Persistent Ureter Visualization With Stored Fluorescence Frames
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laparoscopic procedures pose a risk of accidental injury to the ureters due to their small diameter and coverage by other tissue, and existing imaging techniques lack real-time guidance, with fluorescence imaging being intermittent and invasive.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing two imaging modalities, one continuous and one periodic, combines frames to persistently visualize ureters by displaying stored images when the periodic modality is absent, using similarity metrics to match frames and enhance visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If fluorescence imaging is used to visualize ureters, then ureter visibility is improved, but imaging continuity deteriorates due to intermittent agent presence
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a temporal copy of the fluorescence image by storing it in memory, then retrieves and displays this stored image during periods when the fluorescence agent is not present, thereby maintaining continuous visualization despite intermittent imaging
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary imaging and storage of the fluorescence signal while the agent is present, preparing the visual information in advance so that it can be displayed continuously even when the agent temporarily disappears from the field of view
2Measurement precision
If preoperative imaging techniques are used to locate ureters, then ureter location is improved, but real-time guidance capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges preoperative imaging data with intraoperative fluorescence imaging, combining the location accuracy benefits of preoperative techniques with the real-time guidance capability of intraoperative imaging through continuous display of stored fluorescence images
3Illumination intensity
If lighted catheter or stent is inserted to visualize ureter, then ureter visualization is improved, but procedure invasiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an imaging agent administered intravenously as an intermediary to achieve ureter visualization, eliminating the need for direct mechanical insertion of lighted catheters or stents into the ureteral lumen, thereby reducing procedural invasiveness while maintaining visualization capability
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 continuous visualization of ureters during surgery, reducing the risk of injury by providing real-time, persistent imaging despite intermittent fluorescence.
Implementation Method 1
A fluorescence imaging system captures the fluorescence emission of the agent as it moves through the ureter and generates fluorescence images of the ureters
Data Source
AI summary
A method for visualizing tissue of a subject includes receiving a first series of first imaging modality frames generated by imaging a region of tissue of the subject, and a first series of second imaging modality frames generated by imaging the region of tissue; displaying the first series of first imaging modality frames in combination with the first series of second imaging modality frames; storing a plurality of first imaging modality frames and a plurality of second imaging modality frames of the first series of second imaging modality frames in a memory; receiving a second series of first imaging modality frames generated by imaging the region of tissue; and displaying the second series of first imaging modality frames in combination with one or more of the second imaging modality frames of the first series of second imaging modality frames stored in the memory for visualizing the region of tissue.