3D Volumetric Visualization of Myocardial Perfusion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical imaging techniques face challenges in visualizing complex time-variant parameters in biological structures, particularly in relating spatial and temporal data to anatomical structures, leading to difficulties in interpreting perfusion measurements between different layers of the myocardium.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for visualizing time-variant parameters at multiple positions within a biological structure, using a determination unit to calculate visualization parameters across various time intervals and displaying these parameters alongside anatomical images, allowing for higher resolution data visualization and intuitive interaction with the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If 2D visualization techniques are used to display time-intensity curves and quantitative data, then the data can be presented in a simplified format, but the ability to relate spatial information to anatomical structures is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional 2D perfusogram visualization to a 3D volumetric representation that preserves spatial relationships with anatomical structures. The system divides the biological structure into multiple volumes along the longitudinal axis and displays them in a three-dimensional arrangement, allowing healthcare professionals to see both the temporal intensity changes and the spatial location relative to anatomy simultaneously.
2Loss of information
If color overlay on anatomical images is used to show spatial information, then anatomical correlation is improved, but temporal changes in intensity over time cannot be displayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the biological structure into multiple discrete volumes along the longitudinal axis, with each volume representing a specific spatial region. Each segmented volume can then display its own time-intensity curve independently, allowing temporal changes to be visualized for each spatial location simultaneously. This segmentation enables the system to preserve both spatial differentiation and temporal evolution of intensity values.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional Bull's Eye plot is used to project myocardial segments onto a plane, then the visualization format is standardized, but the resolution and detail of perfusion measurements between different layers are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves away from the traditional 2D planar projection of Bull's Eye plots to a 3D volumetric display arrangement. By organizing multiple volume representations along the longitudinal axis in three-dimensional space, the system preserves the layered structure of the myocardium and maintains higher resolution perfusion measurements for each distinct volume, rather than compressing all information onto a single plane.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a system and a method for visualizing a time- variant parameter at a plurality of positions in a biological structure, wherein a visualization display is configured to display a first representation showing a first visualization parameter at a plurality of time intervals, determined in a first volume between a first and a second boundary of the structure, and to display a second representation showing first and second visualization parameters determined in the first and in a second volume extending between the first and the second boundary of the structure. By providing the user with this combination of the two representations, a higher resolution of data may be processed and meaningfully visualized for intermediate volumes between the first and the second boundary. This is based on the insight that it is desirable to view data between boundaries of a structure as well as at different positions through the structure. However, without simple means of visualization, processing a higher resolution of data is not feasible. This is especially useful when performance differences may be present between the structure at the first and the second boundary. For example, perfusion measurements within the myocardium are different for the endocardial and epicardial layers. Therefore, the relative position of the measurements relative to these layers yields valuable data in the evaluation of perfusion. This increases the information which the healthcare professional can extract from imaging data without complicating the representations required to visualize it.