Dynamic Coronary CT Perfusion for Vasa Vasorum Angiogenesis Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing non-invasive imaging technologies fail to accurately assess vascular wall inflammation and angiogenesis by not capturing temporal enhancement kinetics, contrast wash-in/wash-out patterns, or response to therapy, which are critical indicators of vascular wall inflammation.

Innovation Solution

Dynamic computed tomography (CT) imaging with time-resolved perfusion and spectral decomposition, combined with artificial intelligence (AI) analytics, to quantify vasa vasorum perfusion and angiogenic activity, generating perfusion curves and integrating with other modalities for comprehensive assessment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If static CT imaging is used to assess vascular wall pathology, then the imaging process is simple and quick, but it fails to capture temporal enhancement kinetics, contrast wash-in/wash-out patterns, or response to therapy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassessment precision of vascular wall inflammationVSAvoidimaging system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamic CT imaging with multiple time-point acquisitions to capture temporal enhancement kinetics and contrast wash-in/wash-out patterns. The system transitions from static to dynamic imaging, acquiring CT scans at multiple time points during contrast administration to characterize vascular wall inflammation and angiogenesis progression over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary contrast agent administration and timing protocol setup before actual imaging. The contrast injection rate, timing of acquisitions, and reconstruction parameters are predetermined based on standardized protocols, enabling systematic capture of perfusion dynamics without requiring complex real-time adjustments during scanning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If multi-energy spectral CT is used to separate material components, then measurement precision of vasa vasorum density improves, but device complexity and scanning time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevasa vasorum density quantificationVSAvoidscan time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs multi-energy spectral CT with varying kVp settings (e.g., 80-140 kVp) to change the energy spectrum of X-rays. This enables material decomposition based on energy-dependent attenuation differences between iodine, calcium, and soft tissue, allowing precise quantification of vasa vasorum density through iodine concentration mapping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses periodic contrast agent administration with timed acquisitions at specific intervals. The contrast injection and CT acquisitions are synchronized in a periodic manner, allowing systematic sampling of contrast kinetics without requiring continuous scanning, thus reducing total scan time while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If AI analytics are integrated for automated analysis, then productivity of processing increases, but device complexity and computational requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements AI-driven automated analysis that performs self-service processing of CT data. The system automatically segments vascular walls, quantifies vasa vasorum density, generates perfusion curves, and provides diagnostic feedback without requiring manual intervention. The AI models are pre-trained to handle specific imaging characteristics, enabling autonomous analysis that increases productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback loops where AI analysis results are used to adjust imaging parameters and guide subsequent scanning. The automated detection of vascular wall enhancement patterns and contrast kinetics provides feedback that refines the imaging protocol, enabling iterative optimization of diagnostic accuracy while maintaining high processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Enables precise measurement of vasa vasorum density and angiogenesis progression, predicting cardiovascular events, and evaluating treatment efficacy through AI-driven analysis and multimodal confirmation.

Implementation Method 1

contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scans to measure attenuation related to vasa vasorum density

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray attenuation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

injection of the an X-ray dye... which can lead to extravasation of contrast agents inside an atherosclerosis plaque

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectContrast agent absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS20260073519A1Dynamic computed dynamic computed tomography imaging of vasa vasorum perfusion and angiogenesis in the vascular wall

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 HEARTLUNG CORP

AI summary

A method for quantitative mapping of vasa vasorum density within and adjacent to the coronary arterial wall using contrast-enhanced coronary CT angiography scans, including time-resolved perfusion, multi-energy material decomposition, and longitudinal functional monitoring of vasa vasorum dynamics.