Dynamic Lung X-Ray Imaging for Bedside Ventilation and Perfusion Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging techniques for assessing lung ventilation and perfusion in mechanically ventilated patients are not well-suited for use in intensive care units due to workflow issues and require cumbersome patient transport or the use of radioactive agents, and lack spatially resolved measurements of mechanical parameters like resistance and compliance.
Innovation Solution
A bedside dynamic X-ray imaging system that separates and analyzes lung images to derive timing information for ventilation and perfusion, using cross-correlation and biomechanical models to generate respiration and perfusion delay images, providing spatially resolved mechanical parameters without breath-hold maneuvers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If CT, PET, or MRI systems are used for ventilation and perfusion imaging, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to patient transport requirements and workflow issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical imaging systems (CT, PET, MRI) with a simplified X-ray based system that uses dynamic imaging and computational processing to achieve ventilation and perfusion assessment without requiring patient transport or complex radioactive agents
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates functional copies of advanced imaging capabilities using dynamic X-ray sequences and image processing algorithms that simulate the information provided by CT, PET, or MRI without requiring those complex systems
2Measurement precision
If scintigraphy is used for perfusion imaging, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to radioactive contrast agent handling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive and hazardous radioactive contrast agents with standard X-ray imaging and computational processing, eliminating the need for special handling, training, and safety protocols while maintaining perfusion imaging capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the scintigraphy system with an X-ray based dynamic imaging system that uses image processing to extract perfusion information without requiring radioactive materials
3Ease of operation
If EIT is used for bedside imaging, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to lower resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from the limited resolution of EIT to high-resolution 2D and 4D X-ray imaging, adding temporal and spatial dimensions to the measurement while maintaining bedside capability through dynamic sequence acquisition and processing
4Measurement precision
If 4D CT is used for spatially resolved mechanical parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to breath-hold maneuver requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic respiratory motion during normal breathing cycles to capture dynamic X-ray images, eliminating the need for breath-hold maneuvers while obtaining spatially resolved mechanical parameters through analysis of periodic density changes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows the patient's natural respiratory motion to serve the measurement purpose, using the patient's own breathing cycles to provide the necessary motion data for calculating mechanical parameters without requiring active patient participation or breath-holding
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
Enables improved bedside imaging with enhanced diagnostic value, determining breathing effort, resistance, and compliance parameters, and offering a stiffness metric, without the need for breath-hold maneuvers or 4D CT.
Implementation Method 1
By tracking the attenuation of image regions during the respiratory cycle, the local ventilation can be estimated
Data Source
AI summary
A medical imaging device includes a display device; and at least one electronic processor programmed to perform an imaging method including controlling an associated medical imaging device to acquire a dynamic lung image including a time sequence of lung images depicting at least one lung of the patient; separating the dynamic lung image into a dynamic respiration image depicting density changes due to respiration and a dynamic perfusion image depicting density changes due to lung perfusion; at least one of: (i) generating a respiration delay image based on the dynamic respiration image; and (ii) generating a perfusion delay image based on the dynamic lung perfusion image; and displaying the respiration delay image and/or lung perfusion delay image on the display device.