CT-Based FFR Calculation for Non-Invasive Ischemia Evaluation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical diagnostic processes for evaluating ischemia in coronary arteries are either invasive, requiring procedures like pressure wire measurements, or non-invasive, relying on medical images from devices like X-ray CT scanners, but they lack efficient methods to assess the actual effects of treatments before application.
Innovation Solution
A medical information processing apparatus and method that integrates with X-ray CT systems to perform fluid analysis on CT image data, calculating indices like Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) values, and displaying representative values to improve diagnostic efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive pressure wire measurement is used to evaluate ischemia, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and patient risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive pressure wire measurement system with a non-invasive CT-based fluid analysis system. The CT imaging system captures coronary artery images, and fluid analysis calculates FFR values through computational modeling, eliminating the need for physical wire insertion while maintaining diagnostic accuracy for ischemia evaluation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces CT image data and fluid analysis computation as an intermediary between the patient's coronary arteries and the FFR measurement. Instead of directly inserting a pressure wire into the artery, the system uses CT images as a mediator to create a virtual model that computes hemodynamic parameters, thereby avoiding invasive procedures
2Ease of operation
If non-invasive CT imaging is used to evaluate ischemia, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary fluid analysis computation on CT image data to calculate FFR values before actual treatment decisions are made. By pre-processing the CT images through computational fluid dynamics modeling, the system prepares accurate hemodynamic measurements in advance, enabling precise ischemia evaluation without requiring invasive follow-up procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms static CT image data into dynamic hemodynamic parameters through fluid analysis computation. The system changes the parameter representation from anatomical structures visible in CT images to functional blood flow parameters (FFR values), thereby extracting precise ischemia evaluation data from non-invasive imaging
3Measurement precision
If detailed fluid analysis is performed on CT image data, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts representative FFR values from comprehensive fluid analysis results at specific locations of interest in the coronary arteries. Instead of processing and displaying all computational data, the system selectively extracts key FFR measurements from predetermined locations, maintaining diagnostic precision while reducing processing time and data volume
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the coronary artery into multiple segments and performs fluid analysis on each segment separately. This segmentation allows the system to focus computational resources on specific regions of interest, calculating FFR values for individual segments rather than processing the entire vascular tree as one unit, thereby improving efficiency without sacrificing overall measurement precision
Data Source
AI summary
A medical information processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry obtains image data rendering a blood vessel of a patient. The processing circuitry performs a fluid analysis on the obtained image data and calculates an index value related to a blood flow in the blood vessel with respect to each of a plurality of positions in the blood vessel. With respect to the index values to be calculated, the processing circuitry selects a position in which a first value is to be obtained from among the plurality of positions or selects a value serving as the first value from among the index values exhibited in positions. The processing circuitry causes a display to display the first value in a predetermined display region thereof used for displaying the first value.