Ultrasound Vessel Sizing for Guided Instrument Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasound systems lack accurate and efficient methods for identifying and displaying blood vessels, particularly for procedures like ultrasound-guided PIV catheterization, leading to potential errors and complications due to manual estimation and limited use of calipers.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasound machine equipped with neural networks and image processing algorithms to identify and enhance blood vessels, providing diameter measurements, classification, and guided instrument insertion, using color coding and opacity adjustments based on confidence levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual estimation or caliper measurement is used to determine blood vessel diameter, then measurement precision can be achieved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasound system automatically performs blood vessel identification, diameter measurement, and suitability assessment without requiring clinician intervention for caliper placement or manual measurement. The system self-services by processing the ultrasound images and providing ready-to-use measurements and recommendations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical caliper measurement process with an automated image processing system that uses algorithms to detect blood vessel boundaries and calculate diameters directly from ultrasound images, eliminating the need for physical caliper interaction
2Measurement precision
If calipers are used to measure blood vessel diameter, then measurement precision improves, but ease of operation deteriorates due to sterility and workflow constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs all measurement tasks without requiring the clinician to touch or interact with the ultrasound machine during the procedure, maintaining sterility while achieving precise measurements through automated image analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical caliper tool with a software-based measurement system that operates entirely through image processing, eliminating the need for physical contact between the clinician and the measurement device
3Reliability
If comprehensive blood vessel information is displayed, then reliability of instrument insertion improves, but device complexity and information processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and displays only the most critical blood vessel characteristics and suitability metrics needed for safe instrument insertion, filtering out unnecessary information to maintain clarity while ensuring safety through selective presentation of key parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of blood vessel suitability before the clinician makes insertion decisions, pre-processing the data to highlight safe insertion sites and potential risks, thereby improving reliability without requiring the clinician to analyze raw data
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for identifying blood vessels in ultrasound images and displaying blood vessels in ultrasound images are described. In some embodiments, the method is implemented by a computing device and includes receiving an ultrasound image that includes one or more blood vessels, and determining, with a neural network implemented at least partially in hardware of the computing device, diameters of the one or more blood vessels in the ultrasound image. The method includes receiving a user selection of an instrument size, and indicating, in the ultrasound image, at least one blood vessel of the one or more blood vessels based on the instrument size and the diameters of the one or more blood vessels.