Atherosclerotic Plaque Rupture Risk Assessment via Biomechanical Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for predicting the risk of atherosclerotic plaque rupture in coronary arteries are imprecise due to the complex geometry of blood vessels, non-Newtonian properties of blood, and variable vascular resistance, making it difficult to accurately measure biomechanical forces and their impact on plaque deformation and stress.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for modeling blood vessels, involving the generation of three-dimensional models from medical imaging data, simulation of blood flow dynamics, and structural analysis to determine geometrical parameters and pressure forces on plaques, allowing for the calculation of the probability of rupture or damage by comparing these forces with reference values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If comprehensive structural analysis is performed to accurately assess plaque rupture risk, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and computational requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential biomechanical parameters (pressure forces, shear stresses, plaque geometry) needed for rupture risk assessment, separating them from a complete structural analysis. This allows accurate risk prediction without performing comprehensive structural analysis, reducing computational complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The method performs preliminary segmentation and characterization of plaque geometry and composition before biomechanical analysis. By pre-identifying vulnerable plaque features (thin caps, lipid cores, calcifications) from medical imaging, the system prepares targeted analysis parameters that reduce subsequent computational requirements while improving assessment accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If detailed biomechanical forces and plaque deformation are analyzed, then prediction accuracy is improved, but loss of time for computation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by calculating biomechanical parameters only for identified vulnerable plaque regions rather than analyzing the entire vascular tree in detail. By focusing computational resources on high-risk areas (plaque shoulders, thin-cap regions), the system maintains prediction accuracy while reducing overall computation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The method changes parameters from detailed three-dimensional stress tensor analysis to simplified scalar metrics (maximum shear stress, pressure force ratios, wall shear stress). This parameter transformation reduces computational complexity and time while preserving the essential biomechanical information needed for rupture risk prediction.
3Measurement precision
If non-Newtonian properties of blood and variable vascular resistance are considered, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the blood model from complex non-Newtonian rheology to simplified Newtonian fluid assumptions with constant viscosity. This parameter simplification reduces computational complexity of blood flow simulation while maintaining sufficient accuracy for calculating pressure forces and shear stresses on plaques in clinical applications.
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 method enables a more precise assessment of the risk of atherosclerotic plaque rupture without comprehensive structural analysis, providing a non-invasive tool for identifying vulnerable sites and predicting the likelihood of plaque damage based on biomechanical forces and plaque geometry.
Implementation Method 1
In the areas of arterial stenosis in accordance with Bernoulli's law, the speed of blood flow and the wall shear stresses increases, while the pressure decreases, and thus the radial and circumferential stresses decrease
Implementation Method 2
The complex geometry of blood vessels, non-Newtonian properties of blood, and variable vascular resistance
Data Source
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AI summary
A computer-implemented method for modelling blood vessels to support assessment of probability of rupture or damage to the plaque. The method includes steps of: obtaining medical imaging data of the blood vessels; generating a three-dimensional model of the blood vessels, based on the medical imaging data including identifying one or more pathological plaques; performing pre-simulation of the three-dimensional model, establishing boundary conditions and initial conditions for both models for a steady flow of blood and a transient flow of blood; performing a numerical simulation of the transient flow of blood; performing a numerical simulation of the steady flow of blood; and for a selected plaque, identifying geometrical parameters of a surface of the plaque, including shape, curvature, curvature of the major surface, and/or Gauss curvature of the plaque surface. The method may include calculation of Reference Dynamic Pressure (RDP) and Degree of Stenosis (DS).