PTCA Angiogram Viewing System Balloon ROI Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical imaging systems face challenges in accurately and efficiently positioning stents during Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) due to noisy fluoroscopic images, low radiographic contrast, and patient movements, which hinder real-time processing and stent deployment accuracy.
Innovation Solution
An automated medical viewing system with image processing means that defines a Region Of Interest (ROI) based on balloon detection, registers and enhances Objects of Interest, such as stents, to improve visualization and minimize user interaction, using 'Stent Boosting' for feature enhancement and zooming within the defined ROI.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated image processing is implemented to detect balloons and define ROIs, then user interaction is reduced and processing speed is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image processing task into distinct modules: balloon detection module, ROI definition module, and stent enhancement module. Each module handles a specific aspect of the processing pipeline, allowing automated operation while maintaining manageable system complexity through functional decomposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting balloons and defining ROIs before stent positioning operations. This preliminary automated processing reduces the need for manual user interaction during critical stent deployment phases, improving overall productivity.
2Loss of information
If contrast agent is used to improve coronary visualization, then artery visibility is improved, but patient toxicity increases and usage time is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality enhancement by defining specific Regions of Interest (ROIs) around the stent and coronary areas that require visualization. Instead of enhancing the entire image, the system selectively enhances only the relevant local areas, reducing the need for extensive contrast agent usage while maintaining necessary visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes image processing parameters (enhancement factors, ROI boundaries, processing intensity) dynamically based on the detected stent position and coronary anatomy. This allows optimized visualization with minimal contrast agent by adjusting processing parameters rather than relying solely on increased contrast agent dosage.
3Measurement precision
If manual ROI definition is used, then processing accuracy can be controlled, but PTCA duration increases and user interaction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the automated system continuously monitors image data, detects balloon and stent positions, and adjusts ROI definitions in real-time. This feedback loop maintains positioning accuracy by automatically correcting for patient movement and procedural changes without requiring manual user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically defining ROIs and adjusting processing parameters based on detected anatomical structures and device positions. This self-service capability maintains measurement precision through automated feedback while eliminating time-consuming manual user interaction during the procedure.
4Duration of action of moving object
If fluoroscopic images are used for real-time monitoring, then continuous visualization is achieved, but image noise increases and contrast decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by selectively enhancing images at critical moments during the procedure (e.g., during balloon inflation, stent deployment, and expansion phases). Rather than continuously enhancing all images, the system periodically applies enhancement algorithms to key frames, maintaining continuous monitoring capability while reducing overall processing load and preserving image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary identification and ROI definition before full enhancement is applied. By pre-identifying relevant structures and defining ROIs in advance, the system can then apply targeted enhancement only where needed, maintaining continuous monitoring while minimizing information loss in critical areas.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical viewing system for processing and displaying a sequence of medical angiograms representing a balloon, moving in an artery, this system comprising extracting means for automatically extracting balloon image data in a phase of balloon expansion, and computing means for automatically defining and storing coordinates of a Region of Interest (ROI) based on the expanded balloon image data, located around the expanded balloon; and display means for displaying the images. Contrast agent may be used as agent of balloon expansion. The system may have means to detect and keep track of balloon markers and means to look around those markers for further balloon image data extraction.