Vessel Cross-Section Correction Using Image-Registered Catheter Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Intravascular imaging devices provide misleading cross-sectional geometry measurements due to their smaller diameter and the tortuous nature of vessels, affecting the reliability of vessel investigations.

Innovation Solution

A system that registers fluoroscopic images of the intravascular imaging device to angiographic images of the vessel to determine the device's orientation, allowing for accurate adjustment of the cross-sectional geometry based on this orientation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If intravascular imaging devices are used to obtain cross-sectional geometry information, then detailed vessel information can be obtained, but the measurements become misleading due to device spatial freedom and vessel tortuosity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecross-sectional geometry measurement accuracyVSAvoidreliability of vessel cross-sectional geometry information
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces fluoroscopic images and angiographic images as intermediary data to determine device orientation. By registering fluoroscopic images showing the device position with angiographic images showing the vessel anatomy, the system calculates the device's orientation relative to the vessel centerline. This intermediary orientation information serves as a mediator to correct the misleading cross-sectional measurements obtained from intravascular imaging, resolving the contradiction between obtaining detailed vessel information and ensuring measurement reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the determined device orientation is used to adjust and correct the cross-sectional geometry measurements. The orientation information feeds back into the measurement process, allowing the system to compensate for spatial freedom effects and vessel tortuosity, thereby improving the reliability of the final cross-sectional geometry information while maintaining the detailed vessel information capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the intravascular imaging device has a smaller diameter than the vessel, then the device can be inserted into the vessel, but this creates high spatial freedom leading to unreliable measurements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice insertability into vesselVSAvoidcross-sectional geometry measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses fluoroscopic imaging and image registration as an intermediary system to track and determine the intravascular device's orientation within the vessel. This intermediary approach allows the small-diameter device to maintain its insertability while the external imaging system compensates for the spatial freedom issue by providing orientation data that corrects the cross-sectional measurements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical constraints (such as larger device diameter or physical stabilization mechanisms) with an imaging-based orientation determination system. Instead of mechanically restricting device movement to improve measurement accuracy, the system uses fluoroscopic and angiographic image registration to substitute for the mechanical stabilization, allowing the device to remain small and maneuverable while achieving accurate measurements through computational correction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4666958A1Determining vessel cross-sectional geometry
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP4666958A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4666958A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4666958A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A system for determining a cross-sectional geometry of a vessel (110), is provided. The system includes one or more processors. The processor(s) receive intravascular imaging device data representing a cross sectional geometry (w1, h1) of the vessel (110). The processor(s) also receive fluoroscopic data (150). The fluoroscopic data includes one or more fluoroscopic images representing the intravascular imaging device (140) in the vessel (110) during the generation of the intravascular imaging device data (130). The fluoroscopic image(s) are registered to the angiographic image(s) to determine an orientation (α, β) of the intravascular imaging device (140) with respect to the vessel (110) in the angiographic image(s). The cross sectional geometry (w1, h1) of the vessel (110) is then adjusted based on the orientation (α, β) of the intravascular imaging device (140) with respect to the vessel (110) in the one or more angiographic images. The adjusted cross-sectional geometry (w'1, h'1) of the vessel (110) is then outputted.