Unfolded Vessel Image for Accurate Medical Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for measuring anatomical vessel structures in three-dimensional image data sets are highly interactive and prone to inter-user variability, leading to inconsistent and potentially inaccurate measurements, which can result in suboptimal implant sizing during interventional procedures.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that receives a three-dimensional image data set, determines a two-dimensional unfolded image of the vessel structure, displays it to the user, identifies landmarks, and performs measurements based on these landmarks, allowing for consistent and accurate measurements to be displayed together with anatomical context.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If measurements are performed manually in three-dimensional image data sets using traditional methods, then the process allows for interactive measurement capability, but the measurements exhibit high inter-user variability and reduced accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement processes with an automated computer-implemented measurement system. The system automatically performs measurements in three-dimensional image data sets by identifying anatomical landmarks and calculating measurements based on these landmarks, eliminating the need for manual interactive measurement while significantly reducing inter-user variability and improving measurement accuracy and consistency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement system performs self-service by automatically identifying anatomical landmarks and calculating measurements without requiring manual user input for each measurement point. The system autonomously processes the three-dimensional image data, identifies relevant anatomical structures, and computes measurements, thereby eliminating the need for continuous user interaction while maintaining high measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If traditional manual measurement methods are used in vessel structures, then the process can be performed with existing tools, but the complex three-dimensional geometry of multiple vessels leads to inconsistent measurements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement consistencyVSAvoidmeasurement operation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual measurement operations with an automated computer-implemented system that consistently processes complex three-dimensional vessel geometries. The system automatically navigates through multiple vessels, identifies anatomical landmarks, and performs measurements with high reliability and consistency, eliminating the variability inherent in manual operations while maintaining ease of use through automated processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If interactive measurement processes are used for implant planning, then the process allows for detailed measurement capability, but the high inter-user variability results in suboptimal implant sizing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual interactive measurement processes with an automated system that rapidly performs detailed measurements for implant planning. The system automatically calculates all necessary measurements with high precision and generates implant planning recommendations, significantly improving both measurement accuracy and efficiency while eliminating the inter-user variability that leads to suboptimal implant sizing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement system performs preliminary measurements and calculations automatically before implant selection, providing a comprehensive measurement foundation that guides implant planning. By pre-calculating all necessary measurements and providing structured results, the system enables more efficient and accurate implant sizing decisions without requiring repeated manual measurements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20230102441A1Computer implemented method for measurement using medical imaging, data processing device and electronically readable storage medium

Publication Date: 2023.03.30 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG

AI summary

A computer-implemented method for performing at least one measurement in an anatomical vessel structure in an imaging region, the vessel structure comprising multiple vessels of interest for the measurement, the method comprises receiving a three-dimensional image data set of the imaging region; determining a two-dimensional unfolded image of the vessel structure from the image data set; displaying the unfolded image to the user; determining at least one landmark in the vessel structure and visualizing the at least one landmark at a corresponding landmark position in the unfolded image; performing the at least one measurement based on the at least one landmark and the three-dimensional image data set; and displaying the result of the at least one measurement in the unfolded image in a user presentation or together with the unfolded image in the user presentation.