UCLA researchers in the Department of Radiology have developed an automated computer system for defining a “Safe Zone” for chest device placement, simplifying the process for implementing new generations of life saving devices.
BACKGROUND:
The development of pace maker devices in the 1950s acted as a herald for scientific advances of cardiac devices to prolong life. The proper placement of these devices is paramount in their function, and the slightest misplacement could be fatal. It is therefore unsurprising that chest radiography occupies a significant workload for diagnostic radiology departments in general hospitals. Tubing (i.e. ventilator support), clamps, and syringes are often imaged during routine radiographic examination to determine any possible complications.
With the development of new devices, the correct identification of margins of safety for placement determines the effectivity of the devices and ensures their safety. When new devices are invented, they are often variations of previous inventions, but these may need experienced radiologists to determine new margins of safety for placement. This is often a time-consuming process, and with a heavily burdened diagnostic radiology department, may lead the incorrect identification of safety margins in placement.
INNOVATION:
UCLA researchers in the Department of Radiology have developed an automated computer system for defining a “Safe Zone” for chest device placement, simplifying the process for implementing new generations of life saving devices. The Safe Zone is computed through common anatomic landmarks of device placement using AI technology. The program has been demonstrated with the placement of endotracheal (ET) and nasogastric (NG) tubes on chest x-ray images. Medical literature cites placement of ET tubes based on two anatomical landmarks: the carina and middle of the trachea. Due to the nature of the developed program, the Safe Zone is modeled as an image region relative to these anatomic landmarks and can be computed. The computational output is a set of pixels that represents the Safe Zone as a green box, which medical professionals can use to guide the correct placement of devices. This device could significantly streamline the implementation of new generations of life saving chest devices and streamline common radiographic examinations in general hospitals.
POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS:
•The automated identification of margins of safety for chest device placement
• The faster implementation of new generations of chest devices that have not had the identification of safety margins performed
ADVANTAGES:
• The use of anatomical landmarks for the identification of the Safety Zone, allows for more patient to patient identification without risking life threatening complications
• The only software of its kind
DEVELOPMENT-TO-DATE:
The device has been demonstrated in practice with the placement of endotracheal (ET) and nasogastric (NG) tubes, agreeing with medical literature placement.
RELATED PAPERS:
• Ramakrishna B, Brown MS, Goldin JG, Cagnon CH, Enzmann DR M.D. Catheter detection and classification on chest radiographs: an automated prototype computer-aided detection (CAD) system for radiologists. Proc. SPIE 7963, Medical Imaging 2011: Computer-Aided Diagnosis, 796333 (9 March 2011); doi: 10.1117/12.878172.
• Ramakrishna B, Brown MS, Goldin JG, Cagnon CH, Enzmann DR M.D. An improved automatic computer aided tube detection and labeling system on chest radiographs. Paper 8315-26 SPIE Medical Imaging Conference 2012, Vol. 8315, DOI: 10.1117/12.911839.