Spectral Blood Flow Calculation for Angiographic Lumen Variability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing angiographic techniques for determining blood flow parameters, such as FFR, suffer from variability due to incorrect anatomical delineation of vessel lumens, leading to inaccurate measurements.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using spectral attenuation data to calculate blood flow parameters, employing multiple techniques for data processing, and a system, and a system, to improve separation between contrast agent attenuation and other media, and reduce image artifacts, thereby enhancing the reliability of blood flow parameter calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional angiographic techniques are used to determine blood flow parameters, then the measurement process can be performed, but the results suffer from variability due to incorrect anatomical delineation of vessel lumens and misinterpretation of non-contrast agent attenuation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the X-ray attenuation data into different energy intervals to separately identify and analyze contrast agent attenuation versus non-contrast agent attenuation. This segmentation allows for more accurate anatomical delineation of vessel lumens by distinguishing true contrast enhancement from other sources of attenuation, thereby improving measurement precision and reducing variability in blood flow parameter determination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of X-ray energy interval selection to optimize the separation between contrast agent and non-contrast agent attenuation. By selecting specific energy intervals where the contrast agent has characteristic attenuation properties, the method enhances the accuracy of anatomical delineation and blood flow parameter measurement while reducing the impact of confounding attenuation sources
2Measurement precision
If spectral attenuation data is used to improve separation between contrast agent and other media, then measurement accuracy improves, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the spectral attenuation data into multiple energy intervals, allowing the processing system to analyze different energy ranges separately. This segmentation simplifies the identification of contrast agent attenuation by focusing on specific energy windows where the contrast agent has distinctive attenuation characteristics, thereby improving measurement accuracy without requiring equally complex processing for the entire spectrum
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in attenuation parameters across different energy intervals to identify and isolate contrast agent signal from other media. By monitoring how attenuation varies with energy interval, the method enhances contrast agent identification accuracy while using a systematic approach that manages processing complexity through structured parameter analysis
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
The method provides more accurate and reliable blood flow parameter values by reducing misinterpretation of non-contrast agent attenuation and image artifacts, while accounting for variations in energy intervals, segmentation, and model parameters.
Implementation Method 1
spectral attenuation data defining X-ray attenuation within the vascular region in a plurality of different energy intervals
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method of determining a value of a blood flow parameter for a vessel, is provided. The method includes: calculating from spectral attenuation data, and using a plurality of different techniques, a value of a blood flow parameter for the vessel; and providing the value of the blood flow parameter for the vessel based on the calculated values of the blood flow parameter.