Deformable Heart Model for Standardized Cardiac Chamber Border Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automated methods for delineating heart chamber borders in medical diagnostic ultrasound systems are inconsistent due to variations in anatomical landmark identification among users, leading to non-standardized and unreliable results.

Innovation Solution

A deformable heart model is used to segment both inner and outer myocardial boundaries, with user-controlled adjustment of border placement via a single degree of freedom slider to standardize border identification, allowing users to define the border location relative to segmented boundaries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automated border tracing methods are used to delineate heart chamber boundaries, then productivity is improved by automating the process, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inconsistent landmark identification among users

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of border tracingVSAvoidborder location accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary deformable model that acts as a mediator between automated landmark detection and final border delineation. The model provides a standardized framework that constrains border placement to anatomically plausible locations, reducing user variability while maintaining automation benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of border definition from direct user specification to model-constrained placement. By transforming the border representation into a deformable model with controlled degrees of freedom, the system maintains automation while improving precision through standardized anatomical constraints

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If multiple control points are provided for border adjustment, then measurement precision is improved through detailed user control, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveborder delineation accuracyVSAvoidnumber of control parameters

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic deformable model that adapts its shape based on anatomical landmarks while maintaining a limited number of control parameters. The model dynamically adjusts its configuration to fit the heart chamber geometry, providing precision without requiring multiple static control points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The deformable model serves multiple functions simultaneously: it defines the chamber border, enforces anatomical constraints, and provides a standardized reference frame. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3267897B1Ultrasonic diagnosis of cardiac performance using heart model chamber segmentation with user control

Publication Date: 2023.08.16 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

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AI summary

An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system has a user control by which a user positions the user's selection of a heart chamber border in relation to two myocardial boundaries identified by a deformable heart model. The user's border is positioned by a single degree of freedom control which positions the border as a function of a single user- determined value. This overcomes the vagaries of machine-drawn borders and their mixed acceptance by clinicians, who can now create repeatably-drawn borders and exchange the control value for use by others to obtain the same results.