Vessel Registration Using Calcification Features
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vessel intervention procedures face challenges in accurate positioning due to the mental merging of reference images with live fluoroscopy images, which is prone to error and complicated by breathing and heart motion, requiring a more reliable method for precise alignment.
Innovation Solution
A method that acquires X-ray images with contrast agent, detects calcification features, generates a vessel representation, and registers it with fluoroscopic images using corresponding calcification features for precise alignment, eliminating the need for additional registration landmarks and minimizing the impact of tool movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual merging of reference images with live fluoroscopy images is used for positioning, then the cardiologist or surgeon can perform vessel intervention procedures, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates due to mental merging errors and motion artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mental merging process with an automated image registration system. The system automatically aligns the reference image with the live fluoroscopy image using calculated transformation parameters, substituting the cardiologist's mental merging operation with a computational process that eliminates human error and motion artifact interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate image registration system that acts as a mediator between the reference image and the live fluoroscopy image. This system calculates transformation parameters and generates a composite image that combines information from both sources, eliminating the need for manual mental merging while maintaining positioning accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If additional registration landmarks or intervention tools are used for image alignment, then the registration process can be performed, but the device complexity increases and tool movement causes misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the image registration system to perform self-alignment by automatically detecting corresponding anatomical structures in both the reference image and live fluoroscopy image. The system calculates transformation parameters based on these detected structures without requiring external registration landmarks or intervention tools, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining registration accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If additional intervention tools are used for registration, then image alignment can be achieved, but tool movement inside the vessel causes imprecise or false alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the registration system to use anatomical structures visible in the images as self-referencing landmarks. By detecting corresponding structures in both the reference and live images, the system achieves reliable alignment without requiring physical intervention tools that could move and cause misalignment, thereby improving both precision and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to accurate positioning for vessel intervention procedures, particularly to a method for accurate positioning for vessel intervention procedures, a medical imaging system for accurate positioning for vessel intervention procedures and a catheterization laboratory system for accurate positioning for vessel intervention procedures. First, at least one X-ray image of a vessel region of interest is acquired (24) with injected contrast agent. Further, vessel information data is identified (26) within the at least one acquired image. Then, first calcification features of the vessel in the vessel region of interest in the at least one acquired image are detected (28). Further, vessel representation is generated (30) using the vessel information data and the detected calcification features. Further, at least one current fluoroscopic image of the vessel region of interest is acquired (32). Then, second calcification features of the vessel in the vessel region of interest in the at least one current fluoroscopy image are detected (34), wherein the second calcification features are according to the first calcification features. Further, the vessel representation is registered (36) with the fluoroscopy image, wherein the calcification features are used for the registration. Then, a composite image is generated (38) by combining the vessel representation with the at least one fluoroscopy image. Further, a composite image is displayed (40).