Perfusion Assessment System Morphology Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current perfusion assessment methods in diagnostic imaging are sensitive to equipment settings and provide only relative, qualitative estimates of blood volume, velocity, and flow, lacking information about the morphology of the micro-vascular network, making it difficult to identify pathologies that affect vascularity.
Innovation Solution
A perfusion assessment system that estimates morphology based on the probability density distribution of perfusion parameters, using an S-shape perfusion function and shape indicators to compare morphological characteristics, independent of equipment settings, allowing for absolute quantitative evaluations and identification of pathological conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional perfusion assessment methods are used, then relative quantitative estimates of blood volume, velocity, and flow can be obtained, but the results are sensitive to equipment settings and cannot provide absolute quantitative evaluations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mathematical model from a simple mono-exponential function to a multi-exponential function with multiple rate constants (k1, k2, k3, k4). This parameter change allows the model to capture complex perfusion dynamics and provides absolute quantitative values that are independent of equipment settings like gain and compression ratios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional indicator-dilution theory approach with a new mathematical model based on multi-exponential functions. This substitution eliminates the need for complex deconvolution operations and provides more reliable, absolute quantitative measurements that are not sensitive to equipment settings.
2Loss of information
If traditional perfusion assessment methods are used, then blood flow quantification can be performed, but morphological information about the micro-vascular network cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the perfusion process into multiple exponential components, each representing different aspects of blood flow dynamics. This segmentation allows the extraction of multiple parameters (blood volume, velocity, flow, and morphology) from a single curve fitting operation, providing comprehensive information without increasing analysis complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a temporal dimension to the analysis by using time-dependent multi-exponential functions. This allows the extraction of morphological information about the micro-vascular network from the time course of contrast agent concentration, transforming a single quantitative measure into multiple dimensional parameters including morphology.
3Measurement precision
If simple mathematical models are used for perfusion assessment, then the analysis is straightforward, but the results cannot distinguish between different pathological conditions with similar blood flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes from a single-parameter model to a multi-parameter model that extracts multiple rate constants (k1, k2, k3, k4) from the perfusion curve. These additional parameters provide detailed information about blood volume, velocity, flow, and morphology, enabling differentiation between pathological conditions with similar blood flow characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different weightings to different exponential components based on their specific physiological meanings. This allows the model to emphasize particular aspects of perfusion (such as morphology or flow) when analyzing specific pathological conditions, providing localized quality analysis that improves diagnostic accuracy.
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 approach provides accurate, absolute quantitative evaluations of blood perfusion and morphology, enabling effective identification of pathological changes in vascularity, independent of equipment variations and noise, and allows for monitoring of pathological conditions over time.
Implementation Method 1
The contrast agent acts as an efficient ultrasound reflector, so that it can be easily detected applying ultrasound waves and measuring a resulting echo-signal
Implementation Method 2
The microbubbles are then destroyed by a flash of sufficient energy
Data Source
AI summary
A perfusion assessment system is proposed. The system includes means for providing an echo-power signal indicative of a reperfusion of a contrast agent in a body-part of a living subject following destruction of a significant portion of the contrast agent in the body-part, means for associating the echo-power signal to a perfusion function with an S-shape based on a plurality of elementary perfusion functions with said S-shape each one for a corresponding value of at least one perfusion parameter, the elementary perfusion functions being weighted according to a probability density distribution of the at least one perfusion parameter, wherein the S-shape includes an initial portion with substantially zero first derivatives, a final portion with substantially zero first derivatives, and a central portion between the initial portion and the final portion changing monotonically from a value of the initial portion to a value of the final portion, means for determining at least one shape indicator of the probability density distribution, and means for comparing the at least one shape indicator with at least one predetermined further shape indicator to identify morphological characteristics of the body-part according to a result of the comparison.