Virtual Road Mapping System for Contrast-Free Vascular Visualization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical visualization techniques using C-arm fluoroscopes require contrast agents to enhance vascular anatomy visibility, which can be harmful and involve complex image processing, necessitating a safer and more efficient visualization method.

Innovation Solution

A Virtual Road Mapping System that merges pre-acquired CT or MRA data with real-time fluoroscope images to create a composite view of vascular anatomy without the need for contrast agents, using a virtual 3D model of bony and vascular structures, registration apparatus, and image processing to generate a virtual road map.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If contrast agents are used to enhance vascular anatomy visibility, then visibility of blood vessels is improved, but patient safety deteriorates due to harmful effects of contrast agents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of blood vesselsVSAvoidharmful effects of contrast agents

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual 3D model that copies the vascular anatomy from pre-acquired CT or MRA data. This virtual model serves as a substitute for contrast agent-based visualization, allowing surgeons to see vascular structures without exposing patients to harmful contrast agents. The virtual model is registered with real-time fluoroscope images to provide accurate spatial correspondence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary acquisition of CT or MRA data before the surgical procedure to create the virtual 3D model. This preliminary action allows the vascular anatomy to be visualized in advance without requiring contrast agents during the actual surgery, thereby eliminating the harmful effects associated with intraoperative contrast agent administration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Illumination intensity

If contrast agents and image subtraction processing are used to produce road map view, then vascular anatomy visualization is improved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevascular anatomy visualizationVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using complex image subtraction processing of fluoroscope images, the patent creates a virtual 3D model that copies vascular anatomy from pre-acquired CT or MRA data. This virtual model is then registered with real-time fluoroscope images, providing a simplified alternative to the complex image processing required by traditional road map techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical image processing system (image subtraction, mask generation, contrast agent administration) with a computational approach using virtual 3D modeling and registration. This substitution simplifies the overall system by eliminating the need for complex real-time image processing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Illumination intensity

If multiple images and contrast agents are used for road map view, then vascular structure visibility is improved, but loss of time increases due to multiple imaging steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevascular structure visibilityVSAvoidtime for multiple imaging steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs the time-consuming imaging steps (CT or MRA scanning, 3D model generation, and model registration) as preliminary actions before the surgical procedure begins. This allows the vascular anatomy to be visualized without requiring multiple imaging steps during surgery, thereby reducing the loss of time during the actual procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual 3D model that copies vascular anatomy from pre-acquired data, eliminating the need to repeatedly acquire multiple fluoroscopic images with contrast agents during surgery. This copying approach significantly reduces the time required for vascular visualization during the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS7725165B2Method and apparatus for visualizing anatomical structures

Publication Date: 2010.05.25 ASTUTE IMAGING LLC

AI summary

Apparatus and method for producing a virtual road map of a patient's vascular anatomy comprising a virtual 3D model of the patient's vascular and bony structure in proper registration with one another, a fluoroscope for providing real-time images of the bony structure of the patient, registration apparatus for placing the virtual 3D model in proper registration with the patient space of the fluoroscope, bone mask subtraction apparatus for generating a bone mask of the bony structure, and subtracting the same from the real-time images, whereby to create modified fluoroscope images omitting bony structure, and image generating apparatus for generating the virtual road map comprising a composite image combining (i) images of the virtual 3D structure representing the vascular structure, and (ii) modified fluoroscope images omitting bony structure, wherein the images of the virtual 3D structure representing vascular structure are in proper registration with the modified fluoroscope images omitting bony structure.