Angiographic Image Processing for Non-Invasive FFR Determination

The patent replaces the mechanical sensor insertion method with an image-processing-based measurement system. By analyzing contrast agent velocity in angiographic images through computational algorithms, the system eliminates the need for physical sensors to be inserted into the lumen, thereby reducing device complexity and procedural risk while maintaining measurement capability

The patent introduces contrast agent velocity as an intermediary parameter to indirectly determine FFR. Instead of directly measuring pressure differential with sensors, the system uses the velocity of contrast agent flow through the lumen as a mediator to calculate flow-related indices, which then provide the FFR value without requiring invasive pressure sensors

The patent extracts the essential geometric information needed for FFR calculation directly from 2D angiographic images without generating a complete 3D model. By identifying specific regions of interest and measuring contrast agent velocity at discrete locations along the lumen, the system obtains sufficient geometric data for accurate FFR determination while avoiding the time-consuming process of full 3D reconstruction

The patent applies partial image processing by focusing computational efforts only on specific regions of interest along the lumen where flow measurement is needed, rather than processing the entire lumen geometry in 3D. This selective approach provides adequate measurement precision for FFR while significantly reducing overall processing time and computational resource consumption