Vascular Roadmap Selection via Image Parameter Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vascular roadmapping techniques face challenges in accurately and efficiently selecting the most suitable roadmap during cardiac interventions, due to noisy fluoroscopy images and patient movement, which complicates navigation and increases exposure to x-ray radiation.

Innovation Solution

An automated system that adjusts imaging parameters of a fluoroscopy device to match those of pre-generated contrast-enhanced images, allowing for the selection and display of the nearest available roadmap, reducing noise and movement artifacts, and enhancing visualization by overlaying contrast-enhanced images onto fluoroscopy images.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a static diagnostic angiogram is displayed next to live fluoroscopy for navigation, then vessel structure information is provided, but subjective visual fusion is required which is tiring and inaccurate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation accuracyVSAvoidoperator fatigue

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent overlays the contrast-enhanced angiogram directly onto the fluoroscopic image stream, merging the vessel structure information with the live imaging into a single composite display. This eliminates the need for separate static display and subjective visual fusion by the operator, providing both accurate navigation information and reduced operator fatigue through automated image integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Loss of information

If contrast agent is injected via catheter to visualize vessels, then vessel structure becomes visible, but additional contrast agent bursts are required during intervention to clarify device position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevessel visibilityVSAvoidcontrast agent consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary acquisition of a contrast-enhanced angiogram before the intervention begins. This pre-acquired image serves as a roadmap that can be overlaid during the procedure, eliminating the need for additional contrast agent bursts during the intervention since the vessel structure is already visualized in the pre-acquired image.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If fluoroscopy is used for real-time surveillance during guidewire advancement, then navigation is enabled, but patient and staff are exposed to x-ray radiation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintervention speedVSAvoidradiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a copy of the pre-acquired contrast-enhanced angiogram and overlays it onto the fluoroscopic images during intervention. This roadmap copy provides continuous navigation guidance without requiring continuous fluoroscopy, thereby reducing radiation exposure to patient and staff while maintaining real-time navigation capability through the overlaid roadmap.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Measurement precision

If roadmapping overlay is implemented to show vessels and devices synchronously, then navigation support is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical image registration systems with a computational approach. The processing device automatically performs image registration by comparing the pre-acquired angiogram with live fluoroscopic images using image processing algorithms, eliminating the need for complex mechanical alignment mechanisms while achieving accurate synchronous display of vessels and devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables precise and efficient navigation within the angiogram world, reducing intervention time and radiation exposure by providing high-quality, motion-reduced images for optimal vessel visualization and device positioning.

Implementation Method 1

X-ray imaging device for generating a fluoroscopy image

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray: X-Ray

Implementation Method 2

plurality of contrast-enhanced images is stored

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray absorption by contrast agent: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS10478140B2Nearest available roadmap selection

Publication Date: 2019.11.19 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

A system and method for vascular roadmapping include an X-ray imaging device for generating a fluoroscopy image, a data base in which a plurality of contrast-enhanced images is stored, a user interface element and a processor. Each of the contrast-enhanced images is stored together with the imaging parameters based on which the image is generated. The user interface element may be configured for selecting any intended imaging parameters, such as by manually adjusting the imaging device in any position and orientation. The processor may be configured for identifying a stored contrast-enhanced image out of the plurality of contrast-enhanced images, which is generated with specific imaging parameters, where the deviation of the specific imaging parameters from the intended imaging parameters is as small as possible, thus the processor may be configured for identifying the nearest available roadmap.