Blood Flow Perfusion Analysis Using Precomputed System Matrices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for analyzing blood flow perfusion using X-ray CT and MRI apparatuses face inefficiencies due to high processing times, leading to inaccurate results and reduced patient throughput, as they either neglect time delays or require impractically long analysis times to account for them.
Innovation Solution
A blood flow perfusion analyzing apparatus and method that adjusts the system matrix by adding elements to account for time delays, allowing for accurate calculation of blood flow parameters without significantly increasing processing time, by shifting reference phases and using a modified SVD method to reduce dependency on time shifts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If standard SVD method is used for deconvolution, then processing time is short, but accuracy of blood flow parameter calculation deteriorates due to neglecting time delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing system matrices for various time delay values before actual blood flow analysis. When analyzing patient data, the method selects and applies a pre-computed system matrix corresponding to the measured time delay, avoiding the need for real-time iterative optimization while maintaining high accuracy in blood flow parameter calculation.
2Measurement precision
If block circulant SVD method is used to account for time delays, then accuracy of blood flow parameter calculation is improved, but processing time increases impractically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-computes system matrices for a range of time delay values and stores them in a lookup table. During actual analysis, the appropriate pre-computed matrix is selected based on measured time delay characteristics, eliminating the need for time-consuming iterative optimization while maintaining the accuracy benefits of accounting for time delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from iteratively optimizing time delay parameters to selecting from pre-computed matrices with different time delay parameters. This parameter change transforms a computationally intensive iterative process into a simple lookup and selection operation, dramatically reducing processing time while maintaining accuracy.
3Productivity
If time delays are neglected in analysis, then processing efficiency is high, but reliability of perfusion examination results deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates system matrices incorporating time delay effects for various physiological conditions. During examination, the appropriate pre-computed matrix is selected based on patient-specific time delay measurements, ensuring reliable and accurate perfusion results without adding significant processing time to the examination workflow.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a blood flow perfusion analyzing apparatus includes tissue and arterial TCC calculation units, first and second making units, a deconvolution unit and a blood flow information calculation unit. The tissue TCC calculation unit obtains tissue TCCs. The arterial TCC calculation unit calculates an arterial TCC. The first making unit makes first sets, starting from a first time in which elements corresponding to the tissue are arrayed one-dimensionally, based on the tissue TCCs. The second making unit makes a second set, starting from a second time after the first time, in which elements corresponding to the artery are arrayed two-dimensionally, based on the arterial TCC. The deconvolution unit calculates transfer functions of the tissue based on the first and second sets. The blood flow information calculation unit calculates information on a blood flow perfusion based on the transfer functions.