A method, apparatus, and system for identifying abnormalities in myocardial regions.

Abstract

A method (300), apparatus (108), and system (100) for identifying at least one blood vessel contributing to an abnormality in a myocardial region. In one aspect, the method (300) includes receiving a medical image associated with a myocardial region from a medical imaging device (108). The method further includes identifying an abnormal region in the myocardial region from the medical image. Additionally, the method includes generating a simulation of a plurality of blood vessels associated with the myocardial region. Furthermore, the method includes identifying at least one blood vessel contributing to the abnormality in the myocardial region from the simulated blood vessels, wherein the at least one blood vessel is associated with the abnormal region in the myocardial region.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a method, apparatus and system for determining an abnormality in a myocardial region. In particular, the present invention relates to a method, apparatus and system for determining a blood vessel contributing to an abnormality in a myocardial region. BACKGROUND

[0002] Perfusion is the passage of fluid through a circulatory system or lymphatic system to an organ or tissue. Perfusion is an important phenomenon for the supply of blood to the capillary bed in tissues and organs. Poor perfusion or ischemia can lead to various complications such as coronary heart disease, deep vein thrombosis, etc. Myocardial perfusion studies based on medical imaging are used for diagnosing abnormalities in myocardium such as myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, myocardial thickening, etc. Perfusion studies provide information related to the perfused region in the myocardium. However, perfusion studies can not easily provide information about which coronary arteries can contribute to a potential abnormality in a myocardial region. Perfusion studies can require a physician to manually identify one or more coronary arteries that can contribute to ischemia.

[0003] Currently, there is no method for automatically detecting a blood vessel that can contribute to an abnormality in a myocardial region during perfusion assessment. SUMMARY

[0004] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method, apparatus and system that enables accurate automatic determination of one or more blood vessels that contribute to an abnormal region in a myocardial region.

[0005] In one aspect, the present invention achieves this object by a method for determining at least one blood vessel that contributes to an abnormality in a myocardial region. The method comprises receiving a medical image associated with a myocardial region. The medical image can be received from a medical imaging apparatus configured to acquire a plurality of medical images associated with a patient. The medical imaging apparatus can include, for example, but not limited to, a computed tomography apparatus, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, an X-ray imaging apparatus, an ultrasound imaging apparatus, etc. The medical image can include one or more objects associated with the patient. The object can particularly be a myocardial region associated with the patient. The method further comprises identifying an abnormal region in the myocardial region from the medical image. The abnormality can be due to poor perfusion or ischemia in the myocardial region. The abnormality can be, for example, a myocardial infarction or any other heart disease.

[0006] The method further comprises generating a simulation of the plurality of blood vessels associated with the myocardial region. For example, the simulation can be generated using a simulation model. The simulation can consist of, for example, a 3-dimensional model of the plurality of blood vessels associated with the myocardial region. Simulating the blood vessels enables identification of at least one blood vessel that can have contributed to the abnormality in the myocardial region. The method further comprises determining, from the simulated blood vessels, at least one blood vessel that has contributed to the abnormality in the myocardial region. In an embodiment, the at least one blood vessel can be associated with the abnormal region in the myocardial region. Advantageously, the present invention enables accurate identification of the at least one blood vessel that has contributed to the abnormality in the myocardial region. Thus, a manual step of identifying the at least one blood vessel is eliminated.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, identifying the abnormal region in the myocardial region comprises obtaining medical data associated with the myocardial region from a medical database. The medical data can comprise, for example, a geometric representation of the myocardial region, a plurality of image segmentation information associated with the myocardial region, and the like. The image segmentation information can further be associated with at least one nomenclature of segments in the myocardial region. In an embodiment, the image segmentation information can be standard segmentation information associated with the myocardial region. The method further comprises determining, from the medical image, an abnormal point. In an embodiment, the medical image can depict the abnormal point in the myocardial region based on one or more perfusion details associated with the imaged myocardial region. For example, a region in the myocardial region having poor perfusion can appear different from a region having advanced / optimal perfusion.

[0008] The method further comprises mapping the abnormal point in the medical image with the medical data associated with the myocardial region. Mapping the abnormal point with the medical data enables accurate identification of the abnormal region in the myocardial region. For example, the abnormal point can be located within a particular region of the myocardium. The mapping can comprise, for example, mapping the abnormal point identified from the medical image onto the geometric representation of the myocardium obtained from the medical database. In an embodiment, the medical image can also include anatomical information related to the imaged region of the myocardium. The anatomical information of the imaged region further enables accurate mapping of the abnormal point in the myocardial region with the geometric representation of the myocardium from the medical database. The method further comprises determining, based on the mapping, the abnormal region in the myocardium. Advantageously, the present invention enables efficient and accurate determination of the affected region in the myocardium. Thus, any errors in the treatment process are avoided.

[0009] According to another embodiment, generating the simulation of the plurality of blood vessels comprises determining the plurality of blood vessels associated with the myocardial region. For example, the plurality of blood vessels can be determined from standard medical data obtained from a medical database. The plurality of blood vessels can be known to be associated with the myocardial region. The plurality of blood vessels can comprise, for example, the left anterior descending (LAD), the right coronary artery (RCA), the left circumflex (LCX), etc. The method further comprises generating a virtual model of the plurality of blood vessels associated with the myocardial region. The virtual model can be a simulation model of the plurality of blood vessels. The virtual model provides information related to the blood vessels that can be associated with an abnormal region in the myocardial region.

[0010] According to an embodiment, generating the simulation of the plurality of blood vessels further comprises generating a mask overlay on the plurality of blood vessels determined to be associated with the myocardial region. In particular, a mask is overlaid on the determined blood vessels such that background image information in the medical data is avoided. The overlay of the mask can generate a negative cast of the myocardium and the associated plurality of blood vessels. The mask overlay enables an accurate segmentation of the plurality of blood vessels while avoiding background image information. The method further comprises segmenting the plurality of blood vessels determined from the mask overlay. The segmented blood vessels can be used to generate a virtual model of the blood vessels. Advantageously, an efficient segmentation of the plurality of blood vessels enables an accurate construction of a virtual model of the blood vessels.

[0011] According to another embodiment, the method further comprises determining a centerline associated with each of the plurality of blood vessels. The centerline of a blood vessel is a middle axis along the tubular structure of the blood vessel. The centerline of a blood vessel enables a determination of a vessel length of the blood vessel. The method further comprises determining a distal end of each blood vessel. The distal end of a blood vessel can be the end farthest from the myocardial region. The method further comprises generating one or more voxels originating from the distal end of each blood vessel. In an embodiment, the one or more voxels can be generated based on one or more neighboring voxels surrounding the centerline of the distal end of the blood vessel. In a further embodiment, the one or more voxels can be generated using a region growing algorithm and a region merging algorithm. The one or more voxels can be generated and added to the distal end of the blood vessel such that the proximal end of each blood vessel reaches / reaches into the myocardial region. The method further comprises generating a virtual model of the plurality of blood vessels based on the generated voxels. Advantageously, the generated virtual model of the blood vessels comprises a distal end and a proximal end. Furthermore, the virtual model is constructed such that the proximal end of the generated blood vessels reaches into the myocardial region in the medical image. Thus, it is enabled to accurately determine the at least one blood vessel contributing to an abnormality in the myocardial region.

[0012] According to yet another embodiment, determining the at least one blood vessel contributing to the abnormality in the myocardial region comprises comparing medical data associated with the myocardial region with the simulated plurality of blood vessels. The comparison is performed to match the medical data and the simulated blood vessels. The medical data can comprise one or more standard details associated with blood vessels connected to the myocardial region. The comparison of the medical data with the simulated blood vessels enables to accurately determine which of the plurality of blood vessels is connected to the myocardial region in the medical image. The method further comprises determining the at least one blood vessel connected to the abnormal region in the myocardial region from the comparison. Advantageously, the accurate determination of the at least one blood vessel contributing to the abnormality enables to timely determine the medical action of the next procedure to be taken for the patient. Thus, undue delay in the course of further medical procedures is avoided. In addition, the manual effort of carefully reading the medical data to determine the blood vessel contributing to the abnormality in the myocardial region is avoided.

[0013] According to an embodiment, the medical image is a 3-dimensional medical image. Thus, volumetric information associated with the myocardial and blood vessels can be obtained.

[0014] According to yet another embodiment, the medical image is at least one of a computed tomography image, an X-ray fluoroscopy image, a magnetic resonance imaging based image, and an ultrasound image.

[0015] The object of the present application is also achieved by a medical imaging device for determining at least one blood vessel contributing to an abnormality in a myocardial region. The device comprises one or more processing units, a scanner unit configured to capture one or more medical images, and a memory coupled to the one or more processing units. The memory comprises modules configured to perform the method steps described above.

[0016] The object of the present application is also achieved by a system for determining at least one blood vessel contributing to an abnormality in a myocardial region. According to an embodiment, the system comprises one or more servers, a medical imaging device coupled to the one or more servers. The one or more servers comprise one or more instructions which, when executed, cause the one or more servers to perform the method steps described above.

[0017] In one aspect, the application relates to a computer program product comprising a computer program loadable into the memory of a system, the computer program comprising program code portions for causing the system to perform the method according to an aspect of the application when the computer program is executed in the system.

[0018] In one aspect, the application relates to a computer readable medium, on which program code parts of a computer program are saved, which program code parts are loadable into a system and / or executable in the system, to cause the system to perform a method according to an aspect of the application when the program code parts are executed in the system.

[0019] Implementing the application by means of a computer program product and / or a computer readable medium has the advantage that already existing management systems can easily be adopted by a software update in order to work as proposed by the application.

[0020] The computer program product can be, for example, a computer program, or comprise another element in addition to the computer program. This other element can be: hardware, such as a memory device on which the computer program is stored, a hardware key for using the computer program, etc.; and / or software, such as a software key or documentation for using the computer program. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] The application will be further described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments shown in the drawings, in which:

[0022] Figure 1 a block diagram of a client-server architecture providing geometric modeling of components representing different parts of a real-world object is illustrated, according to an embodiment of the application.

[0023] Figure 2 a block diagram of a data processing system in which embodiments for determining blood vessels contributing to an abnormality in a myocardial region can be implemented is illustrated.

[0024] Figure 3 a flowchart of a method for determining at least one blood vessel contributing to an abnormality in a myocardial region, according to an embodiment of the application is illustrated.

[0025] Figure 4 a flowchart of a method for identifying an abnormal region in a myocardial region, according to an embodiment of the application is illustrated.

[0026] Figure 5 a flowchart of a method for generating a simulation of a plurality of blood vessels, according to an embodiment of the application is illustrated.

[0027] Figure 6 a flowchart of a method for determining at least one blood vessel contributing to an abnormality in a myocardial region, according to an embodiment of the application is illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] In the following, embodiments for implementing the present application are described in detail. Various embodiments are described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used throughout to designate like elements. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more embodiments. It can be apparent, however, that such embodiments can be practiced without

[0029] Figure 1 A diagram of a block diagram of a client-server architecture according to an embodiment is provided, which is a geometric modeling of components representing different parts of a real-world object. The client-server architecture 100 includes a server 101 and a plurality of client devices 107. Each of the client devices 107 is connected to the server 101 via a network 105, which is, for example, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), WiFi, etc. In one embodiment, the server 101 is deployed in a cloud computing environment. As used herein, a "cloud computing environment" refers to a processing environment that includes configurable computing physical and logical resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, services, etc.) and data distributed over the network 105 (e.g., the Internet). The cloud computing environment provides on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing physical and logical resources. The server 101 can include a medical database 102 that includes medical images and associated medical data sets related to one or more patients maintained by a healthcare service provider. The medical database 102 can further include medical data associated with a myocardial region. The medical data can be further associated with naming and segmentation information associated with the myocardial region and a plurality of blood vessels. The server 101 can include a module 103 configured to determine at least one blood vessel contributing to an abnormality in the myocardial region. Additionally, the server 101 can include a network interface 104 for communicating with the client devices 107 via the network 105.

[0030] The client devices 107 are user devices used by a user (e.g., a medical personnel). In an embodiment, the user devices 107 can be used by the user to receive data associated with the at least one blood vessel contributing to the abnormality in the myocardial region. The user can access the image via a graphical user interface of an end-user web application on the user device 107. In another embodiment, a request to access information associated with the at least one blood vessel can be sent to the server 101 via the network 105. The device 108 can be connected to the server 101 through the network 105. The device 108 can be a medical imaging device 108 capable of acquiring a plurality of medical images. The medical imaging device 108 can be, for example, a computed tomography imaging unit, an x-ray fluoroscopy imaging unit, a magnetic resonance imaging unit, an ultrasound imaging unit, etc.

[0031] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a data processing system 101 in which an embodiment can be implemented, for example, as a system 101 for determining blood vessels contributing to an abnormality in a myocardial region, the system 101 being configured to perform the processes described herein. It should be appreciated that the server 101 is an example of an exemplary implementation of a system in Figure 2 In Figure 2 The data processing system 101 comprises a processing unit 201, a memory 202, a storage unit 203, an input unit 204, an output unit 206, a bus 205 and a network interface 104.

[0032] The processing unit 201 as used herein means any type of computational circuit, such as, but not limited to: a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a complex instruction set computing microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing microprocessor, a very long instruction word microprocessor, an explicitly parallel instruction computing microprocessor, a graphics processing unit, a digital signal processor, or any other type of processing circuit. The processing unit 201 can also comprise an embedded controller, such as a general purpose or programmable logic device or array, an application specific integrated circuit, a single-chip computer, etc.

[0033] The memory 202 can be a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory. The memory 202 can be coupled for communication with the processing unit 201. The processing unit 201 can execute instructions and / or code stored in the memory 202. Various computer-readable storage media can be stored in the memory 202 and can be accessed from the memory 202. The memory 202 can include any suitable elements for storing data and machine-readable instructions, such as read-only memory, random access memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, a hard disk drive, a removable media drive for processing compact discs, digital video discs, floppy disks, magnetic cassettes, memory cards, etc. In the present embodiment, the memory 202 includes the module 103 stored in the form of machine-readable instructions on any of the aforementioned storage media, and can be in communication with and executed by the processor 201. When executed by the processor 201, the module 103 causes the processor 201 to determine at least one blood vessel contributing to an abnormality in a myocardial region. In Figure 3 , 4 , 5 and 6 set out in detail the method steps performed by the processor 201 to implement the above-mentioned functions.

[0034] The storage unit 203 can be a non-transitory storage medium that stores the medical database 102. The medical database 102 is a repository of medical images and associated medical data sets related to one or more patients maintained by a healthcare service provider. The medical database 102 can further include medical data associated with a myocardial region. The medical data can further be associated with naming and segmentation information associated with the myocardial region and a plurality of blood vessels. The input unit 204 can include an input device capable of receiving input signals such as medical images, such as a keyboard, a touch-sensitive display, a camera (such as a camera that receives gesture-based input), and the like. The bus 205 serves as an interconnect between the processor 201, the memory 202, the storage unit 203, the input unit 204, the output unit 206, and the network interface 104.

[0035] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that, Figure 1 The hardware depicted in the preceding block diagram can vary depending on the implementation. For example, other peripheral devices such as optical disk drives, etc., local area network (LAN) / wide area network (WAN) / wireless (e.g., Wi-Fi) adapters, graphics adapters, disk controllers, input / output (I / O) adapters, etc. can be used in addition to or in place of the hardware depicted. The depicted example is provided for the purpose of explanation only and is not meant to imply a limitation of the architecture of the present application.

[0036] The data processing system 101 according to embodiments of the present disclosure includes an operating system that employs a graphical user interface. The operating system allows multiple display windows to be presented simultaneously in the graphical user interface, each of which provides an interface to different applications or to different instances of the same application. A cursor in the graphical user interface can be manipulated by a user through the pointing device. The position of the cursor can be changed and / or an event, such as clicking a mouse button, can be generated to actuate desired responses.

[0037] The disclosed embodiments provide systems and methods for determining abnormalities in a myocardial region. In particular, the systems and methods can determine blood vessels that contribute to abnormalities in a myocardial region.

[0038] Figure 3A flow diagram of a method 300 for determining at least one blood vessel contributing to an abnormality in a myocardial region, according to an embodiment of the present application, is illustrated. The method 300 includes a step 301 of receiving a medical image from a medical imaging device. The medical imaging device can include a computed tomography unit, an X-ray fluoroscopy imaging unit, a magnetic resonance imaging unit, a PET imaging unit, an ultrasound imaging unit, or any other radiological imaging device. The medical image includes imaging information associated with a patient. The imaging information can include, for example, a myocardial region associated with the patient. At step 302, an abnormal region in the myocardial region is identified from the medical image. The abnormal region can indicate a presence of ischemia, i.e., a region of poor perfusion, in the myocardial region. For example, the abnormal region can be identified based on a difference in contrast uptake in a particular region of the myocardium compared to contrast refresh in other regions of the myocardium.

[0039] At step 303, a simulation of a plurality of blood vessels is generated, wherein the plurality of blood vessels are associated with the myocardial region. The plurality of blood vessels can supply blood to the myocardial region for effective functioning of the myocardium. In an embodiment, the simulation of the plurality of blood vessels can be generated using a simulation model. The simulation enables determination of blood vessels that can supply blood to the myocardial region. At step 304, a centerline associated with each of the plurality of blood vessels is determined. The centerline of the blood vessels enables efficient determination of the vessel length of the blood vessels. The simulated blood vessels can present a virtual representation of the blood vessels. Further, it is crucial to determine which of the simulated blood vessels contribute to the abnormality in the myocardial region. Accordingly, the simulated blood vessels can be connected to the myocardial region in the medical image in order to determine the blood vessels that contribute to the abnormality. At step 305, a distal end of the centerline of each blood vessel is identified. The distal end of the blood vessels can be the farthest point of the blood vessels from the myocardial region. From the distal end of the centerline of each blood vessel, one or more voxels can be generated at step 306. The one or more voxels can be generated such that a proximal end of each blood vessel is generated, thereby connecting the simulated blood vessels to the myocardial region. The one or more voxels generated from the distal end of the centerline can be based on a plurality of voxels surrounding the distal end of the blood vessels. In an embodiment, the one or more voxels can be generated using a region growing algorithm and / or a region merging algorithm. The region growing algorithm can use surrounding voxels to generate new voxels and add them to a region if no edges are detected.

[0040] At step 307, a virtual model of the plurality of blood vessels is generated based on the generated one or more voxels. The virtual model of the plurality of blood vessels can enable the proximal end of the blood vessels to be connected to the myocardial region identified in the medical image. At step 308, at least one blood vessel contributing to the abnormal region in the myocardial region is determined from the generated virtual model. In an embodiment, the at least one blood vessel can be a blood vessel that supplies blood to the abnormal region in the myocardial region.

[0041] Figure 4 A flow chart illustrating a method 400 for identifying an abnormal region in a myocardial region is shown. At step 401, medical data associated with the myocardial region is obtained from the medical database 102. The medical data can include, for example, one or more geometric information associated with the myocardial region. The geometric information can be standard information associated with the myocardium that can be used as a reference. Further, the medical data includes image segmentation information and nomenclature information associated with a plurality of blood vessels associated with the myocardial region. The method 400 further includes a step 402 of determining abnormal points from the medical image. The abnormal points can be points on the myocardial region in the medical image that can appear abnormal as compared to the surrounding region of the myocardium. For example, the abnormal points can have different contrast agent uptake as compared to the surrounding region of the abnormal points. At step 403, the abnormal points in the medical image are mapped with the medical data associated with the myocardial region. The mapping of the abnormal points in the medical image enables accurate determination of the abnormal region in the myocardial region. At step 404, the abnormal region in the myocardial region is identified based on the mapping. Further, the mapping of the abnormal points provides a 3-dimensional representation of the abnormal region in the myocardial region.

[0042] Figure 5 A flow chart illustrating a method 500 for generating a simulation of the plurality of blood vessels according to an embodiment of the present application is shown. At step 501, the plurality of blood vessels associated with the myocardial region is determined from the medical data associated with the myocardial region. At step 502, a mask coverage is generated on the plurality of blood vessels. Masking is an image processing technique in which the pixel / voxel intensity of a portion of the image is changed to zero. The mask coverage on the plurality of blood vessels can generate a negative projection of the myocardial region and the associated background image information in the medical image. The masking of the blood vessels can be performed using one or more methods known in the art. At step 503, the masked plurality of blood vessels is segmented. The masking of the plurality of blood vessels enables accurate segmentation of the blood vessels without including the background image information. The segmentation of the plurality of blood vessels can be performed using one or more techniques known in the art. At step 504, a virtual model of the plurality of blood vessels is generated from the segmented plurality of blood vessels. The virtual model can be a 3-dimensional representation of the segmented blood vessels associated with the myocardial region. The virtual model is a simulation of the plurality of blood vessels. Advantageously, the simulation of the blood vessels enables efficient identification of the at least one blood vessel that can contribute to the abnormality in the myocardial region.

[0043] Figure 6A flowchart of a method 600 for determining the at least one blood vessel that contributes to an abnormality in a myocardial region is illustrated. At step 601, a plurality of simulated blood vessels are obtained. At step 602, medical data associated with a myocardial region is received from the medical database 102. At step 603, a comparison is made between the simulated blood vessels and the medical data associated with the myocardial region. The comparison enables identification of the at least one blood vessel that contributes to an abnormality in the myocardial region. At step 604, the at least one blood vessel connected to an abnormal region in the myocardial region. In an embodiment, the at least one blood vessel that contributes to the abnormality can be depicted in a different color from other blood vessels. For example, an enhanced mask can be applied to the at least one blood vessel that contributes to the abnormality.

[0044] An advantage of the present application is that blood vessels that contribute to an abnormality in a myocardial region can be effectively identified. In addition, manual effort to identify contributing blood vessels is avoided. Furthermore, false detection of contributing blood vessels is prevented.

[0045] The above-described embodiments have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present application disclosed herein. While the present application has been described with reference to various embodiments, it is to be understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Furthermore, although the present application has been described with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the present application is not limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the present application extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, can effect numerous modifications thereto and can adapt the teachings of the specification to practice the application in its various aspects without departing from the scope and spirit of the application.

Claims

1. A method (300) for determining at least one blood vessel contributing to an abnormality in a myocardial region, the method comprising: receiving a medical image associated with the myocardial region from a medical imaging device (108); identifying an abnormal region in the myocardial region from the medical image; generating a simulation of a plurality of blood vessels associated with the myocardial region; and determining at least one blood vessel from the simulated blood vessels that contributes to the abnormality in the myocardial region, wherein the at least one blood vessel is associated with the abnormal region in the myocardial region, wherein identifying the abnormal region in the myocardial region comprises: obtaining medical data associated with the myocardial region from a medical database (102); determining abnormal points from one or more perfusion details of the medical image; mapping the abnormal points in the medical image with the medical data associated with the myocardial region; and identifying the abnormal region in the myocardial region based on the mapping, wherein generating the simulation of the plurality of blood vessels comprises: determining the plurality of blood vessels associated with the myocardial region from the medical data associated with the myocardial region; and generating a virtual model of the plurality of blood vessels associated with the myocardial region, wherein determining the at least one blood vessel that contributes to the abnormality in the myocardial region comprises: comparing the medical data associated with the myocardial region with the simulated plurality of blood vessels; determining at least one blood vessel connected to the abnormal region in the myocardial region from the comparison; and determining the at least one blood vessel connected to the abnormal region as the at least one blood vessel that contributes to the abnormality in the myocardial region.

2. The method (300) of claim 1, wherein generating the simulation of the plurality of blood vessels further comprises: generating a mask coverage on the plurality of blood vessels; and segmenting the masked plurality of blood vessels for generating the virtual model of the plurality of blood vessels.

3. The method (300) of claim 1, further comprising: determining a centerline associated with each of the plurality of blood vessels; identifying a distal end of the centerline associated with each of the plurality of blood vessels; generating one or more voxels derived from the distal end of the centerline of each of the plurality of blood vessels; and generating an updated virtual model of the plurality of blood vessels based on the generated one or more voxels.

4. The method (300) of any one of claims 1-3, wherein a proximal end of the simulated blood vessels is connected to the myocardial region identified from the medical image.

5. The method (300) of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the medical image is a 3- dimensional medical image.

6. The method (300) of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the medical image is at least one of a computed tomography image, an x-ray fluoroscopy image, a magnetic resonance imaging based image, and an ultrasound image.

7. A medical imaging device (108) for determining at least one blood vessel contributing to an abnormality in a myocardial region, the device comprising: one or more processing units (201); a scanner unit configured to capture one or more medical images; and a memory unit configured to store the one or more medical images. ​ a memory (202) coupled to the one or more processing units (201), the memory (202) comprising a module (103) configured to perform the method steps as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6.

8. A system (100) for determining at least one blood vessel contributing to an abnormality in a region of myocardium, the system (100) comprising: one or more servers (101); a medical imaging device (108) coupled to the one or more servers; the one or more servers (101) comprising one or more instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more servers (101) to perform the method steps as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6.

9. A computer program product comprising machine readable instructions which, when executed by a processing unit (201), cause the processing unit (201) to perform the method according to any of claims 1 to 6.

10. A computer readable medium on which program code portions of a computer program are stored, the program code portions being loadable into a system (100) and / or executable in the system (100) to make the system (100) execute the method according to any of claims 1 to 6 when the program code portions are executed in the system (100).

Images