Automated Multimodal Plaque Analysis for Composition and Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for plaque identification, composition analysis, and stability detection in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases rely heavily on manual processing and subjective analysis, leading to inefficiencies and low accuracy.

Innovation Solution

An intelligent plaque processing system utilizing multi-modal image analysis and machine learning algorithms, including plaque segmentation, composition probability mapping, and stability detection, to provide objective and accurate quantification of plaque characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual processing and subjective analysis are used for plaque identification and composition analysis, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the accuracy and efficiency are low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplaque identification accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical analysis with an intelligent processing system that automatically performs plaque identification, composition analysis, and stability detection through image processing algorithms, thereby improving accuracy while maintaining ease of operation through automated workflows

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service processing where the computational algorithms automatically analyze medical images without requiring manual intervention for measurement and interpretation, allowing the system to perform plaque characterization independently while providing objective quantification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If manual processing methods are used, then the system is simple, but the work efficiency is low and heavily relies on doctor's experience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes manual doctor analysis with automated intelligent processing that performs plaque identification, composition analysis, and stability detection through computational algorithms, significantly improving productivity while reducing dependence on individual doctor experience

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary intelligent processing layer between image acquisition and clinical decision-making, where automated algorithms objectively analyze plaque characteristics and provide quantification results that assist doctors rather than replace clinical judgment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If single data source is used for plaque vulnerability judgment, then the system is simple, but the accuracy is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplaque vulnerability judgment accuracyVSAvoiddata processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple data sources including different imaging sequences and plaque characteristics into a unified analysis framework, combining multiple features to comprehensively assess plaque vulnerability and improve judgment accuracy through multi-parametric evaluation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4167184B1Systems and methods for plaque identification, plaque composition analysis, and plaque stability detection
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE
  • EP4167184B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4167184B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4167184B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The embodiments of the present disclosure provides methods for processing a plaque implemented on at least one machine each of which has at least one processor and at least one storage device for The method may include: obtaining a plurality of images corresponding to a target vessel; processing the plurality of images; and determining plaque information based on a processing result. The plaque information may include at least one of an identification result of a target plaque, plaque composition distribution, or a detection result of plaque stability.