Reduction of Radiation Exposure during Endovascular Treatment of Peripheral Arterial Disease Combining Fiber Optic RealShape Technology and Intravascular Ultrasound
April 21st, 2023
Described here is a stepwise method of combining Fiber Optic RealShape technology and intravascular ultrasound to show the potential of merging both techniques, in view of the reduction of radiation exposure and improvement of navigation tasks and treatment success during an endovascular procedure for the treatment of peripheral arterial disease.
Overview
This article presents a method for combining Fiber Optic RealShape (FORS) technology with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) to enhance endovascular procedures for peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The integration aims to reduce radiation exposure and improve navigation and treatment outcomes.
Key Study Components
Area of Science
- Endovascular treatment
- Imaging technologies
- Peripheral arterial disease
Background
- Endovascular treatment has replaced open surgery for PAD.
- Traditional imaging methods like fluoroscopy have limitations, including 2D imaging and radiation exposure.
- New technologies are needed to enhance navigation and reduce risks during procedures.
- FORS provides 3D visualization using laser light, while IVUS optimally assesses vessel dimensions.
Purpose of Study
- To demonstrate the feasibility of merging FORS and IVUS technologies.
- To reduce radiation exposure during endovascular procedures.
- To improve navigation tasks and treatment success rates.
Methods Used
- Case study of a 65-year-old male with PAD.
- Stepwise protocol including vessel segmentation and volume registration.
- Combination of FORS and IVUS for real-time imaging and assessment.
- Pre- and post-treatment measurements to evaluate outcomes.
Main Results
- Successful integration of FORS and IVUS technologies.
- Reduction in radiation exposure during the procedure.
- Improved accuracy in assessing vessel dimensions and treatment efficacy.
- Enhanced navigation capabilities during endovascular interventions.
Conclusions
- The combination of FORS and IVUS shows promise for safer and more effective endovascular treatments.
- Further studies are needed to validate these findings in larger populations.
- This approach could set a new standard in the management of peripheral arterial disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Executive Industry Relevance
Chronic radiation exposure during endovascular procedures presents a significant occupational hazard for interventional teams, impacting long-term workforce health and operational sustainability. The integration of Fiber Optic RealShape (FORS) technology with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) directly addresses this challenge by enabling precise, real-time navigation and vessel assessment with minimal radiation and no contrast agent. This combined imaging approach supports safer, more reproducible interventions and informs risk-adjusted advancement decisions in device and procedural innovation portfolios.
Strategic Applications in Biopharma R&D
Early Discovery & Target Validation
- Enables mechanistic de-risking of device navigation and vessel targeting in preclinical vascular models.
- Supports functional validation of imaging-guided intervention strategies for device development.
- Improves predictive confidence in procedural outcomes by providing quantitative vessel measurements.
Screening & Assay Development
- Facilitates standardization of vascular imaging endpoints for device and procedural screening workflows.
- Delivers reproducible, quantitative outputs for vessel diameter and morphology assessment.
- Reduces confounding variables by minimizing radiation and contrast exposure during assay development.
Translational & Preclinical Research
- Aligns imaging modalities with disease-relevant vascular models for translational continuity.
- Enables objective, quantitative assessment of intervention efficacy across preclinical studies.
- Supports risk-adjusted go/no-go decisions for advancing imaging-guided therapies.
Pipeline & Workflow Integration
This combined imaging method fits within the continuum from early device discovery through preclinical validation and translational research in vascular intervention.
- Discovery Biology: Provides a platform for hypothesis testing of navigation and vessel targeting strategies.
- Screening: Offers reproducible, quantitative imaging endpoints for device and procedural screening.
- Analytics: Enables direct measurement of vessel diameter, cross-sectional area, and treatment effect.
- Translational Research: Bridges preclinical and clinical imaging workflows by reducing radiation and contrast requirements.
- Enterprise Reuse: Establishes a reusable imaging capability for diverse vascular intervention studies.
Operational & Enterprise Impact
- Scientific Value: Increases predictive confidence and reduces mechanistic ambiguity in vascular intervention studies.
- Operational Value: Standardizes imaging workflows and minimizes operator radiation exposure.
- Strategic Value: Enables safer, more efficient procedural development and supports capital-efficient portfolio advancement.
- Portfolio Impact: Informs risk-adjusted prioritization of imaging-guided device and procedural innovations.
Implementation Considerations
- Requires expertise in advanced vascular imaging and device navigation.
- Demands access to FORS-enabled devices, IVUS systems, and compatible analytical infrastructure.
- Necessitates cross-team standardization of imaging protocols and data interpretation.
- May require adaptation for use in different vascular models or anatomical contexts.
- Dependent on availability of compatible guidewires and catheters for full workflow integration.
Biopharma FAQs
Chapters in this video
0:21
Introduction
4:25
Vessel Segmentation
5:17
Volume Registration
6:51
FORS Shape Registration
7:44
Endovascular Navigation
8:51
Pre-PTA IVUS Diameter Measurements
9:11
PTA Treatment
9:50
Post-PTA IVUS Diameter Measurements
10:02
Pressure Measurements
10:28
Representative Results
12:38
Conclusion
