Perfusion Quantification via Relative Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical imaging technologies, particularly laser speckle contrast imaging, lack standardized quantification of tissue perfusion and blood flow, making it difficult for surgeons to interpret perfusion measurements accurately and make informed intraoperative decisions.
Innovation Solution
The method involves obtaining images of a surgical scene, processing them to determine perfusion characteristics of reference regions, and calculating relative perfusion characteristics for target regions using a linear relationship, allowing differentiation between arterial and venous obstructions and providing real-time guidance through a classification model.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If laser speckle contrast imaging is used to visualize blood flow, then real-time perfusion mapping is achieved, but standardized quantification and interpretability are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the raw speckle contrast data into standardized relative perfusion units (RPU) by changing the parameter representation from arbitrary contrast values to clinically interpretable perfusion metrics. This is achieved through processing speckle images to calculate RPU values that represent blood flow relative to reference regions, thereby maintaining real-time capability while establishing standardized quantification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces relative perfusion units (RPU) as an intermediary metric between raw speckle contrast data and clinical interpretation. The RPU serves as a standardized mediator that translates arbitrary imaging system units into clinically meaningful perfusion measurements, enabling consistent interpretation across different systems and operators.
2Adaptability or versatility
If arbitrary speckle contrast units are displayed, then imaging system flexibility is maintained, but clinical interpretability by surgeons is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the display parameter from arbitrary speckle contrast units to relative perfusion units (RPU) that are clinically interpretable. The system maintains flexibility by allowing customization of reference regions and RPU calculation parameters, while the output is standardized into perfusion percentages that surgeons can easily understand and act upon.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the surgical field into target regions and reference regions, allowing independent analysis of each. This segmentation enables the system to maintain flexibility in defining different region types while providing standardized RPU metrics for each, improving both adaptability and clinical interpretability.
3Measurement precision
If absolute perfusion values are measured, then standalone flow measurement is achieved, but context of background tissue perfusion is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses reference regions as intermediaries to provide context for target region perfusion measurements. By comparing target region RPU values against reference region RPU values, the system preserves background tissue perfusion context while maintaining precise measurement capability. The reference regions serve as local controls that capture the baseline perfusion state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different reference regions to be selected based on their specific perfusion characteristics. Each reference region provides localized context appropriate to its anatomical location, enabling the system to maintain both measurement precision and contextual information by adapting the reference standard to local conditions.
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 standardizes perfusion quantification, enabling surgeons to make more accurate assessments and informed decisions by providing relative perfusion units and color heatmaps, improving the interpretation of tissue perfusion and blood flow during surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
Coherent laser light may be applied to biologic tissues to generate a pattern of diffraction, known as 'speckle'. When applied to red blood cells moving within blood vessels, laser light may be used to visualize blood flow by capturing speckle on a camera.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method for quantifying perfusion. The method may comprise (a) obtaining at least one image of a surgical scene: (b) processing the at least one image to determine one or more perfusion characteristics associated with one or more reference regions in the surgical scene: and (c) determining one or more relative perfusion characteristics for a target region in the surgical scene based on the at least one image and the one or more perfusion characteristics associated with the one or more reference regions.