Passive Ultrasound Sensor Initialization for Medical Device Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound tracking technologies can only determine the location of a passive ultrasound sensor attached to an interventional medical device but not the shape of the device, which is crucial in clinical situations like cardiac and vascular interventions.
Innovation Solution
A controller-based system that uses a passive ultrasound sensor to obtain the location of the interventional medical device, and then applies image processing to ultrasound imagery to identify and segment the device, thereby determining its shape and overlaying the segmented representation on the imagery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If passive ultrasound sensor tracking is used, then the location of the interventional medical device can be determined, but the shape of the device cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines passive ultrasound sensor tracking with active ultrasound imaging to simultaneously obtain both the location and shape information of the interventional medical device. The controller integrates signals from the passive sensor with active imaging data to create a unified representation that includes geometric shape, resolving the information loss problem while maintaining location accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that includes a controller and image processing algorithms. This intermediary layer processes both the passive sensor location data and active ultrasound imagery to extract shape information, acting as a mediator that bridges the gap between location tracking and shape determination.
2Loss of information
If image processing is applied to determine device shape, then device shape information can be obtained, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the controller and image processing system multi-functional by enabling them to perform both location tracking (using passive sensor data) and shape determination (using active imaging data). This universal approach allows a single system to handle multiple tasks without requiring separate dedicated systems for each function, thereby managing complexity while gaining shape information capability.
3Measurement precision
If passive ultrasound sensor is used, then location tracking is achieved, but visualization and positioning accuracy are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a visual representation or 'copy' of the interventional medical device's shape by processing active ultrasound imagery. This generated shape representation is then overlaid with the passive sensor location data, providing enhanced visualization that aids operators in accurately positioning and deploying the device while maintaining the precision of the original location tracking.
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
Enables the determination of the shape of interventional medical devices during procedures, enhancing visualization and ensuring correct deployment and positioning of the devices.
Implementation Method 1
A passive ultrasound sensor is an acoustic pressure sensor
Implementation Method 2
an ultrasound probe emits an imaging beam that sweeps across a passive ultrasound sensor
Implementation Method 3
applying, based on the location of a point on the interventional medical device, image processing to the imagery to identify the interventional medical device
Data Source
AI summary
A controller (220) for determining a shape of an interventional medical device in an interventional medical procedure based on a location of the interventional medical device includes a memory (221) that stores instructions and a processor (222) that executes the instructions. The instructions cause a system (200) that includes the controller (220) to implement a process that includes obtaining (S320) the location of the interventional medical device (201) and obtaining (S330) imagery of a volume that includes the interventional medical device. The process also includes applying (S340), based on the location of the interventional medical device (201), image processing to the imagery to identify the interventional medical device (201) including the shape of the interventional medical device (201). The process further includes (S350) segmenting the interventional medical device (201) to obtain a segmented representation of the interventional medical device (201). The segmented representation of the interventional medical device (201) is overlaid (S360) on the imagery.