Coronary CT Image Processing for Non-Invasive FFR Stenosis Mapping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for assessing ischemic heart diseases, such as FFR estimation, are invasive and time-consuming, leading to potential human errors in selecting therapeutic methods due to the lack of non-invasive and efficient causal relationship assessment between ischemic cardiac muscle and stenosed parts.
Innovation Solution
A medical image processing apparatus that extracts coronary arteries and ischemic regions from CT images, calculates pressure gradients, and specifies responsible stenoses using a dominance map, reducing the need for invasive procedures by providing a simulation-based FFR estimation and visualizing the causal relationship between ischemic regions and stenoses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If 3D simulation using fluid analysis is used for FFR estimation, then measurement precision is improved, but time consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex 3D simulation process into two distinct phases: an offline preparation phase where 3D blood vessel models and simulation parameters are pre-processed and stored, and an online execution phase where only lightweight calculations are performed during medical procedures. This segmentation allows the computationally intensive 3D modeling to be done once beforehand, while rapid FFR estimation is achieved during actual use by referencing pre-computed data and performing only necessary calculations.
2Measurement precision
If invasive pressure wire measurement is used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to invasiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the patient's blood vessel system using 3D imaging and computational modeling. Instead of physically inserting pressure wires into the patient's coronary arteries, the system generates a digital twin that replicates the vascular anatomy and hemodynamics. This virtual model allows for non-invasive FFR measurement by simulating pressure and flow conditions, thereby eliminating the need for invasive procedures while maintaining measurement accuracy.
3Productivity
If 2D approximation simulation is used, then productivity is improved by reducing calculation time, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary 3D simulation and parameter optimization before the actual FFR estimation is needed. During the offline phase, comprehensive 3D blood vessel models are created, simulation parameters are calibrated, and reference solutions are pre-computed. This preliminary action ensures that when rapid estimation is required during medical procedures, the system can deliver accurate results quickly by leveraging the pre-prepared 3D models and parameters, thus achieving both high speed and high precision.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a medical image processing apparatus which includes a first extraction unit configured to extract coronary arteries depicted in images of a plurality of time phases relating to the heart, and to extract at least one stenosed part depicted in each coronary artery; a calculation unit configured to calculate a pressure gradient of each of the extracted coronary arteries, based on tissue blood flow volumes of the coronary arteries; a second extraction unit configured to extract an ischemic region depicted in the images; and a specifying unit configured to specify a responsible blood vessel of the ischemic region by referring to a dominance map, in which each of the extracted coronary arteries and a dominance territory are associated, for the extracted ischemic region, and to specify a responsible stenosis, based on the pressure gradient corresponding to a stenosed part in the specified responsible blood vessel.