Ute Morgenstern

Mathematical modelling of ventilation mechanics

Routine application of ‘rule of thumb’ parameter sets in clinical practice pushes model visions to the background, including the complete framework of assumptions, simplifications, suppositions and conditions. But: models can be a very strong tool, when applied selectively — that means, with a clear idea of destination, definition, parameter selection and verification.This article discusses universal issues of modelling — based on ventilation mechanics models in intensive care medicine.

Evaluation of the clinical practicability of intraoperative optical imaging comparing three different camera setups.

Abstract Intraoperative optical imaging (IOI) is a method to visualize functional activated brain areas during brain surgery using a camera system connected to a standard operating microscope. Three different high-resolution camera systems (Hamamatsu EB-CCD C7190-13W, Hamamatsu C4742-96-12G04, and Zeiss AxioCam MRm) have been evaluated for suitability to detect activated brain areas by detecting stimulation-dependent blood volume changes in the somatosensory cerebral cortex after median nerve stimulation. The image quality of the camera systems was evaluated in 14 patients with tumors around the somatosensory cortex. The intraoperative images of the brain surface were continuously recorded over 9 min. With all three camera systems, the activity maps of the median nerve area could be visualized. The image quality of a highly sensitive electron-bombarded camera was up to 10-fold lower compared with two less sensitive standard cameras. In each IOI-positive case, the activated area was in accordance with the anatomical and neurophysiological location of the corresponding cortex. The technique was found to be very sensitive, and several negative influencing factors were identified. However, all possible artifacts seem to be controllable in the majority of the cases, and the IOI method could be well adapted for routine clinical use. Nevertheless, further systematic studies are needed to demonstrate the reliability and validity of the method.

Intraoperative optical imaging of functional brain areas for improved image-guided surgery.

Abstract Intraoperative optical imaging of intrinsic signals can improve the localization of functional areas of the cortex. On the basis of a review of the current state of technology, a setup was developed and evaluated. The aim was to implement an easy-to-use and robust imaging setup that can be used in clinical routine with standard hardware equipment (surgical microscope, high-resolution camera, stimulator for peripheral nerve stimulation) and custom-made software for intraoperative and postoperative data analysis. Evaluation of different light sources (halogen, xenon) showed a sufficient temporal behavior of xenon light without using a stabilized power supply. Spatial binning (2×2) of the camera reduces temporal variations in the images by preserving a high spatial resolution. The setup was tested in eight patients. Images were acquired continuously for 9 min with alternating 30-s rest and 30-s stimulation conditions. Intraoperative measurement and visualization of high-resolution two-dimensional activity maps could be achieved in <15 min. The detected functional regions corresponded with anatomical and electrophysiological validation. The integration of optical imaging in clinical routine could successfully be achieved using standard hardware, which improves guidance for the surgeon during interventions near the eloquent areas of the brain.

Improved visualization of intracranial vessels with intraoperative coregistration of rotational digital subtraction angiography and intraoperative 3D ultrasound.

Introduction Ultrasound can visualize and update the vessel status in real time during cerebral vascular surgery. We studied the depiction of parent vessels and aneurysms with a high-resolution 3D intraoperative ultrasound imaging system during aneurysm clipping using rotational digital subtraction angiography as a reference. Methods We analyzed 3D intraoperative ultrasound in 39 patients with cerebral aneurysms to visualize the aneurysm intraoperatively and the nearby vascular tree before and after clipping. Simultaneous coregistration of preoperative subtraction angiography data with 3D intraoperative ultrasound was performed to verify the anatomical assignment. Results Intraoperative ultrasound detected 35 of 43 aneurysms (81%) in 39 patients. Thirty-nine intraoperative ultrasound measurements were matched with rotational digital subtraction angiography and were successfully reconstructed during the procedure. In 7 patients, the aneurysm was partially visualized by 3D-ioUS or was not in field of view. Post-clipping intraoperative ultrasound was obtained in 26 and successfully reconstructed in 18 patients (69%) despite clip related artefacts. The overlap between 3D-ioUS aneurysm volume and preoperative rDSA aneurysm volume resulted in a mean accuracy of 0.71 (Dice coefficient). Conclusions Intraoperative coregistration of 3D intraoperative ultrasound data with preoperative rotational digital subtraction angiography is possible with high accuracy. It allows the immediate visualization of vessels beyond the microscopic field, as well as parallel assessment of blood velocity, aneurysm and vascular tree configuration. Although spatial resolution is lower than for standard angiography, the method provides an excellent vascular overview, advantageous interpretation of 3D-ioUS and immediate intraoperative feedback of the vascular status. A prerequisite for understanding vascular intraoperative ultrasound is image quality and a successful match with preoperative rotational digital subtraction angiography.

Assessment of dynamic changes in cerebral autoregulation.

Abstract Cerebral autoregulation (CA) is a control mechanism that adjusts cerebral vasomotor tone in response to changes in arterial blood pressure (ABP) to ensure a nearly constant cerebral blood flow. Patient treatment could be optimized if CA monitoring were possible. Whereas the concept of static CA assessment is simply based on comparison of mean values obtained from two stationary states (e.g., before and after a pressure change), the evaluation of dynamic CA is more complex. Among other methods, moving cross-correlation analysis of slow waves in ABP and cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) seems to be appropriate to monitor CA quasi-continuously. The calculation of an “instantaneous transfer function” between ABP and CBFV oscillations in the low-frequency band using the Wigner-Ville distribution may represent an acceptable compromise in time-frequency resolution for continuous CA monitoring.

Quantitative fluorescence angiography for neurosurgical interventions.

Abstract Present methods for quantitative measurement of cerebral perfusion during neurosurgical operations require additional technology for measurement, data acquisition, and processing. This study used conventional fluorescence video angiography – as an established method to visualize blood flow in brain vessels – enhanced by a quantifying perfusion software tool. For these purposes, the fluorescence dye indocyanine green is given intravenously, and after activation by a near-infrared light source the fluorescence signal is recorded. Video data are analyzed by software algorithms to allow quantification of the blood flow. Additionally, perfusion is measured intraoperatively by a reference system. Furthermore, comparing reference measurements using a flow phantom were performed to verify the quantitative blood flow results of the software and to validate the software algorithm. Analysis of intraoperative video data provides characteristic biological parameters. These parameters were implemented in the special flow phantom for experimental validation of the developed software algorithms. Furthermore, various factors that influence the determination of perfusion parameters were analyzed by means of mathematical simulation. Comparing patient measurement, phantom experiment, and computer simulation under certain conditions (variable frame rate, vessel diameter, etc.), the results of the software algorithms are within the range of parameter accuracy of the reference methods. Therefore, the software algorithm for calculating cortical perfusion parameters from video data presents a helpful intraoperative tool without complex additional measurement technology.

A new Imaging Data Fusion System for Application in Neurosurgery and Multimodality Phantoms for System Evaluation

A new system has been developed to register imaging data from different modalities (CT, MRI, ultrasound, angiography, DTI, fMRI, and others) and afterwards to process and to visualise these data on an autostereoscopic 3D-display with the possibility to navigate interactively with a 3D-mouse in the virtual data space. The system shall be used in operation planning and intraoperative navigation in neurosurgery. To determine the precision of the image processing, the visualisation and the navigation processes, a deformable head phantom with simulated tumour objects for multimodality imaging is developed.

Assessment of visual function during brain surgery near the visual cortex by intraoperative optical imaging

Abstract Several functional brain imaging and mapping techniques have been used for the intraoperative identification and preservation of the sensory, motor, and speech areas of the brain. However, intraoperative monitoring and mapping of the visual function is less frequently performed in the clinical routine. To our knowledge, here we demonstrate for the first time that the individual visual cortex can be mapped to the brain surface using a contact-free optical camera system during brain surgery. Intraoperative optical imaging (IOI) was performed by visual stimulation of both eyes using stobe-light flashes. Images were acquired by a camera mounted to a standard surgical microscope. Activity maps could reproducibly be computed by detecting the blood volume-dependent signal changes of the exposed cortex. To the preliminary experience, the new technique seems to be suitable for mapping the visual function in any neurosurgical intervention that requires exposure of the visual cortex. However, the clinical relevance and reliability of the technique need to be confirmed in further studies.

Evaluation of intraoperative optical imaging analysis methods by phantom and patient measurements.

Abstract Intraoperative optical imaging (IOI) is a localization method for functional areas of the human brain cortex during neurosurgical procedures. The aim of the current work was to develop of a new analysis technique for the computation of two-dimensional IOI activity maps that is suited especially for use in clinical routine. The new analysis technique includes a stimulation scheme that comprises 30-s rest and 30-s stimulation conditions, in connection with pixelwise spectral power analysis for activity map calculation. A software phantom was used for verification of the implemented algorithms as well as for the comparison with the commonly used relative difference imaging method. Furthermore, the analysis technique was tested using intraoperative measurements on eight patients. The comparison with the relative difference algorithm revealed an averaged improvement of the signal-to-noise ratio between 95% and 130% for activity maps computed from intraoperatively acquired patient datasets. The results show that the new imaging technique improves the activity map quality of IOI especially under difficult intraoperative imaging conditions and is therefore especially suited for use in clinical routine.

Autostereoscopic 3D visualization and image processing system for neurosurgery

Abstract A demonstrator system for planning neurosurgical procedures was developed based on commercial hardware and software. The system combines an easy-to-use environment for surgical planning with high-end visualization and the opportunity to analyze data sets for research purposes. The demonstrator system is based on the software AMIRA. Specific algorithms for segmentation, elastic registration, and visualization have been implemented and adapted to the clinical workflow. Modules from AMIRA and the image processing library Insight Segmentation and Registration Toolkit (ITK) can be combined to solve various image processing tasks. Customized modules tailored to specific clinical problems can easily be implemented using the AMIRA application programming interface and a self-developed framework for ITK filters. Visualization is done via autostereoscopic displays, which provide a 3D impression without viewing aids. A Spaceball device allows a comfortable, intuitive way of navigation in the data sets. Via an interface to a neurosurgical navigation system, the demonstrator system can be used intraoperatively. The precision, applicability, and benefit of the demonstrator system for planning of neurosurgical interventions and for neurosurgical research were successfully evaluated by neurosurgeons using phantom and patient data sets.