Image Processing Apparatus for Noninvasive FFR Derivation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for evaluating coronary hematogenous ischemia require invasive procedures and are time-consuming, with existing blood vessel structure and fluid analysis techniques facing challenges in accuracy and speed due to high calculation loads.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that stores fluid resistance data correlating vascular shape, blood flow rate, and pressure loss, allowing for the derivation of functional indices related to blood circulation states in blood vessels using time-series three-dimensional image data from medical imaging modalities like X-ray CT, enabling noninvasive or minimally invasive assessment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional blood vessel structure and fluid analysis techniques are used, then measurement precision of functional indices is improved, but calculation time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates and stores fluid resistance values for various vascular shapes in a database before actual clinical use. When analyzing patient data, the system extracts vascular shape features and directly queries the database for pre-computed fluid resistance values, eliminating the need for time-consuming real-time fluid dynamics calculations while maintaining accurate functional index derivation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified one-dimensional model that copies essential three-dimensional fluid dynamics characteristics. By representing complex 3D vascular structures as 1D pathways with pre-stored fluid resistance parameters, the system replicates accurate hemodynamic behavior without requiring computationally intensive 3D fluid simulations
2Measurement precision
If invasive catheter procedures are used for FFR measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and patient risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical catheter-based pressure measurement system with a computational imaging-based analysis system. By using three-dimensional imaging data (CT, MRI, or ultrasound) combined with pre-stored fluid resistance databases, the system derives FFR values through image processing and database querying, eliminating the need for physical catheter insertion and mechanical pressure sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a fluid resistance database as an intermediary between vascular imaging data and functional index calculation. This database acts as a pre-computed reference library that translates structural vascular features into hemodynamic parameters, serving as a bridge that replaces direct invasive measurement while preserving measurement accuracy
3Measurement precision
If three-dimensional fluid analysis is performed in real-time, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases due to high calculation load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs comprehensive three-dimensional fluid dynamics analysis in advance and stores the results in a database. The pre-processing step computes fluid resistance values for various vascular geometries, enabling rapid clinical queries without repeating the heavy calculations. This shifts the computational burden from real-time analysis to offline preparation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the complex three-dimensional fluid analysis into discrete, pre-computed cases based on vascular shape parameters. By dividing the continuous 3D analysis space into discrete shape categories with pre-calculated fluid resistance values, the system enables fast lookup and comparison without performing full 3D simulations for each patient
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes storage circuitry and processing circuitry. The storage circuitry stores therein fluid resistance data representing a correlation among a vascular shape, a blood flow rate, and a pressure loss. The processing circuitry extracts, from three-dimensional image data in which a blood vessel of a subject is rendered, vascular shape data representing a shape of the blood vessel. The processing circuitry performs fluid analysis based on the vascular shape data and the blood flow rate and the pressure loss that correspond to the vascular shape data and that are correlated by the fluid resistance data to derive a functional index related to a blood circulation state in the blood vessel of the subject.