High-Speed Vascular Imaging System for Dynamic Blood Flow Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional angiography techniques face limitations in visualizing dynamic vascular flow details due to low frame rates and poor spatial resolution, hindering the understanding and treatment of vascular disorders such as aneurysms and stenosis, which are critical for effective intervention outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A high-speed vascular imaging system (HVIS) that acquires two-dimensional projection images at high frequencies, identifies heterogeneities in a radio-opaque medium, and determines dynamic vascular parameters based on spatial movements, enabling real-time visualization of intricate blood flow patterns with temporal resolutions of 1 millisecond and 1000 frames per second, using biplane detectors and X-ray particle image velocimetry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional angiography uses flat panel detectors with larger pixel sizes, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of vascular flow parameters deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection task into two stages: first, a flat panel detector captures low-resolution projection images; second, a high-resolution detector captures detailed images of specific regions of interest. This segmentation allows the system to maintain overall simplicity while achieving high measurement precision where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from direct high-resolution imaging to a multi-dimensional approach by combining low-resolution full-field imaging with high-resolution region-of-interest imaging. This dimensional strategy resolves the contradiction by operating at different resolution levels for different detection needs.
2Use of energy by moving object
If conventional angiography uses low frame rate acquisition, then use of energy is reduced, but productivity of flow dynamic visualization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic high-frame-rate acquisition only during phases when contrast medium is present in the vascular region, rather than continuous high-frame-rate imaging. This periodic action maintains energy efficiency while capturing critical flow dynamics when they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection using low-frame-rate imaging to identify when contrast medium enters the field of view, then triggers high-frame-rate acquisition in advance of the actual flow visualization phase, ensuring critical moments are captured without sustained high energy consumption.
3Device complexity
If conventional angiography uses indirect detection with energy integration, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of heterogeneities deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an image processing and analysis system that acts as an intermediary between the detected images and the final flow parameter calculations. This intermediary processes the images to enhance heterogeneity detection capability without requiring complex detection hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for complex high-precision detection hardware with sophisticated image processing algorithms that can extract flow information and heterogeneities from standard detector images, substituting mechanical complexity with computational intelligence.
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
This system provides detailed, real-time imaging of blood flow dynamics, allowing for more accurate placement and repositioning of flow diverters, improved diagnosis of arteriovenous malformations, and verification of computational fluid dynamics predictions, potentially leading to more efficacious treatments and reduced computational burdens.
Implementation Method 1
an X-ray source, in communication with the biplane detectors, for generating X-ray radiation
Implementation Method 2
a high-speed photon counting detector (PCD) having a field of view that is larger than a field of view of a conventional angiography detector
Implementation Method 3
identifying, within the acquired two-dimensional projection images, heterogeneities of the radio-opaque medium
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method for vascular imaging and determining dynamic vascular parameters of blood flow. According to an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method of determining dynamic vascular parameters of blood flow, comprising acquiring two-dimensional projection images of a vascular region of interest at a predetermined frequency, the vascular region of interest being downstream of a site of vascular administration of a radio-opaque medium, identifying, within the acquired two-dimensional projection images, heterogeneities of the radio-opaque medium, and determining the dynamic vascular parameters of the blood flow based on spatial movements of the identified heterogeneities of the radio-opaque medium. In an embodiment, the predetermined frequency is greater than 100 Hz.