Intravascular OCT IPA Analysis with Calcified Plaque Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for calculating the Index of Plaque Attenuation (IPA) in intravascular OCT images are inaccurate due to the interference of calcified plaques, which cause false positives by increasing light attenuation coefficients, making it difficult to distinguish between thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) and fibroatheroma.

Innovation Solution

A method using a target convolutional neural network to identify and remove the calcified plaque region from the intravascular OCT image, followed by calculating the IPA based on the light attenuation coefficient of the modified image, utilizing texture features and region of interest to enhance the accuracy of plaque identification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the light attenuation coefficient is calculated including the calcified plaque region, then the calculation process is simple, but the IPA accuracy deteriorates due to false positives from calcified plaques

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalculation simplicityVSAvoidIPA accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the calcified plaque region from the intravascular OCT image before calculating the light attenuation coefficient. By identifying calcified regions through image analysis and excluding them from the IPA calculation, the method eliminates the source of false positives while maintaining calculation feasibility, thus resolving the contradiction between simplicity and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Measurement precision

If the calcified plaque region is removed to improve IPA accuracy, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional image processing steps

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIPA accuracyVSAvoidimage processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the intravascular OCT image into different tissue types, specifically identifying and separating the calcified plaque region from other tissues. This segmentation is achieved through analyzing light attenuation characteristics and structural features of the image, allowing selective exclusion of calcified regions while processing other regions normally, thus balancing accuracy improvement with manageable complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If the light attenuation coefficient of calcified plaque region is set to zero, then the IPA calculation accuracy improves by eliminating false positives, but information loss occurs in the calcified region

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIPA accuracy for TCFA identificationVSAvoidcalcified region information

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of calcified plaques (which cause false positives in IPA calculation) into a beneficial process. By deliberately setting the light attenuation coefficient of calcified regions to zero, the method eliminates their interfering effect on TCFA identification. The 'loss' of information in calcified regions is acceptable because these regions are already identified and excluded, and their removal actually benefits the overall diagnostic accuracy by preventing misclassification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

The method accurately determines the presence of TCFA by setting the calcified plaque region's light attenuation coefficient to zero, improving IPA accuracy and enabling precise differentiation between TCFA and fibroatheroma.

Implementation Method 1

processing the intravascular OCT image by using a target convolutional neural network to determine the calcified plaque region of the intravascular OCT image

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImage processing: Image Processing

Implementation Method 2

different intravascular tissue has different light attenuation coefficients. Therefore, different intravascular tissue may be distinguished by using light attenuation coefficients

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight attenuation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS20250325184A1Method and device for calculating IPA of intraluminal oct image

Publication Date: 2025.10.23 SHENZHEN VIVOLIGHT MEDICAL DEVICE & TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A method for calculating an IPA of an intravascular OCT image, relating to the technical field of medical instruments, the method including: acquiring an intravascular OCT image (S101); determining a calcified plaque region of the intravascular OCT image (S102); determining a light attenuation coefficient of the intravascular OCT image, where the light attenuation coefficient of the intravascular OCT image does not include a light attenuation coefficient of the calcified plaque region (S103); and determining an IPA of the intravascular OCT image according to the light attenuation coefficient of the intravascular OCT image (S104). The above method can increase accuracy of an IPA.