Microbead Size-Driven Vessel Visualization for Embolization Planning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current embolization procedures lack a method to determine the relationship between target vessel sizes and microbead sizes, leading to imprecise planning and differentiation between affected and unaffected vessels during microbead injection.

Innovation Solution

A method involving high-resolution imaging and machine learning models to correlate vessel diameters with microbead sizes, providing adaptive vessel visualization and recommending suitable microbeads for embolization procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual measurement of vessel diameters is performed, then some vessel diameters can be obtained, but complete understanding of all target vessels is not achieved and differentiation between affected and unaffected vessels is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevessel diameter measurementVSAvoidcompleteness of vessel assessment

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement with automated image processing and machine learning algorithms. The system uses digital image analysis to automatically segment vessels, measure diameters, and classify affected versus unaffected vessels, eliminating the limitations of manual measurement while assessing all target vessels comprehensively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a digital representation (copy) of the vessel tree from medical imaging data. This digital model allows for complete measurement and analysis of all vessels without physical intervention, enabling differentiation between affected and unaffected vessels through automated processing of the entire vascular network

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If microbeads are injected without vessel size correlation, then embolization procedure can be performed, but precision of targeting affected vessels is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveembolization procedure executionVSAvoidmicrobead-vessel size matching

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary analysis of vessel diameters and microbead size correlations before the actual embolization procedure. By pre-classifying vessels as affected or unaffected based on size matching criteria, the system enables precise targeting during injection while maintaining procedural ease

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the approach from generic microbead injection to parameter-driven injection by correlating microbead size parameters with measured vessel diameter parameters. This allows optimization of microbead selection for each specific vessel based on quantitative size matching, improving targeting precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250302551A1Microbead size-driven adaptive vessel visualization for planning embolization procedures

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

A method of planning an embolization procedure for a patient includes capturing a 3D digital image of a vessel at a target site after a contrast agent has been administered to the vessel; determining diameters of the vessel based on the digital image; and outputting a digital representation of the vessel where different colors indicate different diameters of the vessel.