Vessel Dimension Measurement Using Segmented Wall Lines
Solution Overview
Problem
Current stent placement techniques face challenges in accurately measuring the dimensions of curved blood vessels, as existing methods assume a straight vessel structure, which is not valid for vessels with significant curvature, leading to suboptimal stent selection and increased restenosis rates.
Innovation Solution
A method involving 3D imaging to plot non-intersecting lines on the vessel surface, segment the central line into multiple sections, and measure wall line lengths to determine the maximum, minimum, and mean lengths, enabling precise stent dimension assessment for curved vessels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the central line measurement technique is used for vessel sizing, then the measurement process is simple and straightforward, but the measurement precision deteriorates for curved vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the vessel surface into multiple parallel segments or lines that extend along the vessel length. By measuring multiple segments rather than a single central line, the method captures the vessel's curvature and provides more accurate dimensional data while maintaining computational feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from measuring only the central line (one-dimensional approach) to measuring multiple parallel lines across the vessel surface (two-dimensional approach). This dimensional expansion allows capture of curvature information and provides comprehensive vessel sizing for curved geometries.
2Adaptability or versatility
If stents are placed in highly curved vessel portions, then the adaptability to vessel geometry is improved, but the reliability of stent placement deteriorates due to inaccurate dimension knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurement of the actual vessel geometry using multiple wall lines before stent selection and placement. This advance knowledge of the vessel's true dimensions and curvature allows for appropriate stent sizing and reduces placement errors, thereby improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses measured wall line data to provide feedback on the actual vessel geometry, which then informs stent selection and placement decisions. This feedback loop ensures that the stent dimensions match the actual curved vessel geometry rather than relying on assumptions.
Data Source
AI summary
To measure the dimensions of a tubular vessel, it is planned to plot a set of wall lines on the surface of the vessels. Then, the lengths of these wall lines are measured between a starting section and an arrival section. The plotting of the wall lines starts from a central line of the vessel divided into segments. For each central line segment, a wall line segment is defined on the wall by intersection of a plane containing this central line segment and intersecting this wall. Other wall line segments are distributed all around and all along the wall. Then, the lengths are measured.