Method and System for 4d Radiological Intervention Guidance

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This invention introduces a method and system for 4D radiological guidance during medical interventions using dynamic tomographic imaging (such as CT or MRI). By taking an initial high-resolution scan (the 'prior' image) and then continuously acquiring a small number of low-dose, real-time projections during the procedure, the system reconstructs updated 3D images (plus time) that reflect changes, such as instrument movement, inside the patient. This provides physicians with real-time guidance in three dimensions with temporal updates, while reducing patient radiation exposure.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Real-time guidance of complex catheter-based procedures (e.g., cardiac catheterization, stent placement).
• Guided placement of pacemakers, drainage tubes, or biopsy needles in organs such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, or brain.
• Navigation of endoscopic or bronchoscopy tools in tubular organ structures.
• Minimally invasive neurosurgical interventions.
• Dynamic monitoring and detection of complications during interventions (e.g., vessel bleeding or perforation).
• Providing real-time 3D road-maps for clinicians based on instrument and anatomical movements during procedures.
• Delayed reconstruction of soft-tissue changes for post-procedure analysis.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables true 4D (3D plus time) visualization throughout the medical intervention, so clinicians can see both anatomy and real-time instrument motion.
• Reduces radiation exposure for patients compared to traditional CT fluoroscopy, by using undersampled projection sets and compressed sensing algorithms.
• Improves safety by providing continuous, accurate feedback on instrument location, minimizing risk of misplacement or accidental injury.
• Adaptable: Imaging parameters and reconstruction can be tuned based on procedural changes, motion, or user input.
• Facilitates procedures in complex, moving anatomy (e.g., the beating heart, breathing lungs) with motion-compensation algorithms to reduce artifact and improve accuracy.
• Supports a broad range of interventions across cardiovascular, neurological, pulmonary, and interventional radiology fields.
• Provides operator feedback on image reliability and completeness, increasing confidence in decision-making during interventions.

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Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to an imaging method for radiologically guiding an instrument during medical interventions on an object (106, 203, 302) comprising: a) providing a first image (501, 602, 706, 806, 906, 1006, 1106) of said object followed by b) providing updated images on-the-fly during the intervention to an operator by measuring an undersampled set of projections of said object (106, 203, 302) and reconstructing said updated image based on changes between said first image (501, 602, 706, 806, 906, 1006, 1106) or an update of said first image (602) and said undersampled set of projections. The invention further relates to particular uses of the method and a system for radiologically guiding medical interventions on an object (106, 203, 302) according to the method, comprising - means to provide a first image (501, 602, 706, 806, 906, 1006, 1106) of the object; - an imaging apparatus measuring undersampled sets of projections; - processing means in communication with the imaging apparatus for providing updated images on-the-fly during the intervention by reconstructing said updated image based on changes between said first image (501, 602, 706, 806, 906, 1006, 1106) or an update of said first image (602) and said undersampled set of projections.