Blood Flow Tracking in Medical Vessels Using Contrast Agent Intensity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tools for analyzing blood flow in medical images provide overall flow information, which can be misleading when treating occlusions in specific vessels, as they do not allow for detailed visualization and tracking of blood flow within individual vessels.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for tracking blood flow within a vessel by acquiring medical images, identifying and tracking a vessel of interest, generating a composite image with time to peak contrast agent intensity, and calculating a graph of this intensity versus distance along the vessel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If overall flow information for entire image or selected region is provided, then analysis speed is improved, but measurement precision of specific vessel flow deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the overall image analysis into specific vessel segments. By identifying and tracking individual vessels of interest within the broader image, the system can provide both overall flow information and detailed vessel-specific measurements. This segmentation allows clinicians to analyze blood flow in specific vessels (improving precision) while maintaining the ability to process multiple vessels efficiently (maintaining productivity).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of analysis by tracking blood flow along the length of vessels and generating graphs showing time to peak contrast agent intensity versus distance along the vessel. This transforms the analysis from a single overall metric to a multi-dimensional view that preserves both global and local flow characteristics, resolving the contradiction between overall analysis speed and specific measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If automated or semi-automated tracking system is implemented, then measurement precision of specific vessel flow is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated vessel identification and tracking algorithms that can independently identify vessels of interest and track blood flow through them without requiring manual intervention. The system automatically generates composite images and flow graphs, reducing the need for complex manual analysis procedures while maintaining high measurement precision. This automation reduces operational complexity despite the sophisticated algorithms involved.
3Measurement precision
If detailed visualization of blood flow within individual vessels is provided, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of information in overall flow context increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple levels of information into a unified analysis. It combines overall image context with detailed vessel-specific tracking data, and integrates temporal information (time to peak contrast) with spatial information (distance along vessel). The composite images and multi-parameter graphs preserve both the big picture flow patterns and detailed vessel-specific measurements, eliminating information loss between overall and specific analyses.
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 precise visualization and analysis of blood flow within specific vessels, providing accurate data for assessing treatment effectiveness and improving occlusion analysis.
Implementation Method 1
In angiographic X-ray imaging, contrast medium is used to enhance the contrast of blood-carrying structures within patient anatomy. For example, contrast medium is introduced into a patient volume (e.g., via intravenous injection) and an X-ray image of the volume is acquired while the medium is located within the volume. In the X-ray image, structures which contain the medium appear darker than they would otherwise appear.
Implementation Method 2
The digital medical images are typically either a two-dimensional ('2-D') image made of pixel elements or a three-dimensional ('3-D') image made of volume elements ('voxels'). Such 2-D or 3-D images are processed using medical image recognition techniques to determine the presence of anatomical structures, and as for example in a DSA, the flow of contrast agent through vessels of the patient.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for tracking blood flow within a vessel of a patient are presented. At least one or more medical images of the patient are acquired showing at least one vessel of the patient. A user marks a proximal point and a distal point on a vessel of interest on the medical images. The vessel of interest is tracked and corrections are made to the tracking using a tracking algorithm. A composite image is generated that encodes time to peak contrast agent intensity at each point of the vessel of interest as well as the intensity of the contrast at that time. A graph of time to peak contrast agent intensity versus distance from a proximal point of the vessel of interest is calculated and displayed to a user.