Persistent Guide Wire Identification in Fluoroscopy

The patent applies color coding to visually distinguish multiple guide wires during fluoroscopy. Each guide wire is assigned a distinct color (e.g., red, green, blue) that is displayed on the fluoroscopy screen, allowing the clinician to easily identify and track each device. This color differentiation is maintained consistently across multiple images and time points, resolving the contradiction by making device distinction intuitive while preserving the ability to use multiple wires simultaneously for complex interventions.

The patent introduces an intermediary system that processes fluoroscopy images and overlays identification information (such as color codes or labels) onto the visual display. This intermediary processing layer acts as a mediator between the raw fluoroscopy images and the clinician's perception, automatically assigning and maintaining consistent identifiers for each guide wire. This resolves the identification difficulty without requiring manual tracking or complex device modifications.

The patent applies preliminary identification marking to guide wires before they are inserted into the patient's body. Each guide wire is pre-marked with visible identifiers (such as colored sections or patterns) that can be directly observed during fluoroscopy without requiring any additional shaping or manipulation. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming manual shaping while ensuring accurate device identification from the moment of insertion.

The patent replaces the mechanical approach of manually shaping guide wire tips with an automated image processing system. Instead of physically modifying the guide wires to create identification features, the system uses computational methods to analyze fluoroscopy images and automatically assign identification markers. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming manual shaping process while maintaining or improving identification accuracy.

The patent implements a universal identification system that uses a standardized set of color codes and markers applicable to all guide wires regardless of their specific type or function. This universal tagging approach allows the same image processing logic to handle multiple devices consistently throughout the procedure. The system maintains reliability by applying the same identification rules uniformly across all devices and time points, while managing complexity through standardization rather than device-specific processing.

The patent uses visual copying of identification markers from the guide wire exterior to the fluoroscopy display. The identifiers (colors, patterns) that are physically present on the guide wires are replicated in the digital image overlay, creating a consistent visual representation. This copying approach ensures reliability by maintaining the same identification scheme across physical and digital domains, while managing system complexity by using simple visual replication rather than complex recognition algorithms.