Automated Aortic Valve Closure Time Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the time of aortic valve closure in cardiac imaging are time-consuming and require significant operator expertise, often resulting in inaccurate or irrelevant measurements due to the difficulty in synchronizing blood flow measurements with strain analysis.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that automatically determine the time to aortic valve closure by calculating peak negative strain and weight values from multiple strain traces within the left ventricle, using a processor module to analyze data and display the calculated time, allowing for efficient and accurate determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If operator views aortic valve leaflets on monitor to determine closure time, then closure time can be identified, but the method is time consuming and requires significant operator expertise
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic determination of aortic valve closure time using processed ultrasound data and strain analysis algorithms, eliminating the need for operator intervention in the measurement process. The computer automatically identifies closure events and calculates timing parameters without requiring operator viewing or interpretation of valve leaflet motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual visual inspection method is replaced with an automated computational system that processes ultrasound data and strain measurements. The mechanical/visual process of operator viewing and frame identification is substituted with electronic data processing and automatic timing determination algorithms.
2Measurement precision
If Doppler curser is positioned to detect blood flow through aortic valve, then flow measurement can be obtained, but the flow measurement is not simultaneous with 2D strain measurements and heart rate can vary
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines 2D strain measurement data with Doppler flow data into a single integrated analysis framework. Both measurement types are processed together to determine aortic valve closure time, ensuring that the closure timing is derived from simultaneous or synchronized measurements rather than separate sequential measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system performs multiple functions using the same processed data set: it analyzes both 2D strain measurements and Doppler flow characteristics to determine closure time, eliminating the need for separate measurement procedures and ensuring consistency across different measurement modalities.
3Measurement precision
If aortic valve closure is determined using gray-scale imaging, then imaging is available, but closure is relatively difficult to determine and may not result in desired information
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces strain analysis as an intermediary parameter that mediates between raw ultrasound imaging data and aortic valve closure timing. By calculating strain from tissue motion and using this as an intermediate step, the system indirectly determines closure timing without requiring direct visualization of the valve leaflets, thus simplifying the detection process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms the measurement approach by changing from direct anatomical visualization parameters to functional strain parameters. Instead of measuring closure based on visual inspection of valve structure, the system measures tissue deformation and motion characteristics, then derives closure timing from these transformed parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining a time to aortic valve closure comprises receiving data corresponding to an imaged region of a left ventricle of a heart. A plurality of points within the data is identified. A peak negative strain is determined for each of the points and the peak negative strain comprises a maximum contraction value and a time from onset to maximum contraction value. A weight value for each of the points is determined based on the peak negative strain. A time to aortic valve closure is determined based on the weight value and the time from onset to maximum contraction value for each of the points.