Blood Flow Rate Estimation via Mass Transit Model
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current angiographic methods provide only qualitative information on blood flow, making it difficult to make objective comparisons between vessels and across subjects, and often require invasive procedures, ionizing radiation, or contrast agents.
Innovation Solution
The development of systems and methods that quantify blood flow rates in vessel segments using dynamic angiographic data, fitting a fluid mechanics-derived model to estimate blood flow without the need for invasive procedures, ionizing radiation, or contrast agents, by tracking the passage of an ASL tagged bolus of fluid through a region of interest and using a mass transit model to estimate blood flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional angiographic methods are used to obtain blood flow information, then vessel morphology and function can be visualized, but only qualitative information is provided making objective comparisons difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms qualitative angiographic data into quantitative blood flow measurements by introducing a mass transit model that processes signal intensity variations over time. The system converts relative signal changes into absolute flow rates (ml/min) by fitting the observed bolus passage to a theoretical mass transit curve, thereby changing the measurement parameter from qualitative intensity to quantitative flow rate.
2Measurement precision
If invasive angiographic procedures are performed to obtain detailed vascular information, then accurate blood flow data can be obtained, but patient safety is compromised due to ionizing radiation and contrast agents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive mechanical/chemical methods (catheter-based angiography with contrast injection) with a non-invasive magnetic resonance-based mass transit modeling approach. The system uses endogenous tissue properties and mathematical modeling to achieve quantitative flow measurements without physical intrusion or harmful substances, substituting the entire measurement paradigm from invasive to non-invasive.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a computational mass transit model as an intermediary between the non-invasive MRI signal and the desired blood flow quantification. This mathematical model acts as a mediator that translates qualitative signal intensity-time curves into quantitative flow rates, enabling accurate measurement without direct physical intervention in the vascular system.
3Reliability
If conventional angiographic techniques are used to assess vascular disease, then vessel morphology can be evaluated, but objective diagnostic markers are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms subjective morphological assessment into objective functional quantification by measuring actual blood flow rates in ml/min. The mass transit model extracts quantitative parameters (flow rate, bolus passage time, signal intensity) that serve as objective diagnostic markers, changing the diagnostic parameter from subjective visual assessment to objective numerical measurement.
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
Enables the estimation of blood flow rates in a non-invasive manner, providing quantitative information on blood flow conditions, which can help in diagnosing cerebrovascular diseases and offering diagnostic markers, while avoiding the limitations of traditional angiographic techniques.
Implementation Method 1
The bolus of fluid can comprise an arterial spin labeling (ASL) tagged bolus of fluid
Implementation Method 2
an imaging device in data communication with the at least one computing device
Implementation Method 3
considering the mass transport of ASL labelled blood is applied for estimation of blood flow through the vessel
Implementation Method 4
estimation of haemodynamic parameters by fitting a fluid mechanics derived model to the data
Implementation Method 5
The methods can include the effects of T1 decay, RF attenuation, and contrast bolus dispersion
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are various embodiments for estimating the flow of blood through a blood vessel in a region of interest. Passage of a bolus of fluid through an imaged blood vessel over a period of time is tracked by a computing device. The computing device fits the tracked passage of the bolus of fluid to a modeled passage of the bolus of fluid. The computing device then estimates a volume of blood flow through the imaged blood vessel based at least in part on a fit of the tracked passage of the bolus of fluid to the modeled passage of the bolus of fluid.