Automated Atrial Digital Twin Generation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for generating personalized computational models of the heart's atria are inefficient, require high human interaction, and are susceptible to user errors, lacking automation and reproducibility, especially when using non-invasive clinical data.

Innovation Solution

A highly automated method that preprocesses clinical input data to remove self-intersections and open anatomical openings, applies statistical shape models for anatomical fitting, and personalizes models through conduction velocity and fibrosis modeling, allowing for the generation of robust and reproducible atrial digital twins from various clinical data sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual selection steps are used in CemrgApp and OpenEP for model generation, then user control and customization are improved, but automation extent and reproducibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser controlVSAvoidautomation extent
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automated model generation using clinical data as input, with the algorithm independently completing segmentation, mesh generation, and parameter optimization without requiring manual user selection steps. The model adapts automatically to different input data types (MRI, CT, electroanatomical maps) through self-adjusting processing pipelines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical operations (user selection, manual segmentation, interactive model building) are replaced by an automated computational system that processes clinical data through algorithmic steps including image processing, mesh generation, and electrophysiological parameter optimization, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining model quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual selection steps are required in model generation processes, then flexibility in handling different data types is improved, but susceptibility to user errors and user-dependent deviations increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata handling flexibilityVSAvoidreproducibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system is designed to accept multiple types of clinical input data (MRI, CT, electroanatomical maps) and automatically adapts the processing pipeline to handle each data type appropriately, producing consistent model quality across different input sources without requiring manual configuration or selection steps that could introduce user-dependent variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If high-level human interaction is required for building personalized computational models, then model accuracy and personalization are improved, but process efficiency and standardization deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodel accuracyVSAvoidprocess efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates automated feedback mechanisms where the computational model is continuously refined based on comparison with clinical data, automatically adjusting parameters and geometry to achieve high accuracy without manual intervention. The feedback loop validates model predictions against observed clinical measurements and iteratively optimizes the digital twin representation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Manufacturing precision

If current frameworks are used for integrating anatomical and functional twinning phases, then model personalization is improved, but computational efficiency and robustness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodel personalizationVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the anatomical modeling phase and functional electrophysiological modeling phase into a unified automated workflow. Clinical imaging data is processed to generate anatomical geometry, which is then directly integrated with electrophysiological parameters and conduction velocity fields in a single cohesive computational model, eliminating the need for separate manual integration steps and reducing overall computational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4224487A1Method for generating an anatomically and functionally personalized computational atria model
Publication Date: 2023.08.09 KARLSRUHER INST FUR TECH
  • EP4224487A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4224487A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4224487A1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for generating an anatomically and functionally personalized computational model of a subject's heart (atria), i.e. a cardiac digital twin or virtual replica, to data processing devices and computer programs for carrying out the method and its use for carrying out in-silico experiments on the subject's cardiac digital twin, such as e.g. evaluation or prediction of cardiovascular treatment options or personalized therapy options.