Ultrasound Contrast Agent Detachment Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical imaging techniques using target-specific contrast agents face challenges in distinguishing immobilized agents from circulating agents and tissue, leading to incorrect identification and localization of targets due to non-specific interactions and slow-moving contrast agents, which hinders the detection of pathologies.
Innovation Solution
A method that generates filtered images by reducing the contribution of stationary contrast agents over specific time thresholds, using cumulative difference algorithms to differentiate between permanently and temporarily immobilized contrast agents, allowing for real-time detection and differentiation from circulating agents and tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If target-specific contrast agent is administered to enhance visualization of specific pathologies, then detection sensitivity for target pathologies is improved, but false positives occur due to non-specific interactions with passive targets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by analyzing the temporal behavior of contrast agents - permanently immobilized agents remain stationary throughout the observation period, while temporarily immobilized agents eventually detach and resume circulation. By monitoring the time-dependent persistence of signal intensity at each location, the system dynamically distinguishes between specific and non-specific binding events, resolving false positives while maintaining detection sensitivity.
2Productivity
If early detection of immobilized contrast agent is performed to reduce waiting time, then productivity is improved, but detection accuracy deteriorates due to presence of circulating contrast agent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the total contrast agent signal into three distinct components based on their temporal characteristics: circulating contrast agent (transient signal), temporarily immobilized contrast agent (brief stationary signal followed by detachment), and permanently immobilized contrast agent (persistent stationary signal). By applying temporal filtering and persistence analysis to each segment, the system can accurately identify permanently immobilized agents even during the early phases when circulating agents are still present, enabling both early and accurate detection.
3Loss of time
If filtering window is shortened to enable early detection, then detection time is reduced, but slowly-moving circulating contrast agent is misidentified as immobilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous monitoring of signal intensity at each spatial location throughout the entire contrast agent circulation and clearance period. Rather than using a fixed filtering window that may misclassify slowly-moving agents, the system continuously tracks the temporal persistence of signals and applies persistence thresholds based on the full observation period. This continuous action ensures that only agents remaining immobilized throughout the entire observation period are classified as permanently immobilized, maintaining spatial delineation accuracy while enabling early detection capabilities.
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 enables accurate and early detection of immobilized contrast agents, reducing false positives and improving the spatial delineation and quantification of pathologies, facilitating the identification of target-specific agents and their localization.
Implementation Method 1
a specific medical imaging technique is based on the recording of an echo signal that results from the application of ultrasound waves to the body-part
Data Source
AI summary
A solution is proposed for imaging a body-part that is perfused with a contrast agent. A corresponding method (900) includes the step of providing (903-907) a sequence of input images (for example, acquired with an ultrasound scanner); the input images offer a digital representation over time of the body-part. Each input image includes a plurality of input values (i.e., pixel or voxel values); each input value is indicative of a response to an interrogation signal (such as an echo signal for ultrasound waves) of a corresponding location of the body-part, which possibly includes the contrast agent. The method further includes the step of generating (912-969) at least one filtered image from a plurality of selected ones of the input images (such as all of them or a subset thereof). Each filtered image includes a filtered value for each of a plurality of selected ones of the locations (for example, in a region of interest, or ROI). The filtered value of each selected location is indicative of the contrast agent that leaves the selected location after being substantially stationary at the selected location for a period of time, which is comprised between a first non- zero threshold and a second threshold higher than the first threshold (such as because the contrast agent detaches from the location after having been immobilized thereon, or because it was moving very slowly). The filtered value is obtained by reducing, where present, a contribution of the contrast agent that is substantially stationary at the selected location along the selected input images for a period of time equal to or shorter than the first threshold, and by reducing a contribution of the contrast agent that is substantially stationary at the selected location along the selected input images for a period of time equal to or longer than the second threshold.