Auto-pullback Triggering for OCT Blood Clearing Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) systems require manual blood flushing and pullback synchronization, which can lead to imaging losses and increased risk due to unsynchronized flushing, especially in small diameter vessels, necessitating a method for automatic detection of blood clearance and triggering of pullback without user interaction.
Innovation Solution
An auto-pullback method that detects the clearing state of blood in a vessel by segmenting images into quadrants, defining a Blood Imaging Area, and using a counter to trigger the pullback when a predetermined number of objects are cleared, ensuring optimal synchronization and minimizing contrast agent use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual blood flushing and pullback synchronization is used, then the operator can control the timing, but it leads to imaging losses and increased risk due to unsynchronized flushing, especially in small diameter vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting blood clearance state through image processing and triggering the pullback action without requiring manual intervention. The processor monitors the vessel lumen for the presence or absence of blood and autonomously determines when to initiate pullback, eliminating the need for operator judgment and manual coordination between flushing and pullback operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the vessel lumen imaging to detect blood clearance status and using this real-time information to trigger the pullback action at the optimal moment. The processor receives feedback from the imaging system about blood presence/absence and adjusts the pullback timing accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures synchronization.
2Productivity
If automatic detection of blood clearance is implemented, then pullback synchronization is improved, but the system complexity increases due to image processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies segmentation by dividing the vessel lumen imaging into distinct regions of interest and analyzing specific characteristics (such as blood presence, vessel wall visibility, and lumen dimensions) separately. The processor segments the imaging data into recognizable patterns and uses these segmented analyses to determine blood clearance state, making the complex detection process more manageable and efficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical control with automated digital processing. Instead of relying on operator judgment and manual coordination, the system uses image processing algorithms and automated detection to determine blood clearance and trigger pullback. This substitution of mechanical/manual operations with digital/automated systems increases productivity while managing complexity through software-based solutions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If manual control of blood flushing is used, then contrast agent dosage can be controlled, but unsynchronized flushing may require second pullbacks which are harmful to patients and burdensome to physicians
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting blood clearance state before initiating the pullback sequence. The processor monitors the vessel lumen in advance to determine when blood has been sufficiently cleared, and only then triggers the pullback action. This preliminary detection and timing ensures that the pullback begins at the optimal moment, preventing both contrast agent overdose and the need for repeated procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system executes self-service by autonomously managing the coordination between blood flushing and pullback operations. The automated detection and triggering system handles the timing and synchronization without requiring physician intervention, reducing the burden on medical professionals while ensuring patient safety and optimizing contrast agent usage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method enables reliable and efficient imaging of entire vessels by automatically triggering pullback, reducing imaging losses and contrast agent overdose, and minimizing user interaction, thus enhancing clinical safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
OCT is a technique for obtaining high resolution cross-sectional images of tissues or materials, and enables real time visualization. The aim of the OCT techniques is to measure the time delay of light by using an interference optical system or interferometry
Implementation Method 2
A light from a light source delivers and splits into a reference arm and a sample (or measurement) arm with a splitter. Both beams combine (or are recombined) at the splitter and generate interference patterns. The interference patterns are generated when the path length of the sample arm matches that of the reference arm to within the coherence length of the light source
Implementation Method 3
The output of the interferometer is detected with one or more detectors, such as, but not limited to, photodiodes or multi-array cameras, in one or more devices, such as, but not limited to, a spectrometer (e.g., a Fourier Transform infrared spectrometer). By evaluating the output beam, a spectrum of an input radiation may be derived as a function of frequency
Data Source
AI summary
One or more devices, systems, methods, and storage mediums for optical imaging medical devices, such as, but not limited to, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), single mode OCT, and/or multi-modal OCT apparatuses and systems, and methods and storage mediums for use with same, for triggering auto-pullback, including for devices or systems using blood clearing, are provided herein. Examples of applications include imaging, evaluating and diagnosing biological objects, such as, but not limited to, for Gastro-intestinal, cardio and/or ophthalmic applications, and being obtained via one or more optical instruments, such as, but not limited to, optical probes, catheters, capsules and needles (e.g., a biopsy needle). Techniques provided herein also improve processing and imaging efficiency while achieving images that are more precise.