3D Heart Blood Flow Modeling for Noninvasive Lesion Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing coronary artery disease, such as coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) and diagnostic cardiac catheterization, fail to provide accurate, noninvasive data on the functional significance of coronary lesions, leading to unnecessary invasive procedures and increased healthcare costs.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for creating a three-dimensional model of the patient's heart using noninvasive data to simulate blood flow characteristics, including fractional flow reserve (FFR), allowing for the assessment of coronary lesions without invasive procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If diagnostic cardiac catheterization is performed to assess coronary lesions, then functional significance of lesions can be determined, but invasive procedures and healthcare costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a computational model that copies the patient's coronary anatomy from noninvasive imaging data (CCTA) to simulate blood flow characteristics. This virtual replica allows assessment of functional significance without performing actual invasive catheterization procedures, directly resolving the contradiction between obtaining precise functional data and avoiding invasive harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive catheterization system with a computational simulation system. Instead of physically inserting wires and catheters into coronary arteries to measure pressure gradients, the system uses computer-based fluid dynamics simulations to calculate fractional flow reserve, eliminating the harmful invasive mechanical intervention while maintaining measurement capability.
2Ease of operation
If CCTA is used to image coronary arteries, then anatomic data is obtained noninvasively, but functional significance of lesions cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary creation of a computational model using noninvasive CCTA imaging data, then conducts virtual blood flow simulations to predict functional characteristics. This preliminary computational preparation allows functional assessment to be derived from the same noninvasive anatomical data, eliminating the need for additional invasive testing while completing the information gap.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces computational modeling and simulation as an intermediary between noninvasive anatomical imaging and functional assessment. This intermediary layer processes the CCTA data through fluid dynamics equations to generate functional predictions (FFR values), thereby bridging the information gap without requiring direct invasive measurement.
3Measurement precision
If CCA is performed to visualize coronary lesions, then anatomic data is gathered, but data for assessing functional significance is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the computational model universal by using it to perform multiple functions: visualizing coronary anatomy, simulating blood flow, calculating fractional flow reserve, and predicting treatment outcomes. This multi-functional approach extracts functional significance data from the same foundational anatomical model, eliminating the need for separate functional testing while preserving anatomical information.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include a system for displays cardiovascular information for a patient. The system may include at least one computer system configured to receive patient-specific data regarding a geometry of the patient's heart and create a model representing at least a portion of the patient's heart based on the patient-specific data. The computer system may determine at least one value of the blood flow characteristic within the patient's heart based on the model. The computer system may also display a report comprising a representation of at least one artery corresponding to at least a portion the model, and display one or more indicators of the value of the blood flow characteristic on a corresponding portion of the at least one artery.