BOLD MRI Myocardial Imaging with Regadenoson Vasodilation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cardiovascular imaging methods under cardiac stress testing face challenges such as side effects from adenosine infusion, limited imaging resolution, and the need for radioactive tracers, making them less favorable for repeated stress testing and patient comfort.

Innovation Solution

A method using blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a selective A2A adenosine receptor agonist like regadenoson to induce hyperemia, allowing for accurate visualization of coronary dynamic parameters without radioactive tracers or contrast agents, and improving image quality during stress testing by delayed imaging post-administration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If adenosine infusion is used to induce hyperemia for cardiovascular imaging, then coronary blood flow increases and imaging capability is improved, but patient comfort deteriorates due to side effects such as feeling of impending doom, bradycardia, arrhythmia, and chest pain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging capabilityVSAvoidpatient comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pharmacological parameters by using regadenoson (a selective A2A adenosine receptor agonist) instead of adenosine, altering the receptor selectivity and duration of action to reduce side effects while maintaining hyperemia induction capability for imaging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a short-acting vasodilator (regadenoson with half-life of 3-15 minutes) that provides sufficient duration for imaging but rapidly terminates its effect, allowing quick recovery and reducing cumulative side effects in repeated studies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Measurement precision

If adenosine is used for repeated stress testing, then vascular reactivity assessment is achieved, but patient request to avoid repeated testing increases due to cumulative side effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevascular reactivity assessmentVSAvoidrepeated testing feasibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a short-acting vasodilator that rapidly terminates its effect, enabling frequent repeated stress tests without cumulative side effects, thus improving adaptability for monitoring treatment response and disease progression

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The short half-life of regadenoson allows the drug to self-terminate its effect quickly without requiring intervention, enabling rapid recovery between repeated stress testing sessions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If nuclear imaging methods are used for functional assessment, then myocardial perfusion can be visualized, but imaging resolution is limited and radioactive tracers are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemyocardial perfusion visualizationVSAvoidimaging system requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces nuclear imaging methods with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), substituting radioactive tracer-based detection with non-ionizing magnetic field-based BOLD imaging to achieve similar functional assessment without radiation exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the imaging modality parameters by using BOLD MRI which detects oxygenation changes in blood, providing functional perfusion information through magnetic susceptibility effects rather than radioactive tracer uptake

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enhances image quality and patient comfort by maintaining hyperemic blood flow for extended periods, reducing artifacts, and enabling precise diagnosis and prognosis of cardiovascular diseases without the drawbacks of traditional methods.

Implementation Method 1

administering an effective amount of a vasodilator to the subject, wherein the vasodilator has an extended vasodilatory state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdenosine receptor activation:

Implementation Method 2

A method using blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a selective A2A adenosine receptor agonist like regadenoson to induce hyperemia

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVasodilation:

Implementation Method 3

alterations in oxygen saturation in response to hyperemia, also known as the Blood-Oxygen-Level-Dependent (BOLD) effect

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBOLD effect:

Implementation Method 4

blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic resonance imaging:

Data Source

PatentUS11445912B2Robust myocardial blood oxygen level dependent magnetic resonance imaging with long acting coronary vasodilators

Publication Date: 2022.09.20 CEDARS SINAI MEDICAL CENT

AI summary

The invention provides various methods for imaging a subject's cardiovascular system. The imaging method may be used to provide a diagnosis or prognosis of various cardiovascular diseases in the subject, without contrast agents or radioactive tracers, and further generating a Gaussian Mixture Model to obtain a reference value of a normal myocardium.