3D Respiratory Motion Estimation Using Sensor-Image Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical imaging techniques, such as MRI and CT, face challenges in accurately measuring the three-dimensional motion of internal organs due to limitations in sensor placement and the reliance on one-dimensional motion characterization, which leads to motion-related artifacts in reconstructed images.
Innovation Solution
A method that combines sensor-based and image-based data to derive concurrent motion vectors along three perpendicular axes, allowing for the generation of three-dimensional motion data for organs, using sensors and pre-acquisition or acquisition image data to measure motion along each axis and combine the data to achieve comprehensive motion characterization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mechanical sensors are used to measure organ motion, then motion parameters such as displacement and velocity can be measured, but the sensors can only provide one-dimensional motion characterization due to difficulty in placing three orthogonal sensors near the organ
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines data from multiple sensors positioned at different locations on the patient's body with data from pre-acquisition images to reconstruct three-dimensional organ motion. Instead of placing three sensors directly on the organ, the system merges information from sensors placed on the chest wall, abdomen, and pre-acquisition image data to derive complete 3D motion characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pre-acquisition images as an intermediary to establish the relationship between sensor positions and organ position. The images provide anatomical reference information that allows the system to translate sensor measurements into accurate organ motion data, bridging the gap between external sensor measurements and internal organ motion.
2Measurement precision
If pre-acquisition image data is used to measure organ motion, then motion can be characterized using anatomical landmarks, but the technique remains essentially one-dimensional due to lack of distinguishable landmarks in all three dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges pre-acquisition image data with sensor measurements to achieve three-dimensional motion characterization. The image data provides two-dimensional anatomical information while sensors provide temporal motion data, and their combination through registration and transformation yields complete 3D motion information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional image data to three-dimensional motion characterization by incorporating sensor measurements taken at multiple body locations. The sensor data adds the temporal and spatial dimensions needed to convert static or 2D image information into comprehensive 3D organ motion data.
3Loss of information
If three mechanical sensors are placed near an organ to measure three-dimensional motion, then complete motion characterization can be achieved, but it is difficult to situate three sensors sufficiently near and orthogonal to the organ due to body shape constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the requirement for three orthogonal sensors near the organ and replaces it with a distributed sensor array positioned on accessible body surfaces. Instead of extracting three sensors to the organ, the system uses multiple sensors on the chest and abdomen that collectively provide equivalent 3D motion information through computational reconstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes each sensor position contribute to multiple dimensions of motion measurement. A single sensor on the chest wall can contribute to measuring motion in multiple directions when combined with data from other sensor locations and image registration, making each sensor placement more versatile and reducing the need for precise orthogonal positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
One or more techniques are provided for measuring the motion of an organ in three dimensions. As provided by the technique, the motion of the organ along each dimension may be determined by a suitable methodology. Where sensor-based motion measurements are suitable, one or more sensors may be placed on a patient to measure internal motion of the organ of interest along one or more perpendicular axes. Where image-based techniques are suitable, the motion of the internal organ along a perpendicular axis may determined using pre-acquisition image data or acquisition image data when suitable. Concurrent motion vectors for all three dimensions may be obtained from the motion data acquired for the perpendicular axes by the disparate methodologies. The concurrent motion vectors may be combined to describe the three-dimensional motion of the organ over time. Validation of the motion data may be performed for each of the one-dimensional motion data sets using motion data acquired by image-based methods, or other image-based methods, for a respective axis.