Observation-Guided Stent Placement for Automatic Target Positioning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stent delivery systems require user input for target positioning of stents, which can be complex and cumbersome.

Innovation Solution

A stent delivery system that includes an observation device for imaging, a control device to analyze the observation image, and a driving device to automatically determine and achieve the optimal stent placement position based on the image analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If automatic stent placement is implemented, then placement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestent placement accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning with an automated image processing system that uses computational algorithms to analyze fluoroscopic images and determine optimal stent placement positions, thereby improving precision while managing complexity through software-based solutions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary image processing apparatus that acts as a mediator between the fluoroscopic imaging system and the stent delivery system, automatically analyzing images and providing positioning guidance to reduce direct operational complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If manual target position input is required, then device complexity is reduced, but operation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidplacement procedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary image acquisition and processing before the stent placement procedure begins, automatically analyzing the fluoroscopic images to pre-determine optimal placement positions and generate guidance information, thereby reducing real-time operational time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If image analysis is performed, then placement precision is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic image acquisition and analysis cycles, where fluoroscopic images are captured at specific intervals during the placement procedure rather than continuously, processing images periodically to determine optimal positions while managing energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS12514721B2Stent delivery system, control apparatus, and method

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)

AI summary

A stent delivery system includes: a stent delivery device configured to carry a stent to a stenosis and indwell the stent, an observation device configured to observe the stenosis, and one or more processors comprising hardware, the one or more processors being configured to: acquire an observation image from the observation device, and determine at least one stent candidate to be placed in the stenosis based on the observation image.