Synoptic Cardiac Image Display for Perfusion-Wall Motion Correlation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for assessing myocardial viability and wall motion abnormalities in cardiac images are tedious, prone to visual inconclusiveness, and demand simultaneous estimation of perfusion and spatial correspondence, which is challenging without aid.

Innovation Solution

A method for generating a synoptic representation of cardiac image data combining multiple cardiac characteristics, such as perfusion and wall motion, to facilitate spatial correspondence assessment, using techniques like segmentation, alignment, and graphical overlays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If four or more image volumes from multiple scans and reconstructions are simultaneously appraised by visual inspection, then spatial correspondence between cardiac characteristics can be assessed, but the process becomes tedious and prone to visual inconclusiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial correspondence assessment accuracyVSAvoidvisual appraisal complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple cardiac characteristics (perfusion, wall motion, wall thickness) from different image volumes into a single integrated display. This merging allows clinicians to assess spatial correspondence between characteristics without manually comparing multiple separate images, thereby improving assessment accuracy while reducing operational complexity and visual fatigue

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimensional representation by overlaying multiple cardiac characteristics in a synoptic display format. This dimensional transformation integrates information from multiple image volumes into a unified visual framework, enabling simultaneous assessment of spatial correspondence without the tedium of sequential visual comparison

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If unaided visual appraisal is used to estimate changes in perfusion and spatial correspondence simultaneously, then no additional equipment is needed, but the process is very demanding and prone to errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing system simplicityVSAvoidperfusion and spatial correspondence estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a computational processing system as an intermediary between the raw image data and the clinician's assessment. This intermediary automatically calculates perfusion changes, wall motion abnormalities, and spatial correspondence, then presents the results in an integrated display. This mediator handles the complex simultaneous estimation tasks that are too demanding for unaided visual appraisal, thereby improving precision while maintaining relative system simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4685736A1Medical image processing method, computer program element and image processing device
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP4685736A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4685736A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4685736A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a medical image processing method (1). According to the method, cardiac image data of a patient relating to at least two different cardiac characteristics is received (S1). The cardiac image data is processed (S2) to generate a synoptic representation (2) of the at least two different cardiac characteristics and the synoptic representation (2) is output (S3). The invention further relates to a corresponding computer program element and to a corresponding image processing device.