Intravascular Fluorescence Imaging for Quantitative Hemodynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods struggle to estimate blood volume (BV), blood flow (BF), and mean transit time (MTT) during surgical operations due to the limitations of existing imaging techniques, particularly those using fluorescent contrast agents, which lack the capability to provide real-time quantitative data.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for image processing of intravascular hemodynamics that utilizes infrared imaging and fluorescent contrast agents, such as indocyanin green, to analyze the chronological change in intensity values, allowing for the calculation of relative and quantitative data for BV, BF, and MTT through image analysis and integration of these values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional fluorescent contrast agent imaging is used during surgical operations, then the procedure is simple and no additional equipment is needed, but real-time quantitative data for blood volume, blood flow, and mean transit time cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared imaging device is integrated with the surgical microscope, allowing the same device to serve both as a surgical observation tool and as a quantitative hemodynamic measurement device. This multi-functionality enables BV, BF, and MTT measurement without adding separate specialized equipment to the surgical setup.
Solution Approach 2:
Indocyanin green fluorescent contrast agent serves as an intermediary that can be detected by infrared imaging. The contrast agent circulates in the bloodstream and its fluorescence properties enable the indirect measurement of blood volume, flow, and transit time parameters through the infrared imaging system.
2Measurement precision
If CT perfusion or MRI perfusion is used to obtain quantitative blood flow data, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the procedures cannot be performed during surgical operations and require contrast agent injection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex CT or MRI imaging systems with a simpler infrared imaging device that can be directly integrated into the surgical microscope. This substitution maintains quantitative measurement capability while enabling use during surgical operations without requiring separate imaging equipment or facilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical microscope with integrated infrared imaging serves itself by providing both surgical visualization and hemodynamic measurement functions. The system does not require external CT or MRI equipment, making the measurement process self-contained and operationally convenient during surgery.
3Productivity
If intraoperative fluorescence angiography is used, then real-time visualization is achieved, but quantitative analysis of blood volume, blood flow, and mean transit time is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback by continuously analyzing the chronological intensity changes of the fluorescent contrast agent and calculating BV, BF, and MTT values dynamically. This feedback mechanism enables both real-time visualization and quantitative analysis simultaneously, allowing surgeons to make immediate decisions based on measured hemodynamic parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from qualitative visual assessment to quantitative measurement by analyzing the temporal dimension of fluorescence intensity changes. By examining how intensity varies over time, the system extracts quantitative hemodynamic parameters (BV, BF, MTT) that add a new dimension of information to the traditional visual angiography.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables real-time estimation of BV, BF, and MTT during surgical operations, providing stable and accurate quantitative data without the need for additional equipment, and allowing for visual representation of blood flow dynamics.
Implementation Method 1
shooting video images, of a portion of a blood vessel injected with a standard amount of fluorescent contrast agent using infrared light
Data Source
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AI summary
[Problem] The present invention provides analysis technology relating to video data of a fluorescent contrast agent shot by a microscope during an operation, and addresses the problem of providing a method and system allowing information such as BV, BF and MTT, and vascular wall thickness, to be estimated by fluorescent contrast agent analysis, by applying perfusion analysis methods, which allow estimation of information such as BV, BF and MTT, to fluorescent contrast agent analysis. [Solution] The method for image processing of intravascular hemodynamics according to the present invention is characterized by shooting video using infrared light, wherein the object of shooting is a portion of a blood vessel injected with a standard amount of a fluorescent contrast agent; performing image analysis of a shape of a chronological change curve of intensity values which are image outputs from the video shooting; and calculating relative data for blood volume and blood flow based on results of the image analysis.