Dynamic Angiographic Imaging for Non-Invasive FFR Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-invasive methods for assessing fractional flow reserve (FFR) using CT coronary angiography are time-consuming and have moderate correlation with catheter-based measurements, making them unsuitable for emergency situations and less accurate as stenosis severity increases.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system for dynamic angiographic imaging that captures both the increase and decline phases of a contrast agent in a blood vessel, generating a time-enhancement curve to determine blood flow characteristics, including FFR, through CT scanning or other imaging modalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If non-invasive FFR assessment using CT coronary angiography is used, then patient comfort and safety are improved, but diagnostic accuracy and processing speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical catheter-based pressure measurement system with a non-invasive CT imaging system that uses contrast agent dynamics to calculate FFR. The contrast agent flow through the coronary arteries is captured by CT scanner, and computational algorithms process this data to estimate pressure gradients and blood flow characteristics without physical catheter insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces contrast agent as an intermediary substance that enables non-invasive measurement of blood flow characteristics. The contrast agent's dynamic enhancement pattern in the coronary arteries serves as a mediator to infer pressure and flow information that would otherwise require direct mechanical measurement.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If non-invasive FFR assessment using CT coronary angiography is used, then patient comfort is improved, but processing time deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary data acquisition by capturing the complete dynamic contrast enhancement process in a single continuous CT scan protocol. The contrast agent injection, arterial passage, and enhancement phases are all captured in advance, allowing for comprehensive FFR calculation without requiring multiple separate procedures or extended processing sessions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If imaging based estimation of FFR is used, then non-invasive assessment is achieved, but correlation with catheter-based measurement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static anatomical imaging to dynamic functional imaging by capturing the time-varying contrast agent enhancement in coronary arteries. The dynamic nature of the contrast flow allows for calculation of blood flow velocity, volume, and pressure gradients, providing functional information that correlates better with catheter-based FFR measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the time dimension to traditional CT coronary angiography by capturing multiple phases of contrast agent passage. This temporal dimension enables calculation of flow dynamics and pressure gradients, transforming the imaging from purely anatomical to functional assessment.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a computer implemented method for dynamic angiographic imaging comprising: obtaining image data comprising a plurality of corresponding images capturing at least a portion of both an increase phase and a decline phase of a contrast agent in a blood vessel of interest; generating at least one time-enhancement curve of the contrast agent based on the image data; determining a blood flow characteristic in the blood vessel of interest based on the time-enhancement curve. Systems for implementing the method and computer readable media incorporating the method are also described.