Ultrasonic Imaging Device Guide Wire Position Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transcatheter treatment techniques using ultrasonic imaging struggle to accurately visualize the relationship between a therapeutic objective region and the front edge of a guide wire, requiring multiple photoacoustic images and lacking high time resolution in normal mode imaging.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic imaging device estimates the front edge position of a guide wire using the difference in arrival times of ultrasonic waves received by an array of elements, allowing for the calculation of the geometric positional relationship between the guide wire and the imaging region, enabling real-time display of the guide wire's position relative to the imaging region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If photoacoustic imaging is used to detect the front edge of a guide wire, then the position of the guide wire can be determined, but multiple imaging operations are required and high time resolution is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines photoacoustic imaging and ultrasonic imaging into a single integrated system that performs both functions simultaneously. The ultrasonic probe contains both photoacoustic detection elements and ultrasonic detection elements, allowing the guide wire position to be detected via photoacoustic signals while continuously displaying ultrasonic images in real-time, eliminating the need for separate imaging operations
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasonic probe is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a photoacoustic imaging device for guide wire detection and as a conventional ultrasonic imaging device for real-time visualization. This universal probe structure allows simultaneous execution of multiple imaging tasks without requiring separate devices or sequential operations
2Measurement precision
If peak search mode imaging is performed to acquire multiple photoacoustic images, then the guide wire position can be identified, but normal mode ultrasonic imaging at high time resolution cannot be displayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges photoacoustic signal processing with conventional ultrasonic image processing pipelines. The photoacoustic signals generated by the guide wire are detected and processed alongside ultrasonic reflective signals, allowing both guide wire position identification and real-time ultrasonic imaging to occur through a unified operation mode without requiring separate peak search procedures
3Productivity
If the guide wire position is estimated using ultrasonic wave arrival time differences, then the positional relationship can be visualized in real-time, but the complexity of signal processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the guide wire's own ultrasonic wave generation capability as a self-contained positioning signal source. The guide wire autonomously generates ultrasonic waves that are detected by the probe elements, eliminating the need for external signal sources or complex coordinated imaging procedures. The arrival time differences are naturally present in the signals and require straightforward temporal analysis rather than complex processing algorithms
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
This approach allows for the precise visualization of the guide wire's position in real-time, reducing the complexity of operations during catheter insertion and improving the visibility of the positional relationship between the guide wire and the therapeutic target.
Implementation Method 1
a guide wire with an ultrasonic wave generation source mounted thereon
Implementation Method 2
receives, via the ultrasonic probe, ultrasonic waves generated from an ultrasonic wave generation source
Data Source
AI summary
In a transcatheter treatment support technique using a combination of a guide wire equipped with a photoacoustic technique and an ultrasonic imaging device, the ultrasonic imaging device estimates a front edge position of the guide wire using a difference between arrival times of photoacoustic waves arriving at an array of elements configuring an ultrasonic probe or a change of an image of the photoacoustic generation source, which depends on a distance of the photoacoustic generation source from an imaging region, and grasps a relationship between an imaging position and the front edge position of the guide wire using the estimation result. This enables visually grasping a relationship between a region (imaging region) from which an image is able to be obtained with reflective waves from a biological body with use of the ultrasonic probe and an insertion object present outside the region, particularly, the front edge of the guide wire.