MR-Guided Intervention User Interface with Visual Indicators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current MR-guided percutaneous interventions face challenges with unintuitive visualization and interaction for aligning shafts or needles with planned trajectories due to complex workflows and the need for repeated adjustments, leading to discomfort and a steep learning curve for interventionists.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic resonance (MR) system with a user interface featuring visual indicators and input devices positioned on a surface, providing intuitive visualization of geometries and slice adjustments, allowing real-time alignment and positioning of shafts or needles with planned trajectories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If real-time MR imaging with active markers and triple foot pedal control is used, then shaft or needle positioning capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to unintuitive visualization and complex interaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a visual copy of the 3D anatomical model and needle trajectory on the MR imaging display, allowing the operator to see a simplified 2D representation that directly corresponds to the physical needle position. This visual copy eliminates the need to mentally translate between complex marker coordinates and anatomical positions, making the system intuitive while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary graphical user interface that translates complex MR imaging data and marker positions into intuitive visual displays showing needle position relative to target. This intermediary layer mediates between the complex measurement system and the operator, providing intuitive visualization without sacrificing positioning accuracy
2Measurement precision
If repeated fine adjustment of real-time slice positions is made during needle insertion, then alignment accuracy is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary registration of the 3D anatomical model with the MR imaging data before needle insertion begins. This preliminary action establishes the coordinate transformation and visual mapping in advance, so that during needle insertion, real-time slice positions can be automatically adjusted without requiring repeated manual fine-tuning, thus maintaining accuracy while reducing time loss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements real-time feedback by continuously displaying the needle position relative to the planned trajectory on the MR imaging display. This feedback mechanism allows the operator to see immediate deviations and make single adjustments rather than repeated fine adjustments, maintaining alignment accuracy while reducing procedure time
3Measurement precision
If the interventionist alternates between viewing the shaft or needle and the display device, then alignment monitoring is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to discomfort and mental translation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the visual information from the display device with the physical view of the needle by projecting or displaying the 3D model and trajectory information directly on the MR imaging display that the operator already views for needle insertion. This merging eliminates the need to alternate between separate viewing locations, maintaining alignment monitoring while improving comfort and workflow
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic resonance (MR) system (10) for guidance of a shaft or needle (16) to a target (14) of a subject (12) is provided. The system includes a user interface (76). The user interface (76) includes a frame (78) positioned on a surface of the subject (12). The frame (78) includes an opening (82) over an entry point of a planned trajectory for the shaft or needle (16). The planned trajectory extends from the entry point to the target (14). The user interface (76) further includes one or more visual indicators (80) arranged on the frame (78) around the opening (82). The one or more visual indicators (80) at least one of: 1) visually indicate deviation of the shaft or needle (16) from the planned trajectory; and 2) visually indicate a current position of a real-time slice of real-time MR images.