Skin Landmark Repositioning for Percutaneous Interventions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for percutaneous interventions face challenges in achieving reproducibility, especially when interventions are repeated over time, due to difficulties in visualizing target structures and the need for ionizing radiation, which can expose patients to unnecessary risks.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize image data acquisition and landmark identification on the patient's skin to accurately document and reproduce the position of intervention sites, using a control facility with image acquisition, identification, and localization units to determine and mark the correct position for repeat interventions without ionizing radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If imaging methods (CT, X-ray, MR) are used to guide percutaneous interventions, then positioning precision is improved, but patients are exposed to ionizing radiation or high specific absorption rate (SAR)
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging process is segmented into two distinct phases: a first imaging acquisition during the initial intervention to capture landmarks and target position, and a second imaging acquisition during the repeat intervention. This segmentation allows the use of non-ionizing or lower-radiation imaging methods in the second phase by relying on the stored reference data from the first phase, thereby reducing cumulative radiation exposure while maintaining positioning precision.
Solution Approach 2:
All necessary imaging data acquisition, landmark identification, and position determination are performed as preliminary actions during the first intervention. The system stores the positions of landmarks and target structures in advance, creating a reference framework that eliminates the need for repeated high-radiation imaging during subsequent interventions, thus reducing harmful radiation exposure while preserving measurement precision.
2Reliability
If imaging methods are used to document puncture site and puncture angle, then intervention reproducibility is improved, but procedure duration is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary documentation of landmarks, puncture site, and puncture angle during the first intervention and stores this data for future use. During repeat interventions, the system retrieves pre-stored position data and performs automated image registration rather than requiring complete re-documentation, thereby maintaining high intervention reproducibility while significantly reducing the time required for positioning procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of the anatomical landmarks and target structure positions from the first intervention and stores them as reference data. During repeat interventions, this stored copy is used for automated image registration and position determination, eliminating the need to physically re-measure and re-document all parameters, thus maintaining reproducibility while reducing procedure duration.
3Measurement precision
If landmarks are identified close to the puncture site, then error due to bodily movements is minimized, but the complexity of landmark identification increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically identifies landmarks and determines their positions using image processing algorithms without requiring manual measurement or complex external tools. The automated landmark identification system processes the acquired images, detects anatomical features, and calculates positions relative to the puncture site, thereby achieving high position accuracy while minimizing the operational complexity for the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual, mechanical methods of landmark identification and measurement with automated image processing and computer vision algorithms. This substitution eliminates the need for physical measurement tools and manual coordinate determination, reducing operational complexity while improving measurement precision through consistent, algorithm-based landmark detection.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are disclosed for preparing a repeat intervention on the skin of a patient. This may include acquiring first image data of an intervention region during a first intervention on the skin of the patient. At least two landmarks may be identified on the skin of the patient on the basis of the acquired first image data. A position of the first intervention is then determined with the aid of the landmarks as reference points. In addition, the position of the first intervention and of the landmarks may be stored in a data memory unit. A position of the second intervention is subsequently localized on the basis of the stored position and of the at least two landmarks.