Lesion-by-Lesion Imaging Assessment for Heterogeneous Treatment Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for assessing cancer treatment progression in patients with multiple lesions rely heavily on physician discretion due to the complexity of evaluating inter-lesion response heterogeneity, leading to inconsistent and non-standardized decision-making.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that analyzes lesion-by-lesion imaging data using molecular imaging agents to quantify features such as uptake values and textural features, and classifies lesions as completely responding, partially responding, stable, progressing, or new, providing a disease treatment assessment score based on these features across multiple scans.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If physician discretion is used to determine disease progression, then flexibility in decision-making is improved, but consistency and standardization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the assessment of disease progression into individual lesion-level evaluations. Each lesion is independently characterized using imaging features (size, uptake, texture) and classified into response categories (complete response, partial response, stable disease, progressive disease). This segmentation allows standardized quantitative assessment while maintaining the ability to account for inter-lesion heterogeneity, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and consistency.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive imaging data from multiple modalities is collected, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple imaging modalities (PET, CT, MRI) and molecular imaging agents into a unified quantitative assessment framework. Different imaging data types are integrated and processed together to extract comprehensive lesion characteristics, achieving high measurement precision through multi-modal data fusion while managing complexity through standardized processing pipelines.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a universal quantitative assessment methodology that can be applied across different imaging modalities and disease types. The same framework processes data from various imaging agents and modalities, enabling multi-functional use of the system while maintaining consistent measurement standards, thus improving precision without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Measurement precision
If quantitative metrics from multiple lesions are integrated, then assessment accuracy is improved, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex multi-lesion assessment into standardized individual lesion evaluations. Each lesion is independently quantified using consistent imaging features and classification criteria, then aggregated to determine overall treatment response. This segmentation approach improves assessment accuracy through comprehensive data integration while managing computational complexity through modular, repeatable processing steps.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides methods, systems, and non-transitory computer-readable media for assessment of disease treatment or progression on a lesion-by-lesion level. The systems and methods are based on measurements of a variety of features including total number of lesions, total number and proportion of lesions regressing or progressing, changes in dimensions of a lesion over time, and uptake values of a molecular imaging agent.