Prostate Biopsy Tracking via Acoustic Marker Registration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for guiding prostate biopsies under transrectal ultrasound are prone to inaccuracies due to the prostate's movement and deformation, leading to imprecise sampling and subsequent diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a 3D reference image of the prostate to guide the biopsy needle, allowing real-time visualization and recalculation of sampling positions, with an image registration algorithm for precise anatomical alignment, independent of external localization systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mechanical localization methods are used to determine probe position, then the system can track probe position, but the accumulation of uncertainties between reference frames leads to location inaccuracy of several millimeters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical localization systems with acoustic field-based tracking. Acoustic markers embedded in the probe and prostate are detected using ultrasound waves, eliminating the need for complex mechanical reference frames and their associated transformation uncertainties. This substitution of mechanical measurement with acoustic field interaction directly resolves the contradiction by achieving precise position tracking without cumulative errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acoustic markers as intermediary elements that mediate between the probe and the imaging system. These markers serve as reference points that can be precisely tracked through acoustic field interactions, providing a stable reference framework that avoids the complexity of transforming between multiple mechanical reference frames while maintaining high positioning accuracy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the prostate is not fixed during intervention, then natural anatomical variations can be captured, but the organ movement and deformation cause imprecise sampling locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic tracking of acoustic markers throughout the biopsy procedure. Rather than attempting to fix the prostate, the system continuously monitors and adjusts for organ movement and deformation by tracking the acoustic markers in real-time. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to anatomical variations while maintaining precise sampling location identification through continuous acoustic field updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses acoustic marker feedback to continuously monitor prostate position and deformation during the biopsy procedure. This feedback mechanism allows real-time adjustment of sampling coordinates to compensate for organ movement, ensuring that despite natural anatomical variations, the sampling locations remain precisely identified and recorded.
3Ease of operation
If visual guidance using ultrasound images is used, then the operator can guide the needle, but the lack of real-time feedback on actual sampling location leads to imperfect diagnosis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by tracking acoustic markers at the actual sampling locations and providing real-time information about where needles have been inserted. This feedback loop allows the operator to see the actual sampling locations superimposed on the ultrasound images, eliminating the loss of location information and enabling precise record-keeping of biopsy sites for accurate diagnosis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses visual differentiation (analogous to color changes) by displaying sampled locations with distinct visual markers on the ultrasound images. This visual coding allows the operator to immediately identify and distinguish between different sampling locations, providing clear feedback about actual needle positions while maintaining ease of operation during the biopsy procedure.
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
This approach enhances the precision of biological sampling, facilitates focused treatments, and improves diagnostic accuracy by ensuring accurate tracking and distribution of puncture sites within the prostate.
Implementation Method 1
imaging and locating biopsies under prostatic echography
Implementation Method 2
The probe and the prostate are marked with acoustic markers
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of prostatic imaging comprising steps of recording and processing images acquired by the echographic head of a rectal probe equipped with an active puncture guide, characterized in that it comprises steps of processing part at least of the images acquired by the probe so as to calculate transformations to a "reference image" reference frame tied to the initial position of the prostate, part at least of the images acquired during the successive punctures comprising the location of the various positions of the needle being recorded with a view to visualizing their representations on a single image comprising part at least of the prostate. The present invention also relates to a system for prostatic imaging implementing said prostatic imaging method.