3D Heart Hemodynamics via Lumped-Parameter Modeling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing heart function, particularly intra-cardiac pressure measurement, are invasive and prone to inaccuracies due to sensitivity to catheter position and noise, and provide limited spatial and temporal resolution, while non-invasive imaging techniques offer surrogate pressure information with unidirectional or planar limitations.
Innovation Solution
A combination of lumped-parameter modeling and computational flow dynamics is used to provide comprehensive three-dimensional hemodynamic quantification, personalizing the model to a patient using medical scanning data to calculate absolute pressure throughout the heart without invasive measurement, incorporating geometry and pressure curves as boundary conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive pressure catheter measurement is used, then pressure measurement capability is obtained, but patient invasiveness and measurement sensitivity to catheter position increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flow imaging data as an intermediary to compute pressure gradients, which then feed into a lumped-parameter model to estimate absolute pressure. This mediator approach allows non-invasive measurement while achieving pressure assessment capability through computational transformation of flow data into pressure information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive catheter-based pressure measurement system with a non-invasive imaging and computational modeling system. By substituting physical catheter insertion with medical imaging (ultrasound, MRI, or CT) combined with computational fluid dynamics and lumped-parameter modeling, the system eliminates the harmful mechanical intrusion while maintaining pressure measurement functionality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If flow imaging is used to compute pressure gradients, then non-invasive pressure information is obtained, but spatial and temporal resolution and accuracy are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple data sources including flow imaging data, anatomical geometry from medical scans, and lumped-parameter model predictions to compute three-dimensional pressure fields. By combining these different types of data and computational approaches, the system overcomes the limitations of individual methods and achieves improved spatial and temporal resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional planar flow imaging to three-dimensional pressure field reconstruction by incorporating anatomical geometry and using computational models to extrapolate pressure information throughout the cardiac volume. This dimensional enhancement provides comprehensive spatial distribution of pressure data that was not accessible with traditional planar imaging.
3Measurement precision
If invasive pressure-volume measurements are used, then pressure information is obtained, but sensitivity to catheter position and noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the cardiovascular system through computational modeling based on patient-specific anatomy from medical imaging. This virtual model replicates hemodynamic behavior without requiring physical catheter insertion, thereby eliminating sensitivity to catheter position while maintaining the ability to measure pressure and flow parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the patient's own anatomical geometry and flow data to personalize the lumped-parameter model, creating a self-contained computational framework that does not require external catheter-based measurements. The model self-calibrates using available imaging data and clinical measurements, reducing dependence on invasive procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical system is provided for three-dimensional hemodynamic quantification. Comprehensive three-dimensional (3D) plus time (3D+t) assessment of flow patterns inside the heart are provided by a combination of lumped-parameter modeling and computational flow dynamic modeling. Using medical scanning, the lumped parameter model is personalized to a given patient. The personalized lumped-parameter model provides pressure curves (i.e., pressure as a function of time) for one or more locations. Using geometry of the patients heart segmented from the medical scanning and the pressure curves as boundary conditions, the computational flow dynamics model calculates the absolute pressure for any location (e.g., for a three-dimensional field of locations) in the patient heart at any one or more phases of the cardiac cycle. More accurate absolute pressure may be provided without invasive measurement.