CT-Based Plaque Exfoliation Risk Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the necessity of percutaneous coronary intervention to prevent myocardial infarction, such as FFR measurement, impose a significant burden on patients, and existing CT-based techniques struggle to accurately assess the risk of plaque exfoliation in coronary arteries.
Innovation Solution
A medical image diagnostic apparatus that estimates plaque position and risk by analyzing time-series CT images, calculating stress values, and evaluating plaque hardness to determine the exfoliation risk, allowing for a non-invasive assessment of plaque characteristics and enhanced visualization of high-risk plaques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If FFR measurement using pressure wire is performed to determine the necessity of percutaneous coronary intervention, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and patient burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pressure wire measurement system with a non-invasive CT image-based analysis system. The CT apparatus captures images and calculates stress values and plaque characteristics through computational methods, eliminating the need for physical wire insertion into coronary arteries while maintaining assessment capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces CT imaging as an intermediary method between direct pressure measurement and non-invasive assessment. By using CT images to calculate stress values and plaque characteristics as intermediate parameters, the system bridges the gap between invasive accuracy and non-invasive convenience
2Ease of operation
If CT-based plaque characterization is used to reduce patient burden, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms conventional CT imaging into a quantitative risk assessment tool by calculating stress values and plaque characteristics from CT images. This parameter transformation enables the system to derive meaningful risk indicators (stress concentration, plaque hardness, exfoliation risk) from standard CT data, enhancing measurement precision while maintaining non-invasive operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension of analysis by calculating stress values and plaque characteristics that are not directly observable in conventional CT images. Through computational modeling, the system extracts additional information (stress distribution, plaque vulnerability) from the same CT data, improving assessment precision without additional patient burden
Data Source
AI summary
A medical image diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes an estimation unit, an extraction unit, and a specifying unit. The estimation unit estimates a position of a plaque in a blood vessel based on data of CT images constituting a time series, with the blood vessel being enhanced by a contrast medium. The extraction unit extracts regions constituting the blood vessel from the CT images. The specifying unit specifies stress values respectively corresponding to the regions based on a moving displacement due to cardiac pulsation in each of the regions, and specifies an exfoliation risk of the plaque based on an index indicating hardness of the plaque and the stress value in the region corresponding to the position of the plaque.