Transit Curve Generation for Contrast Flow Differentiation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional transit curves generated from x-ray images of contrast medium flow in patient vasculature do not differentiate between contrast medium flow through vessels and other tissues, making it difficult to analyze the specific contributions of each component within a region of interest.

Innovation Solution

The system generates two separate transit curves by determining contrast medium concentration within vessels and other structures within a region of interest over time, using x-ray imaging and processing techniques to differentiate between pixel locations associated with blood vessels and those associated with other tissues, and graphing these values with respect to time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a conventional transit curve is generated from x-ray images, then the contrast medium concentration within a region of interest can be depicted over time, but the respective contributions of contrast flow through vessels and other tissues cannot be differentiated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation on contrast flow differentiationVSAvoidcomplexity of transit curve generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the region of interest into two distinct components: vessel regions and non-vessel tissue regions. This is achieved by processing pixel data from x-ray images to identify and separate vessel-related pixels from non-vessel pixels, allowing independent analysis of contrast medium flow through each component type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts vessel-specific information from the overall region of interest data by identifying and isolating pixel values that correspond to vessels. This extraction process separates the vessel contrast flow signal from the mixed tissue signal, enabling independent visualization of vessel contrast dynamics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Measurement precision

If pixel data from all regions within a region of interest is used to generate a transit curve, then the overall contrast medium concentration can be visualized, but the specific contributions of vessels and other tissues are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of contrast flow measurementVSAvoidinformation on tissue-specific contrast flow

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different analytical treatments to different spatial locations within the region of interest. Vessel pixels are processed differently from non-vessel pixels, with each group contributing to its own dedicated transit curve. This allows precise measurement of contrast flow characteristics specific to each tissue type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of information

If separate transit curves for vessels and other tissues are generated, then the respective contributions of each can be analyzed, but the processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation on contrast flow differentiationVSAvoidprocessing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-processing the x-ray image data to identify and categorize pixels into vessel and non-vessel groups before generating the transit curves. This preliminary segmentation of pixel data enables subsequent efficient calculation of separate transit curves without requiring complex real-time processing during the actual curve generation phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 allows for accurate visualization and analysis of contrast medium concentration within vessels and other structures, enabling better understanding of contrast medium flow dynamics and improving diagnostic capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

Contrast media are used to enhance the contrast of patient vasculature within x-ray images. For example, a contrast medium is introduced into a patient volume (e.g., via intravenous injection) and an x-ray image of the volume is acquired while the medium is located within the volume.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray attenuation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS10297038B2Determination and presentation of flow transit curves

Publication Date: 2019.05.21 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG

AI summary

A system and method includes reception of an indication of a region of interest of a plurality of image frames, determination of a first set of pixel locations of the region of interest which depict blood vessels, determination of a second set of pixel locations of the region of interest which depict non-vessel tissue, determination, for each of the plurality of the image frames, of a first contrast medium concentration corresponding to the first set of pixel locations, determination, for each of the plurality of the image frames, of a second contrast medium concentration corresponding to the second set of pixel locations, and display of a visualization depicting a first contrast medium concentration and a second medium concentration with respect to the respective time of each of the plurality of the image frames.