Adaptive Multi-Zone Perfusion Scan Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic imaging protocols for acute stroke management, such as CT angiography and perfusion scans, face challenges in timing the administration of contrast agent boluses, leading to non-diagnostic images and potential patient outcomes due to venous contrast contamination or delayed treatment.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of personalized, adaptive contrast imaging techniques that adjust scan parameters based on individual patient contrast agent kinetics, using machine learning models to estimate arterial and venous inflow and outflow functions, allowing for real-time optimization of scan protocols and reducing radiation exposure and scan duration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a timing bolus scan is performed to personalize the scan prescription, then the scan can be optimized for the patient, but the scan time increases by five minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a timing bolus scan before the main CTA/CTP studies to determine patient-specific contrast kinetics. This preliminary measurement allows the system to calculate personalized scan prescriptions that optimize timing parameters, thereby improving diagnostic quality while managing the time cost through automated prescription generation based on the timing data.
2Reliability
If CTA and CTP studies are performed separately with contrast washout time, then diagnostic quality is improved, but the total scan time increases by five to seven minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the scan prescription adaptive rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts scan timing parameters based on real-time contrast kinetics measurements from the timing bolus scan. This allows the CTA and CTP studies to be performed with optimized intervals that prevent venous contrast contamination while minimizing total scan time, rather than using fixed washout times.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the timing bolus scan data to generate a personalized scan prescription that feeds back into the CTA and CTP acquisition timing. The contrast kinetics measured during the timing bolus provide feedback that automatically adjusts the timing of subsequent scans, ensuring optimal diagnostic quality while reducing unnecessary wait time between acquisitions.
3Loss of information
If contrast agent is administered for CTA and CTP scans, then diagnostic information is obtained, but radiation exposure and scan duration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting scan timing parameters based on individual patient contrast kinetics. The system modifies acquisition time, frame rate, and contrast injection timing according to the patient's specific blood flow characteristics. This personalized parameter adjustment ensures sufficient diagnostic information is captured while minimizing radiation exposure by avoiding unnecessary scans and reducing scan duration when contrast kinetics allow.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables the acquisition of high-quality diagnostic images while minimizing radiation dose and scan time, improving patient outcomes by optimizing contrast agent administration timing.
Implementation Method 1
a first contrast level of a contrast agent administered to the patient
Implementation Method 2
technologies such as computed tomography (CT) use various physical principles, such as the differential transmission of x-rays through the target volume, to acquire image data
Data Source
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 first contrast signal of a contrast agent administered to the subject via a first injection, initializing a contrast scan of the subject according to a fallback scan prescription, determining when each of a plurality of zones of the contrast scan are estimated to occur based on the contrast signal, generating a personalized scan prescription for the contrast scan based on when each of the plurality of zones are estimated to occur, and performing the contrast scan according to the personalized scan prescription after a second injection of the contrast agent.