Vascular branch characterization
An apparatus and method for characterizing a region of interest (ROI) including measuring position and orientation data within the ROI; and generating a geometric data set to include one or more of: length, bifurcation location, angle and curvature characteristics of the ROI. Also, sequentially taking an image of a tool within the ROI; comparing tool dimensions with ROI dimensions; and estimating diameter, length, take-off angle, and/or tortuosity characteristics based on the comparisons.
1. A method for characterizing a region of interest (ROI) and providing therapy comprising:
positioning a tool within a region of interest (ROI), wherein the tool includes an electromagnetic sensor;
measuring one or more position data and orientation data as the electromagnetic sensor travels within the ROI, wherein the measuring comprises confirming at least one dimensional value associated with the ROI by counting number of pixels depicted within at least one branch boundary of the ROI on a visual image of the ROI;
generating a geometric data set of the ROI based on the measured one or more position data and orientation data, wherein the geometric data set includes one or more of the following: length, bifurcation location, angle and curvature characteristics of the ROI;
determining at least one of a size of a lead for permanent placement within the ROI, or a location within the ROI for permanent placement of the lead;
implanting the lead within the ROI based on the geometric data set; and
activating the lead to provide therapy to the ROI.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising measuring the one or more position data and orientation data at intervals of spatial increments, angular increments or temporal increments.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising calculating the one or more length, bifurcation location, angle and curvature characteristics of the ROI by integration in 3-dimensions (3D), either through piecewise or continuous 3D integration.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tool is one of the following: a catheter, a guidewire, a lead or a stylet.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the ROI comprises one or more of the following: cardiac veins, cardiac arteries, cerebral veins, cerebral arteries, peripheral veins, peripheral arteries, hepatic veins, hepatic arteries, renal arteries and renal veins.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising making at least one mark on a map corresponding to the geometric data set to indicate at least one junction between two branches of the ROI.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein one of the at least one mark indicates that the tool leaving a first of the two branches is unable to enter a second of the two branches.