Coronary Artery Tree Visualization via Gated X-Ray Merging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for visualizing coronary arteries using X-ray image generating devices provide inadequate information by reconstructing each branch independently, failing to offer comprehensive insights into the coronary artery situation, which limits the assessment of coronary artery geometry and occlusions.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for reconstructing coronary arteries by acquiring gated X-ray image sequences of both the left and right branches, generating and combining volume data, and visualizing the coronary artery tree in three dimensions, allowing for the display of both branches simultaneously and providing additional information on cardiac phases, displacement, and speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If separate acquisition of left and right coronary branches is performed, then the acquisition process is simplified and can be completed efficiently, but comprehensive information about the entire coronary artery tree is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separately acquired left and right coronary artery volume data into a single integrated three-dimensional representation. The calculation unit merges the first volume data (left branch) and second volume data (right branch) to generate comprehensive coronary artery tree information, allowing simultaneous visualization of both branches while maintaining acquisition efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If independent analysis of left and right coronary arteries is performed, then the analysis process is straightforward and quick, but inadequate diagnostic information is provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges independently analyzed volume data from left and right coronary arteries into a unified three-dimensional display. This integration allows clinicians to perform straightforward independent analysis while ultimately obtaining comprehensive diagnostic information about the entire coronary artery tree through the combined visualization.
3Device complexity
If occluded vessels are imaged separately, then the imaging process remains simple, but occluded vessels become invisible and cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines volume data from both coronary branches to create a comprehensive three-dimensional representation. This merging allows retrograde filling visualization where contrast agent flow from one branch can reveal occluded vessels that would be invisible in separate imaging, while maintaining simple imaging procedures.
4Loss of information
If three-dimensional visualization of the entire coronary artery tree is provided, then comprehensive diagnostic information is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coronary artery imaging into separate acquisitions of left and right branches, processes each independently to generate volume data, and then combines them. This segmentation approach maintains manageable system complexity while achieving comprehensive three-dimensional visualization of the entire coronary artery tree.
Solution Approach 2:
The calculation unit merges separately processed volume data from left and right coronary arteries into a unified three-dimensional representation. This merging step integrates the segmented data streams to provide comprehensive diagnostic information while building upon simpler independent processing stages.
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
This approach enhances the visualization of coronary artery geometry, facilitates the detection of occlusions, and provides detailed analysis of the coronary artery situation, enabling improved diagnosis and assessment of heart motion by displaying dynamic information in a visually understandable format.
Implementation Method 1
a first gated X-ray image sequence of one of the left or right branches of the coronary arteries is acquired with injected contrast agent
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is related to a method for reconstruction of the coronary arteries and an examination apparatus for reconstruction of the coronary arteries. To provide improved coronary artery information, an apparatus and a method are provided where a gating signal is provided (32) and a first gated X-ray image sequence of one of the left or right branches of the coronary arteries is acquired (34) with injected contrast agent into the one of the left or right branches of the coronary arteries. Further, a second gated X-ray image sequence of the other branch of the coronary arteries is acquired (36) with injected contrast agent into said other branch. Then, a gated reconstructing (38) of the left and the right coronary artery is suggested and a volume data (40, 42) of the coronary arteries is generated. The volume data of the left and right coronary arteries is registered (44) in relation to time and space. Further; the registered volume data (48, 50) of the left and the right coronary arteries is combined and a combined coronary artery tree volume data set (52) is generated (54). Finally, the combined coronary tree volume data set is visualized (56).