Virtual Implantation Path Assessment for Medical Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional stent implantation procedures are inefficient and prone to inaccuracies, often being invasive and causing damage to anatomic vessels due to reliance on human interpretation of two-dimensional medical imaging data and trial-and-error methods.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a path assessment component, a recommendation component, and a visualization component that analyzes multi-dimensional medical imaging data to generate, rank, and recommend implantation paths for a medical device, such as a stent, to accurately and efficiently reach a lesion area within an anatomic vessel, minimizing invasive procedures and damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional stent implantation procedures use human interpretation of two-dimensional medical imaging data, then the procedure can be performed with simple equipment, but the accuracy and efficiency of determining the implantation path deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of implantation path determinationVSAvoidcomplexity of imaging analysis system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms two-dimensional medical imaging data into three-dimensional visual representations, enabling clinicians to view the implantation path from multiple angles and depths. This dimensional enhancement allows for more accurate path determination by providing spatial context that flat 2D images cannot convey, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates virtual copies of the patient's anatomical structures and implantation paths through computer-generated 3D models. These digital twins allow for repeated analysis and simulation without additional physical procedures, improving accuracy while keeping the actual medical intervention simple and minimally invasive.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If conventional procedures rely on trial-and-error methods for stent implantation, then the equipment and procedure remain simple, but the time required and risk of vascular damage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverisk of vascular damageVSAvoidtime for implantation procedure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of the implantation path using 3D visualizations before the actual medical procedure. By pre-planning the optimal path and identifying potential risks in advance, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming trial-and-error adjustments during the procedure, thereby reducing both procedure time and vascular damage risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides real-time feedback during the implantation process by comparing the actual procedure progress against the pre-planned 3D path. This continuous monitoring and feedback mechanism allows for immediate corrections, preventing deviations that could lead to vascular damage while maintaining efficient procedure timing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If multi-dimensional medical imaging data is analyzed to generate multiple implantation paths, then the accuracy of path selection improves, but the complexity of the assessment system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of path selectionVSAvoidcomplexity of path assessment system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the complex task of path assessment into distinct components: 3D visualization generation, multiple path generation, path ranking, and recommendation. Each component handles a specific aspect of the analysis, making the overall complex system manageable and interpretable for clinicians while maintaining high precision in path selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different levels of analysis and visualization to different regions of the implantation path based on their specific characteristics and risk levels. High-risk areas receive more detailed 3D visualization and analysis, while lower-risk areas use standardized assessments, optimizing precision where needed without uniformly increasing system complexity throughout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3937187A1Virtual assessment of an implantation path for a medical device
Publication Date: 2022.01.12 GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC
  • EP3937187A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3937187A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3937187A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and techniques for virtual assessment of an implantation path for a medical device are presented. A system can analyze multi-dimensional medical imaging data regarding a patient body and a lesion area, generate a set of paths to reach the lesion area for deployment of a medical device, rank the set of paths to reach the lesion area, and recommend a subset of the paths for deployment of the medical device. The system can also generate a display of the recommendations and a multi-dimensional visualization of the recommended subset of paths for the deployment of the medical device.