Computational Coronary Blood Flow Simulation for Functional Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing coronary artery disease, such as coronary computed tomographic angiography and diagnostic cardiac catheterization, fail to provide direct information on the functional significance of coronary lesions and blood flow, leading to unnecessary interventions and increased healthcare costs.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a computer system to create patient-specific models of the heart, simulate blood flow during physical activity, and determine blood flow characteristics, allowing for non-invasive assessment of coronary anatomy, myocardial perfusion, and prediction of treatment outcomes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If noninvasive tests such as CCTA are used to assess coronary lesions, then patient risk and cost are reduced, but direct information on functional significance and blood flow is not obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a computational model as an intermediary between noninvasive CCTA imaging and functional assessment. The model takes anatomical data from CCTA and simulates blood flow dynamics to predict functional significance, eliminating the need for invasive procedures while providing the missing functional information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive measurement system (pressure wires, catheterization) with a computational simulation system. The computational model uses physics-based equations to simulate blood flow and predict fractional flow reserve, substituting physical intrusion with mathematical modeling.
2Measurement precision
If invasive diagnostic cardiac catheterization is performed to obtain functional information, then functional significance is accurately assessed, but patient risk and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the coronary artery system through computational modeling. This digital twin replicates the anatomical structure from CCTA and simulates physiological conditions, providing accurate functional assessment without physical intrusion into the patient's body.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes invasive mechanical measurement devices with computational algorithms that solve fluid dynamics equations. The simulation replaces physical pressure wire measurements with mathematical predictions of blood flow and pressure gradients.
3Shape
If conventional angiography is used to visualize coronary lesions, then anatomical data is obtained, but functional significance cannot be determined leading to unnecessary interventions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges anatomical visualization from conventional angiography with functional assessment through computational modeling. The system combines the visual anatomical data with physics-based simulations to simultaneously provide both structural and functional information in a unified assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enhances conventional angiography by overlaying computational predictions of functional significance on the anatomical images. This allows clinicians to assess both structure and function from a single imaging modality without additional invasive procedures.
4Measurement precision
If FFR measurement is performed during catheterization to assess lesion significance, then treatment decisions are improved, but the cost and risk of catheterization cannot be avoided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs functional assessment before catheterization by using CCTA-based computational modeling to predict which lesions are likely to be functionally significant. This preliminary screening allows clinicians to prioritize or avoid catheterization based on predicted risk, saving time and resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the time-consuming invasive FFR measurement during catheterization with pre-procedure computational predictions. The simulation provides functional assessment results beforehand, eliminating the need for additional time during the catheterization procedure.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include a system for determining cardiovascular information for a patient with coronary artery disease. The system may include at least one computer system configured to receive patient-specific data regarding a geometry of the patient's heart and create a model representing at least a portion of the patient's heart based on the patient-specific data. The at least one computer system may be further configured to create, for a given level of physical activity, a physics-based model of blood flow through the patient's heart simulated during a selected level of physical activity; determine and normalize one or more values of at least one blood flow characteristic within the patient's heart during the simulated level of physical activity; and compare the one or more normalized values of the at least one blood flow characteristic to a threshold to determine whether the level of physical activity exceeds an acceptable level of risk.