Transcatheter Image Guidance Using Trackers for Automatic MPR

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional interventional procedures face challenges in harmonizing different imaging modalities' coordinate systems, leading to prolonged manual configuration times and increased radiation exposure due to reliance on fluoroscopy, complicating the alignment of cardiac structures and interventional tools.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of sensors in interventional tools and probes to track their 3D positions and orientations, allowing automatic or semi-automatic alignment of images in a common coordinate system, reducing manual intervention and minimizing fluoroscopy use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual configuration is used to align different imaging modalities, then coordinate system harmonization can be achieved, but procedural time is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoordinate system alignment accuracyVSAvoidmanual configuration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs coordinate system harmonization by detecting fiducial markers and tracking their positions across different imaging modalities. The software autonomously calculates transformation matrices and registers images without requiring manual intervention, thereby eliminating the time-consuming manual configuration process while maintaining alignment accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment procedures with automated computational methods. Instead of physically adjusting imaging devices to align coordinate systems, the system uses computer vision algorithms to detect fiducial markers and automatically computes the spatial relationships between different imaging modalities, substituting manual mechanical operations with automated digital processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If fluoroscopy is relied upon for guidance, then real-time imaging is available, but radiation exposure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time imaging availabilityVSAvoidradiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple imaging modalities (ultrasound, fluoroscopy, CT, MRI) into a unified integrated imaging system. By combining the real-time capabilities of ultrasound with the detailed anatomical information from CT/MRI and the real-time guidance of fluoroscopy, the system provides comprehensive imaging guidance while enabling reduced fluoroscopy usage through coordinated multi-modality imaging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the imaging system by introducing automated tracking and registration capabilities. This allows the system to dynamically adjust imaging acquisition and processing parameters to optimize the balance between real-time imaging needs and radiation exposure, enabling fluoroscopy to be used more selectively and at lower doses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple imaging modalities are integrated, then comprehensive guidance is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging modality integrationVSAvoidsystem integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a universal software platform that can handle multiple imaging modalities through a common architecture. The software framework provides unified tools for image processing, registration, and analysis that work across ultrasound, fluoroscopy, CT, and MRI data, reducing the need for separate specialized systems and simplifying the overall integration complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces fiducial markers as intermediary elements that bridge different imaging modalities. These markers serve as common reference points that can be detected across multiple imaging types, facilitating automatic registration and coordinate system harmonization without requiring direct complex integration between all imaging systems. The markers act as a simplifying intermediary that enables multi-modality integration through standardized reference frames

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250319281A1Transcatheter therapy image guidance using trackers

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC

AI summary

Methods and systems are disclosed to perform automated multiplanar reformation (MPR) on an image volume generated by an imaging system, based on position and orientation data received from sensors positioned in interventional tools or devices used in the procedure, such as a probe and/or a delivery catheter. A desired plane for performing the MPR may be automatically configured based on the sensors. The sensors may be advantageously used to automatically select a view plane that includes the catheter tip and/or target anatomies of the patient and/or maintain the catheter tip and/or target anatomies in view more rapidly and efficiently than may be accomplished using manual MPR.