Medical Imaging Object Tracking via Segmented Primary and Secondary Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical imaging systems for minimally invasive therapy face hindrance during procedures due to the large size and positioning requirements of C-shaped arm-based systems, which obstruct the surgical field while continuously tracking patient and instrument motion.
Innovation Solution
A medical imaging system with a primary imaging unit and a secondary imaging unit, where the primary unit provides X-ray image data and can move into a parking mode, allowing the secondary unit to take over tracking, reducing obstruction and enabling seamless transition without additional global tracking means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a C-shaped arm-based system with embedded video camera is used for continuous image-based guidance, then continuous tracking of patient and instrument motion is achieved, but the system hinders therapy execution due to its large size and positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is divided into two independent imaging units: a primary imaging unit (C-shaped arm with X-ray detector) and a secondary imaging unit (fixed camera system). Each unit can independently perform object tracking, allowing the system to segment the continuous tracking function across multiple devices, thereby reducing the obstruction caused by any single large C-shaped arm while maintaining continuous guidance capability
Solution Approach 2:
A computer system acts as an intermediary that receives image data from both the primary and secondary imaging units, determines object positions in both coordinate systems, and merges the data to provide continuous tracking. This intermediary processing enables seamless transition between imaging units and maintains tracking reliability while allowing the primary unit to be positioned away from the surgical field when needed
2Measurement precision
If the primary imaging unit is positioned close to the patient's body for imaging, then high-quality image data is obtained, but the unit obstructs the surgical field during therapy execution
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between the primary imaging unit (when needed for high-quality internal imaging) and the secondary imaging unit (when the primary unit must be repositioned away from the surgical field). This dynamic operation allows the primary unit to obtain high-quality image data when positioned close to the patient, while avoiding obstruction during critical surgical phases by transitioning to the secondary unit
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary imaging unit serves as a copy or backup of the primary imaging unit's tracking capability. When the primary unit is repositioned or removed from the surgical field, the secondary unit provides a copy of the tracking function, ensuring continuous guidance without the obstruction caused by the primary unit's large size
Data Source
AI summary
An object tracking device for a medical imaging system tracks a predetermined movable object such as a medical instrument and/or a patient. The object tracking device includes primary and secondary imagers. The primary imager is configured to provide first image data of a patient's body including the interior of a patient's body. The primary imager is movable between imaging and parking modes. The secondary imager is configured to provide second image data of a patient's body including the exterior of a patient's body. The object tracking device further includes a position monitoring arrangement configured to monitor a position of the secondary imager relative to the position of a reference point. As a result, the medical instrument and/or the patient is traceable in the imaging mode based on the image data of the primary imager, and in the parking mode based on the image data of the secondary imager.