Medical Object Path Planning via Specification Function

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current interventional medical procedures face challenges in path planning due to the complexity of manually determining the optimal path for medical objects, which can lead to increased risk of injury and prolonged procedure duration, especially when dealing with diverse medical objects of varying properties.

Innovation Solution

A method that utilizes a specification function to determine a suitable path for medical objects by analyzing pre-ascertained mapping and selection information, incorporating cost functions to optimize compatibility and movement parameters, and providing suitability information for selecting the most appropriate medical object for the procedure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual path planning is used by the medical operator, then flexibility in handling different medical objects is maintained, but the complexity of path planning increases and procedure duration is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in handling different medical objectsVSAvoidprocedure duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

A computer-based path planning assistance device acts as an intermediary between the medical operator and the path planning task. The device receives planning datasets and medical object properties, automatically determines optimal paths with control points, and presents these to the operator for review and adjustment, thereby reducing manual planning time while maintaining flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary path planning calculations before the actual medical procedure begins. By pre-processing the planning dataset and medical object characteristics, the system generates initial path proposals that the operator can then refine, significantly reducing the time required during the actual procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If manual path planning is used, then the medical operator can adjust paths based on real-time experience, but the risk of injury to the examination object increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator judgment in path adjustmentVSAvoidrisk of injury to examination object

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the computer automatically evaluates proposed paths against the planning dataset and medical object properties to assess injury risk. The computer provides feedback to the operator about potential hazards in manually adjusted paths, allowing the operator to make informed decisions that maintain reliability while reducing injury risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary assessments of potential path risks before the operator finalizes the path. By pre-identifying hazardous areas and constraints from the planning dataset, the system can prevent harmful paths from being selected, thereby reducing injury risk while preserving operator judgment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple medical objects with different properties are considered in path planning, then the suitability of medical objects can be assessed, but the complexity of path planning becomes too high for manual processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuitability assessment of medical objectsVSAvoidcomplexity of path planning

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual mechanical path planning with computer-based automated processing. The computer algorithm substitutes for the operator's manual analysis by automatically comparing medical object properties with planning dataset requirements, thereby managing complexity while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The path planning process is segmented into distinct computational tasks: receiving the planning dataset, analyzing medical object properties, evaluating suitability criteria, generating control points, and presenting options to the operator. This segmentation allows the computer to handle complex multi-object planning systematically while keeping the operator involved in decision-making

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20230186471A1Providing a specification

Publication Date: 2023.06.15 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG

AI summary

A method for providing a specification include receiving a planning dataset, wherein the planning dataset has a pre-ascertained mapping and/or a model of an examination object. The method further includes capturing selection information relating to one or more available medical object(s) and determining the specification by applying a specification function to input data, wherein the input data is based on the planning dataset and the selection information, wherein the specification has suitability information and a desired path, wherein the desired path has a plurality of spatial and/or temporal control points, which control points specify desired positionings for the one available medical object or one of the plurality of available medical objects respectively, and wherein the suitability information assesses suitability of the at least one available medical object for the desired path. The method further includes providing the specification as output data of the specification function.