Medical Imaging System for Stent Size Estimation

Solution Overview

Problem

Determining the proper size and position of stents during minimally invasive medical procedures is often a trial-and-error process, increasing procedure time and patient risk due to the lack of accurate visualization tools.

Innovation Solution

A medical imaging system that includes an elongated tubular member with an imaging device capable of emitting energy pulses and receiving echo signals, coupled with a console that generates images and allows for a graphical representation of stents to be overlaid onto the images, enabling clinicians to visually approximate the size and position of stents within the patient's vessels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a trial-and-error process is used to determine stent size and position, then the procedure can be completed with simple tools, but the procedure time increases and patient risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of toolsVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary visualization and measurement of the vessel geometry before stent implantation. The imaging device captures vessel images, and the overlay technology allows clinicians to pre-determine the appropriate stent size and position by virtually placing stent representations on the vessel images, eliminating the need for trial-and-error during the actual procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a visual copy or representation of the stent overlaid on the vessel image. This graphical representation allows clinicians to assess stent size and position accuracy without physically inserting trial stents, reducing procedure time and patient exposure to procedural risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Ease of manufacture

If a trial-and-error process is used to determine stent size and position, then the procedure can be completed with simple tools, but patient risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of toolsVSAvoidpatient safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary visualization and measurement of the vessel geometry before stent implantation. The imaging device captures vessel images, and the overlay technology allows clinicians to pre-determine the appropriate stent size and position by virtually placing stent representations on the vessel images, eliminating the need for trial-and-error during the actual procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a visual copy or representation of the stent overlaid on the vessel image. This graphical representation allows clinicians to assess stent size and position accuracy without physically inserting trial stents, reducing procedure time and patient exposure to procedural risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Loss of time

If imaging and overlay technology is used to determine stent size and position, then procedure time and patient risk are reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure timeVSAvoidimaging system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging console is designed to perform multiple functions: acquiring vessel images, processing image data, generating longitudinal views, and displaying overlay representations of stents. This multi-functionality integrates what could be separate systems into a single unified platform, managing complexity while providing comprehensive capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary layer of software processing between the raw imaging data and the clinician's decision-making. The console processes images, generates longitudinal views, and creates overlay representations, acting as an intelligent mediator that simplifies the clinician's task while managing the complexity of image processing and display.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Facilitates the selection of the appropriate stent size and position prior to implantation, reducing procedure time and risk by providing a precise visualization tool for clinicians.

Implementation Method 1

an imaging device capable of emitting energy pulses and receiving echo signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEcho: Echo

Data Source

PatentUS8025622B2Systems and methods for estimating the size and position of a medical device to be applied within a patient

Publication Date: 2011.09.27 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

The field of the invention relates to medical imaging systems, and more particularly to systems and methods for estimating the size and position of a stent or other medical device within a patient. In one embodiment, a medical imaging system includes an elongated tubular member having distal and proximal ends, configured to be inserted into a vessel of a patient, an imaging device coupled to the distal end of the elongated tubular member, and a console electrically coupled to the imaging device, wherein the console includes a computer-usable medium, electrically coupled to the imaging device, having a sequence of instructions which, when executed by a processor, causes said processor to execute a process including generating an image of the vessel, and overlay one or more shapes onto the image to provide a visual approximation of the size and position of a medical device to be applied within the patient.