The aim of this study was to conduct a preliminary check of a new method for measuring the 3D catheter position based on only one X-Ray view (image) and a simple pre-calibration procedure for catheters that could be equipped with high-opacity equal-spaced markers. The application chosen for this experiment is the targeted delivery of cell based therapeutic via a transendocardial retrograde approach into the left ventricle. This approach has shown promising therapeutic retention data when injected directly into the myocardial tissue, but lacks in the ability of the user to confidently manipulate the catheter within the left ventricle cavity space under traditional fluoroscopic guidance using a needle based catheter. The need for a new technique arose from the potential for increased safety and therapeutic efficacy by improving the targeting of the agent. The new technique, destined for Image guided catheter navigation systems for cardiac interventions, is based on a measurement of the marker's size and distance between them and followed by a comparison with the referenced catheter position. Preliminary experiments made with a simple phantom are presented, emphasizing the ability of the new technique in measuring the markers and the catheter tip 3D position. An overall maximum error in positioning markers and catheter tip below 12% has been obtained, yielding a promising result for continuing the future work of improving the algorithm accuracy.

Date Published: 16 March 2009
PDF: 4 pages
Proc. SPIE 7261, Medical Imaging 2009: Visualization, Image-Guided Procedures, and Modeling, 72611Y (16 March 2009); doi: 10.1117/12.811036

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7261:
Medical Imaging 2009: Visualization, Image-Guided Procedures, and Modeling
Michael I. Miga; Kenneth H. Wong, Editor(s)