Image Processing Apparatus for Arterial Atherosclerosis Evaluation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for evaluating arterial atherosclerosis, such as coronary angiography and intravascular ultrasound, are invasive and often underestimate the remodeling state of arteries, while non-invasive methods like multislice CT struggle to provide comprehensive evaluations due to limitations in spatial resolution and the need for reference regions.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that calculates partial and whole atherosclerotic indices based on morphological information from volume data, allowing for the evaluation of arterial atherosclerosis without the need for invasive procedures and reference regions, by extracting and analyzing contrast-enhanced artery data from CT or MRI scans.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive examination methods (coronary angiography, intravascular ultrasound) are used to evaluate arterial atherosclerosis, then measurement precision of lumen stenosis is improved, but patient safety deteriorates due to risk of serious complications including death
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive mechanical examination methods (coronary angiography, intravascular ultrasound) with non-invasive image processing technology that uses volume data from CT or MRI scans. The image processing apparatus calculates atherosclerotic indices through computational analysis of morphological information, eliminating the need for physical intrusion into blood vessels while maintaining evaluation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces volume data from CT or MRI scans as an intermediary medium to obtain arterial morphological information without direct vascular access. This intermediary approach allows extraction of lumen and wall measurements through image processing rather than direct mechanical measurement, reducing patient risk while preserving diagnostic information.
2Ease of operation
If conventional projection image methods (coronary angiography, ultrasonic apparatus) are used to evaluate lumen stenosis, then ease of operation is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to underevaluation of actual stenosis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional projection images to three-dimensional volume data analysis. By processing volume data that includes spatial information in multiple dimensions, the system can accurately measure lumen area, wall thickness, and cross-sectional morphology, eliminating the projection overlap errors inherent in conventional 2D methods while maintaining operational simplicity through automated calculation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If mural evaluation based on CT values is used to evaluate atherogenesis, then non-invasive examination is achieved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to local evaluation limitations and contrast medium concentration influence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the arterial wall into distinct regions (lumen, intima, media, adventitia) based on morphological analysis of volume data. This segmentation allows separate measurement and evaluation of each layer's characteristics, providing comprehensive atherogenesis assessment that overcomes the single-value limitation of conventional CT density-based methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the evaluation parameter from CT density values (which are influenced by contrast medium concentration) to morphological parameters such as lumen area, wall thickness, and cross-sectional area ratios. These geometric parameters remain stable regardless of contrast timing or concentration, providing more reliable atherogenesis evaluation.
4Ease of operation
If reference region-based evaluation methods are used to calculate lumen stenosis ratio or remodeling index, then ease of operation is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inadequate results from diffuse atherosclerotic regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and evaluates each arterial cross-section independently, removing the dependency on reference region selection. By calculating absolute morphological parameters (lumen area, wall area, cross-sectional area) for each section separately, the system eliminates errors introduced by inappropriate reference region selection in diffuse atherosclerotic cases while maintaining automated processing.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes a storage unit which stores volume data associated with an area including a contrast-enhanced artery as an examination target, a first calculation unit which calculates a plurality of partial atherosclerotic indexes associated with a plurality of portions of the artery on the basis of morphological information associated with the artery which is obtained from the volume data, a second calculation unit which calculates a whole atherosclerotic index associated with the entire artery including the plurality of portions on the basis of the morphological information associated with the artery, and a display unit which displays evaluation information based on the calculated whole atherosclerotic index.