Aortic Valve Closure Detection Using Tissue Doppler Velocity

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for detecting aortic valve closure (AVC) often rely on separate heart cycles and are not directly determined using apical views, which can be affected by heart rate variability, necessitating a method to accurately detect AVC within the same heart cycle.

Innovation Solution

The method involves acquiring ultrasonic data and ECG data to detect tissue velocities, identifying maximum or minimum values, and using these values to determine the timing of AVC, with an apparatus comprising an ultrasonic probe and signal processor to process the data and detect cardiac events.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If echocardiographic methods use other views or recording modalities to determine AVC timing, then timing information can be obtained, but the timing information is given in separate heart cycles and is affected by heart rate variability

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAVC timing measurement precisionVSAvoidAVC timing reliability across heart cycles

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines apical view imaging with tissue Doppler velocity measurement to directly determine AVC timing within the same heart cycle. This merging of imaging modalities allows simultaneous acquisition of anatomical and functional data, eliminating the need to use separate views or heart cycles for timing determination, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical phonocardiography methods with tissue Doppler velocity measurement. By using Doppler shift in ultrasonic waves to detect tissue motion velocities, the system can precisely identify AVC timing through maximum or minimum velocity values, providing more reliable and precise timing information that is not affected by heart rate variability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If heart rate varies from cycle to cycle, then the relation between systole and diastole changes, but this changes the timing of AVC relative to the heart cycle

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveHeart rate variability adaptationVSAvoidAVC timing precision relative to heart cycle

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts the analysis to work within the same heart cycle regardless of heart rate variations. By using tissue Doppler velocity measurement that directly detects AVC timing within the current cycle rather than relying on fixed temporal relationships, the system adapts to heart rate changes while maintaining precise timing measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Quantity of substance

If apical views are used for tissue Doppler information, then most useful cardiac data is obtained, but AVC timing cannot be directly determined from the same heart cycle

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveTissue Doppler information quantityVSAvoidAVC timing detection difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the apical view tissue Doppler measurement serve multiple functions: it provides both tissue velocity information for cardiac function analysis and direct AVC timing determination. By detecting maximum or minimum velocity values in the tissue Doppler signal from apical views, the system simultaneously achieves both quantitative tissue analysis and precise AVC timing detection without requiring additional views or modalities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 allows for direct and accurate detection of AVC within the same heart cycle, improving the precision and reliability of cardiac event analysis, enabling automated or semi-automated analysis and diagnosis.

Implementation Method 1

acquiring ultrasonic data comprising a heart cycle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic detection: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 2

Tissue velocities are detected associated with the ultrasonic data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDoppler effect: Doppler Effect

Data Source

PatentUS7678050B2Method and apparatus for detecting cardiac events

Publication Date: 2010.03.16 GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC

AI summary

A method and apparatus for detecting cardiac events. Ultrasonic data comprising a heart cycle is acquired by a probe. Tissue velocities associated with the ultrasonic data are detected. One of a maximum and a minimum value is detected based on the tissue velocities. A time within the heart cycle associated with the maximum or minimum value is determined, and a cardiac event is detected with respect to the time within the heart cycle and the maximum or minimum value.