Correcting Artificial Deformations in Coronary Artery Modeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical imaging techniques, such as coronary computed tomographic angiography and diagnostic cardiac catheterization, fail to accurately assess the functional significance of coronary lesions, leading to unnecessary invasive procedures and healthcare costs due to inaccuracies in blood vessel modeling caused by artificial deformations from imaging artifacts.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for correcting artificial deformations in anatomical modeling, which involves obtaining an anatomic model, identifying and estimating non-deformed local areas, and modifying the model to account for artificial deformations, using computational methods and patient-specific data to improve the accuracy of blood vessel modeling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional coronary angiography is used to visualize coronary lesions, then anatomic data on size and shape of arteries is obtained, but functional significance of lesions cannot be assessed leading to unnecessary invasive procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations as an intermediary between conventional angiography and functional assessment. The CFD model acts as a mediator that takes anatomic geometry from CCA and transforms it into functional predictions of blood flow, pressure, and myocardial perfusion, eliminating the need for invasive functional measurements while providing reliable functional significance assessment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the coronary artery system through CFD simulations. This digital twin replicates the anatomic structure obtained from CCA and allows virtual experimentation to predict functional outcomes under various physiologic states, providing reliable functional assessment without actual invasive procedures
2Object-affected harmful factors
If CCTA is used for noninvasive imaging of coronary arteries, then anatomic data is obtained, but direct information on functional significance and blood flow prediction is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary CFD simulations using anatomic data from noninvasive CCTA to predict functional significance before any invasive procedures are considered. This preliminary functional assessment provides blood flow, pressure, and perfusion predictions that guide whether invasive procedures are actually needed, preventing unnecessary invasiveness while retaining functional information
3Reliability
If FFR measurements are performed invasively to assess lesion functional significance, then accurate functional data is obtained, but procedure cost and risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive measurement system (pressure wires and catheterization) with a computational system. CFD simulations substitute the physical invasive apparatus with algorithms that calculate blood flow, pressure, and perfusion from noninvasive anatomic imaging, maintaining functional assessment reliability while eliminating invasive complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for correcting for artificial deformations in anatomical modeling. One method includes obtaining an anatomic model; obtaining information indicating a presence of an artificial deformation of the anatomic model; identifying a portion of the anatomic model associated with the artificial deformation; estimating a non-deformed local area corresponding to the portion of the anatomic model; and modifying the portion of the anatomic model associated with the artificial deformation, based on the estimated non-deformed local area.