Heart Wall Motion Tracking for Precise Myocardial Function Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for assessing heart function lack precision in evaluating myocardial tissue pumping function, limiting accurate diagnosis of pathological issues.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the tracking of vector points on the heart wall to determine motion vectors relative to a reference, allowing for the calculation of motion deviation values that provide insights into the heart's pumping function, displayed through a bullseye plot for medical practitioners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional imaging technologies are used for heart function assessment, then the assessment can be performed with standard equipment, but the precision in evaluating myocardial tissue pumping function is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The heart wall is divided into multiple discrete vector points that are tracked independently. Each vector point represents a specific location on the heart wall, and their individual motion trajectories are analyzed to assess regional myocardial function. This segmentation enables precise measurement of local wall motion while maintaining computational feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Vector points serve as intermediary elements between the imaging system and the heart wall. These virtual markers are superimposed on the images and track the motion of underlying myocardial tissue, translating complex tissue deformation into measurable point trajectories without requiring direct physical contact or invasive measurement.
2Reliability
If detailed motion data of multiple vector points is collected, then the assessment of heart pumping function is improved, but the amount of data to be processed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motion data from multiple vector points is combined to calculate regional motion vectors that represent the overall motion pattern of specific heart wall segments. By merging individual point trajectories into regional vectors, the system maintains comprehensive measurement information while reducing the dimensionality of data that requires further processing and analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the heart wall are assigned specific motion vectors that characterize their unique motion patterns. Each region's motion is analyzed with appropriate reference points and criteria tailored to its anatomical and functional characteristics, enabling reliable assessment of regional myocardial function while managing data complexity through localized analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
A sequence of images acquired consecutively in time at fixed time intervals is received, the images comprising image data of at least part of a heart having a heart wall, identifying, in each image, at least part of the heart wall and defining, in each image, at least one vector point on the identified heart wall. The method further comprises determining motion of the vector point over time, based on the sequence and receiving a first reference related to the heart. Based on the tracking of the vector point and the first reference, a motion vector is determined indicating motion of the vector point relative to the reference.