Aortic Pulse Wave Velocity Profiling via MRI Inflow Enhancement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurement, particularly in medical contexts, face challenges in achieving high precision and non-invasive, clinically viable local PWV measurements, especially in the aorta, due to limitations in time resolution and the need for invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method using a multi-slice MR data acquisition sequence with synchronized cardiac motion and high temporal resolution, acquiring intensity-based data from transverse slices along the descending aorta to calculate PWV with enhanced time resolution and precision, allowing for localized physiological process analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional MRI-based PWV measurement methods are used, then PWV can be measured non-invasively, but the time resolution is insufficient to accurately capture the pulse wave transit time
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement process is segmented into multiple cardiac phases, with data acquisition synchronized to the cardiac cycle. The pulse wave transit time is measured by detecting the pulse wave front at multiple locations along the aorta during specific cardiac phases, allowing precise timing measurement without requiring continuous high-speed imaging throughout the entire cardiac cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system performs preliminary synchronization with the cardiac cycle before actual PWV measurement. By pre-aligning the data acquisition with cardiac motion and identifying the pulse wave front position in advance, the system prepares the optimal measurement window to capture the pulse wave transit with maximum time resolution.
2Measurement precision
If invasive pressure measurements are used to validate PWV, then gold standard accuracy is achieved, but the procedure becomes clinically impractical due to high cost and risks
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical invasive pressure measurement system with a non-invasive MRI-based flow detection system. By using magnetic resonance imaging to detect blood flow velocity and pulse wave propagation in the aorta, the system achieves accurate PWV measurement without requiring catheter insertion or invasive pressure transducers, thereby eliminating the associated risks and costs while maintaining measurement validity.
3Loss of information
If multiple slices are acquired along the aorta to enable localized PWV measurement, then detailed physiological insights are obtained, but the acquisition time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The data acquisition is organized into periodic cardiac cycles, with each slice acquired during specific phases of the cardiac cycle. By synchronizing the multi-slice acquisition with the periodic nature of heartbeats, the system efficiently collects pulse wave data from multiple aortic locations without requiring continuous scanning, thereby reducing total acquisition time while maintaining detailed physiological information.
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 non-invasive, clinically relevant PWV measurements with improved precision, capable of differentiating age groups and blood pressure categories, providing detailed PWV profiles and insights into aortic physiology, including wall characteristics and pressure profiles.
Implementation Method 1
acquire intensity-based magnetic resonance (MR) data respectively from two transverse slices that are spaced from each other along the descending aorta, by executing a multi-slice MR data segmented ciné acquisition sequence in which nuclear spins in the respective slices are excited
Implementation Method 2
Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is the speed of propagation of a pressure change in a medium. PWV is related to the amplitude of the propagating wave, the properties of the medium in which the wave propagates (density, compressibility, sound velocity, etc.), and the boundary conditions
Implementation Method 3
The MR slice images are provided to an analysis computer or processor, which detects the arrival of a pulse wave in each of at least two of the slices from onset flow enhancement based on the intensity values of relevant pixels derived respectively from at least two of the MR slice images
Data Source
AI summary
In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus for pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurement along the aorta of a subject using MR imaging, a multislice cardio synchronized segmented ciné MR data acquisition sequence is optimized in order to enhance inflow representation in the slice images, in order to make the multislice MR data acquisition sequence viable for clinical uses, so as to acquire intensity-based MR data from two transverse slices spaced from each other along the descending aorta. The respective intensities of relevant pixels in at least two respective slice images are analyzed in order to identify the arrival of a pulse wave in the respective slices by the onset of flow enhancement in the slices, represented by intensity changes in the pixels. From the onset of flow enhancement in the respective slice images, PWV is calculated. An electronic signal representing the calculated PWV is then provided from a computer.