Remote Intravascular Imaging Hub for High-Speed Modular Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intravascular imaging systems in catheterization procedures face challenges due to complex and expensive peripherals, limited space in the catheter lab, and high data acquisition rates that are constrained by blood clearance requirements, leading to clutter and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A modular imaging acquisition and processing system where the high-speed data acquisition system and processing unit are in separate enclosures connected by a high-speed digital network, allowing for interchangeable components and reduced clutter in the patient procedure environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the data acquisition system is directly connected to the high-speed internal computer bus in the catheter lab, then the data transmission speed is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: a data acquisition module in the catheter lab and a processing module in a remote location. These modules communicate via standardized interfaces (Ethernet, USB 3.0, PCIe), allowing high-speed data transfer without requiring the processing hardware to be physically present in the limited catheter lab space. This segmentation reduces local device complexity while maintaining transmission speed.
Solution Approach 2:
Standardized communication interfaces act as intermediaries between the data acquisition system and the remote processing system. These interfaces (Ethernet cards, USB controllers, PCIe bridges) enable high-speed data transmission over distance without requiring direct internal bus connections, thus reducing the complexity and space requirements in the catheter lab while maintaining data integrity and speed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more imaging peripherals are added to the catheter lab, then the diagnostic capability is improved, but the clutter and space consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The processing system is extracted from the catheter lab environment and placed in a remote location. This extraction removes the need for large processing hardware, power supplies, and cooling systems to be present in the already cluttered catheter lab, while still enabling advanced diagnostic capabilities through remote processing of imaging data from multiple peripherals.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote processing system is designed to handle data from multiple different imaging peripherals (OCT, IVUS, angiography systems) through universal interfaces and standardized protocols. This multi-functionality allows the system to support various diagnostic tools without requiring dedicated processing hardware for each device, reducing overall space requirements while enhancing diagnostic versatility.
3Productivity
If the processing unit is placed in the catheter lab, then the data processing speed is improved, but the ease of operation and accessibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
High-speed communication interfaces serve as intermediaries that enable the processing unit to be located remotely while maintaining real-time data processing capability. These interfaces (Ethernet, USB 3.0, PCIe) provide sufficient bandwidth to transfer imaging data at high speeds over distance, allowing the processing hardware to be placed in a more accessible location without sacrificing processing speed or diagnostic workflow efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a modular data acquisition and processing system for obtaining intravascular data, such as image data, for a patient. The modular system includes acquisition components in a patient procedure environment in communication with a processing engine in a remote environment. The remote processing engine may be used with different types of data acquisition systems. The modular system further includes a hub in the patient procedure environment, which maintain a persistent connection with the remote processing engine while enabling fast and reliable coupling to data acquisition components.