Medical Image Processing Apparatus for Contrast Agent Arrival Time Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current DSA imaging technologies face challenges in precisely identifying blood vessels through which a contrast agent flows into a diseased part, particularly in diagnosing cerebral arteriovenous malformations and dural arteriovenous fistulas, due to difficulties in distinguishing blood vessels with small differences in arrival times of the contrast agent.
Innovation Solution
A medical image processing apparatus and method that generates blood vessel image data by analyzing time changes in contrast agent concentrations, using a color scale or gray scale to assign pixel values based on specific conditions, allowing for precise identification of arrival times and improved visualization of blood vessel flows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If DSA image data is generated by subtraction processing between X-ray contrast image data and mask image data, then blood vessels enhanced by contrast agent can be depicted selectively, but it is difficult to specify and distinguish blood vessels through which contrast agent flows into a diseased part
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter representation from grayscale intensity values to color-coded arrival time values. By assigning different colors to different arrival time ranges, the system transforms the detection parameter from contrast enhancement intensity to temporal information, enabling clear distinction of blood vessels with small differences in contrast agent arrival times.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a temporal dimension to the blood vessel visualization by displaying arrival time information as a separate dimension (color coding) in addition to the spatial dimension. This allows blood vessels to be distinguished not only by their spatial location but also by when the contrast agent arrives, providing an extra dimension for differentiation.
2Reliability
If conventional DSA imaging is used to observe blood vessels, then general blood vessel structures can be visualized, but precise blood vessel structures for diagnosis of cerebral arteriovenous malformation or dural arteriovenous fistula cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the visualization parameter from contrast enhancement intensity to contrast agent arrival time. This parameter change enables reliable diagnosis of cerebral arteriovenous malformation and dural arteriovenous fistula by clearly showing the temporal sequence of contrast agent flow through different blood vessels, which is critical for identifying abnormal vascular connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses color coding as an intermediary to represent arrival time information. This intermediary transformation converts the raw temporal data into a visually intuitive format that highlights the sequential flow of contrast agent, making it easier to identify abnormal vascular patterns associated with cerebral arteriovenous malformation and dural arteriovenous fistula.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a medical image processing apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to obtain time changes of concentrations of a contrast agent, based on at least X-ray contrast image data; generate a gray scale or a color scale by assigning a change in pixel value for at least one period, to a period shorter than a period from an initial time to an ending time of the time changes of the concentrations of the contrast agent; and generate blood vessel image data according to the gray scale or the color scale. The blood vessel image data have pixel values corresponding to times at which the concentrations of the contrast agent become a specific condition.