Regional Rupture Potential Assessment for Aortic Aneurysms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing the rupture risk of aortic aneurysms rely heavily on maximum aortic diameter, which is poorly predictive due to individual variability and lack of insight into localized weakening of the aortic wall, leading to inadequate identification of regions prone to expansion and rupture.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using 3D models and computational fluid dynamics simulations to estimate in vivo rupture potential by analyzing local hemodynamic forces, deformability, and intraluminal thrombus thickness, correlating these factors to determine regional rupture potential through image data from medical imaging apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If maximum aortic diameter is used as the assessment marker, then the assessment method is simple, but the predictive accuracy of rupture risk is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the aortic wall into multiple regions and assesses each region's rupture potential separately using local hemodynamic parameters (wall shear stress, wall strain, ILT thickness) rather than using a single global diameter measurement. This segmentation enables localized assessment of weakening in different aortic regions, improving predictive accuracy while maintaining computational feasibility through systematic regional analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional diameter measurement to multi-dimensional assessment by incorporating spatial distribution of hemodynamic parameters across the aortic wall. The method evaluates wall shear stress, wall strain, and intraluminal thrombus thickness at multiple locations and orientations, adding dimensional complexity to capture the heterogeneous nature of aortic weakening that single diameter cannot reflect.
2Measurement precision
If local hemodynamic parameters are analyzed, then the predictive accuracy improves, but the computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates simplified computational models (3D geometric models of the aorta) that replicate the complex hemodynamic environment without requiring full-scale physical experiments or overly complex simulations. These digital models allow efficient calculation of wall shear stress, wall strain, and ILT thickness distributions while maintaining physiological relevance, thus improving accuracy without excessive computational burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent focuses calculations on specific critical parameters (wall shear stress, wall strain, intraluminal thrombus thickness) rather than computing all possible hemodynamic variables. By identifying and computing only the most relevant parameters for rupture prediction, the method achieves high predictive accuracy while keeping computational complexity manageable through selective parameter analysis.
3Loss of information
If regional rupture potential is assessed, then the identification of vulnerable regions improves, but the measurement and calculation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary 3D reconstruction and mesh generation of the aortic geometry before conducting hemodynamic parameter calculations. By preparing the geometric model and computational mesh in advance, the method facilitates subsequent efficient calculation of wall shear stress, wall strain, and ILT thickness distributions across regional zones, reducing the overall measurement and calculation complexity while preserving detailed localized information.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a method for determining a regional rupture potential (RRP) indicative of the state of local weakening of a blood vessel based on parameters that correlate with the expansion and local weakening of the vessel. The method comprises: receiving a plurality of images of the blood vessel into a multiphase stack. A geometrical model of the lumen and the outer wall of the vessel are generated and smoothed to obtain a volume mesh and surface mesh respectively. An ILT thickness distribution, a local deformation at each phase and a wall strain distribution indicative of a maximal principal strain at the outer wall are determined. Blood flow values in the lumen are obtained and a wall shear stress distribution indicative of wall shear disturbances in the lumen is calculated. The RRP is determined based on the ILT thickness distribution, the wall shear stress, and the wall strain.