Oxygen Level Visualization for Myocardial Ischemia Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for diagnosing myocardial ischemia, such as coronary angiography, fail to detect ischemia in cases of microvascular coronary disease, as they rely on indirect measures and do not provide accurate information about oxygen levels in the heart muscle.

Innovation Solution

A processing system that receives artery location data and oxygen level measurements to interpolate and visualize oxygen levels throughout the muscular tissue, allowing for the identification of ischemia and diseased microvasculature by correlating oxygen levels with arterial anatomy, using techniques like light penetration differences between wavelengths to measure oxygen levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If coronary angiography is used to diagnose myocardial ischemia, then the diagnostic process can be performed, but it fails to detect ischemia in cases of microvascular coronary disease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracy of myocardial ischemiaVSAvoidinformation about oxygen levels in heart muscle

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/X-ray based coronary angiography system with an optical measurement system that uses light absorption spectroscopy to directly measure oxygen levels in myocardial tissue. This substitution enables direct detection of tissue oxygenation status rather than indirect visualization of coronary arteries, thereby resolving the inability to detect microvascular disease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces oxygen level measurements as an intermediary parameter to bridge the gap between coronary artery status and myocardial tissue health. By measuring oxygen levels in the myocardium directly, the system provides information about the functional outcome of blood flow, enabling detection of ischemia even when coronary arteries appear normal on angiography.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If indirect measures like coronary angiography are used, then the diagnostic procedure can be completed, but accurate information about oxygen levels in heart muscle is not obtained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic procedure efficiencyVSAvoidoxygen level measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces indirect X-ray imaging with direct optical spectroscopy measurement of tissue oxygenation. This allows simultaneous acquisition of both anatomical information (through the imaging system) and functional oxygen level data (through the optical sensors), thereby improving measurement precision without sacrificing diagnostic efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Shape

If only artery location data is visualized, then arterial anatomy can be seen, but the exact location of ischemia and diseased microvasculature cannot be identified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisualization of arterial structureVSAvoidlocation information of ischemic areas

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges arterial location data from angiography with oxygen level measurement data from optical sensors to create a composite visualization. This combination displays both the anatomical structure of coronary arteries and the functional oxygenation status of myocardial tissue, enabling identification of ischemic areas by showing regions where oxygen levels are low relative to arterial supply.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by mapping oxygen level measurements to specific spatial locations in the myocardium and correlating them with corresponding arterial territories. This allows differentiation between regions supplied by different arteries and identification of localized ischemic areas, providing both anatomical and functional information at the regional level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This system enables accurate visualization of oxygen levels in relation to arterial anatomy, aiding in the detection of ischemia and identifying areas with limited blood flow, thereby improving diagnosis and treatment planning for myocardial ischemia.

Implementation Method 1

The at least one oxygen level measurement is based on a difference in light penetration between different wavelengths of light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight penetration difference between wavelengths: Absorption Spectroscopy

Data Source

PatentUS20240268770A1Assessing a subject's adherene to a treatment for a condition

Publication Date: 2024.08.15 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

A system and method for generating a visualization of oxygen levels in tissue in an anatomical structure of a subject is disclosed. Data including a location/structure of vessels in the anatomical structure and at least one oxygen level measurement of the tissue are received. A visualization illustrating oxygen levels and vessel structure is generated based on the anatomical data and ascertained oxygen levels throughout the tissue.