Ultrasound Visualization Simultaneous Reference and Current Images

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current ultrasound data visualization during cardiac ablation procedures lacks high temporal resolution, making it difficult for physicians to monitor detailed tissue changes, as existing systems provide a low temporal resolution overview that compromises the ability to observe both detailed changes and broader procedural phases.

Innovation Solution

An ultrasound data visualization apparatus that simultaneously displays a reference image from a previous phase and a current image, allowing for high temporal resolution of the current phase while maintaining an overview of different procedural phases by continuously updating the current image and keeping the reference image constant, with the reference image determined based on the energy application process and user input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the temporal resolution of ultrasound data is increased to show detailed tissue changes, then the ability to monitor detailed changes is improved, but the overview of different procedural phases is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemporal resolutionVSAvoidoverview of procedural phases
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The ultrasound data visualization is segmented into two distinct components: a reference image showing an overview of different procedural phases with lower temporal resolution, and a current image showing detailed tissue changes with high temporal resolution. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously provide both detailed monitoring and procedural overview without compromise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of information

If the display shows an overview of the entire ablation procedure, then the contextual understanding is improved, but the detailed tissue changes become difficult to monitor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontextual understandingVSAvoiddetailed tissue change monitoring
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system adds a temporal dimension to the display by showing both a reference image (from a previous time point) and a current image (from the current time point) simultaneously. This dimensional approach allows physicians to compare tissue changes over time while maintaining contextual understanding of the procedural phases, effectively resolving the contradiction between overview and detail.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Measurement precision

If the display updates frequently to show current phase details, then the temporal resolution is improved, but the energy consumption and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemporal resolutionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by capturing and storing a reference image at a previous time point before the current display update. This pre-captured reference image is then displayed alongside the current image, allowing the system to show high temporal resolution details without requiring the entire system to operate at maximum update frequency, thereby reducing energy consumption and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2908731B1Ultrasound data visualization apparatus
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP2908731B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2908731B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2908731B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to an ultrasound data visualization apparatus for visualizing ultrasound data showing an object during an interventional procedure. A reference image (65) and a current image (68) of the object are simultaneously displayed, wherein the current image corresponds to a current time interval and the reference image corresponds to a reference time interval and wherein the current time interval and the reference time interval correspond to different phases of the interventional procedure. The current image can be shown therefore with, for instance,a relatively high temporal resolution for allowing a user to observe detailed object changes, which may be caused by the interventional procedure, while an overview over different phases of the interventional procedure can still be provided, because also the reference image is displayed and can be used by a user for comparing the current image with the reference image.