Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Enhanced System for Catheter Navigation and Visualization

Publication ID: 24-11857276_0006_PTD
Published: November 07, 2025
Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Enhanced System for Catheter Navigation and Visualization,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857276_0006_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857276_0006_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,276.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

An improved system for navigating and visualizing catheters within a patient's airways, providing real-time feedback and dynamic adjustments to ensure accurate targeting.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent disclosed a system for displaying an alignment CT, but it had limitations in terms of accuracy and efficiency. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing dynamic adjustments and real-time feedback, enabling clinicians to perform diagnoses and surgeries with greater precision.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The enhanced system comprises a catheter navigable within a patient's airways and a computing device operably coupled to the catheter. The computing device generates a 3D model of the patient's airways and provides real-time feedback to the user on the catheter's alignment with the target location. The system dynamically adjusts the catheter's trajectory based on the 3D model and CT image data, ensuring accurate targeting. The system also displays the 3D model on a display device with a highlighted catheter path to the target location, which is updated in real-time based on the catheter's movement.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce the concept of dynamic adjustments and real-time feedback, which is not present in the original patent. The inventive step lies in the integration of the 3D model, CT image data, and real-time feedback to ensure accurate targeting and efficient navigation.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include the use of different imaging modalities, such as MRI or ultrasound, or the integration of additional sensors to provide more accurate navigation. Variations of the system could also include different user interfaces or display devices to enhance the user experience.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The enhanced system has significant commercial potential in the medical device industry, particularly in the fields of pulmonology, cardiology, and interventional radiology. The system could be marketed as a premium product, offering improved accuracy and efficiency for clinicians, and ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61B34/20
A A61 A61B34/25
A A61 A61B90/37
G G06 G06T15/00
A A61 A61B1/018
A A61 A61B1/2676
A A61 A61B10/02
A A61 A61B2017/00809
A A61 A61B2034/107
A A61 A61B2034/2051
A A61 A61B2034/2055
A A61 A61B2034/2061
A A61 A61B2034/2065
A A61 A61B2034/2068
A A61 A61B2034/2072
A A61 A61B2090/367
A A61 A61B2090/3925
A A61 A61M2025/0166

Field of Art

Medical imaging and interventional navigation systems, specifically focusing on catheter guidance and 3D visualization techniques for minimally invasive medical procedures

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer or medical imaging specialist with expertise in CT imaging, 3D rendering, medical device navigation, and computer-assisted surgical technologies, holding advanced degrees in biomedical engineering or medical imaging

Obviousness Rationale

A person of ordinary skill would recognize that the PTD's dynamic 3D navigation and real-time feedback represent predictable extensions of the source patent's fundamental catheter navigation and visualization framework. The core technical solution of generating 3D airway models and guiding catheter placement remains consistent, with the PTD introducing incremental improvements in real-time tracking and trajectory adjustment that would be obvious to a skilled practitioner seeking enhanced precision in medical navigation systems.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
3D rendering of patient's airways using voxel density transfer functions
PTD Variation
Dynamic real-time adjustment of 3D model based on catheter movement
Obviousness Reasoning
Predictable application of known tracking technologies to improve navigation precision, representing a routine optimization for medical imaging systems
Source Patent Element
Catheter navigation within patient airways
PTD Variation
Real-time feedback mechanism displaying catheter alignment with target location
Obviousness Reasoning
Known technique of integrating sensor data and visual guidance to enhance procedural accuracy, representing an obvious design improvement
Source Patent Element
CT image-based visualization system
PTD Variation
Highlighted catheter path updated dynamically during navigation
Obviousness Reasoning
Finite identified solution for improving spatial understanding, utilizing standard computer graphics techniques familiar to medical imaging professionals
Source Patent Element
Three-dimensional rendering of anatomical structures
PTD Variation
Integration of multiple imaging modalities for enhanced navigation
Obviousness Reasoning
Obvious extension of existing visualization techniques, representing a standard approach to improving medical imaging system capabilities
Source Patent Element
Surgical navigation computing device
PTD Variation
Automatic trajectory adjustment based on predetermined alignment thresholds
Obviousness Reasoning
Predictable algorithmic enhancement using known control system principles, representing a routine optimization of navigation technologies
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. ยง 103, the variations disclosed in this publication would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time of invention, as they represent predictable extensions of the fundamental navigation and visualization techniques disclosed in US Patent 11857276, combining known methods to achieve foreseeable improvements in medical imaging and catheter guidance technologies.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,276
TitleSystem and method for displaying an alignment CT
Assignee(s)Covidien LP