Coronary Plaque Burden Estimation via Vascular Tree Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current tools for quantifying atherosclerotic burden in coronary arteries are limited as they perform localized analysis, leading to overestimation or underestimation of plaque deposition, and lack the ability to assess the entire coronary vascular structure, including branches and crossovers, rendering them unreliable for estimating overall atherosclerotic burden.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that includes a processor and memory with a Diffused Coronary Artery Disease (DCAD) estimation module, which selects points in a radiography image, enhances the vascular structure using image processing algorithms, computes inner and outer vessel dimensions, and determines plaque deposition distribution, allowing for accurate estimation of plaque burden across the entire vascular network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If localized analysis tools like QCA are used to quantify stenosis, then the analysis can be performed on marked regions, but the overall atherosclerotic burden in the entire coronary vascular structure cannot be assessed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coronary vascular structure into multiple vessel segments and analyzes each segment individually. The system divides the complex vascular tree into manageable portions, processes each segment for plaque deposition, and then aggregates the results to provide comprehensive assessment of the entire coronary structure, resolving the contradiction between localized analysis capability and overall burden assessment.
2Measurement precision
If conventional QCA tools are used for plaque deposition quantification, then localized stenosis can be measured, but overestimation and underestimation occur leading to unreliable overall burden estimation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple measurement approaches and data sources to improve reliability. It combines automated edge detection, centerline detection, and plaque boundary identification algorithms to cross-validate measurements. By integrating results from multiple analytical methods and aggregating data across all vessel segments, the system reduces overestimation and underestimation errors, providing more reliable overall burden estimation while maintaining localized measurement precision.
3Ease of operation
If manual marking of ROI by physicians is required for QCA analysis, then localized regions can be analyzed, but other regions with plaque depositions may be missed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service automation where the system automatically identifies and analyzes plaque depositions without requiring manual physician marking. The automated edge detection and centerline detection algorithms independently locate vessel boundaries and trace the vascular structure, automatically identifying plaque deposits in all regions including those outside previously marked ROIs. This eliminates the need for manual intervention while ensuring comprehensive coverage of the entire coronary vascular structure.
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments relate to a method and device for determining plaque deposits in coronary arteries. According to the method, a coronary angiography radiography image of a subject is obtained using an imaging modality. The obtained radiography image is calibrated for further analysis of the radiography image. Image processing techniques such as thresholding and histogram equalization are applied on the radiography image to extract vessel tree structure for analysis. Further, an inner lumen width and an outer vessel width are computed based on the processed radiography image. Further, a level of plaque deposition is determined based on the inner lumen and outer vessel dimensions. Further, the result based on the analysis is displayed to the user. The result includes the level of plaque deposits within the lumen on the vascular structure and possible risks posed by the plaque deposits to a subject.