the accuracy of stimulation point identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional image guidance systems are used for deep brain stimulation, then the procedure can be performed with standard equipment, but the accuracy of determining the optimal stimulation location deteriorates due to patient movement, MRI issues, and poor electrophysiological signals
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary registration of the patient's brain images with the atlas database before the actual stimulation procedure. This pre-alignment establishes a stable reference framework that remains valid even during patient movement or MRI scanning, allowing accurate stimulation location determination without requiring continuous real-time image acquisition.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy of the patient's brain anatomy by registering their MRI scans with a standardized atlas. This virtual model serves as a stable reference that can be manipulated and analyzed without moving the actual patient, enabling precise identification of stimulation targets while the patient remains stationary during imaging.
2Manufacturing precision
If atlas transformation using DARTEL algorithm is implemented, then the precision of coordinate mapping is improved, but the computational complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The DARTEL-based atlas transformation is performed as a preliminary processing step before the actual stimulation procedure. By completing the complex registration and coordinate mapping in advance, the system establishes an accurate reference framework that simplifies subsequent surgical planning and execution, rather than requiring complex real-time processing during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual coordinate mapping and anatomical localization with automated computational algorithms. The DARTEL algorithm and voxel-based analysis automatically transform coordinates between atlas and subject spaces, eliminating the need for manual anatomical landmark identification and reducing human error in coordinate transformation.
3Measurement precision
If multiple brain MR images are processed and analyzed, then the accuracy of identifying the optimal stimulation point is improved, but the processing time and computational resources required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and analyzes only the most relevant features from the multiple brain MR images, specifically focusing on voxel intensity values in regions of interest identified through atlas registration. By extracting only the critical information needed for stimulation target identification rather than processing all image data, the system maintains high accuracy while reducing processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the analysis approach from examining multiple complete images to analyzing specific parameters such as voxel intensity values at transformed atlas coordinates. This parameter-focused approach allows the system to derive accurate stimulation targets from multiple images by comparing key metrics rather than processing entire image datasets.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical image processing system includes a memory and a processor coupled to each other. The processor accesses and executes instructions which memory stores to perform the following: obtaining a plurality of brain MR images corresponding to a subject, wherein the brain MR images corresponds to a subject brain space; accessing a DBS targets atlas corresponding to a specific stimulation area; transforming the DBS targets atlas from a MNI brain space to the subject brain space based on a DARTEL algorithm; marking at least one coordinate having a largest Voxel value in the brain MR images based on the transformed DBS targets atlas; and storing the brain MR images being targeted with the at least one coordinate into a predetermined format corresponding to a guiding device so that the guiding device displays the brain MR images being targeted with the at least one coordinate for guidance in DBS procedure.