Multi-Scale Hemodynamics Simulation Using Segmented Vessel Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing simulation techniques for coronary circulation and other circulatory systems struggle to analyze dynamics involving a wide range of vessels from coronary arteries and veins to capillaries, especially due to the large scale difference and the motion of heartbeats, leading to inefficiencies and a lack of detailed analysis of pressure drops and microcirculation effects.
Innovation Solution
A simulation method and apparatus utilizing a distributed processing scheme for multi-scale analysis, leveraging anatomical features like symmetry between microcirculatory and large vessels, allowing for parallel computation and efficient modeling of blood vessel networks down to the capillary level, including the simulation of cardiac muscle motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If simulation includes detailed modeling of vessels from coronary arteries to capillaries across multiple scales, then measurement precision and analysis detail improve, but device complexity and computational load increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The circulatory system is divided into multiple scale levels (coronary arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, veins), with each level simulated using appropriate modeling approaches. Large vessels use 3D CFD models while smaller vessels use 1D/0D models, allowing detailed analysis without overwhelming computational complexity at all scales simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional 3D models for all vessels to a multi-dimensional approach where vessel model complexity matches anatomical scale. Larger vessels use higher-dimensional (3D) models while smaller vessels use lower-dimensional (1D/0D) models, optimizing computational efficiency while maintaining analysis precision where needed.
2Reliability
If simulation accounts for heart contraction and large motions of strokes, then physiological accuracy improves, but real-time observation and computational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The simulation incorporates dynamic heart contraction patterns and large motions of strokes through time-varying boundary conditions and moving boundary formulations. The model updates vessel geometry and flow conditions dynamically across the cardiac cycle, maintaining physiological accuracy while using reduced-order models for computational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-computes heart contraction patterns and motion trajectories from medical imaging or experimental data, then uses these pre-determined motion patterns as input boundary conditions for the hemodynamic simulation. This separates the complex motion analysis from the real-time flow simulation, improving computational efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If simulation resolves pressure drops and microcirculation effects at capillary level, then measurement precision improves, but loss of time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The simulation applies different levels of modeling detail to different regions of the circulatory system based on their physiological importance and scale. Capillary beds and microcirculation zones use detailed 0D/1D models for accurate pressure drop analysis, while larger vessels use coarser 3D models, optimizing the balance between precision and computation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces computationally intensive 3D fluid dynamics models with reduced-order 1D/0D models for small vessels and capillaries. These simplified models use analytical solutions and lumped parameter approaches that capture essential pressure drop and flow resistance characteristics without requiring fine mesh discretization, dramatically reducing simulation time.
Data Source
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AI summary
A geometric model of an organ represents its shape as a collection of elements formed from nodes and connections among them. A first vessel network model represents a network of first vessels whose diameters are larger than or equal to a threshold. A plurality of second vessel networks each represent a network of second vessels whose diameters are smaller than the threshold. In a simulator apparatus, a first analysis unit analyzes hemodynamics in the first vessels, based on the geometric model and first vessel network model of the organ and reflecting the motion of the organ. A second analysis unit analyzes hemodynamics in the second vessel network models connected to the nodes, by using output data of the first analysis unit which indicates the hemodynamics in the first vessels at each of the nodes.