Multi-modal Imaging Alignment Controller for Catheter Labs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for aligning X-Ray and ultrasound imagery in catheter lab settings face challenges due to intermittent X-Ray fluoroscopy usage, leading to inaccurate registration and potential confusion, especially when the ultrasound imaging probe moves, as they rely on continuous X-Ray imaging to track the probe's position, which is not feasible due to radiation exposure concerns.
Innovation Solution
A controller and method that utilize data from both X-Ray and ultrasound imaging systems to register and maintain alignment, detecting movement of the ultrasound probe without continuous X-Ray fluoroscopy, allowing for motion compensation and notification of registration staleness, thereby ensuring accurate alignment and reducing workflow barriers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If continuous X-Ray fluoroscopy is used to track the ultrasound probe position, then the alignment accuracy between X-Ray and ultrasound imagery is improved, but the radiation exposure to patients increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs intermittent X-Ray fluoroscopy imaging at specific time intervals or trigger events rather than continuously. The controller acquires X-Ray images periodically to update probe position registration, reducing cumulative radiation exposure while maintaining sufficient alignment accuracy for clinical workflows.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors ultrasound imaging data and detects probe movement in real-time. When movement is detected, the system triggers a new X-Ray fluoroscopy acquisition to update the registration, creating a feedback loop that maintains alignment accuracy only when necessary, thereby minimizing radiation exposure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If intermittent X-Ray fluoroscopy is used to reduce radiation exposure, then the radiation exposure to patients is reduced, but the alignment accuracy between X-Ray and ultrasound imagery deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously analyzes ultrasound data to detect probe movement and uses this feedback to trigger X-Ray fluoroscopy acquisitions only when alignment may have deteriorated. This feedback mechanism ensures alignment accuracy is maintained at critical moments while avoiding unnecessary X-Ray imaging that would increase radiation exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary registration using initial X-Ray fluoroscopy images to establish the baseline alignment between X-Ray and ultrasound imagery. This preliminary action creates a reference framework that remains valid until probe movement is detected, allowing the system to operate with reduced radiation exposure while maintaining accuracy within the valid registration period.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If X-Ray fluoroscopy is not used continuously, then the radiation exposure to patients is reduced, but the ability to detect probe movement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously processes ultrasound imaging data as feedback to detect probe movement. By analyzing changes in ultrasound images over time, the system can identify when the probe has moved without requiring continuous X-Ray fluoroscopy, thus maintaining detection capability while reducing radiation exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses ultrasound imaging as an intermediary to indirectly detect probe movement. Instead of relying directly on continuous X-Ray fluoroscopy to track the probe, the system uses ultrasound images as a mediator to infer probe position changes, triggering X-Ray acquisitions only when necessary.
4Device complexity
If the registration status is not monitored, then the system complexity is reduced, but the reliability of image alignment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous monitoring of registration status by analyzing ultrasound data for signs of probe movement. This feedback mechanism provides real-time information about registration validity, allowing the system to maintain reliable alignment information without excessive complexity by only processing data when changes are detected.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically monitors its own registration status using the available ultrasound imaging data. By self-monitoring for probe movement and automatically triggering re-registration when needed, the system maintains reliability without requiring external monitoring mechanisms, thus avoiding unnecessary complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller for maintaining alignment of X-Ray imagery and ultrasound imagery includes a memory that stores instructions, and a processor that executes the instructions. When executed by the processor, the instructions cause the controller to execute a process that includes receiving data from an X-Ray system used to perform X-Ray imaging, and receiving data from an ultrasound imaging probe used to perform ultrasound imaging. The process executed by the controller also includes registering imagery based on X-Rays to imagery from the ultrasound imaging probe based on an X-Ray image of the ultrasound imaging probe among the imagery based on X-Rays, and detecting, from the data from the ultrasound imaging probe, movement of the ultrasound imaging probe.