3D Coronary Artery Scoring With Noninvasive FFR Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for evaluating coronary artery disease, such as SYNTAX scoring, are invasive, time-consuming, and dependent on cardiologist interpretation, lacking functional significance assessment of lesions, leading to unnecessary interventions and high healthcare costs.
Innovation Solution
A noninvasive system and method for generating a cardiovascular score using patient-specific data to create a three-dimensional model of coronary arteries, evaluating characteristics, and calculating fractional flow reserve to assess functional impact of lesions, thereby determining the appropriate intervention (PCI vs. CABG).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional coronary angiography (CCA) is used to visualize coronary lesions, then anatomic data on lesion size and shape is obtained, but functional significance of lesions cannot be assessed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines anatomic imaging data from CCA with functional assessment capabilities by integrating fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurement into the angiography workflow. This merging allows simultaneous acquisition of both structural lesion characteristics and functional blood flow information, eliminating the need for separate diagnostic procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional diagnostic system that performs both anatomic visualization and functional assessment through a single integrated approach. The system can evaluate lesion morphology, quantify stenosis severity, and determine functional significance using FFR, making it a universal tool for comprehensive coronary artery disease evaluation.
2Measurement precision
If invasive FFR measurement is performed to assess functional significance, then accurate functional data is obtained, but procedural complexity and patient risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses computational modeling to create a virtual copy of the coronary vasculature based on CCA images. This digital twin allows for non-invasive calculation of FFR values by simulating blood flow dynamics through the reconstructed vascular geometry, eliminating the need for invasive pressure wire measurements while maintaining functional assessment accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive measurement system (pressure wires and catheters) with a computational fluid dynamics approach. By using image processing algorithms and mathematical models to simulate blood flow, the system substitutes physical intrusion with virtual modeling, reducing procedural complexity and patient risk.
3Loss of information
If multiple separate tests are performed to assess coronary disease, then comprehensive data is obtained, but time consumption and healthcare costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple diagnostic functions into a single integrated workflow. By combining anatomic imaging, three-dimensional reconstruction, and functional assessment into one unified system, it eliminates the need for separate CCA and FFR procedures, reducing diagnostic time while maintaining comprehensive evaluation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary three-dimensional reconstruction and functional assessment calculations immediately during the CCA procedure using the acquired images. This preliminary action allows for real-time or near-real-time functional evaluation without requiring additional patient visits or procedural time, streamlining the diagnostic process.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a cardiovascular score for a patient. A method includes receiving, using at least one computer system, patient-specific data regarding a geometry of multiple coronary arteries of the patient; and creating, using at least one computer system, a three-dimensional model representing at least portions of the multiple coronary arteries based on the patient-specific data. The method also includes evaluating, using at least one computer system, multiple characteristics of at least some of the coronary arteries represented by the model; and generating, using at least one computer system, the cardiovascular score based on the evaluation of the multiple characteristics. Another method includes generating the cardiovascular score based on evaluated multiple characteristics for portions of the coronary arteries having fractional flow reserve values of at least a predetermined threshold value.