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Gastrointestinal Tract Unraveling with Curved Cross-Sections
UIRF #: 98055; Inventors: Dr. G. Wang, Dr. E. McFarland, Dr. B. Brown, Dr. Z. Zhang, and Dr. M.
Vannier
Background:
Colon carcinoma ranks as the second leading cause of cancer fatalities in the United States. Breakthroughs in
diagnosis and treatment have been made using spiral computed tomography (CT) which relies on a two-step
process of navigation and visualization within the curvilinear colon path. Unraveling the gastrointestinal (GI)
tract, despite sounding like a painful experience, refers to the straightening and flattening of the convoluted
colon via computerized post-processing. Early methods using spiral CT colography (CTC) involved
interpreting individual slice based images and then progressed to using planar cross-sections orthogonal to the
central path of the tubular colon structure that provided direct visualization without the need of invasive
navigation. However, each image plane required continuous resampling as it moved along the convoluted colon
path resulting in discontinuities, unwanted artifacts, and in worst cases misdiagnosed cancerous polyps.
Researchers at the University of Iowa have developed a novel method for CTC that unfolds the colon using
curved cross-sections and projects the mucosal surface into a plane. The result is a consistent and innovative
approach to unfolding the GI tract that provides faster imaging without significant artifacts or imaging
distortions.
Technological Description:
Previous CTC methods used in virtual colonoscopy that involved unraveling the GI tract were limited due to the
complicated colon central path that required tedious navigation. Researchers at the University of Iowa have
alleviated these limitations by developing a method that forms curved cross-sections formed by applying an
electrical field along the colon path. This “soft” straightening technique overcomes the limitations found with
previous cross planar sections because they are curved such that each portion does not conflict with the
subsequent section, thus negating the need for constant resampling. Each structure within the colon is digitally
straightened by the curved cross-sections and then projects the mucosal surface over the plane.
Technological Advantages:
NOVEL UNRAVELING MECHANISM: This technology allows for undistorted and smooth expression
within the GI tract in a newspaper-like view without the significant artifacts. The curved cross-sections are
defined by electrical force lines that lead to consistent unraveling.
REDUCES CHANCES OF MISDIAGNOSIS: A CTC experiment, using this technology, was done by digitally
implanting two simulated polyps into a patient’s colon. In addition, the patient had an existing polyp. The
curved cross-sections formed from the electrical field method produced continuous flattened image volumes of
the colon with all three polyps clearly shown.
Patent:
Curved cross-section based system and method for gastrointestinal tract unraveling;
www.google.com/patents/US6212420
Publications:
Wang G, McFarland EG, Brown BP, Vannier MW: GI tract unraveling with curved cross-sections. IEEE
Transactions on Medical Imaging 17:318-322, 1998
This and other relevant papers can be downloaded at: http://www.imaging.sbes.vt.edu/publications