Uterine Motion Wave Tracking for Quantitative Coordination Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current assessment methods for uterine contractility and peristalsis are subjective and lack objective, quantitative analysis, limiting the ability to characterize uterine motion and improve the success of in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles.
Innovation Solution
An image analysis method for quantitatively assessing uterine motion coordination by tracking propagation waves in different regions and times, using similarity measures and motion estimation techniques like optical flow, and compensating for motion artifacts to determine the degree of coordination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual inspection of TVUS recordings is used to assess uterine contractility, then the assessment can be performed with simple equipment, but the measurement precision and objectivity deteriorate due to subjectivity and lack of quantitative analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection with an automated image analysis system that uses optical flow algorithms and computer vision techniques to objectively track and quantify uterine motion. This substitution of mechanical/manual assessment with automated computational methods resolves the contradiction by providing precise, objective measurements without requiring complex additional hardware beyond standard TVUS equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate image processing layer that acts as a mediator between the raw TVUS recordings and the final assessment. This intermediary system automatically extracts motion features, tracks propagation waves, and quantifies coordination patterns, thereby eliminating subjective human interpretation while maintaining compatibility with existing TVUS equipment.
2Reliability
If quantitative analysis of uterine motion is implemented, then the reliability and objectivity of assessment improve, but the device complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service system where the image analysis algorithm automatically processes TVUS recordings without requiring complex external equipment or manual intervention. The system self-calibrates by identifying uterine boundaries and motion patterns autonomously, providing reliable quantitative assessment while keeping the overall device architecture relatively simple by leveraging the existing TVUS infrastructure.
3Measurement precision
If tracking of propagation waves in multiple regions and times is performed, then the accuracy of coordination assessment improves, but the loss of time and computational resources increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining regions of interest and temporal windows for analysis before processing the full dataset. The system identifies key propagation wave characteristics in preliminary passes, then focuses computational resources on these predefined areas, thereby achieving high measurement precision without requiring exhaustive analysis of all possible regions and time points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the uterine recording into multiple spatial regions and temporal intervals, allowing parallel processing of different segments. This segmentation strategy enables comprehensive tracking of propagation waves across multiple regions and times while reducing overall computational burden by distributing the analysis across independent segments that can be processed concurrently.
Data Source
AI summary
Image analysis method for quantitative assessment of a degree of coordination of uterine motion, comprising: obtaining a recording of a uterus; tracking, in the recording, at least two propagation waves of uterine motion in at least two different regions of the uterus and/or on at least two different times; and determining the degree of coordination of the uterine motion based on a similarity measure of at least two characteristics of the at least two propagation waves.