Needle Tip Position Overlay on Medical Volume Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical image diagnostic apparatuses, particularly ultrasonic diagnostic systems, face challenges in accurately monitoring the position of a puncture needle during paracentesis due to limitations in two-dimensional imaging and the inability to distinguish needle tips in high-echo regions, leading to difficulties in recording and reviewing puncture results objectively.
Innovation Solution
A medical image diagnostic apparatus that includes an imaging unit, position acquisition unit, data acquisition unit, alignment unit, and data generation unit to calculate and store the needle tip position on volume data, allowing for real-time monitoring and posterior reproduction of paracentesis information, including the needle tip position and volume data, using a combination of ultrasonic, CT, and MR imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If two-dimensional ultrasonic imaging is used for real-time monitoring, then the frame rate can be maintained at 30 Hz or more enabling real-time observation, but the range of simultaneous visualization is narrower and the needle tip position cannot be accurately recorded when it falls outside the scan plane
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates three-dimensional ultrasonic scanning capability that allows real-time visualization of the needle tip position within a volumetric scan space. The position sensor attached to the needle detects three-dimensional coordinates, enabling accurate tracking regardless of the two-dimensional display plane limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
A position sensor is introduced as an intermediary device attached to the needle. This sensor independently detects the needle tip position and provides coordinate information to the control unit, which then overlays this information on the ultrasonic images, solving the problem of needle tip visibility regardless of scan plane orientation.
2Area of stationary object
If three-dimensional scanning is used to prevent needle tip from falling outside scan volume, then visualization range is improved, but the fundamental problem of recognizing needle tip position when high-echo region and needle overlap remains
Solution Approach 1:
The position sensor serves as an intermediary that directly measures needle tip position independent of ultrasonic echo patterns. The control unit uses this sensor data to mark the needle tip position on the images, ensuring accurate recognition even when the needle overlaps with high-echo regions that would otherwise obscure it.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces reliance on ultrasonic echo reflection (acoustic mechanism) with a position sensor system (electromagnetic or optical mechanism) for needle tip detection. This substitution ensures accurate position detection regardless of acoustic interference from high-echo tissues.
3Ease of operation
If position sensor is attached to needle to acquire relative position in real time, then needle tip position can be displayed highlighted or changed in color tone, but the objectivity of puncture result recording and evidence function are still insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically marks the needle tip position on both ultrasonic and CT/MR images based on position sensor data. This automated feedback mechanism records the exact needle tip trajectory and final position, creating objective documentation that can be reviewed and reproduced, thereby enhancing the reliability and evidence function of puncture result recording.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges real-time ultrasonic imaging with pre-acquired CT or MR volumetric data in a coordinated display. The position sensor information is overlaid on both imaging modalities, allowing simultaneous visualization and objective recording of the needle path through different tissue types, thereby improving documentation reliability.
4Reliability
If multiple puncture needles are inserted requiring evidence function and review capability, then medical quality improves, but the complexity of recording and reviewing multiple puncture results increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system independently tracks and records the position information of each needle separately through individual position sensors. Each needle's trajectory and final position are marked independently on the images, allowing clear differentiation and review of multiple puncture results without cross-contamination of data.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit automatically generates and stores coordinate information and marked images for each needle position. This creates digital copies of the puncture results that can be reviewed, reproduced, and analyzed without manual transcription, thereby managing the complexity of documenting multiple punctures while maintaining high medical quality.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a medical image diagnostic apparatus comprises a position acquisition unit, a data acquisition unit, an alignment unit, a decision unit, and a data generation unit. The position acquisition unit acquires the position of a medical tool in an imaging region with respect to the imaging region at the time of obtaining the medical image. The data acquisition unit acquires volume data corresponding to a three-dimensional region including the imaging region. The alignment unit decides the position of the volume data. The decision unit decides the position of the medical tool with respect to the volume data based on the position of the medical tool and the position of the volume data. The data generation unit generates support volume data by adding support information indicating the position of the medical tool to the volume data.