Myocardial Contraction Timing Analysis via 3D Image Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for analyzing cardiac motion do not effectively evaluate the contraction timings of myocardia at multiple positions of the heart, which is crucial for assessing blood circulation efficiency, especially in cases of myocardial infarction.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that records and analyzes three-dimensional images of the heart at various temporal phases, calculates myocardial thicknesses, and generates representative values to visualize and output contraction timings, allowing for the comparison of myocardial contraction timing differences across the heart.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional image analysis methods are used to measure myocardial wall motion and thickness, then basic cardiac motion parameters can be obtained, but contraction timing differences at multiple positions cannot be effectively evaluated
Solution Approach 1:
The heart is divided into multiple regions of interest (ROIs) at different positions, with representative points selected in each region. This segmentation allows independent measurement of contraction timing at each position, enabling detection of regional timing differences without requiring complex whole-heart analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts specific feature points (representative points) from the myocardium at different positions and focuses measurement on the thickness changes at these points. By extracting only the necessary measurement locations rather than analyzing the entire heart, the method achieves precise timing measurement without proportionally increasing processing complexity.
2Loss of information
If multiple three-dimensional images are acquired at different temporal phases, then comprehensive cardiac motion data can be obtained, but analysis time and processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The method extracts only the essential information needed for timing evaluation - the myocardial thickness at representative points across different temporal phases. By extracting only this critical data rather than processing all image details, the system maintains complete cardiac motion information while significantly reducing analysis time.
Solution Approach 2:
Regions of interest and representative points are predetermined before image analysis. This preliminary setup allows the system to focus processing only on relevant areas and parameters, reducing the computational burden of analyzing multiple three-dimensional images while ensuring all necessary cardiac motion information is captured.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional ejection fraction calculation is used, then overall cardiac function can be assessed, but regional contraction timing abnormalities cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the heart into multiple regions with representative points, measuring contraction timing at each segment independently. This segmentation enables detection of regional timing differences that would be masked in overall ejection fraction calculations, while still allowing comprehensive cardiac evaluation by combining regional data.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the heart are evaluated with specific local measurements at representative points, allowing each region's contraction timing to be assessed with high precision. This local quality approach complements overall cardiac function assessment, providing both comprehensive evaluation and precise regional timing detection.
Data Source
AI summary
The systolic timings of myocardia at various positions of a heart are analyzed and evaluated. An image processing apparatus 1 obtains myocardial thicknesses at various positions of a heart within a plurality of three dimensional images V1 through VK, obtained by imaging a heart at a plurality of temporal phases within a single cardiac cycle, at each of the temporal phases. The image processing apparatus 1 obtains representative values that represent the systolic phase of the myocardia at each position, based on the obtained myocardial thicknesses at each temporal phase, and outputs the obtained representative values.