3D Coronary Vascular Tree Modeling from Angiography for Non-Invasive FFR
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing arterial stenosis severity, such as Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR), are invasive and lack accuracy in the 'grey zone' between 0.75 and 0.8, necessitating improved non-invasive vascular modeling for real-time diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
A method for vascular assessment using a vascular model that calculates a flow index by comparing flow characteristics before and after simulating the removal of stenosis based on 2-D angiographic images, allowing for rapid determination of a fractional flow reserve index.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive pressure measurements (FFR) are used to assess stenosis severity, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates and loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the patient's vascular system using 3-D reconstruction from angiographic images. This virtual model allows non-invasive simulation of blood flow and stenosis assessment, eliminating the need for invasive pressure wire measurements while maintaining diagnostic accuracy through computational hemodynamic analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive pressure measurement system with a computational fluid dynamics simulation system. Instead of physically inserting pressure wires into vessels, the system uses numerical methods to solve Navier-Stokes equations and simulate blood flow characteristics, substituting mechanical intrusion with mathematical modeling.
2Ease of operation
If simple geometrical parameters are used to assess stenosis, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms simple geometric parameters (vessel diameter from angiographic images) into comprehensive hemodynamic parameters (pressure gradients, flow rates, fractional flow reserve) through computational fluid dynamics simulation. This parameter transformation maintains ease of operation by starting with simple image-based measurements while achieving precision through physics-based calculations of blood flow characteristics.
3Reliability
If invasive FFR measurements are performed, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases due to procedural complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary 3-D reconstruction and vascular model creation during the catheterization procedure itself, using angiographic images already acquired for diagnostic purposes. By preparing the computational model in advance during the same procedure, the system enables real-time hemodynamic assessment without adding separate invasive measurement steps, thus maintaining reliability while reducing time loss.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for performing a vascular assessment is disclosed. The apparatus creates a three-dimensional model that is representative of a coronary vessel tree of a patient based on at least two angiographic images. The apparatus estimates first blood flow resistance values for points along at least some vascular segments of the coronary vessel tree using vascular geometrical dimensions of the three-dimensional model. The apparatus also estimates second blood flow resistance values for the points along the at least some vascular segments of the coronary vessel tree using a volume of a crown of the vascular segment downstream from the respective point. The apparatus determines fractional flow reserve (“FFR”) by calculating a ratio of the first blood flow resistance values and the second blood flow resistance values at each of the points along the at least some vascular segments of the coronary vessel tree.