Aortic Calcium Volume Determination via Automated Masking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for determining calcium volume in the aorta are time-consuming, costly, and require additional medical image datasets, making early detection and risk assessment for cardiovascular diseases inefficient and exposing patients to unnecessary radiation.

Innovation Solution

An automated method using a computer-implemented process that analyzes existing medical image datasets to determine the volume of calcium in the aorta by creating masks, segmenting the aorta, and calculating the volume of calcium segments, allowing for precise and efficient detection without additional imaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual analysis of calcification in aorta is performed using medical image datasets, then assessment accuracy is improved, but time consumption and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalcification assessment accuracyVSAvoidanalysis time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automated self-assessment of aortic calcification by having the computer automatically perform segmentation, mask creation, and volume calculation without requiring manual intervention. The existing medical image datasets are processed autonomously through algorithms that identify calcium deposits and compute their volumes, replacing the need for manual analysis while maintaining assessment accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical analysis process is replaced with an automated computational system. The computer executes algorithms that automatically segment the aorta, create masks for calcium deposits, and calculate volumes, substituting human manual work with automated image processing and computational analysis of medical image datasets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If additional computed tomography examinations are performed for calcification analysis, then measurement precision is improved, but radiation exposure and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalcification detection precisionVSAvoidradiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The existing medical image datasets, originally acquired for other diagnostic purposes, are repurposed to perform dual functions: their primary diagnostic function plus the additional function of aortic calcification assessment. This multi-functional use of the same imaging data eliminates the need for separate dedicated calcification examinations, thereby avoiding additional radiation exposure while maintaining assessment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The calcification assessment is performed preliminarily using already-acquired medical image datasets before any additional imaging is considered. By utilizing pre-existing imaging data for calcification analysis, the system performs the assessment action in advance using available resources, avoiding the need for subsequent additional radiation-exposing examinations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If automated analysis methods are implemented, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate compared to manual analysis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalysis throughputVSAvoidcalcification volume accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The automated system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the computer generates and refines masks for calcium deposits through iterative processing. The system continuously adjusts and optimizes the segmentation and mask creation based on the medical image data, providing feedback loops that enhance the accuracy of automated measurements while maintaining high productivity through systematic processing of multiple datasets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20240362813A1Method for determining a volume of calcium in an aorta

Publication Date: 2024.10.31 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG

AI summary

A computer-implemented method for determination of a volume of calcium in an aorta comprises receiving a medical image dataset of the aorta; determining an aorta center line of the aorta based on the medical image dataset; determining landmarks on the aorta based on the medical image dataset; determining an aorta mask of the aorta based on the medical image dataset; applying the aorta mask to the medical image dataset to create a masked medical image dataset; creating a calcium mask based on the masked medical image dataset; determining at least one aorta segment based on the aorta mask, the aorta center line and the landmarks; determining the volume of calcium of the at least one aorta segment based on the calcium mask and the at least one aorta segment; and providing the volume of calcium of the at least one aorta segment.