Development of a low-cost hardware accelerator for 3D image registration

描述(由申请人提供)：我们的总体目标是开发一种新颖的计算解决方案，用于在1分钟或更短的时间内自动和准确地配准(空间对齐)任何形态和任何解剖结构(刚性或可变形)的三维(3D)医学图像。这种能力目前还不存在。现有的图像配准解决方案具有有限的准确性和/或有限的适用性，阻碍了广泛和常规的临床应用。在先前重要的学术研究的基础上，我们论证了在该项目的第一阶段创建拟议技术的可行性。我们现在建议创建一个全功能的交钥匙原型-一种紧凑、相对低成本(制造成本约为20,000美元)的PC板-硬件加速图像配准，最终目标是实现商业化。图像配准是现代医学的一项基本需求--这一需求仍未得到满足。在融合具有互补信息的图像或减去不同时间拍摄的图像以量化解剖/生理变化之前，这是必要的第一步。当从许多主题的图像创建基于人口的地图集时，这也是必不可少的。图像配准还有许多其他应用，包括在一系列新兴的微创图像引导介入治疗中对准手术前和术中图像，特别是那些治疗癌症的介入治疗。我们第二阶段的4个具体目标是：(1)创建1分钟图像配准的完全集成的原型；(2)开发便于第三方集成和技术演示的软件；(3)进行PACS(图像档案和通信系统)集成并分析企业范围的利用率；以及(4)开发高影响力的模型应用程序。这些目标将继续在第一阶段取得的进展，并有助于创建一种经过临床测试和可行的多用途图像配准计算技术。拟议的第二阶段工作还将使我们处于有利地位，以确保私人资本和许可协议，并追求商业化。我们提议的低成本、超快、易于使用和准确的计算解决方案承诺在几乎所有临床学科中释放医学图像配准的全部潜力，包括放射学、肿瘤学、神经学和心脏病学。 公共卫生相关性：结合2个或更多不同类型的医学图像，可以提供更准确的患者病情信息。比较不同时间拍摄的图像有助于监测疾病对治疗的反应。在任何一种情况下，图像配准(对齐)都是关键的第一步。目前的图像配准方法速度慢、复杂、繁琐，实用性有限。我们建议开发适用于大多数器官和图像类型的自动、高速、三维配准能力。我们论证了在第一阶段创建这种技术的可行性。我们建议在第二阶段全面开发和广泛的临床演示。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Our overall goal is to develop a novel computing solution for automatic and accurate registration (spatial alignment) of 3-dimensional (3D) medical images of any modality and any anatomy (rigid or deformable) in 1 minute or less. Such capability currently does not exist. Existing image registration solutions have limited accuracy and/or limited applicability, preventing wide and routine clinical use. Building on significant prior academic research, we demonstrated the feasibility of creating the proposed technology in Phase I of this project. We now propose to create a fully functional turnkey prototype-a compact, relatively low-cost (manufacturing cost: ~$20,000) PC board-of hardware- accelerated image registration, with commercialization as the ultimate goal. Image registration is a fundamental need in modern medicine-a need that remains unmet. It is the necessary first step before images with complementary information can be fused or images taken at different times can be subtracted to quantify anatomic/physiologic changes. It is also essential when creating a population- based atlas from images of many subjects. Image registration has numerous other applications, including the registration of pre- and intra-operative images in a host of emerging minimally invasive image-guided interventions, especially those to treat cancer. Our 4 specific aims for Phase II are to: (1) create a fully integrated prototype of 1-min image registration; (2) develop software for convenient third-party integration and technology demonstration; (3) perform PACS (picture archival and communication system) integration and analyze enterprise-wide utilization; and (4) develop high- impact model applications. These aims will continue the progress made in Phase I and help create a clinically tested and viable multipurpose image registration computing technology. The proposed Phase II work will also put us in a strong position to secure private capital and licensing agreements and pursue commercialization. Our proposed low-cost, ultrafast, easy-to-use, and accurate computing solution promises to unlock the full potential of medical image registration in virtually all clinical disciplines, including radiology, oncology, neurology, and cardiology. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Combining 2 or more medical images of different types gives more precise information on a patient's condition. Comparing images taken at different times helps monitor how a disease is responding to treatment. In either case, image registration (alignment) is the crucial first step. Current image registration methods are slow, complex, and tedious, with limited practical applicability. We propose developing automatic, high-speed, 3-dimensional registration capabilities that are applicable to most organs and image types. We demonstrated the feasibility of creating such a technology in Phase I. We propose its full development and extensive clinical demonstration in Phase II.