Four-Dimensional Angiography Blood Vessel Wall Thickness Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for estimating blood vessel wall thickness, such as those using ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses, provide less precise information, making it difficult to accurately assess the geometry and thickness of cerebral aneurysm walls, which is crucial for preventive measures against rupture.
Innovation Solution
A blood vessel wall thickness estimation method utilizing four-dimensional angiography to obtain behavioral information about changes in position over time, generating estimation information that visualizes displacement, speed, acceleration, kinetic energy, spring constant, and Fourier coefficients to accurately estimate wall thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is used to measure blood vessel wall thickness, then the method is minimally invasive, but the measurement precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical ultrasonic measurement system with a four-dimensional angiography-based computational system. By using X-ray imaging combined with temporal and spatial analysis of blood flow dynamics, the system achieves precise wall thickness measurement without the limitations of ultrasonic wave propagation in tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the measurement approach by changing from direct physical contact measurement (ultrasonic) to indirect optical/radiological measurement (angiography). By analyzing multiple parameters including contrast agent flow dynamics, temporal changes, and spatial distribution across four-dimensional data, the system derives wall thickness with high precision.
2Measurement precision
If craniotomy with imaging is used to measure cerebral aneurysm wall thickness, then the measurement precision is high, but the invasiveness increases and patient burden is heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the surgical craniotomy approach with a non-invasive four-dimensional angiography system. By using computational analysis of dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging data, the system achieves accurate wall thickness measurement without requiring physical access to the aneurysm through surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces contrast agent as an intermediary substance that enables indirect measurement of wall thickness. The contrast agent flows through the blood vessel, and its temporal-spatial distribution patterns provide information about wall characteristics without requiring direct contact or surgical intervention.
3Measurement precision
If four-dimensional angiography is used to obtain behavioral information, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the multi-functionality of four-dimensional angiography systems, which are already designed for comprehensive vascular imaging. By repurposing the temporal and spatial resolution capabilities of these systems for wall thickness measurement, the patent avoids adding dedicated hardware while achieving high measurement precision through computational methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a computational model that replicates the physical blood vessel wall properties using four-dimensional angiography data. By analyzing the behavioral information of contrast agent flow and vessel wall interaction in the digital domain, the system derives wall thickness without requiring additional physical measurement devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A blood vessel wall thickness estimation method includes: obtaining behavioral information, which is numerical information about changes over time in positions of a plurality of predetermined points in a blood vessel wall, based on a video including the blood vessel wall obtained using four-dimensional angiography; generating estimation information for estimating a thickness of the blood vessel wall based on the behavioral information obtained in the obtaining; and outputting the estimation information generated in the generating. The estimation information is information in which at least one of the following is visualized: a change in displacement over time; a change in speed over time; a change in acceleration over time; a change in kinetic energy over time; a spring constant obtained from the displacement and the acceleration, and a Fourier coefficient obtained from the change in the displacement over time.