Ultrasound Probe Tracking for Structural Heart Disease Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasound imaging in structural heart disease interventions relies heavily on sub-optimal echography and X-ray fluoroscopy, leading to issues with echo resolution, image quality, and the accumulation of X-ray dose and contrast-induced kidney damage, necessitating a safer and more reliable navigation method.
Innovation Solution
The use of two ultrasound probes, one non-invasive and one invasive, with a tracking unit to determine their relative position and orientation, allowing for registration of their data to provide improved soft tissue navigation without the need for X-ray fluoroscopy or contrast agents, enabling real-time visualization and navigation of surgical instruments during SHD interventions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If X-ray fluoroscopy and iodine contrast are used to guide SHD interventions, then device tracking and navigation are improved, but X-ray dose accumulation and contrast-induced kidney damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the X-ray fluoroscopy and iodine contrast agent system with an ultrasound-based navigation system. The ultrasound system uses a non-invasive probe for soft tissue imaging and an invasive catheter-based probe for device tracking, eliminating the need for ionizing radiation and contrast agents while providing real-time guidance for structural heart disease interventions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical shape sensing technology as an intermediary mechanism to track the position and orientation of the invasive ultrasound probe and surgical devices. The optical sensors embedded in the catheter provide continuous position data without requiring X-ray imaging, serving as a mediator between the physical device and the navigation system
2Ease of operation
If echography is used for SHD interventions, then navigation guidance is provided, but echo resolution and image quality are sub-optimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging task into two separate ultrasound probes with specialized functions: a non-invasive probe optimized for soft tissue imaging providing anatomical context, and an invasive catheter-based probe optimized for device tracking and intracardiac imaging. This segmentation allows each probe to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall image quality and navigation precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the data from both ultrasound probes through a registration system that combines the soft tissue images from the non-invasive probe with the device position data from the invasive probe. This integration creates a comprehensive navigation view that provides both anatomical context and precise device localization, overcoming the limitations of single-probe echography
3Loss of information
If fluoroscopic guidance is used to image devices and track positions, then device visibility is improved, but X-ray dose accumulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces X-ray fluoroscopy with optical shape sensing technology for device tracking. Optical sensors embedded in the catheter and guidewire provide continuous position and orientation data without requiring ionizing radiation, maintaining full device visibility while eliminating X-ray dose accumulation
Solution Approach 2:
The invasive ultrasound probe serves multiple functions: it provides intracardiac anatomical imaging, tracks surgical device position through optical shape sensing, and guides catheter manipulation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate X-ray fluoroscopy system while maintaining comprehensive device visibility
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an ultrasound system (10) comprising a first non-invasive ultrasound probe (14) configured to acquire first ultrasound data having a first field of view; a second invasive ultrasound probe (16) configured to acquire second ultrasound data having a second field of view which is different from the first field of view; a tracking unit (30) configured to determine tracking data comprising a position and orientation of the first non-invasive ultrasound probe (14) relative to the second invasive ultrasound probe (16); and a registration unit (32) configured to register the second field of view into the first field of view based on the tracking data.