Coronary Artery Analysis Using Multi-Phase Volume Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for analyzing coronary arteries rely on selecting a specific phase for analysis, which can lead to inaccurate evaluations due to variations in heart movement and cardiac muscle shape among individuals, resulting in motion artifacts and faulty contrast, making it difficult for computers to automatically select an optimal phase for accurate stenosis assessment.
Innovation Solution
A diagnosis assisting apparatus and method that utilizes multiple sets of volume data representing the heart at different phases, with a coronary artery analyzing program that extracts regions, establishes correlations, calculates and integrates index values, and outputs results, allowing for weighted averaging of index values to improve accuracy and reduce the influence of poor image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single set of volume data is used for coronary artery analysis, then the analysis process is simplified, but the accuracy of stenosis evaluation deteriorates due to motion artifacts and faulty contrast from cardiac muscle movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the analysis into multiple phases by segmenting the volume data according to different cardiac phases (systole, diastole, etc.). Instead of using a single set of volume data, the system processes multiple phase-specific volume data sets separately and then integrates the results, thereby reducing motion artifacts and improving stenosis evaluation accuracy while maintaining manageable process complexity through systematic segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by adapting the analysis approach to different cardiac phases dynamically. The system automatically selects and processes volume data from multiple cardiac phases, adjusting the analysis parameters and weighting according to the characteristics of each phase, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring manual intervention to simplify the process.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sets of volume data from different phases are used for analysis, then the accuracy of coronary artery evaluation is improved, but the complexity of the analysis process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the system to automatically select, process, and integrate multiple phase-specific volume data sets without requiring manual phase selection by physicians or technicians. The automated workflow includes automatic phase detection, volume data selection, and result integration, thereby improving evaluation accuracy while preventing excessive complexity through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by varying the cardiac phase parameter across multiple volume data sets. The system processes volume data from different cardiac phases (changing the temporal parameter) and integrates the results with appropriate weighting, thereby improving measurement precision while managing process complexity through systematic parameter variation and automated processing.
3Measurement precision
If manual phase selection is performed by physicians and technicians, then the optimal phase can be selected based on visual evaluation, but the diagnostic efficiency is reduced and accuracy may be compromised by erroneous selection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of visual phase selection by physicians and technicians with an automated computer-based system. The system automatically detects cardiac phases, selects appropriate volume data, and performs analysis without human intervention in the selection process, thereby improving both accuracy (by eliminating human error) and efficiency (by automating the workflow).
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically selecting the optimal cardiac phases and volume data sets without requiring manual evaluation by medical personnel. The automated phase detection and selection algorithms independently identify the most suitable phases for analysis, improving both accuracy and diagnostic efficiency by eliminating the time-consuming manual selection process.
4Reliability
If volume data from middiastolic state is used for analysis, then motion artifacts are reduced for left coronary artery analysis, but the suitability deteriorates for right coronary artery analysis and high heart rate conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a multi-functional analysis system that can handle different coronary arteries (left and right) and different heart rate conditions using a unified approach. Instead of relying on a single phase (middiastolic) that is optimal for specific cases, the system processes multiple cardiac phases and automatically adapts the analysis to the specific anatomical and physiological characteristics of each patient's coronary arteries, thereby achieving both reliability and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the phase selection and analysis process adaptive rather than static. The system dynamically selects and weights volume data from different cardiac phases based on the specific characteristics of each case (left or right coronary artery, heart rate conditions), thereby achieving high reliability across diverse clinical scenarios without being limited to a single fixed phase.
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of sets of volume data, each of which represent the state of a beating heart in different phases, are obtained. Coronary artery regions are extracted from at least two sets of volume data from among the obtained sets of volume data. A plurality of analysis points are set in each extracted coronary artery region. Correlations are established among analysis points set at the same anatomical positions within the coronary artery regions. Index values that indicate the character of plaque are calculated at each analysis point within all of the coronary artery regions. The character of plaque is evaluated at positions within the coronary artery regions, by integrating the index values calculated at the analysis points corresponding to each of the positions. The evaluation results regarding the character of plaque at each of the positions within the coronary artery regions are output, correlated with information regarding the positions.