Standardized Coronary Artery Disease Metric via Biophysical Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
FFR values are not readily comparable across patients and healthcare facilities due to variations in measurement locations along the coronary artery, making it difficult to standardize coronary artery disease metrics.
Innovation Solution
A computing system with a biophysical simulator and a reference location is used to simulate a standardized FFR value at a predetermined location along a segmented coronary vessel, allowing for consistent comparison of FFR values across different patients and facilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If FFR measurements are performed at different locations along the coronary artery by different clinicians, then the measurement process is flexible and adaptable to individual cases, but the FFR values become incomparable across patients and facilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of measurement location from variable (clinician-selected) to fixed (standardized reference location). By establishing a predetermined reference location downstream from the stenosis, the system maintains adaptability through CFD simulation capability while improving comparability through standardized positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a computational intermediary (CFD simulation system) that acts as a mediator between the physical measurement process and the final FFR value. This intermediary calculates what the FFR would be at the standardized reference location based on CT image data, thereby enabling comparison across different patients and facilities without requiring direct physical measurements at the same location.
2Ease of operation
If FFR values are computed at clinician-specified locations to accommodate individual patient needs, then clinical flexibility is improved, but standardization and consistency of metrics are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-defining the reference location downstream from the stenosis before any measurement or simulation takes place. This predetermined location serves as a stable anchor point that ensures consistency across all FFR computations while still allowing the CFD simulation to account for individual patient anatomy and pathology.
3Reliability
If pressure measurements are taken at distal locations farther from the stenosis, then the measurement captures downstream hemodynamic effects, but the pressure values decrease due to friction losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a computational copy of the coronary artery geometry from CT images and simulates blood flow through this digital model. By copying the anatomical structure and performing virtual measurements at the standardized reference location, the system captures downstream hemodynamic effects without being constrained by physical measurement limitations and friction losses.
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
Enables the comparison of FFR values independently of clinician-specified locations, facilitating standardized assessment and treatment decisions for coronary artery disease.
Implementation Method 1
A non-invasive approach (FFR-CT) estimates an FFR index from CT image data of the heart (e.g., from contrast enhanced coronary computed tomography angiography, CCTA) through computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations in which blood flow and pressure through the coronaries are simulated.
Implementation Method 2
In general, the blood pressure behind a stenosis (the distal blood pressure) drops with increased distance from the end of the stenosis. For example, due to friction laws, pressure measurements at more distal locations will yield smaller values as compared to pressure measurements at less distal locations
Data Source
AI summary
A computing system (118) includes a computer readable storage medium (122) with computer executable instructions (124), including a biophysical simulator (126), and a reference location (128), and a processor (120) configured to the biophysical simulator and simulate a reference FFR value at a predetermined location along a segmented coronary vessel indicated by the reference location. A computer readable storage medium encoded with computer readable instructions, which, when executed by a processor of a computing system, causes the processor to simulate a reference FFR value at a predetermined location along a segmented coronary vessel indicated by a predetermined reference location. A method including simulating a reference FFR value at a predetermined location along a segmented coronary vessel indicated by a predetermined reference location.