Heart Wall Movement Analysis for Early APE Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Early detection of Acute Pulmonary Embolism (APE) remains challenging due to limited clinical and biophysical understanding, particularly in its early stages, which can be critical for diagnosis and prognosis.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using image processing techniques to analyze images of the heart, specifically the right ventricle, to detect abnormalities such as irregular movement, shape changes, and displacement of the septum, enabling early detection of RV overload, which may indicate APE.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If image processing techniques are used to analyze heart wall movement, then early detection capability of APE is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses image processing techniques as an intermediary between the ultrasound imaging system and the clinical diagnosis process. The system processes images to extract wall movement characteristics, serving as a mediator that translates raw imaging data into clinically actionable information about APE risk
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual visual assessment of heart wall movement with automated image processing algorithms. This substitution of mechanical/manual analysis with computational methods enables more precise and consistent measurement of wall motion characteristics
2Measurement precision
If multiple images are analyzed to determine wall movement characteristics, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but loss of time in processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary processing of multiple heart wall images to extract movement characteristics before clinical decision-making is required. By pre-processing the images and calculating wall motion parameters in advance, the system reduces the time needed for final diagnostic assessment
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously analyzes multiple images captured over time to determine wall movement characteristics. This continuous analysis approach maintains diagnostic accuracy by utilizing all available data while processing it in an automated continuous manner rather than discrete manual steps
Data Source
AI summary
Receiving a plurality of images of a first wall of the patient's heart, the plurality including a first image captured at a time ij and a second image captured at a time t2, determining, based on the plurality of images, a first characteristic of movement of at least a wall portion of the first wall during a time period spanning time t1 and time t2, the first characteristic of movement being determined by using one or more image processing techniques, and the first, characteristic of movement being based on at least one of: (i) a shape of the wall portion in the first image and a shape of the wall portion in the second image, and (ii) a location of the wall portion in the first image and a location of the wall portion in the second image: and outputting an indication of the first characteristic of movement.