Graphical user interface for intravascular plaque load index

Abstract

This disclosure provides a graphical user interface (GUI) configured to convey information about IVUS images and plaque loads detected within blood vessels represented in the IVUS images. The GUI may be generated to include a cross-sectional view and an interactive longitudinal view of the blood vessel, as well as an index of plaque load relative to the longitudinal axis of the blood vessel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging systems. This disclosure is not exclusive, but particularly relates to an improved graphical user interface for an IVUS imaging system. This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 455,860, filed Mar. 30, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Background Art

[0002] Ultrasonic devices that can be inserted into patients have proven to have diagnostic capabilities for various diseases and disorders. For example, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging systems are used as an imaging modality to diagnose occluded blood vessels and provide information to assist physicians in selecting and placing stents and other devices to restore or increase blood flow.

[0003] An IVUS imaging system includes a control module (having a pulse generator, image acquisition and processing components, and a monitor), a catheter, and a transducer disposed within the catheter. The catheter containing the transducer is disposed within a lumen or cavity within or proximate to the region of interest, such as the blood vessel wall or the patient's tissue proximate to the blood vessel wall. The pulse generator within the control module generates an electrical pulse, which is delivered to the transducer and converted into an acoustic pulse that is transmitted through the patient tissue. The patient tissue (or other structure) reflects the acoustic pulse, and the reflected pulse is absorbed by the transducer and converted into an electrical pulse. The converted electrical pulse is delivered to the image acquisition and processing components and converted into an image that can be displayed on the monitor.

[0004] IVUS systems can be used to image blood vessels in order to determine the presence of occlusion or stenosis within the vessels, and to determine the nature and extent of such occlusion or stenosis. Furthermore, IVUS systems can be used to visualize parts of the vascular system that may be difficult to visualize using other intravascular imaging techniques such as angiography due to occlusion caused by, for example, movement (e.g., a beating heart) or one or more structures (e.g., one or more blood vessels that are not to be imaged). Therefore, a user interface, particularly a graphical user interface, is needed to communicate information about the nature and extent of vascular occlusion or stenosis from the IVUS system to the user. [Overview of the project]

[0005] This summary is provided to present, in a simplified form, a selection of concepts that will be further described in the modes for carrying out the invention. This summary is not intended to necessarily identify any important or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to assist in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0006] Generally speaking, this disclosure represents an improvement to computing devices, particularly IVUS guidance systems, by providing a graphical user interface configured to convey the rich information generated by current IVUS systems. For example, an IVUS system may include machine learning capabilities for processing and analyzing signals generated during IVUS execution. Such information may include the automatic detection of intravascular occlusion or stenosis (e.g., plaque loading). The improved graphical user interface provided herein includes displaying such information and providing methods for the user to manipulate the information as needed.

[0007] This disclosure may be provided to assist physicians in identifying areas of blood vessels where plaque load is below a threshold level (e.g., 50%). Such information may be useful in identifying landing zones for stents (e.g., before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) treatment) or in identifying misplaced stents (e.g., after PCI treatment).

[0008] In some embodiments, the present disclosure may be implemented as a method. The method may include receiving a series of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) images of a patient's blood vessel, comprising a plurality of frames; receiving an index of plaque load in the blood vessel for each of the plurality of frames; generating a graphical component comprising the index of plaque load against a threshold amount; generating a GUI comprising a longitudinal view of the blood vessel and the graphical component configured to show the detected plaque load along the longitudinal axis of the blood vessel; and rendering the GUI for display on a display.

[0009] In a further embodiment of the above method, the graphical component is a first graphical component, and the method includes generating a second graphical component including the longitudinal view of the blood vessel, and generating the GUI including the first graphical component and the second graphical component.

[0010] In a further embodiment, the method includes generating the GUI such that the first graphical component is superimposed on a portion of the second graphical component to show the plaque load along the longitudinal axis of the blood vessel.

[0011] In a further embodiment of the above method, the first graphical component includes a line provided along a portion of the longitudinal axis of the blood vessel. In a further embodiment, the method comprises identifying whether the plaque load is below a threshold level for each of the plurality of frames, and superimposing the lines onto a portion of the second graphical component associated with the frame among the plurality of frames in which the plaque load is below the threshold level.

[0012] In a further embodiment of the above method, the second graphical component includes the display of a distal bracket, a proximal bracket, a minimum region, a vascular profile view, and a mirror of the vascular profile view.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the above method, the vascular profile view includes a graphic representation of the vascular boundary and lumen boundary of the vessel along the longitudinal axis. In a further embodiment of the above method, the distal bracket includes one of a plurality of bracket graphic representations selected based on the position of the distal bracket relative to the plaque load and the threshold level.

[0014] In a further embodiment, the method comprises: identifying the position of the distal bracket; determining whether the distal bracket is associated with a frame among the plurality of frames in which the plaque load is less than the threshold level; and selecting a first bracket graphic representation from the plurality of bracket graphic representations based on the determination that the distal bracket is associated with a frame among the plurality of frames in which the plaque load is less than the threshold level, or selecting a second bracket graphic representation from the plurality of bracket graphic representations based on the determination that the distal bracket is not associated with a frame among the plurality of frames in which the plaque load is less than the threshold level.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the above method, the proximal bracket includes one of a plurality of graphic representations selected based on the position of the proximal bracket relative to the plaque load and the threshold level.

[0016] In a further embodiment, the method comprises: identifying the location of the proximal bracket; determining whether the proximal bracket is associated with a frame among the plurality of frames in which the plaque load is less than the threshold level; and selecting a first bracket graphic representation from the plurality of bracket graphic representations based on the determination that the proximal bracket is associated with a frame among the plurality of frames in which the plaque load is less than the threshold level, or selecting a second bracket graphic representation from the plurality of bracket graphic representations based on the determination that the proximal bracket is not associated with a frame among the plurality of frames in which the plaque load is less than the threshold level.

[0017] In a further embodiment, the method includes generating a third graphical component which includes a cross-sectional view of one of the plurality of frames, and generating the GUI which includes the first graphical component, the second graphical component, and the third graphical component.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the above method, the GUI includes an angiographic image of the blood vessel. In some embodiments, the present disclosure may be implemented as an apparatus comprising a processor coupled to a memory. The memory contains a plurality of instructions executable by the processor, and the processor is configured to be coupled to an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging system and to execute the plurality of instructions, which, when executed, cause the processor to perform a method of any embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] In some embodiments, the Disclosure may be implemented as at least one machine-readable storage device comprising a plurality of instructions that cause a processor of an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging system to perform a method of any embodiment of the Disclosure in response to being performed by the processor of the system.

[0020] In some embodiments, the present disclosure may be implemented as a computing device for a medical device. The computing device may comprise a processor, an interface coupled to the processor and coupled to an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) device, and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory containing a plurality of instructions executable by the processor. The plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the computing device to: receive a series of IVUS images of a patient's blood vessels, comprising a plurality of frames, from the IVUS device; receive an index of plaque load in the blood vessel for each of the plurality of frames; generate a graphical component containing an index of plaque load against a threshold amount; generate a GUI including a longitudinal view of the blood vessel and the graphical component configured to show the detected plaque load along the longitudinal axis of the blood vessel; and render the GUI for display on a display.

[0021] In a further embodiment of the arithmetic unit, the graphical component is a first graphical component, and the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the arithmetic unit to further generate a second graphical component including the longitudinal view of the blood vessel, and to generate the GUI including the first graphical component and the second graphical component.

[0022] In a further embodiment of the computing device, the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device, when executed by the processor, to superimpose the first graphical component onto a portion of the second graphical component to show the plaque load along the longitudinal axis of the blood vessel.

[0023] In a further embodiment of the computing device, the first graphical component includes lines provided along a portion of the longitudinal axis of the blood vessel. In a further embodiment of the arithmetic unit, the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the arithmetic unit to identify whether the plaque load is below a threshold level for each of the plurality of frames, and to superimpose the lines onto a portion of the second graphical component associated with the frame among the plurality of frames in which the plaque load is below the threshold level.

[0024] In a further embodiment of the calculation device, the second graphical component includes indications for a distal bracket, a proximal bracket, a minimum region, a vascular profile view, and a mirror of the vascular profile view, the vascular profile view including a graphical representation of the vascular and luminal boundaries of the vessel along the longitudinal axis.

[0025] In a further embodiment of the calculation device, the distal bracket includes one of a plurality of bracket graphic representations selected based on the position of the distal bracket relative to the plaque load and the threshold level.

[0026] In a further embodiment of the arithmetic unit, when the plurality of instructions are executed by the processor, the arithmetic unit is caused to identify the position of the distal bracket, determine whether the distal bracket is associated with a frame among the plurality of frames in which the plaque load is less than the threshold level, and based on the determination that the distal bracket is associated with a frame among the plurality of frames in which the plaque load is less than the threshold level, select a first bracket graphic representation among the plurality of bracket graphic representations, or based on the determination that the distal bracket is not associated with a frame among the plurality of frames in which the plaque load is less than the threshold level, select a second bracket graphic representation among the plurality of bracket graphic representations.

[0027] In a further embodiment of the arithmetic unit, the proximal bracket includes one of a plurality of graphic representations selected based on the position of the proximal bracket relative to the plaque load and the threshold level.

[0028] In a further embodiment of the arithmetic unit, when the plurality of instructions are executed by the processor, the arithmetic unit is caused to identify the position of the proximal bracket, determine whether the proximal bracket is associated with a frame among the plurality of frames in which the plaque load is less than the threshold level, and based on the determination that the proximal bracket is associated with a frame among the plurality of frames in which the plaque load is less than the threshold level, select a first bracket graphic representation among the plurality of bracket graphic representations, or based on the determination that the proximal bracket is not associated with a frame among the plurality of frames in which the plaque load is less than the threshold level, select a second bracket graphic representation among the plurality of bracket graphic representations.

[0029] In a further embodiment of the computing device, the plurality of instructions cause the computing device, when executed by the processor, to generate a third graphical component including a cross-sectional view of one of the plurality of frames, and to further generate the GUI including the first graphical component, the second graphical component, and the third graphical component. The GUI includes an angiographic image of the blood vessel.

[0030] In a further embodiment, the computing device includes an IVUS imaging device. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a plurality of instructions that, in response to being executed by a processor of an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging system including an IVUS device, cause the IVUS imaging system to receive a series of IVUS images of a patient's blood vessel including a plurality of frames from the IVUS device, receive an indicator of plaque load within the blood vessel for each of the plurality of frames, generate a graphical component including the indicator of plaque load relative to a threshold amount, generate a GUI including a longitudinal view of the blood vessel and the graphical component configured to show the detected plaque load along the longitudinal axis of the blood vessel, and render the GUI for display on a display. The plurality of instructions may be implemented as at least one machine-readable storage device.

[0031] In a further embodiment of the at least one machine-readable storage device, the graphical component is a first graphical component, and the plurality of instructions cause the IVUS imaging system, when executed by the processor, to generate a second graphical component including a longitudinal view of the blood vessel, generate the GUI including the first graphical component and the second graphical component, and overlay the first graphical component on a portion of the second graphical component to show the plaque load along the longitudinal axis of the blood vessel.

[0032] In a further embodiment of the at least one machine-readable storage device, the first graphical component includes lines provided along a portion of the longitudinal axis of the blood vessel, and the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the IVUS imaging system to further perform the following: identify whether the plaque load is below a threshold level for each of the plurality of frames, and superimpose the lines onto a portion of the second graphical component associated with the frame among the plurality of frames in which the plaque load is below the threshold level.

[0033] In a further embodiment of the at least one machine-readable storage device, the second graphical component includes a distal bracket, a proximal bracket, a minimum region, a vascular profile view, and a mirrored display of the vascular profile view, the vascular profile view including a graphical representation of the vascular and luminal boundaries of the vessel along the longitudinal axis.

[0034] In a further embodiment of the at least one machine-readable storage device, the distal bracket includes one of a plurality of bracket graphic representations selected based on the position of the distal bracket relative to the plaque load and the threshold level, and the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the IVUS imaging system to further: identify the position of the distal bracket; determine whether the distal bracket is associated with a frame among the plurality of frames in which the plaque load is less than the threshold level; and, based on the determination that the distal bracket is associated with a frame among the plurality of frames in which the plaque load is less than the threshold level, select a first bracket graphic representation from the plurality of bracket graphic representations, or, based on the determination that the distal bracket is not associated with a frame among the plurality of frames in which the plaque load is less than the threshold level, select a second bracket graphic representation from the plurality of bracket graphic representations. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0035] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows one aspect of the subject according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows one aspect of the subject according to one embodiment. [Figure 3A] Figure 3A shows one aspect of the subject according to one embodiment. [Figure 3B] Figure 3B shows one aspect of the subject according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an IVUS image visualization system 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5A] Figure 5A shows one aspect of the subject according to one embodiment. [Figure 5B] Figure 5B shows one aspect of the subject according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows one aspect of the subject according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows one aspect of the subject according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows a logical flow 800 according to one embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows a computer-readable storage medium 900 according to one embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows a schematic diagram of machine 1000 in the form of a computer system capable of executing a set of instructions for causing the machine to perform any one or more of the methods described herein, according to an exemplary embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0036] The above summary broadly outlines the features and technical advantages of the disclosure so that the detailed description of the disclosure may be better understood. Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments disclosed may readily be used as a basis for modifying or designing other structures to accomplish the same purposes as the disclosure. Novel features of the disclosure, both in terms of their mechanism and operation, may be better understood from the following description by being considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, along with further purposes and advantages. However, each drawing is provided for illustrative and explanatory purposes only and is not intended to limit the disclosure. To facilitate identification of elements or processes, the most significant one or more digits of the reference numeral refer to the drawing number in which the element was first introduced.

[0037] As described above, this disclosure relates to an IVUS system and automated evaluation of IVUS images. In particular, this disclosure provides a graphical user interface (GUI) configured to convey information related to IVUS images and lesion evaluation, and to enable the user to manipulate the information. Accordingly, an exemplary IVUS imaging system, a patient's blood vessels, and a series of IVUS images are described below.

[0038] A suitable IVUS imaging system includes, but is not limited to, one or more transducers positioned at the distal end of a catheter configured and positioned for percutaneous insertion into a patient. Examples of IVUS imaging systems having a catheter can be found, for example, in U.S. Patents 7,246,959, 7,306,561, and 6,945,938, and U.S. Patent Application Publications 2006 / 0100522, 2006 / 0106320, 2006 / 0173350, 2006 / 0253028, 2007 / 0016054, and 2007 / 0038111, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0039] Figure 1 shows one embodiment of the IVUS imaging system 100. The IVUS imaging system 100 includes a catheter 102 that can be coupled to a control system 104. The control system 104 may include, for example, a processor 106, a pulse generator 108, and a drive unit 110. The pulse generator 108 forms electrical pulses that can be input to one or more transducers (not shown) placed inside the catheter 102.

[0040] In some embodiments, mechanical energy from a drive unit 110 may be used to drive an imaging core (not shown) located within the catheter 102. In at least some embodiments, electrical signals transmitted from one or more transducers may be input to a processor 106 for processing. In at least some embodiments, the processed electrical signals from one or more transducers may be used to form a series of images, which are described in more detail below. For example, scan line samples (e.g., radial scan line samples) may be mapped onto a two-dimensional Cartesian grid using a scanning transducer, which can then be used as the basis for a series of IVUS images that can be displayed to the user.

[0041] In at least some embodiments, the processor 106 may also be used to control the function of one or more of the other components of the control system 104. For example, the processor 106 may be used to control at least one of the frequency and duration of the electrical pulses transmitted from the pulse generator 108, and the rotational speed of the imaging core by the drive unit 110. Also, if the IVUS imaging system 100 is configured for automatic pullback, the drive unit 110 may control the speed and / or length of the pullback.

[0042] Figure 2 shows an image 200 of a patient's blood vessel 202. An IVUS imaging system (e.g., IVUS imaging system 100) is used to acquire a series of images, or "records," of a blood vessel, such as blood vessel 202. For example, a recording, or a series of IVUS images, is acquired when an IVUS catheter (e.g., catheter 102) is inserted into blood vessel 202 and the catheter 102 is withdrawn from its distal end 204 to its proximal end 206. The catheter 102 can be withdrawn manually or automatically (e.g., under the control of a drive unit 110).

[0043] Figures 3A and 3B show two-dimensional (2D) representations of IVUS images of vessel 202. For example, Figure 3A shows multiple IVUS images 300a of a longitudinal view of the IVUS recording of vessel 202 between its proximal end 206 and distal end 204.

[0044] Figure 3B shows image frame 300b of an axial (or semi-axial or cross-sectional) view of vessel 202 at position 302. In other words, image frame 300b is one frame or one image from a series of IVUS images that may be acquired between the distal end 204 and the proximal end 206, as described herein. As stated above, the Disclosure provides systems and techniques for processing raw IVUS images to identify regions of interest, such as start and end points, which include frames of interest in a series of IVUS images.

[0045] For example, IVUS image 300a shows an entire series of IVUS images taken from a vessel 202 between its distal end 204 and proximal end 206. IVUS images may be acquired at several stages of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). That is, IVUS may be acquired before PCI, before and after PCI, or after PCI. For example, IVUS may be employed to acquire images of the state of the vessel 202 before stent implantation. In such cases, automated image evaluation (e.g., vessel boundary detection, lumen boundary detection, plaque load detection, keyframe identification, stent size and landing zone recommendation, stent expansion estimation, calcification detection, etc.) may be performed. This represents a considerable amount of information to convey to the user. Furthermore, conveying this information along with IVUS images (e.g., IVUS images 300a, 300b) so that the user can visualize the vascular structure along with occlusion or stenosis is not provided in the prior art. Therefore, this disclosure offers the advantage of being able to manipulate image features and gain a deeper understanding of the physiological function of the vessel through an improved GUI.

[0046] Figure 4 shows an IVUS image visualization system 400 according to several embodiments of the present disclosure. Generally, the IVUS image visualization system 400 is a system for processing, annotating, and presenting multiple IVUS images. The IVUS image visualization system 400 may be implemented in a commercially available IVUS guidance or navigation system, such as the AVVIGO® guidance system available from Boston Scientific®. The present disclosure offers advantages over conventional IVUS navigation systems in that it reduces the time required to treat patients through an improved GUI. For example, the present disclosure may be implemented within an IVUS navigation system to reduce patient treatment time by efficiently communicating information about the physiological function of blood vessels to the user, allowing the user to manipulate the information.

[0047] In some embodiments, the IVUS image visualization system 400 may be implemented as part of the control system 104. Alternatively, the control system 104 may be implemented as part of the IVUS image visualization system 400. As shown, the IVUS image visualization system 400 includes a computing unit 402. Optionally, the IVUS image visualization system 400 includes an IVUS imaging system 100 and a display 404.

[0048] The arithmetic unit 402 may be any of a variety of arithmetic units. In some embodiments, the arithmetic unit 402 may be built into and / or implemented in the console of the display 404 (e.g., as a tablet computer, etc.). In some embodiments, the arithmetic unit 402 may be a workstation or server communicatively coupled to the IVUS imaging system 100 and / or the display 404. In yet other embodiments, the arithmetic unit 402 may be provided by a cloud-based arithmetic unit, such as a computing means as a service system accessible over a network (e.g., the Internet, an intranet, a wide area network, etc.). The arithmetic unit 402 may include a processor 406, memory 408, input and / or output (I / O) devices 410, a network interface 412, and IVUS imaging system acquisition circuitry 414.

[0049] The processor 406 may include, for example, a circuit or processor logic section such as one of various commercially available processors. In some examples, the processor 406 may include multiple processors, multithreaded processors, multicore processors (where multiple cores may coexist on the same die or be separate), and / or some other type of multiprocessor architecture in which multiple physically separate processors are somehow related. In some examples, the processor 406 may also include a graphics processing section, as well as dedicated memory, multithreading, and / or some other parallel processing capability. In some examples, the processor 406 may be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field-programmable integrated circuit (FPGA).

[0050] Memory 408 may include a logic section, part of which includes an array of integrated circuits, forming a non-volatile memory for persistently storing data, or a combination of non-volatile and volatile memory. Memory 408 may be based on any of a variety of technologies. In particular, the array of integrated circuits included in memory 120 may be arranged to form one or more types of memory, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), NAND memory, or NOR memory.

[0051] The I / O device 410 may be any of a variety of devices for receiving inputs and / or providing outputs. For example, the I / O device 410 may include a keyboard, mouse, joystick, foot pedal, display, touch-enabled display, haptic feedback device, LED, etc.

[0052] The network interface 412 may include logic sections and / or functions to support communication interfaces. For example, the network interface 412 may include one or more interfaces that operate according to various communication protocols or standards for communication directly or over a network communication link. Direct communication may be performed via the use of communication protocols or standards described in one or more industry standards (including derivatives and variations). For example, the network interface 412 may facilitate communication over buses such as Peripheral Component Interconnection Express (PCIe®), Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe®), Universal Serial Bus (USB), System Management Bus (SMBus®), SAS (e.g., Serial Attachment Small Computer System Interface (SCSI)), and Serial AT Attachment (SATA) interfaces. The network interface 412 may also include logic sections and / or functions that enable communication over various wired or wireless network standards (e.g., 802.11 communication standards). For example, the network interface 412 may be configured to support wired communication protocols or standards such as Ethernet®. As another example, the network interface 412 may be configured to support wireless communication protocols or standards such as Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, LTE, and 5G.

[0053] The IVUS imaging system acquisition circuit 414 may include a custom-made circuit or a specially programmed circuit configured to send and receive signals to and from the IVUS imaging system 100, including instructions to perform IVUS, display a series of IVUS images, or display one or more frames of IVUS images.

[0054] Memory 408 may contain multiple instructions 416. During operation, the processor 406 may execute an instruction 416 to cause the arithmetic unit 402 to receive a record of "IVUS execution" (for example, from the IVUS imaging system 100, etc.) and store that record in memory 408 as an IVUS image 418. For example, by executing an instruction 416, the processor 406 may receive information elements from the IVUS imaging system 100 that include a display of an IVUS image acquired by the catheter 102 while the catheter 102 is being withdrawn from the distal end 204 to the proximal end 206. The IVUS image includes a display of the anatomical structure and / or structure of the vessel 202, including the vessel wall and plaque. The IVUS image 418 may be stored in various image formats, or non-image formats or data structures, that include a display of the vessel 202. Furthermore, the IVUS image 418 may contain several "frames" or individual images, which, when represented collinearly, can be used to form an image of the vessel 202, such as that represented by the IVUS images 300a and / or 300b.

[0055] This disclosure provides a method for generating graphic information elements 420 from an IVUS image 418 and generating a GUI 422 to be displayed on a display 404 based on the graphic information elements 420. The processor 406 may further be configured to generate an evaluation 424 based on the IVUS image 418 by executing instructions 416. This will be described in more detail below. Generally, the evaluation may include, among other evaluations, vascular boundary detection, lumen boundary detection, plaque load determination, keyframe identification, distance between keyframes, stent detection, stent expansion estimation, and calcification detection. Thus, in some embodiments, the graphic information elements 420 may be generated based on the IVUS image 418 and the evaluation 424.

[0056] Memory 408 may also contain other images 426, such as vascular images (e.g., image 200). In some examples, the processor 406 may generate a graphic information element 420 containing a display of the other images 426 and evaluation 424 by executing an instruction 416. In some examples, the other images 426 may be associated with or mapped to an IVUS image 418. The graphic information element 420 may be overlaid on a frame of the IVUS image 418 or a representation of other images 426.

[0057] Figure 5A shows a GUI 500a that may be generated according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, GUI 500a may be generated as GUI 422 by an IVUS image visualization system 400 and displayed on a display 404. As shown, GUI 500a includes several graphic information elements 420, such as menus 502a, 502b, an interactive cross-sectional view 504, an interactive vascular navigation 506, and a vascular length view 508.

[0058] In some embodiments, the processor 406 may be configured to generate the GUI 500a by executing an instruction 416. As another example, the processor 406 may generate the GUI 500a in response to an automated plaque load detection process by executing an instruction 416. For example, in some embodiments, the IVUS image visualization system 400 may be configured to automatically detect the plaque load of the blood vessel 202 represented by calcification in the IVUS image 418 (e.g., via machine learning, image classification, etc.).

[0059] Menu 502a may include GUI inputs such as buttons, dropdown menus, and selection icons. Menu 502a may include GUI input options for selecting measurement and annotation tools, length tools, and a modification reset button. Menu 502b may include GUI inputs such as buttons, dropdown menus, and selection icons. Menu 502b may include GUI input options for selecting views related to viewing IVUS images, layout options, annotations, navigation, dynamic review options, and the status of the calculation unit.

[0060] The interactive cross-sectional view 504 may include a cross-sectional view of one of several IVUS images 418 (e.g., a frame). For example, the interactive cross-sectional view 504 may include a display of vascular and lumen boundaries, along with the image frame 300b and evaluation 510. A detailed description of the interactive vascular navigation 506 is given below. In general, the interactive vascular navigation 506 may include a navigation slider for navigating through the IVUS image 418 associated with the interactive cross-sectional view 504. That is, as the slider is moved, the image displayed in the interactive cross-sectional view 504 changes to match the position indicated by the slider.

[0061] The vessel length view 508 may include a longitudinal view of a vessel (e.g., vessel 202) represented by the IVUS image 418. For example, the vessel length view 508 may include an evaluation 512 along with a representation of the vessel and lumen profile. The vessel length view 508 may include a graphic representation of the IVUS image 300a. In some embodiments, the evaluation 512 may be included to represent the plaque load detected along the vessel 202. The vessel length view 508 may also include keyframe markers (e.g., the positions of distal and proximal frames, such as distal and proximal keyframes, may be indicated linearly along a series of IVUS images 418 (e.g., with brackets)).

[0062] Figure 5B shows an exemplary vessel length view 508 according to several embodiments of the present disclosure. The IVUS image visualization system 400 may be configured to generate the vessel length view 508 as a graphical component of the GUI 500a. As illustrated, the vessel length view 508 includes several GUI components (or subgraphical components), including a central axis 514, around which are longitudinal boundary profiles 516 and longitudinal boundary profile mirror reflections 518. Examples of longitudinal boundary profiles 516, 518 are described below. Generally, the longitudinal boundary profile 516 depicts or represents a boundary (e.g., boundary 604, etc.) detected relative to the IVUS image 418. The longitudinal boundary profile mirror reflection 518 is a mirror reflection of the longitudinal boundary profile 516, thereby providing a more complete visualization of the vessel and lumen profiles.

[0063] The vessel length view 508 further includes a scale 520 indicating the radius of the detected boundary represented by the longitudinal boundary profile 516. The vessel length view 508 also includes a proximal bracket end 522, a distal bracket end 524, and a minimum region 528. Each bracket is movable via user input (e.g., via an I / O device 410). In some examples, the proximal bracket end 522 and the distal bracket end 524 are automatically positioned in their initial locations based on the detected lumen size, the detected stent within the vessel 202, etc. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the proximal bracket end 522 and / or the distal bracket end 524 may have a certain graphic representation when located in a region of the vessel 202 with a detected plaque load below a threshold amount (e.g., 50%) and a different graphic representation when located in a region of the vessel 202 with a detected plaque load above a threshold amount. For example, the proximal bracket end 522 is shown to have a different graphic representation than the distal bracket end 524. As described above, the proximal bracket end 522 and the distal bracket end 524 are interactive in that their positions can be manipulated by the user (for example, via an input and / or output (I / O) device 410, etc.). Thus, the processor 406 can dynamically generate the proximal bracket end 522 and / or the distal bracket end 524 based on their operational positions relative to the detected plaque load and threshold by executing instruction 416. For example, if the user moves the proximal bracket end 522 more proximal so that it is located within the region specified by the plaque load indicator 530 (for example, below the threshold amount of the detected plaque load), the processor 406 can generate the proximal bracket end 522 having a graphical representation similar to that of the distal bracket end 524 by executing instruction 416.Similarly, if the user moves the distal bracket end 524 more proximal so that it is located outside the area specified by the plaque load indicator 530 (for example, above a threshold amount of detected plaque load), the processor 406 can generate the distal bracket end 524 having a graphical representation similar to the proximal bracket end 522 by executing instruction 416.

[0064] Finally, the vascular length view 508 includes a graphical display of the detected plaque load, indicated as a plaque load indicator 530. In addition, in some examples, the distance between brackets (e.g., between the proximal bracket end 522 and the distal bracket end 524) can be measured by enabling a ruler 526 (e.g., by default or by selecting an input button, etc.).

[0065] Figure 6 shows a GUI 600 that may be generated according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, GUI 600 may be generated as GUI 422 by an IVUS image visualization system 400 and displayed on a display 404. In some embodiments, a processor 406 may generate a graphic information element 420 and a GUI 600 based on the graphic information element 420 by executing an instruction 416 in response to the detection of plaque load in a blood vessel 202.

[0066] As shown in the figure, GUI 600 includes an interactive cross-sectional view 504 and an interactive vascular navigation 506. The interactive cross-sectional view 504 includes a depiction of a cross-sectional view of a frame of an IVUS image 418 (e.g., corresponding to the position of the slider 602), along with various evaluations 510 such as boundaries 604 (e.g., vascular boundaries, luminal boundaries, etc.), plaque load, number of frames, and pullback distance. Furthermore, GUI 600 includes an interactive vascular navigation 506, which includes an interactive slider 602 that can be used to navigate through the IVUS image 418 represented in GUI 600.

[0067] The GUI600 also includes a vessel length view 508, which depicts the proximal bracket end 522, the distal bracket end 524, and a plaque load indicator 530, along with a longitudinal boundary profile 516 and a longitudinal boundary profile mirror reflection 518. As can be seen from the figure, the plaque load indicator 530 indicates a region of vessel 202 represented by the IVUS image 418 where the detected plaque load is below a threshold amount (e.g., 50%). Furthermore, the graphical representation of the proximal bracket end 522 and the distal bracket end 524 may depend on the location of those regions relative to the detected plaque load and threshold level. Specifically, as shown in GUI600, the proximal bracket end 522 has a first graphic representation (e.g., a straight line with "X" at both ends) because it is located within the region of the vessel 202 where the detected plaque load is above the threshold level, while the distal bracket end 524 has a second graphic representation (e.g., a straight line with curved ends) because it is located within the region of the vessel 202 where the detected plaque load is below the threshold level.

[0068] Figure 7 shows a GUI 700 that may be generated according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the GUI 700 may be generated as a GUI 422 by an IVUS image visualization system 400 and displayed on a display 404. In some embodiments, the processor 406 may generate a graphic information element 420 and a GUI 700 based on the graphic information element 420 by executing an instruction 416 in response to the detection of plaque load in a blood vessel 202.

[0069] GUI700 includes graphic elements similar to GUI600, in addition to displaying an angiographic image of vessel 202 represented by IVUS image 418. GUI700 includes image 200 along with interactive cross-sectional view 504, interactive vascular navigation 506, and vessel length view 508. In some examples, graphical representations of distal and proximal keyframes (e.g., proximal bracket end 522 and distal bracket end 524) may be displayed on image 200. Furthermore, as shown in the figure, interactive vascular navigation 506 includes IVUS image 300a (e.g., actual IVUS image 418).

[0070] Figure 8 shows a logical flow 800 for generating a GUI according to several embodiments of the present disclosure. The logical flow 800 may be executed by the IVUS image visualization system 400, and for clarity of presentation, the IVUS image visualization system 400 will be used as a reference below. However, the logical flow 800 may also be executed by an IVUS guidance system different from the IVUS image visualization system 400.

[0071] The logic flow 800 may begin in block 802. In block 802, "receive a series of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) images of a patient's blood vessel, comprising a series of IVUS images including multiple frames," a series of IVUS images acquired via an IVUS catheter percutaneously inserted into the patient's blood vessel may be received. For example, an information element including a display of IVUS image 418 may be received from the IVUS imaging system 100 at the location where the catheter 102 is (or was) percutaneously inserted into the blood vessel 202. The IVUS image 418 may include a series of image frames representing images acquired while the catheter 102 is withdrawn from the distal end 204 to the proximal end 206. The processor 406 may receive the information element including the display of IVUS image 418 from the IVUS imaging system 100, or possibly directly from the catheter 102, by executing instruction 416.

[0072] Proceeding to "Receive plaque load indices for each of multiple frames" in block 804, plaque load indices for each of multiple frames are received. For example, processor 406 may receive plaque load indices for each of the frames of IVUS image 418 (e.g., from a machine learning model) by executing instruction 416. Proceeding to "Generate a graphical component containing plaque load indices against threshold levels" in block 806, a graphical component containing plaque load indices against threshold levels is generated. For example, processor 406 may generate a plaque load indicator 530 by executing instruction 416, which includes a display of the region of vessel 202 where the detected plaque load is below a threshold level. In a specific example, processor 406 may generate a plaque load indicator 530 by executing instruction 416, which includes lines overlapping the representation of the frames of IVUS image 418 where the detected plaque load is below a threshold level (e.g., 50%).

[0073] Proceeding to block 808, "Generate a GUI including a longitudinal view of the vessel and the graphical components configured to show the detected plaque load along the longitudinal axis of the vessel," a GUI is generated that includes a longitudinal view of the vessel and graphical components configured to show the detected plaque load along the longitudinal axis of the vessel. For example, processor 406 may generate GUI 422, which includes a vessel length view 508 and indicators (e.g., proximal bracket end 522, distal bracket end 524, plaque load indicator 530, etc.), by executing instruction 416. Proceeding to block 810, "Render the GUI for display on a display," the GUI may be rendered for display. For example, processor 406 may generate GUI 422 for display on display 404 by executing instruction 416.

[0074] Figure 9 shows a computer-readable storage medium 900. The computer-readable storage medium 900 may include any non-temporary computer-readable or machine-readable storage medium, such as an optical storage medium, a magnetic storage medium, or a semiconductor storage medium. In various embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium 900 may include a manufactured product. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium 900 may store computer-executable instructions 902 that can be executed by a circuit (e.g., processor 106, processor 406, IVUS imaging system acquisition circuit 414, etc.). For example, the computer-executable instructions 902 may include instructions for implementing the operations described with respect to instruction 416, logic flow 800, graphic information element 420, and / or GUI 422. Examples of computer-readable storage medium 900 or machine-readable storage medium may include any tangible medium capable of storing electronic data, including volatile or non-volatile memory, removable or non-removable memory, erasable or non-erasable memory, writable or rewritable memory, etc. Examples of computer executable instruction 902 may include any appropriate type of code, such as source code, compiled code, interpreted code, executable code, static code, dynamic code, object-oriented code, and visual code.

[0075] Figure 10 shows a schematic diagram of machine 1000 in the form of a computer system in which a set of instructions can be executed to cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods described herein. Specifically, Figure 10 shows a schematic diagram of machine 1000 in the exemplary form of a computer system in which a set of instructions 1008 (e.g., software, programs, applications, applets, apps, or other executable code) can be executed within machine 1000 to cause machine 1000 to perform any one or more of the methods described herein. For example, a set of instructions 1008 could cause machine 1000 to perform the logic flow 800 in Figure 8, instruction 416 in Figure 4. More generally, a set of instructions 1008 could cause machine 1000 to generate a GUI with the functions and behaviors described herein, using IVUS, pre-PCI, pre-PCI, or post-PCI. This disclosure provides a specific and individual implementation of GUI representations, which is a significant improvement over the prior art. In particular, this disclosure represents an improvement to computational techniques by providing greater visibility and navigation of IVUS images through a GUI.

[0076] Multiple instructions 1008 transform a general, unprogrammed machine 1000 into a specific machine 1000 programmed to perform the functions described and illustrated in a particular manner. In alternative embodiments, machine 1000 may operate as a standalone device or be coupled to other machines (e.g., networked). In a networked configuration, machine 1000 may operate as a server or client machine in a server-client network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. Machine 1000 may include, but is not limited to, a server computer, a client computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a netbook, a set-top box (STB), a PDA, an entertainment media system, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a mobile device, a wearable device (e.g., a smartwatch), a smart home device (e.g., a smart appliance), another smart device, a web appliance, a network router, a network switch, a network bridge, or any machine capable of sequentially or otherwise executing multiple instructions 1008 that specify the actions performed by machine 1000. Furthermore, although only a single machine 1000 is illustrated, the term “machine” can also be interpreted to include a set of machines 1000 that individually or collaboratively execute multiple instructions 1008 to perform any one or more of the methods described herein.

[0077] Machine 1000 may include a processor 1002, memory 1004, and I / O components 1042, which may be configured to communicate with each other via a bus 1044, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, the processor 1902 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a reduced instruction set arithmetic (RISC) processor, a composite instruction set arithmetic (CISC) processor, a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC, a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), another processor, or any suitable combination thereof) may include, for example, processors 1006 and 1010, which are capable of executing multiple instructions 1008. The term “processor” is intended to include multicore processors, which may include two or more independent processors (sometimes called “cores”) capable of executing instructions simultaneously. Figure 10 shows multiple processors 1002, but machine 1000 may include a single processor with a single core, a single processor with multiple cores (e.g., a multicore processor), multiple processors with a single core, multiple processors with multiple cores, or any combination thereof.

[0078] Memory 1004 may include main memory 1012, static memory 1014, and storage unit 1016, which are accessible to processor 1002 via bus 1044, etc. Main memory 1004, static memory 1014, and storage unit 1016 store a plurality of instructions 1008 that embody any one or more of the plurality of methods or functions described herein. The plurality of instructions 1008 may also be fully or partially present in main memory 1012, static memory 1014, machine-readable media 1018 in storage unit 1016, in at least one of processor 1002 (e.g., in the processor's cache memory), or any suitable combination thereof during their execution by machine 1000.

[0079] The I / O component 1042 may include a wide variety of components for receiving inputs, providing outputs, generating outputs, transmitting information, exchanging information, capturing measurements, and so on. The specific I / O component 1042 included in a particular machine depends on the type of machine. For example, portable devices such as mobile phones are likely to include touch input devices or other such input mechanisms, while headless server machines are unlikely to include such touch input devices. The I / O component 1042 may also include many other components not shown in Figure 10. The I / O component 1042 is grouped according to function simply to simplify the following description, and this grouping is not limiting. In various exemplary embodiments, the I / O component 1042 may include an output component 1028 and an input component 1030. The output component 1028 may include visual components (e.g., displays such as plasma display panels (PDPs), light-emitting diode (LED) displays, liquid crystal displays (LCDs), projectors, or cathode ray tubes (CRTs)), acoustic components (e.g., speakers), tactile components (e.g., vibration motors, resistors), other signal generators, etc. The input component 1030 may include alphanumeric input components (e.g., keyboards, touchscreens configured to receive alphanumeric input, photo-optical keyboards, or other alphanumeric input components), point-based input components (e.g., mice, touchpads, trackballs, joysticks, motion sensors, or other pointing devices), tactile input components (e.g., physical buttons, touchscreens that provide the position and / or force of touch or touch gestures, or other tactile input components), voice input components (e.g., microphones), etc.

[0080] In further exemplary embodiments, the I / O component 1042 may include, among many other components, a biometric component 1032, a motion component 1034, an environmental component 1036, or a position component 1038. For example, the biometric component 1032 may include components for detecting facial expressions (e.g., hand expressions, facial expressions, voice expressions, gestures, or eye tracking), measuring biosignals (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, sweating, or electroencephalography), and identifying people (e.g., voice recognition, retinal recognition, facial recognition, fingerprint recognition, or electroencephalography-based recognition). The motion component 1034 may include acceleration sensor components (e.g., accelerometers), gravity sensor components, rotation sensor components (e.g., gyroscopes), and the like. The environmental component 1036 may include, for example, an illuminance sensor component (e.g., a photometer), a temperature sensor component (e.g., one or more thermometers that detect ambient temperature), a humidity sensor component, a pressure sensor component (e.g., a barometer), an acoustic sensor component (e.g., one or more microphones that detect background noise), a proximity sensor component (e.g., an infrared sensor that detects nearby objects), a gas sensor (e.g., a gas detection sensor that detects the concentration of harmful gases for safety or measures airborne pollutants), or other components that can provide displays, measurements, or signals corresponding to the surrounding physical environment. The position component 1038 may include a position sensor component (e.g., a GPS receiver component), an altitude sensor component (e.g., an altimeter or barometer that detects atmospheric pressure from which altitude can be derived), a compass sensor component (e.g., a magnetometer), and the like.

[0081] Communication can be implemented using a wide variety of technologies. The I / O component 1042 may include a communication component 1040 capable of connecting machine 1000 to network 1020 or device 1022 via connections 1024 and 1026, respectively. For example, the communication component 1040 may include a network interface component or another suitable device for interface connection with network 1020. In further embodiments, the communication component 1040 may include a wired communication component, a wireless communication component, a cellular communication component, a near-field communication (NFC) component, a Bluetooth® component (e.g., Bluetooth® Low Energy), a Wi-Fi® component, and other communication components for communicating via other modalities. Device 1022 may be another machine or one of a wide variety of peripheral devices (e.g., a peripheral device connected via USB).

[0082] Furthermore, the communication component 1040 may include components that can detect identifiers or are operable to detect identifiers. For example, the communication component 1040 may include a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag reader component, an NFC smart tag detection component, an optical reader component (e.g., an optical sensor for detecting one-dimensional barcodes such as Universal Product Code (UPC) barcodes, Quick Response (QR) Code®, Aztec Code, Data Matrix, Dataglyph, MaxiCode, PDF417, Ultra Code, UCC RSS-2D barcodes, and other optical codes), or an acoustic detection component (e.g., a microphone for identifying tagged audio signals). In addition, various types of information, such as location via Internet Protocol (IP) geolocation, location via Wi-Fi® signal triangulation, and location by detection of NFC beacon signals that may indicate a specific location, can be derived via the communication component 1040.

[0083] Various memories (i.e., memory 1004, main memory 1012, static memory 1014, and / or the memory of processor 1002) and / or storage unit 1016 may store one or more sets of instructions and data structures (e.g., software) that embody or are utilized by any one or more of the methods or functions described herein. When these instructions (e.g., a number of instructions 1008) are executed by processor 1002, they trigger a variety of operations for carrying out the disclosed embodiments.

[0084] As used herein, the terms “mechanical storage medium,” “device storage medium,” and “computer storage medium” mean the same thing and may be used interchangeably in this disclosure. These terms refer to one or more storage devices and / or media that store executable instructions and / or data (e.g., centralized or distributed databases, and / or associated caches and servers). Thus, these terms are to be interpreted as including, but are not limited to, solid-state memory and magneto-optical media, including memory inside or outside a processor. Specific examples of mechanical storage mediums, computer storage mediums, and / or device storage mediums include non-volatile memory, such as semiconductor memory devices like erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), FPGAs, and flash memory devices, as well as magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks, and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The terms “mechanical storage medium,” “computer storage medium,” and “device storage medium” specifically exclude carrier waves, modulated data signals, and other such mediums, although at least some of them are included under the term “signaling medium,” as described below.

[0085] In various exemplary embodiments, one or more parts of network 1020 could be an ad hoc network, intranet, extranet, VPN, LAN, WLAN, WAN, WWAN, MAN, Internet, part of the Internet, part of the PSTN, Basic Telephone Services (POTS) network, cellular telephone network, wireless network, Wi-Fi® network, another type of network, or a combination of two or more such networks. For example, network 1020 or part of network 1020 could include a wireless or cellular network. Connection 1024 could be a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) connection, a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM®) connection, or another type of cellular or wireless connection. In this example, connection 1024 may implement any of the various types of data transfer technologies, including single-carrier radio transmission technology (1xRTT), Evolution Data Optimization (EVDO) technology, General-Purpose Packet Radio Service (GPRS) technology, Extended Data Rate (EDGE) technology for GSM® Evolution, 3G Partnership Projects (3GPP®), 4G wireless networks, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), High Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), Global Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX®), Long-Term Evolution (LTE) standards, others defined by various standards-setting bodies, other long-range protocols, or other data transfer technologies.

[0086] Multiple instructions 1008 may be sent and received over network 1020 using a transmission medium via a network interface device (e.g., a network interface component included in communication component 1040) and utilizing one of several well-known transfer protocols (e.g., Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)). Similarly, multiple instructions 1008 may be sent and received using a transmission medium via a connection 1926 to device 1022 (e.g., a peer-to-peer connection). The terms “transmission medium” and “signaling medium” mean the same thing and may be used interchangeably in this disclosure. The terms “transmission medium” and “signaling medium” are to be interpreted as including any intangible medium capable of storing, encoding, or carrying multiple instructions 1008 for execution by machine 1000, and including digital or analog communication signals or other intangible medium for facilitating communication of such software. Accordingly, the terms “transmission medium” and “signaling medium” are to be interpreted as including any form such as modulated data signals, carrier waves, etc. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal in which one or more of its properties are set or modified in such a way as to encode information within the signal.

[0087] Terms used herein are given their common meanings in the relevant technical field, or the meanings indicated by their use in the context; however, where a clear definition is provided, that meaning shall prevail.

[0088] In this specification, references to “one embodiment” or “a certain embodiment” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor do they necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, throughout this specification and the claims, words such as “equipped with,” “equipped with,” etc., are interpreted comprehensively, as opposed to exclusive or exhaustive, meaning “including but not limited to.” Terms used singular or plural include both singular and plural, respectively, unless expressly limited to one or more. Also, when used in this application, words such as “in this specification,” “above,” “below,” and similar words refer to the entire application, not to any part thereof. When the claims use the word “or” in relation to a list of two or more items, the word includes any item in the list, all items in the list, and any combination of items in the list, unless expressly limited to one or the other. Any term not expressly defined in this specification has its conventional meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art.

[0089] By using a true model of the biological structure, it is possible to create more accurate surgical plans than through statistical modeling. Terms used herein are given their common meanings in the relevant technical field, or the meanings indicated by their use in the context; however, where a clear definition is provided, that meaning shall prevail.

[0090] In this specification, references to “one embodiment” or “a certain embodiment” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor do they necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, throughout this specification and the claims, words such as “equipped with,” “equipped with,” etc., are interpreted comprehensively, as opposed to exclusive or exhaustive, meaning “including but not limited to.” Terms used singular or plural include both singular and plural, respectively, unless expressly limited to one or more. Also, when used in this application, words such as “in this specification,” “above,” “below,” and similar words refer to the entire application, not to any part thereof. When the claims use the word “or” in relation to a list of two or more items, the word includes any item in the list, all items in the list, and any combination of items in the list, unless expressly limited to one or the other. Any term not expressly defined in this specification has its conventional meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art.

[0091] By using a true model of the biological structure, it is possible to create more accurate surgical plans than through statistical modeling. Terms used herein are given their common meanings in the relevant technical field, or the meanings indicated by their use in the context; however, where a clear definition is provided, that meaning shall prevail.

[0092] In this specification, references to “one embodiment” or “a certain embodiment” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor do they necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, throughout this specification and the claims, words such as “equipped with,” “equipped with,” etc., are interpreted comprehensively, as opposed to exclusive or exhaustive, meaning “including but not limited to.” Terms used singular or plural include both singular and plural, respectively, unless expressly limited to one or more. Also, when used in this application, words such as “in this specification,” “above,” “below,” and similar words refer to the entire application, not to any part thereof. When the claims use the word “or” in relation to a list of two or more items, the word includes any item in the list, all items in the list, and any combination of items in the list, unless expressly limited to one or the other. Any term not expressly defined in this specification has its conventional meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A series of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) images of a patient's blood vessels, the reception of the series of IVUS images comprising multiple frames, To receive an index of the plaque load in the blood vessel for each of the aforementioned multiple frames, To generate a graphical component that includes an index of the plaque load relative to a threshold amount, To generate a GUI that includes a longitudinal view of the blood vessel and a graphical component configured to show the detected plaque load along the longitudinal axis of the blood vessel, Rendering the GUI for display on the display, A method for providing this.

2. The aforementioned graphical component is the first graphical component, The aforementioned method, To generate a second graphical component including the longitudinal view of the blood vessel, To generate the GUI including the first graphical component and the second graphical component, The method according to claim 1, comprising:

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein generating the GUI includes superimposing the first graphical component onto a portion of the second graphical component to show the plaque load along the longitudinal axis of the blood vessel.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first graphical component includes a line provided along a portion of the longitudinal axis of the blood vessel.

5. Identifying whether the plaque load is below a threshold level for each of the aforementioned multiple frames, The process involves superimposing the lines onto a portion of the second graphical component associated with the frame among the plurality of frames in which the plaque load is less than the threshold level, The method according to claim 4, comprising:

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the second graphical component includes a display of a distal bracket, a proximal bracket, a minimum region, a vascular profile view, and a mirror of the vascular profile view.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the vascular profile view includes a graphic representation of the vascular boundary and lumen boundary of the blood vessel along the longitudinal axis.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the distal bracket includes one of a plurality of bracket graphic representations selected based on the position of the distal bracket relative to the plaque load and the threshold level.

9. Identifying the position of the distal bracket, To determine whether the distal bracket is associated with a frame among the plurality of frames in which the plaque load is below the threshold level, Based on the determination that the distal bracket is associated with a frame among the plurality of frames in which the plaque load is below the threshold level, a first bracket graphic representation is selected from among the plurality of bracket graphic representations, or Based on the determination that the distal bracket is not associated with any of the frames in which the plaque load is below the threshold level, a second bracket graphic representation is selected from among the multiple bracket graphic representations. The method according to claim 8, comprising:

10. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the proximal bracket includes one of a plurality of graphic representations selected based on the position of the proximal bracket relative to the plaque load and the threshold level.

11. Identifying the position of the proximal bracket, Determining whether the proximal bracket is associated with a frame among the plurality of frames in which the plaque load is below the threshold level, Based on the determination that the proximal bracket is associated with a frame among the plurality of frames in which the plaque load is less than the threshold level, a first bracket graphic representation is selected from among the plurality of bracket graphic representations, or Based on the determination that the proximal bracket is not associated with any of the frames in which the plaque load is below the threshold level, a second bracket graphic representation is selected from among the multiple bracket graphic representations. The method according to claim 10, comprising:

12. To generate a third graphical component that includes a cross-sectional view of one of the aforementioned multiple frames, To generate the GUI which includes the first graphical component, the second graphical component, and the third graphical component, The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising:

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the GUI includes an angiographic image of the blood vessel.

14. A device comprising a processor coupled to a memory, wherein the memory includes a plurality of instructions executable by the processor, the processor is configured to be coupled to an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging system and to execute the plurality of instructions, and the plurality of instructions, when executed, cause the processor to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. At least one machine-readable storage device comprising a plurality of instructions that cause the processor of an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging system to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13 in response to being executed by the processor.

Images