Blood Flow Analysis Apparatus Backflow Detection via Velocity Integration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current blood flow analysis methods using three-dimensional cine phase contrast magnetic resonance and computational fluid dynamics struggle to accurately identify backflow in unexpected portions of blood vessels, while ultrasound diagnosis faces challenges in visualizing backflow due to the two-dimensional nature of images, leading to a risk of overlooking such flows.
Innovation Solution
A blood flow analysis apparatus and method that extracts the blood vessel region from medical images, acquires flow velocity vectors, and integrates these vectors along a central axis to calculate an integral value, allowing for the specification of backflow by monitoring changes in this value, which is then displayed as a map image to facilitate the identification of backflow regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If three-dimensional cine phase contrast magnetic resonance or CFD is used to check back flow, then flow velocity vectors can be obtained, but the user may overlook back flow in portions not observed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the blood vessel region into multiple cross-sections along the central axis direction. By dividing the vessel into discrete cross-sectional regions, the system can systematically analyze flow velocity vectors at each segment, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the entire vessel length including areas that might be overlooked in continuous observation methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of analysis by calculating the integral value of flow velocity vectors along the central axis direction. This transforms the three-dimensional flow field analysis into a one-dimensional integral profile, enabling detection of back flow patterns that extend along the vessel length, thereby recovering information about back flow in previously unobserved portions.
2Ease of operation
If ultrasound diagnosis with color Doppler measurement is used, then forward and backward flows can be displayed on two-dimensional image, but it is difficult to extract flow along the shape of the blood vessel and visualize back flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical probe-based ultrasound measurement system with a computational approach using three-dimensional cine phase contrast magnetic resonance or CFD. This substitution enables automated extraction of flow velocity vectors along the complex three-dimensional geometry of blood vessels, overcoming the limitation of two-dimensional ultrasound imaging while maintaining operational simplicity through automated processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters from two-dimensional color Doppler signals to three-dimensional flow velocity vectors. By acquiring and processing velocity information in three dimensions and integrating along the central axis, the system reliably extracts back flow characteristics while adapting to the complex geometry of blood vessels, thereby improving both visualization and extraction accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If flow velocity vectors are displayed for back flow checking, then direction and magnitude can be observed, but comprehensive back flow detection requires checking entire vessel region
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential back flow detection information by calculating the integral value of flow velocity vectors along the central axis direction. This extraction process isolates the key parameter (integral value profile) from the complex three-dimensional flow field data, enabling comprehensive back flow detection while simplifying the analysis process to monitoring changes in this single integrated parameter along the vessel length.
Data Source
AI summary
The blood flow analysis apparatus includes a blood vessel region extraction unit that extracts a blood vessel region from a blood vessel image obtained by capturing an image of an object including a blood vessel; a flow velocity vector acquisition unit that acquires a flow velocity vector indicating a blood flow velocity and a blood flow direction in the blood vessel region; and a back flow specification unit that sets a central axis which extends in an extension direction of the blood vessel region, integrates a component of the flow velocity vector in a direction of the central axis with respect to a time axis to calculate an integral value, and specifies whether there is a blood back flow in the blood vessel region on the basis of a change in the integral value.