3D Medical Image Planning for TAVI Valve Rotation Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedures require a standardized 90° rotation of the prosthetic valve, which does not account for the varying anatomical structures of individual patients, necessitating a customized operation procedure for each patient to properly retain the prosthetic valve.

Innovation Solution

A medical image processing apparatus and method that acquires a three-dimensional medical image, specifies regions of interest, determines directional parameters, and calculates feature amounts to optimize the insertion angle and rotation of the prosthetic valve based on the patient's unique anatomical features, particularly the aortic valve commissures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a standardized 90° rotation procedure is used for prosthetic valve insertion, then the operation procedure is simple and uniform, but the alignment accuracy with patient-specific aortic valve commissures deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation procedure simplicityVSAvoidvalve alignment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the rotation angle parameter from a fixed standardized value (90°) to a variable value determined by image processing. The system calculates the actual angle between aortic valve commissures from three-dimensional medical images and uses this measured parameter to guide the rotation angle, thereby achieving patient-specific alignment while maintaining procedural simplicity through automated calculation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual model of the patient's aortic valve anatomy from medical images, including the positions of the commissures. This virtual copy is then used to calculate the optimal rotation angle before the actual surgical procedure, allowing the surgeon to plan the insertion based on accurate anatomical replication without needing to perform complex measurements during surgery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If a customized operation procedure is developed for each patient based on their anatomical structure, then the valve alignment accuracy improves, but the operation procedure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve alignment accuracyVSAvoidoperation procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the need for complex manual anatomical measurements and calculations with an automated image processing system. The computer automatically analyzes three-dimensional medical images, identifies aortic valve commissures, calculates the optimal rotation angle, and provides guidance to the surgeon. This substitution of automated computational methods for manual procedures maintains high alignment accuracy while reducing procedural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs all necessary anatomical analysis, angle calculation, and surgical planning in advance using three-dimensional medical images obtained before surgery. The optimal rotation angle is determined beforehand through automated image processing, allowing the surgeon to simply follow the pre-calculated guidance during the actual procedure, thereby eliminating the need for complex real-time decision-making during surgery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If statistical analysis from preliminary clinical evaluation is used to determine insertion angle, then the procedure can be standardized, but it fails to account for individual anatomical variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanatomical structure adaptabilityVSAvoidprocedure planning time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the system to automatically extract anatomical information from the patient's own medical images and calculate the specific rotation angle needed for their unique aortic valve structure. The computer processing system performs the analysis independently without requiring external statistical data or manual measurements, allowing rapid determination of patient-specific parameters directly from the acquired imaging data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4679370A1Medical image processing apparatus and medical image processing method
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 CANON MEDICAL SYST CORP
  • EP4679370A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4679370A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4679370A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a medical image processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit, a first region specifying unit, a first direction specifying unit, a second region specifying unit, a second direction specifying unit, and a feature amount calculation unit. The acquisition unit acquires a three-dimensional medical image of a patient requiring retainment of a prosthetic valve. The first direction specifying unit specifies a first direction of the three-dimensional medical image based on the first region of interest. The second direction specifying unit specifies a second direction of the three-dimensional medical image based on the second region of interest. The feature amount calculation unit calculates a first feature amount associated with the retainment based on the first direction and the second direction.