Real-Time MRI Slice Overlay for Catheter Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Real-time 3D MRI imaging is computationally intensive, making it impractical for minimally invasive procedures like cardiac catheter navigation, where high-resolution images are needed for precise guidance and treatment.
Innovation Solution
Acquiring and displaying a thin MRI slice in a selected plane near the catheter's distal end, overlaying it on a 3D magnetic position tracking map, reducing the need for full-volume 3D imaging and enabling real-time high-resolution visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If real-time 3D MRI imaging is performed, then high-resolution visualization is achieved, but computational intensity increases making it impractical for minimally invasive procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the full-volume 3D MRI imaging into thin axial slices (e.g., 3mm thickness) at specific locations. Instead of processing the entire heart volume, the system acquires and displays only the relevant thin slice containing the catheter tip, significantly reducing computational requirements while maintaining high resolution where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides high-resolution MRI imaging locally at the specific plane where the catheter is positioned, rather than uniformly across the entire volume. This localized high-resolution imaging reduces the overall computational burden while maintaining measurement precision at the critical location.
2Loss of information
If full-volume 3D MRI imaging is acquired, then complete anatomical information is obtained, but imaging time increases reducing real-time capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the volumetric MRI data into thin axial slices and only acquires/displays the specific slice containing the catheter tip. This segmentation approach maintains sufficient anatomical information for navigation while dramatically reducing acquisition time to enable real-time imaging during procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of acquiring the complete full-volume 3D MRI dataset, the system performs partial imaging by acquiring only the thin slice at the relevant location. This partial action is sufficient for the navigation task at hand, eliminating the time penalty of complete volumetric imaging.
3Productivity
If thin MRI slice imaging is used, then real-time high-resolution visualization is enabled, but complete 3D anatomical context is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the thin axial MRI slice with a 3D rendered representation of the heart anatomy. The MRI slice provides real-time high-resolution tissue visualization at the catheter location, while the 3D rendering provides the overall anatomical context. This combination allows real-time imaging capability while preserving 3D anatomical understanding.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a 3D rendered model as an intermediary that complements the thin MRI slice. The 3D model provides the missing anatomical context and spatial relationships, allowing the operator to maintain complete 3D understanding while using the thin slice for real-time high-resolution visualization at the point of interest.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method includes displaying a position of a distal end of a medical probe that is being navigated in an organ of a patient on a three-dimensional (3D) map of the organ. In response to an event, a plane of interest including the distal end is selected, a real-time Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) slice of the organ is acquired at the selected plane, and the MRI slice is displayed overlaid on the 3D map.