Virtual Tissue Rendering for Real-Time Catheter Interaction Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical procedures using intrabody probes lack effective visualization of tissue-probe interactions and treatment effects in real-time, making it difficult for operators to navigate and assess tissue changes during catheter procedures.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize graphical game engines to dynamically render and display tissue-probe interactions by associating material appearance properties with geometrical rendering data, allowing for real-time visualization of tissue changes and treatment effects within the body tissue region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional fluoroscopy and electromagnetic field measurement systems are used for navigation and monitoring, then procedural guidance is provided, but real-time visualization of tissue changes and treatment effects is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the tissue region using pre-acquired anatomical imaging data (CT, MRI). This virtual model is then dynamically updated during the procedure to reflect actual tissue changes, providing a visual representation that complements traditional fluoroscopy and electromagnetic tracking systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes material appearance parameters (color, texture, transparency) in the virtual tissue model based on interaction data from the intrabody probe. These parameter changes reflect treatment effects such as ablation, heating, or mechanical manipulation, enabling real-time visualization of tissue state changes.
2Loss of information
If detailed interaction data are processed and rendered in real-time, then comprehensive tissue change visualization is achieved, but computational complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rendering system is divided into distinct functional modules: data acquisition from the intrabody probe, interaction data processing, virtual model updating, and visual rendering. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently and facilitates real-time processing by distributing computational tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
Anatomical imaging data (CT, MRI) is pre-acquired and processed to create the initial virtual tissue model before the procedure begins. This preliminary preparation reduces real-time computational requirements during the procedure, as the base model is already constructed and only needs dynamic updates based on probe interactions.
3Ease of operation
If immersive real-time visualization is provided, then operator understanding and procedural accuracy improve, but system complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual tissue model serves as an intermediary between the physical procedure and the operator's understanding. Instead of directly interpreting complex sensor data and fluoroscopy images, the operator interacts with and observes changes in the virtual model, which translates raw interaction data into intuitive visual representations of tissue state.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, data sensed and/or operational parameters used during a catheterization procedure are used in the motion frame-rate updating and visual rendering of a simulated organ geometry. The organ geometry is rendered as a virtual material using a software environment (preferably a graphical game engine) which applies simulated optical laws to material appearance parameters affecting the virtual material's visual appearance, as part of simulating a scene comprising the simulated organ geometry, and optionally also comprising simulated views of a catheter probe used for sensing and/or treatment. Optionally, measurements of and/or effects on tissue by sensing and/or commanded probe-tissue interactions are converted into material appearance changes, allowing dynamic visual simulation of intra-body states and/or events based on optionally non-visual input data. In some embodiments, physiology, motion physics, and/or other physical processes are simulated based on live inputs as part of associating material appearance properties to the simulated tissue's geometry.