Myocardial MRI Segmentation With Multi-Task Disease Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current automated methods for myocardial segmentation and disease detection in cardiac MRI images are inaccurate, time-consuming, and prone to human error, particularly due to the heart's complex anatomy and variability among individuals, leading to challenges in differentiating between healthy and diseased tissues, especially in early stages or less pronounced cases.

Innovation Solution

A multi-task deep learning model with an encoder-decoder structure and classification network is used to simultaneously perform segmentation and disease detection, leveraging shared representations and iterative refinement to enhance both tasks, incorporating statistical features from the segmentation output for disease classification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual interpretation methods are used for myocardial segmentation and disease detection, then diagnostic accuracy can be maintained through expert judgment, but the process becomes time-consuming and prone to human error

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical interpretation with an automated deep learning system. The U-Net architecture processes cardiac MRI images through encoder-decoder networks with skip connections, automatically performing segmentation and disease detection without human intervention, thereby eliminating time loss while maintaining accuracy through algorithmic precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service automation where the deep learning model independently performs both segmentation and disease detection tasks. The multi-task learning framework allows the model to self-optimize by sharing features between tasks, reducing reliance on manual expert analysis while delivering consistent diagnostic results

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If current automated disease detection techniques are implemented, then processing speed is improved, but accuracy deteriorates due to inability to differentiate between healthy and diseased tissues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoiddisease detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the diagnostic process into two integrated tasks: myocardial segmentation and disease detection. The U-Net architecture separates these functions into distinct output branches while sharing the encoder backbone, allowing each task to be optimized independently while benefiting from shared feature extraction, thus improving both speed and accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The deep learning model achieves multi-functionality by simultaneously performing segmentation and disease detection through a unified architecture. The shared encoder extracts universal features that serve both tasks, while task-specific decoders and classification heads handle individual objectives, enabling the system to maintain high productivity across multiple diagnostic functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If fully automated systems are used for myocardial segmentation and disease detection, then efficiency is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to quality variations in T1 and T2 maps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic efficiencyVSAvoidsegmentation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the segmentation output from the U-Net model is used to inform the disease detection classification. The system processes T1 and T2 maps through the encoder, generates segmentation masks, and feeds this structural information back to improve disease classification reliability, creating a closed-loop system that compensates for input variations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by first generating accurate myocardial segmentation masks before disease detection. The encoder-decoder structure pre-processes the input images to extract and refine anatomical structures, preparing standardized feature representations that reduce the impact of subsequent quality variations in T1 and T2 mapping

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If manual or semi-automated methods are employed to handle variability in heart size, shape, and anatomy, then adaptability is maintained through expert adjustment, but device complexity increases and errors proliferate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanatomical variability handlingVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by training the deep learning model on diverse cardiac MRI data representing various heart sizes, shapes, and anatomical configurations. The model learns to adapt to these variations through data-driven parameter optimization, automatically adjusting to different anatomical presentations without requiring complex manual configuration or intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses copying by training on extensive labeled datasets that capture the full range of anatomical variability. The model learns from copied examples of healthy and diseased hearts, internalizing patterns of variation that enable it to generalize to new cases without increasing system complexity or requiring manual adaptation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS20260073509A1Multi-task learning-based myocardial segmentation and disease detection in cardiac mr tissue mapping images
Publication Date: 2026.03.12 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG
  • US20260073509A1 patent drawing
  • US20260073509A1 patent drawing
  • US20260073509A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems and methods for myocardial segmentation and disease detection using a multi-task deep learning model. The multi-task deep learning model simultaneously performs segmentation and disease detection using the interrelated aspects to improve both tasks. The multi-task deep learning model includes an encoder-decoder structure where a compressed representation extracted by an encoder of the encoder-decoder structure is used for both reconstructing a segmentation mask in the decoder and as an input for disease detection.