Fluid Analysis Apparatus Trajectory Visualization for Overlapping Vessels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid analysis methods, such as those using 4D flow techniques and computational fluid dynamics, struggle to accurately display blood flow in anatomical structures, particularly when blood vessels overlap, leading to incorrect flow representations across vessel walls.
Innovation Solution
A fluid analysis apparatus and method that acquires three-dimensional flow velocity vectors from anatomical structures and assigns route position information to each voxel, allowing for the selection and drawing of trajectories that follow the actual flow paths, preventing incorrect flow representations across vessel walls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If three-dimensional flow velocity vectors are displayed on a projection image, then the flow information can be visualized, but incorrect flow representation occurs across overlapping vessel walls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional projection display to three-dimensional trajectory visualization. By extracting and displaying flow paths in 3D space with transparency control, the system resolves the ambiguity caused by vessel overlap in 2D projections, allowing accurate representation of flow directions even when vessels cross each other in the projection view
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces trajectory extraction as an intermediary process between velocity vector measurement and visual display. By calculating actual flow paths through streamline tracing and using these trajectories as mediators, the system accurately represents flow directions without the ambiguity of direct projection, preventing incorrect flow representation across overlapping vessels
2Shape
If streamline display method is used to three-dimensionally draw flow, then flow paths can be visualized, but it becomes difficult to check flow tendency when vessels overlap
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the display dynamic by allowing users to adjust transparency of trajectory lines and selectively display trajectories from different starting points. This dynamic control enables observers to progressively build understanding of complex 3D flow patterns by layering information, making flow tendency checkable even in overlapping vessel configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the flow visualization by displaying trajectories from multiple discrete starting points distributed across the vessel cross-section. This segmentation allows observers to understand the complete flow pattern by combining information from individual trajectories, making flow tendency assessment easier in complex overlapping scenarios
3Measurement precision
If velocity vectors are displayed for each voxel, then detailed flow information is provided, but the overall flow tendency becomes difficult to understand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary trajectory extraction and smoothing before display. By pre-calculating streamlines and applying smoothing algorithms to remove numerical noise, the system prepares optimized trajectory data that preserves essential flow information while eliminating distracting details, making overall flow tendency easier to understand without sacrificing measurement precision
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a fluid analysis apparatus, a method for operating a fluid analysis apparatus, and a fluid analysis program that perform display such that the tendency of a fluid flow in a blood vessel is easily checked. Route position information that is capable of identifying an order along a route of the anatomical structure is assigned to each position in the anatomical structure, using three-dimensional volume data in which each voxel has the information of a three-dimensional flow velocity vector indicating a flow velocity of a fluid in an anatomical structure. The three-dimensional flow velocity vector is selected such that the route position information of a position where the three-dimensional flow velocity vector is present is sequentially arranged from one point in the anatomical structure and a trajectory indicating the flow of the fluid is drawn so as to be visibly recognized.