Multiphase CT Angiogram for Stroke Collateral Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current stroke diagnosis methods, particularly for ischemic strokes, are time-consuming and lack accurate assessment of collateral blood flow, leading to delayed treatment decisions that can significantly impact patient outcomes. Existing CT perfusion techniques face challenges such as prolonged processing times, radiation exposure, and variability across different centers and vendors, limiting the ability to make timely and confident treatment decisions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of multiphase CT angiogram (mCTA) techniques, which involve conducting multiple CT angiograms over a condensed period with defined intervals, providing time-sequenced images to assess collateral flow and create a collateral map or score, aiding in faster and more accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional CT perfusion techniques are used to assess collateral blood flow, then measurement precision of blood flow is improved, but diagnostic time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the assessment of collateral blood flow into distinct phases (arterial phase, capillary phase, venous phase) captured through multiphase CT imaging. Each phase provides specific information about collateral flow at different temporal points, enabling comprehensive assessment without requiring prolonged single-phase imaging protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic CT imaging at multiple time points (phases) after contrast injection to capture the dynamic flow of contrast through collateral vessels. This periodic sampling approach allows assessment of collateral function over time while maintaining relatively short total imaging duration compared to continuous monitoring.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive stroke assessment including collateral evaluation is performed, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but treatment decision time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary automated processing of multiphase CT images to generate collateral assessment metrics and maps before the physician makes treatment decisions. This preliminary action prepares diagnostic information in advance, reducing the time physicians need to spend on complex image analysis while maintaining high diagnostic accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates visual copies or maps of collateral blood flow patterns from the multiphase CT data, presenting simplified representations that capture essential diagnostic information. These collateral maps serve as simplified copies that convey complex flow dynamics in an easily interpretable format, accelerating decision-making.
3Loss of information
If multiple CT scans are performed to assess collateral flow dynamics, then information completeness is improved, but radiation exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses continuous multiphase CT imaging where contrast injection and sequential scanning occur in a continuous protocol rather than separate discrete studies. This continuous approach captures collateral flow dynamics across multiple phases in one integrated examination, reducing the need for multiple separate CT scans and associated radiation exposure.
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
mCTA significantly reduces diagnostic time, enhances the accuracy of collateral assessment, and improves treatment decision-making by providing a quantitative evaluation of collateral strength, thereby increasing the chances of saving penumbra tissue and improving patient outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
obtain a set of computed tomography (CT) images
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to systems and methods for diagnosing strokes. In particular, systems and methods for acquiring timely patient status information are described that enable a physician to make diagnostic and treatment decisions relating to ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. The systems and methods enable the efficient and quantitative assessment of arterial collaterals within the brain for aiding these decisions in the case of ischemic strokes. In the case of hemorrhagic strokes, the systems and methods are effective in determining if there is a leak and what is the rate of leaking. The systems and methods of the invention can be used to improve the accuracy and confidence of ASPECTS.