Center Point Trajectory Mapping for Cardiac Wall Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing ventricular wall motion in cardiac disease are often reliant on observer expertise and experience, with qualitative visual assessments being the most widely used, despite limitations such as prolonged image acquisition times and high spatial and temporal resolution requirements.
Innovation Solution
A computer-readable storage medium with instructions to acquire and process a series of images, locate center points within masked regions, and generate maps based on positional variances, allowing for quantitative assessment of cavity wall motion by plotting center point trajectories and displaying these maps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If visual assessment methods are used for wall motion evaluation, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to observer dependency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual assessment with an automated computer-based system that processes imaging data to generate wall motion maps. The system automatically identifies cardiac structures, tracks their motion through multiple image frames, and produces quantitative measurements without human intervention, thereby eliminating observer dependency while maintaining ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-assessment by automatically analyzing imaging data to evaluate wall motion. The computer algorithm independently identifies cardiac structures, tracks their movement, and generates quantitative results without requiring external observer input, enabling the system to serve itself in the assessment process.
2Measurement precision
If quantitative methods such as tissue Doppler or MRI tagging are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity worsens due to specialized equipment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal system that can process multiple types of cardiac imaging data (echocardiography, MRI, CT) using the same algorithmic approach. The system is designed to handle different imaging modalities and generate wall motion assessments through a common computational framework, reducing the need for modality-specific equipment or procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces specialized mechanical imaging techniques (such as MRI tagging or tissue Doppler) with a computational image processing system that analyzes standard cardiac images. Instead of requiring specialized equipment to capture tagged or Doppler data, the system uses conventional imaging combined with automated computer-based motion tracking and mapping algorithms.
3Measurement precision
If specialized imaging techniques like tissue Doppler or MRI tagging are used, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time worsens due to prolonged image acquisition and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary automated processing of cardiac images to prepare data for wall motion analysis. The system pre-identifies cardiac structures, pre-segments regions of interest, and pre-tracks motion trajectories across image frames before generating final wall motion maps. This preliminary automated preparation reduces the time required for subsequent analysis compared to manual methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces time-consuming manual image analysis with automated computer-based processing that rapidly evaluates wall motion from standard cardiac images. The system automatically tracks structural movement through multiple frames and generates quantitative assessments without requiring prolonged operator interaction or specialized time-intensive imaging sequences.
4Device complexity
If visual assessment is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to inter- and intra-observer variability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces human visual assessment with an automated computer-based system that objectively measures wall motion from cardiac images. The system consistently applies the same algorithmic criteria across all patients and time points, eliminating the variability inherent in human observation and interpretation while maintaining simplicity in implementation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for center point trajectory mapping includes a computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program comprises instructions, which when executed by a computer, cause the computer to acquire a first plurality of images, each image comprising a masked portion. The instructions also cause the computer to locate a center point of the masked portion in each of the plurality of images and to plot a map based on variances in position of the center points from each other. The instructions further cause the computer to display the map on a display.