KR20160032297A

KR20160032297A - System and Method of Automatically Providing Reference Image for Intervention

Info

Publication number: KR20160032297A
Application number: KR1020140121735A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 정창원; 이진석; 주수종; 윤권하
Original assignee: 원광대학교산학협력단
Priority date: 2014-09-15
Filing date: 2014-09-15
Publication date: 2016-03-24

Abstract

Intervention Support Automatic guidance reference image providing system and method are provided. The method of providing an interventional procedure reference image according to an embodiment of the present invention is a method of providing an interventional reference image by detecting a blood vessel from a medical image of a patient to generate a blood vessel map of the patient, designating a target area in the patient's body, And the blood vessel insertion path for insertion into the region is calculated and displayed on the blood vessel map. As a result, it is possible to provide a reference image useful for the utilization plan of the interventional treatment tool to be used up to the target area in the patient body requiring intervention, and the intervention planning and implementation, thereby minimizing the risk associated with the patient's intervention .

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to an automatic guidance reference image providing system and method,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a reference image providing method, and more particularly, to a system and method for providing a reference image for intervention.

In the interventional procedure, a catheter is inserted into the target area of the patient to insert the contrast agent, or an intervention tool is inserted to perform resection, heat, or stapling.

For this purpose, reference is made to the image provided by the medical imaging apparatus. Since most of the medical images use X-ray, which is radiation, there is a problem that the radiation is exposed to the patient or the medical staff for a long time.

In recent years, low-dose interventional medical devices have been developed and utilized. However, since interventional procedures are required to provide images in real time, the amount of radiation to be irradiated until the patient reaches the target area of the patient is negligible none.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a blood vessel insertion route for insertion of an arbitration procedure tool to a target area in a patient's body using a blood vessel map of a patient created in advance A reference image providing method and a system for displaying an arbitration reference reference image.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for providing an interventional reference image, which can generate a limited amount of real-time image only in a required section and minimize radiation exposure for a patient and a medical staff.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an interventional procedure reference image providing method comprising: detecting a blood vessel from a first medical image of a patient; Generating a blood vessel map of the patient using the detection result; Receiving a target area in the body of the patient; Calculating a vein insertion path for inserting the interventional surgical tool into the target region through a blood vessel; And displaying the blood vessel insertion path on the blood vessel map.

The calculation step may calculate the blood vessel insertion path by referring to the inner diameter of the blood vessel.

Further, the method may further include, in the blood vessel map, displaying a guidance indication for at least one of a blood vessel branch point, a complex point, and a target area.

Generating a second medical image of the patient in real time; And displaying the second medical image generated in real time.

In addition, the second medical image real-time generation step may be performed when the current position of the arbitration instrument is the guidance display point.

The current position of the interventional instrument may be determined based on the insertion path of the blood vessel insertion path and the insertion length of the interventional instrument.

Periodically generating a second medical image of the patient; Displaying the second medical image periodically generated; And determining the position of the interventional surgical instrument, wherein the second medical image real-time generation step may be performed when the interventional surgical tool is located at a certain distance from the guidance display position.

The first medical image may be an MR image or an X-ray image, and the second medical image may be an X-ray image.

In addition, the calculating step may include a point at which the arbitration instrument is inserted into the blood vessel insertion path.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an interventional procedure reference image providing system, comprising: a photographing unit for generating a first medical image of a patient; A processor for calculating a vein insertion path for inserting the interventional treatment tool into the target area through a blood vessel when the blood vessel is detected from the first medical image to generate a blood vessel map of the patient and a target area is designated in the body of the patient, ; And a display for displaying the blood vessel map and the blood vessel insertion path.

And, the processor may display a guidance display on at least one of a blood vessel branch point, a complex point, and a target area in the blood vessel map.

In addition, the display may display the second medical image of the patient in real time when the current position of the interventionist tool is the guidance display point.

As described above, according to the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to provide a reference image useful for the utilization plan of the interventional treatment tool to be used up to the target area in the patient and the interventional treatment planning and implementation, The risk of the intervention procedure can be minimized.

In addition, according to the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to provide a radiation X-ray image to be used for grasping the current position of the interventional treatment tool only in a necessary section (a complex point, a branch point and a target area) So that it can be minimized.

1 is a block diagram of a medical imaging system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing an interventional reference image according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an interventional procedure reference image,
FIGS. 4 and 5 are views for explaining a process of providing a real-time image.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 is a block diagram of a medical imaging system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The medical image system according to the embodiment of the present invention provides a reference image necessary for intervention.

A reference image displays not only the path for moving the interventional tool (catheter, needle, guide wire, etc.) to the target area in the patient's body but also a guide display for the blood vessel branch point, complex point and target area.

Further, the medical imaging system according to the embodiment of the present invention provides a real-time image in the patient body together with the real-time image for capturing the current position of the interventional treatment tool.

Real-time images are provided as X-ray images and are provided only in the required section to minimize radiation exposure to patients and medical personnel.

1, the medical image system for performing such a function includes an MR imaging unit 110, an X-ray imaging unit 120, a touch screen 130, an image processor 140, (150) and a communication unit (160).

The MR imaging unit 110 is a unit for imaging an MRA image or an MRI image of a patient, and the X-ray imaging unit 120 is an image for imaging an X-ray image of a patient.

The image processor 140 generates a reference image from the MR image generated by the MR image radiographing unit 110. In the reference image, not only the route for inserting the interventional instrument to the target area in the patient body but also a guide display for the blood vessel branch point, the complex point and the target area are displayed.

The reference image generated by the image processor 140 is displayed on the touch screen 130. In addition, the X-ray image taken by the X-ray imaging unit 120 is displayed on the touch screen 130 in real time.

The reference image and the X-ray image may be displayed in parallel, overlapped, or matched.

The control unit 150 controls the imaging operation of the MR imaging unit 110 and the imaging operation of the X-ray imaging unit 120. In addition, the control unit 150 processes the command of the medical staff inputted through the touch screen 130.

In particular, when the medical staff designates a target area through the touch screen 130, the controller 150 transmits information about the designated area to the image processor 140, and transmits information about the target area.

Also, the control unit 150 can communicate with the external medical device through the communication unit 160. For example, the control unit 150 may receive information on the length of the interventional technology tool inserted into the patient's body from the interventional surgical instrument, which is an external medical instrument, through the communication unit 160. [

2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing an interventional reference image according to another embodiment of the present invention.

2, the control unit 150 drives the MR imaging unit 110 to acquire the MR image of the patient (S210). The MR image obtained in step S210 is applied to the image processor 140. [

The image processor 140 detects the blood vessel in the MR image acquired in step S210, and calculates information on the blood vessel (S220). The blood vessel information calculated in step S220 includes the inner diameter of the blood vessel, the blood vessel curvature, and the blood vessel branching point.

Next, the image processor 140 generates a blood vessel map of the patient using the blood vessel detection result in step S220 (S230), and displays the generated blood vessel map on the touch screen 130 (S240).

In step S240, the medical staff can grasp the blood vessel structure / condition of the patient at a glance, and the target area of the intervention procedure can be designated through the touch screen 130. [

If the target area is designated by the medical staff (S250-Y), the image processor 140 calculates a 'vein insertion path for inserting the arbitration procedure tool to the target area' (S260).

In step S260, the blood vessel information calculated in step S220 is referred to, and the most important factor is the inner diameter of the blood vessel. That is, the blood vessel insertion path allows the inner diameter of the blood vessel to consist of as large a blood vessels as possible.

The next important factor is the complexity of the vessel. The complexity of the blood vessel is related to the curvature and direction of the blood vessel. That is, it is preferable to construct the blood vessel insertion pathway with a small curvature and a small direction change.

The blood vessel insertion path in step S260 includes the insertion start point at which the insertion tool is inserted. In other words, at the time of calculating the insertion route of the blood vessel, it is calculated up to the insertion start point in addition to the insertion route of the blood vessel. Only the target area is what the healthcare provider specifies.

Because the patient's vascular status is different, the blood vessel insertion path (including the insertion start point) may be different even if the target area is the same. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, even if the target region is different from the cardiovascular region in the case where the patient is different, the insertion start point and the vein insertion path may be completely different.

Thereafter, the image processor 140 superimposes the blood vessel insertion path calculated in operation S260 on the blood vessel map generated / displayed in operation S230 / S240 (S270). In Fig. 3, the line marked in red is a blood vessel map, and the line marked in yellow corresponds to a vein insertion path.

On the other hand, the image processor 140 displays a guidance display on the blood vessel map, the complex point, the target area, and the like on the blood vessel map (S280). These correspond to the portions indicated by blue boxes in Fig. The complex point refers to a point where a plurality of blood vessels are located, a blood vessel having a curvature of more than a threshold value (i.e., an excessively curved blood vessel), and the like.

Up to now, the procedure of providing an interventional reference image has been described in detail with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. Hereinafter, a process of providing a real-time image necessary for confirming the current position of the interventional instrument in the interventional procedure will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

4 is a view for explaining a process of providing a real-time image for intervention. The interventional real-time image is divided into a manual mode and an automatic mode. FIG. 4 shows a process of providing a real-time image in a passive mode.

In the case of the manual mode (S310-Y), when the medical staff inputs a real-time image start command through the touch screen 130 at S320-Y, the control unit 150 drives the X- - The line image is generated in real time (S330).

Then, the image processor 140 displays the real-time X-ray image generated in step S330 on the touch screen 130 (S340). In step S340, the real-time X-ray image can be displayed on the touch screen 130 in a superimposed or matched manner in parallel with the blood vessel map displayed in step S280 of FIG. In the case of the parallel display, it is possible to divide the touch screen 130, display a blood vessel map on one side, and display a real time image on the other side.

Alternatively, the blood vessel map may disappear on the touch screen 130, and only the real-time X-ray image may be displayed.

Then, when the medical staff inputs a real-time video end command through the touch screen 130 (S350-Y), the control unit 150 stops driving the X-ray imaging unit 120 to stop the X-ray image generation (S360).

5 is a view for explaining a process of providing an intervention-based real-time image in the automatic mode.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the case of the automatic mode (S410-Y), the controller 150 determines the insertion length of the interventional surgical instrument into the patient's body (S450). The insertion length in step S450 can be grasped by receiving from the interventionist tool through the communication unit 160 or by receiving input from the medical staff through the touch screen 130. [

Since the insertion route of the interventional device is determined, when the insertion length of the interventional device is determined, the current position of the interventional device can be known.

If it is determined that the current position of the interventionist tool is adjacent to the blood vessel branch point, the complex point, and the target area (S430-Y), the controller 150 drives the X- (S440). The image processor 140 displays the real-time X-ray image generated in operation S470 on the touch screen 130 (S450).

The acquisition and display of the X-ray image by steps S440 and S450 continues until the current position of the interventional surgical instrument is moved away from the blood vessel branching point (S440).

Up to now, a system and method for providing a reference image and a real-time image for an interventional procedure have been described in detail with preferred embodiments.

In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the reference image is generated based on the MR image, but it is merely an example for convenience of explanation. It is also possible to generate a reference image from the X-ray image. In this case, the MR image radiographing section 110 can be omitted.

In addition, when the real-time image is provided in the automatic mode, the X-ray image is intermittently / periodically provided, and when the current position of the interventional tool is adjacent to the blood vessel branch point, .

In this case, it is possible to extract the interventional tool from the intermittently / periodically obtained X-ray image, thereby grasping the current position of the interventional tool.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but, on the contrary, It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

110: MR imaging unit 120: X-ray imaging unit
130: touch screen 140: image processor
150: control unit 160:

Claims

Detecting a blood vessel from a first medical image of a patient;
Generating a blood vessel map of the patient using the detection result;
Receiving a target area in the body of the patient;
Calculating a vein insertion path for inserting the interventional surgical tool into the target region through a blood vessel; And
And displaying the blood vessel insertion path on the blood vessel map.

The method according to claim 1,
Wherein,
Wherein the blood vessel insertion path is calculated by referring to the inner diameter of the blood vessel.

The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising the step of, in the blood vessel map, displaying a guidance indication for at least one of a blood vessel branch point, a complex point, and a target area.

The method of claim 3,
Generating a second medical image of the patient in real time if the current position of the arbitration instrument is the guidance display point; And
And displaying the second medical image generated in real time.

The method of claim 4,
The current position of the interventional treatment tool,
Wherein the reference image is obtained on the basis of the blood vessel insertion path and the insertion length of the interventional instrument.

The method of claim 3,
Periodically generating a second medical image of the patient;
Displaying the second medical image periodically generated; And
Further comprising the step of locating the interventional instrument,
Wherein the second medical image real-
Wherein the intervention is performed when the interventional treatment tool is located below a certain distance from the guidance display point.

The method of claim 6,
Wherein the first medical image is an MR image or an X-ray image,
Wherein the second medical image is an X-ray image.

The method according to claim 1,
Wherein,
Wherein the step of calculating the reference image comprises the step of inserting the insertion point of the insertion tool into the insertion path of the blood vessel.

An imaging unit for generating a first medical image of a patient;
A processor for calculating a vein insertion path for inserting the interventional treatment tool into the target area through a blood vessel when the blood vessel is detected from the first medical image to generate a blood vessel map of the patient and a target area is designated in the body of the patient, ; And
And a display for displaying the blood vessel map and the blood vessel insertion path.

The method of claim 9,
The processor comprising:
In the blood vessel map, a guidance indication for at least one of a blood vessel branch point, a complex point, and a target area,
Wherein the display comprises:
Wherein the second medical image of the patient is displayed in real time when the current position of the arbitration instrument is the guide display point.