Adaptive Multi-Phase Angiography Scanning for Patient-Specific Hemodynamics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current multi-phase CT angiography (CTA) scans for emergency stroke management are inefficient due to fixed protocols that do not account for patient-specific hemodynamics, leading to potential delays in diagnosis and increased radiation exposure, and cognitive load on operators.

Innovation Solution

Adaptive contrast scan protocols that adjust the number and timing of acquisitions based on a patient's hemodynamic markers, determined from contrast signal analysis, using lookup tables and graphical user interfaces to optimize scan parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fixed multi-phase CTA scan protocols are used, then standard diagnostic coverage is achieved, but scan duration is extended and radiation dose is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic coverageVSAvoidscan duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic scan protocols that adapt the number and timing of CTA phases based on real-time hemodynamic markers measured during the scan. Instead of fixed protocols, the system continuously monitors contrast agent kinetics and adjusts subsequent phases accordingly, allowing scan termination when diagnostic objectives are achieved, thus reducing scan duration while maintaining diagnostic reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes scan parameters (number of phases, timing intervals, contrast timing) based on measured hemodynamic markers such as arterial peak time and venous descent characteristics. This allows optimization of scan protocols for individual patient physiology, reducing unnecessary phases and radiation exposure while ensuring adequate diagnostic coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If fixed multi-phase CTA scan protocols are used, then standard diagnostic coverage is achieved, but radiation dose is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic coverageVSAvoidradiation dose
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic scan protocols that adapt the number and timing of CTA phases based on real-time hemodynamic markers measured during the scan. Instead of fixed protocols, the system continuously monitors contrast agent kinetics and adjusts subsequent phases accordingly, allowing scan termination when diagnostic objectives are achieved, thus reducing scan duration while maintaining diagnostic reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes scan parameters (number of phases, timing intervals, contrast timing) based on measured hemodynamic markers such as arterial peak time and venous descent characteristics. This allows optimization of scan protocols for individual patient physiology, reducing unnecessary phases and radiation exposure while ensuring adequate diagnostic coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If additional CTA passes are acquired for patients with atrial fibrillation or age over 80, then diagnostic accuracy for collateral flow is improved, but scan complexity and operator cognitive load increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollateral flow detectionVSAvoidscan protocol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the scan system to automatically determine the need for additional phases by measuring hemodynamic markers directly during the scan, eliminating the need for operators to manually assess patient risk factors. The system self-adjusts the number of phases based on objective physiological measurements, reducing operator cognitive load while maintaining diagnostic accuracy for collateral flow detection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Measurement precision

If additional CTA passes are acquired for patients with atrial fibrillation or age over 80, then diagnostic accuracy for collateral flow is improved, but scan duration is extended

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollateral flow detectionVSAvoidscan duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes scan parameters (number of phases, timing intervals, contrast timing) based on measured hemodynamic markers such as arterial peak time and venous descent characteristics. This allows optimization of scan protocols for individual patient physiology, reducing unnecessary phases and radiation exposure while ensuring adequate diagnostic coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements real-time feedback mechanisms where hemodynamic markers measured during early phases inform decisions about subsequent phases. The system continuously monitors contrast kinetics and uses this feedback to determine when sufficient diagnostic information has been obtained, allowing early termination of unnecessary phases while ensuring adequate sampling for collateral flow detection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12446844B2Methods and systems for an adaptive multi-phase angiography scan
Publication Date: 2025.10.21 GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC
  • US12446844B2 patent drawing
  • US12446844B2 patent drawing
  • US12446844B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Methods and systems are provided for adaptive scan control. In one embodiment, a method includes processing acquired projection data of a monitoring area of a subject to measure a contrast signal of a contrast agent delivered to the subject, determining a hemodynamic marker of the subject based on the contrast signal, generating a scan prescription based on the determined hemodynamic marker of the subject, and performing a multi-phase contrast scan according to the scan prescription.