Cardiac Tissue Delay Measurement via Color-Coded Ultrasound Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical diagnostic systems lack the ability to automatically identify segments of the heart with delayed motion in cardiac tissue, making it a tedious and time-consuming task to assess mechanical asynchrony between the right and left ventricles.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that process ultrasound data sets to automatically measure time delays in cardiac tissue motion by assigning colors based on calculated time delays within defined search intervals, allowing for the identification of delayed segments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual inspection of motion or deformation pattern of each segment is used to assess asynchrony, then measurement precision is maintained, but productivity deteriorates due to tedious and time consuming task
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic identification of delayed segments through self-service processing. The computer automatically analyzes the data set, determines time delays for each segment, and generates the identification without requiring manual inspection by a user, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining measurement precision and improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical inspection process with an automated computational system. The computer processes the data set, calculates time delays, and identifies delayed segments automatically, substituting human manual analysis with an automated electronic system that maintains precision while dramatically reducing time requirements
2Productivity
If automatic identification system is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a multi-functional approach where the computer performs multiple functions: storing the data set, determining time delays, identifying delayed segments, and potentially generating visualizations. This universal processing capability allows the system to handle the entire analysis workflow through a single automated platform, improving productivity while managing complexity through functional integration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a computer as an intermediary between the raw data and the final assessment. This intermediary automatically processes the data set, applies the time delay calculations, and produces the identification of delayed segments, serving as a mediator that automates the complex processing while simplifying the user interface
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
Facilitates the efficient and accurate identification of heart segments with delayed motion, reducing the time and effort required for analysis and enabling better selection of patients for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) and optimization of pacemaker settings.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter for transmitting ultrasound signals into an area of interest
Implementation Method 2
a receiver for receiving echo signals from transmitted ultrasound signals
Data Source
AI summary
System and method for automatically measuring the delay of tissue motion and deformation. For example, asynchrony may be measured between the left and right ventricles and within the left ventricle. A measurement feature may be defined by default or obtained using a user input. A reference time and a search interval are identified. The search interval may be based on the reference time, or input or modified by a user. A time delay of the measurement feature within the search interval is calculated for each sample. At least one color is assigned to the samples corresponding to the calculated time delay.