Cardiac Ultrasound Strain Mapping for Electrical Conduction Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound imaging systems struggle to accurately visualize the electrical conduction pathway through the heart, as strain values from cardiac muscles are difficult to interpret, particularly when impairment is directional and masked by continued contraction in other directions.
Innovation Solution
The method involves generating cardiac ultrasound images, segmenting myocardium using image processing and deep learning algorithms, performing speckle tracking echocardiography to determine strain values, and creating a spatio-temporal map of electrical impulses based on these strain values, which is then output to a display device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If strain values from cardiac muscles are used to visualize electrical conduction, then information about electrical impulses can be obtained, but the strain values are difficult to interpret especially when impairment is directional and masked by continued contraction in other directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex strain value data into directional components (longitudinal, circumferential, radial) and further divides the myocardium into segments. This segmentation allows each directional strain to be analyzed independently, making it possible to identify directional impairments that would otherwise be masked by multi-directional contraction data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the complex multi-dimensional strain value data into a simplified one-dimensional visualization by mapping strain values to a color scale in the ultrasound image. This dimensional reduction maintains the essential information while making it intuitively interpretable, as users can quickly identify areas of impaired electrical conduction through color variations rather than analyzing complex numerical data.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive strain value analysis is performed to identify all areas of impaired muscle function, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but the complexity of data processing and interpretation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color mapping to represent different strain values and contraction patterns visually. By using color changes in the ultrasound image, the system provides an intuitive visual code that allows users to quickly identify areas of impaired muscle function without requiring complex data processing or interpretation of raw strain values.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces visual representations (color-coded images and annotated displays) as intermediaries between the complex strain value data and the user's interpretation. These visual intermediaries translate complex multi-directional strain data into intuitive patterns that clearly indicate impaired electrical conduction, maintaining diagnostic accuracy while reducing processing complexity.
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 allows for easier identification of areas with impaired muscle function by visualizing the cardiac electrical conduction pathway, summarizing strain value information in a simple and intuitive manner, thereby facilitating more accurate and timely diagnoses.
Implementation Method 1
the probe is configured to transmit and receive ultrasound signals that are processed into an ultrasound image
Implementation Method 2
generating a spatio-temporal map of electrical impulses in the heart based on contraction and elongation of cardiac muscles
Data Source
AI summary
Various methods and systems are provided for a medical imaging system. In one embodiment, a method comprises generating cardiac ultrasound images from ultrasound imaging data of a heart, generating a spatio-temporal map of electrical impulses in the heart based on contraction and elongation of cardiac muscles depicted in the cardiac ultrasound images, and outputting the spatio-temporal map of the electrical impulses in the heart to a display device. In this way, the spatio-temporal map of the electrical impulses in the heart may visually indicate an electrical conduction path through the heart.