Aortic Aneurysm Growth Prediction via Geometric Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for predicting the growth rate of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are inadequate, as they rely solely on aneurysm size rather than biological behavior, leading to variable progression rates and increased risk of rupture, especially in smaller aneurysms.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implementable method that analyzes geometric measures from a volumetric model of the aorta with an aneurysm, including curvature, shape-based measures, and principal component analysis (PCA) derived features, to predict the growth rate of the aneurysm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgery is performed based on a fixed diameter threshold (55mm), then the risk of rupture is reduced for large aneurysms, but unnecessary surgery is performed on some smaller aneurysms and some smaller aneurysms are missed that would have ruptured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from using a single parameter (diameter) to multiple parameters (diameter, growth rate, shape descriptors, curvature measures) to predict rupture risk. This allows more accurate risk stratification by capturing the biological behavior of individual aneurysms rather than relying on population-based size thresholds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the aneurysm geometry into multiple measurable features including diameter, growth rate, shape descriptors, and curvature measures. This segmentation of geometric information enables comprehensive characterization of aneurysm morphology and behavior for improved prediction accuracy.
2Loss of information
If only diameter measurement is used for monitoring, then the assessment is simple and quick, but it cannot capture the biological behavior and growth rate variations between individuals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary geometric analysis by extracting multiple shape descriptors and curvature measures from 3D reconstructions of aneurysms. This preliminary characterization of geometric features enables subsequent growth rate calculation and risk prediction without requiring complex real-time analysis during clinical decision-making.
3Reliability
If surgical intervention threshold is lowered for smaller aneurysms, then rupture risk is reduced, but the overall risk-benefit ratio worsens due to increased surgical risks in ageing populations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by monitoring aneurysm growth rate over time and using this information to dynamically adjust surgical intervention decisions. The growth rate serves as feedback on the biological behavior of the specific aneurysm, allowing personalized risk-benefit analysis rather than applying fixed size thresholds to all patients.
Data Source
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AI summary
A computer-implemented method is provided for predicting a growth rate of an aortic aneurysm. The method comprises analysing one or more geometric measures of a volumetric model of at least a portion of an aorta having an aneurysm. The method further comprises determining, from the analysis, a growth rate prediction for the aortic aneurysm. Computer- readable media and apparatuses are also described.