Model-Based Airway Stent Design for Complex Anatomy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercially-available airway stents often poorly fit patients with complex airways, leading to complications such as stent occlusion, granulation tissue formation, infection, biofilm, and migration.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for designing patient-specific airway stents using a processor and non-transitory memory to segment images, generate three-dimensional models, and allow users to select locations and diameters via a graphic user interface, constructing a stent model tailored to individual airway anatomy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If commercially-available airway stents are used, then availability and ease of procurement are improved, but fit to patient airway anatomy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stent is designed with locally varying properties to match the specific geometry of the patient's airway at different locations. The system allows selection of multiple locations along the airway with different diameters, creating a stent that has non-uniform characteristics tailored to each segment of the airway rather than a uniform design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by creating a three-dimensional model of the patient's airway from medical images before stent placement. This allows the stent geometry to be pre-calculated and customized based on the specific airway anatomy, ensuring optimal fit before the actual procedure.
2Device complexity
If a poorly fitted airway stent is placed, then the procedure complexity is reduced, but complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary modeling and stent design before the actual implantation procedure. By pre-calculating the optimal stent geometry based on three-dimensional airway modeling from medical images, the system reduces intra-procedural complexity while ensuring proper fit to minimize complications.
3Manufacturing precision
If a custom-fitted stent is designed, then fit to airway anatomy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the airway into multiple discrete locations or sections, allowing the stent to be designed as a series of connected segments with different diameters. This segmentation approach simplifies the overall design process by breaking down the complex customization task into manageable discrete steps while achieving precise anatomical fit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from two-dimensional medical images to a three-dimensional model of the airway, enabling comprehensive geometric analysis and stent design in three dimensions. This dimensional enhancement allows for more accurate representation of airway complexity while providing a systematic approach to customization.
4Adaptability or versatility
If repeated procedures are performed, then adaptability to airway changes is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs comprehensive airway modeling and stent design in advance, creating a customized stent that accounts for the patient's specific airway geometry. This preliminary customization reduces the need for repeated adjustment procedures, saving time while maintaining adaptability to the patient's unique anatomical characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for designing a stent for placement within an airway of a patient. Computer executable instructions are executable by a processor to provide an image segmenter, a graphic user interface, and a model generator. The image segmenter segments at least one image of a region of interest to provide a three-dimensional airway model representing at least a portion of the airway. The graphic user interface prompts a user to select a plurality of locations at an within the airway model and a corresponding plurality of diameters for the plurality of locations. The model generator constructs a stent model from the selected locations and diameters.