Adaptive Four-Zone Perfusion Scan for Stroke Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic imaging protocols for acute stroke management, such as CT angiography and perfusion studies, face challenges in timing the administration of contrast agent boluses, leading to non-diagnostic images due to venous contrast contamination or delayed patient treatment.
Innovation Solution
The method involves estimating arterial inflow and venous outflow functions using a machine learning model based on initial contrast agent injection data, allowing for precise timing of subsequent contrast bolus administration to avoid contamination and minimize scan duration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a timing bolus scan is performed to determine contrast timing, then contrast administration can be personalized to the patient, but the scan time increases by five minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary monitoring of contrast agent passage through arterial and venous phases before the actual CTA/CTP scans. By observing the contrast bolus in real-time during a brief monitoring period, the system determines optimal timing parameters in advance, allowing subsequent scans to be executed without requiring a separate 5-minute timing bolus scan for each patient.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors contrast signal intensity in real-time during the scan protocol and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust scan timing. The monitoring system tracks when contrast enters arterial vessels and when it transitions to venous phase, providing real-time feedback that automatically triggers scan acquisitions at optimal moments without requiring pre-scan timing studies.
2Measurement precision
If CTA and CTP studies are performed separately, then each study can be optimized individually, but the total scan time increases by five to seven minutes due to contrast washout requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges CTA and CTP acquisitions into a single integrated scan protocol. By combining both studies into one continuous scan performed during a single contrast bolus passage, the system eliminates the need for separate contrast administrations and the 5-7 minute washout period between studies. Both arterial phase (CTA) and perfusion phase (CTP) images are acquired during the same contrast injection event.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous scanning throughout the contrast bolus passage, acquiring both CTA and CTP data in an uninterrupted sequence. The scan protocol transitions smoothly from arterial phase imaging to perfusion phase imaging without stopping or requiring contrast washout, maximizing the utilization of the contrast agent's useful imaging window.
3Ease of operation
If contrast bolus timing is not precisely controlled, then scan protocol simplicity is maintained, but venous contrast contamination occurs leading to non-diagnostic images
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses real-time contrast signal monitoring to automatically detect when contrast enters the venous phase. When the monitoring system detects venous contrast contamination, it automatically triggers the end of the scan protocol or adjusts timing parameters, ensuring high-quality arterial and perfusion images are acquired before venous contamination occurs. This automated feedback mechanism maintains diagnostic quality without requiring complex manual timing adjustments.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for adaptive scan control. In one embodiment, a method includes, upon an injection of a contrast agent, processing acquired projection data of an anatomical region of interest (ROI) of a subject to measure a contrast signal of the contrast agent, determining when each of a plurality of zones of a contrast scan are estimated to occur based on the contrast signal, updating a scan prescription for the contrast scan based on when each of the plurality of zones of the scan protocol are estimated to occur, and performing the contrast scan according to the updated scan prescription.