MPR Slice Selection for Catheter Visualization in 3D Ultrasound

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Solution Overview

Problem

The visualization of an interventional tool, particularly a catheter, in multi-planar reformatting (MPR) images derived from 3D ultrasound is challenging due to image artifacts, limited views, and out-of-plane issues, making it difficult to accurately localize the tool tip and visualize its surrounding neighborhood during interventional cardiac procedures.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes a 3D ultrasound imaging system, an MPR imaging module, and image tracking points on the interventional tool, allowing for real-time localization of the tool tip and precise generation of MPR views by identifying multiple image tracking points and generating MPR images with these points as origins, which can be integrated with X-ray imaging for enhanced visualization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If 2D US or 3D US is used for visualizing the interventional tool, then real-time motion information is provided, but image artifacts and limited views make it difficult to accurately localize the tool tip

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time visualization speedVSAvoidtool tip localization precision
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from 2D ultrasound imaging to 3D volume imaging, enabling multi-planar reformatting (MPR) views that provide comprehensive spatial context. This dimensional enhancement allows accurate localization of the tool tip by visualizing it in three orthogonal planes simultaneously, resolving the out-of-plane ambiguity inherent in 2D imaging while maintaining real-time capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the 3D ultrasound volume into multiple orthogonal planar views (axial, sagittal, coronal planes). By displaying the tool tip position across these segmented views, the system provides precise localization information that overcomes the limited single-view perspective of conventional 2D imaging, achieving both real-time updates and high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If conventional 2D US or 3D US views are used, then the interventional tool is visualized, but out-of-plane issues cause the tool tip to go in and out of the image

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisualization simplicityVSAvoidtool tip position information
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs 3D volume imaging with multi-planar reformatting to eliminate out-of-plane information loss. By reconstructing and displaying the tool tip position in three orthogonal planes simultaneously, the system ensures the tip remains continuously visible and accurately localized, preventing the information loss that occurs when the tip moves in and out of a single 2D image plane.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal 3D visualization framework that functions across multiple orthogonal planes simultaneously. This multi-functional display system provides comprehensive tool tip localization information in all spatial dimensions, ensuring complete positional information is available regardless of the tool's orientation or position within the imaging volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If MPR views are generated around the tool tip, then accurate localization is achieved, but defining appropriate MPR views is difficult due to visualization challenges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool tip localization precisionVSAvoidMPR view configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automatic MPR view configuration where the system self-determines the optimal cutting planes and orientations based on the detected tool tip position. This automated approach eliminates the need for manual configuration of complex MPR parameters, allowing accurate localization to be achieved without requiring the operator to navigate complex view-setting procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs real-time feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors tool tip position and automatically adjusts MPR view parameters accordingly. This closed-loop control simplifies the interface by eliminating manual configuration needs, as the system自适应ly optimizes the MPR display based on the current tool position and orientation, reducing device complexity while maintaining high localization precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2699166B1MPR slice selection for visualization of catheter in three-dimensional ultrasound
Publication Date: 2019.09.04 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP2699166B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2699166B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4C
  • EP2699166B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6B

AI summary

A system employs an interventional tool (30), ultrasound imaging system and a multi-planar reformatting module (40). The interventional tool (30)has one or more image tracking points (31). The ultrasound imaging system includes an ultrasound probe (20)operable for generating an ultrasound volume image (22)of a portion or an entirety of the interventional tool (30)within an anatomical region. The multi-planar reformatting imaging module (40) generates two or more multi- planar reformatting images (41) of the interventional tool (30)within the anatomical region. A generation of the two multi-planar reformatting images (41)includes an identification of each image tracking point (31)within the ultrasound volume image (22), and a utilization of each identified image tracking point (31)as an origin of the multi-planar reformatting images (41).