3D Vascular FFR Display With Distal Value Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing coronary artery disease (CAD) severity and planning revascularization strategies lack efficient and accurate tools for quantifying vascular function along the length of vessels, particularly in identifying distal fractional flow reserve (FFR) values, which are crucial for understanding the overall health of the vessel and planning interventions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for creating a three-dimensional vascular model from medical images, calculating FFR values, and simultaneously displaying both instantaneous and distal FFR values along the vessel, accompanied by a three-dimensional sizing tool and QR code generation for secure data sharing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional methods are used to assess coronary artery disease severity, then the assessment process is simple, but the precision of vascular function quantification and distal FFR value identification is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vascular assessment process into distinct functional modules: 3D vascular model generation from medical images, FFR value calculation engine, distal FFR identification module, and integrated display system. This segmentation allows each module to specialize in specific tasks, improving measurement precision while managing complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a 3D vascular model as an intermediary representation between raw medical images and FFR calculations. This intermediary model enables precise geometric characterization of vessels and facilitates accurate flow simulation, thereby improving measurement precision without directly increasing the complexity of final user interactions.
2Loss of information
If only instantaneous FFR values are displayed, then the display is simple, but the information completeness for understanding overall vessel health is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges instantaneous FFR values and distal FFR values into a single integrated display interface. This combination presents comprehensive vascular health information simultaneously, reducing information loss while managing display complexity through unified visualization techniques that show multiple parameters together.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the spatial dimension of distal location to the FFR value display. By showing not just the magnitude of FFR values but also their spatial distribution along the vessel (instantaneous vs. distal locations), the system provides more complete information without proportionally increasing complexity through dimensional enrichment of the data presentation.
3Productivity
If manual methods are used to locate distal FFR values, then the system is easy to operate, but the time required for vascular assessment is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated processing where the system performs self-service functions: automatically generating 3D vascular models from input images, calculating FFR values through integrated algorithms, and identifying distal locations without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability dramatically increases productivity while the automated nature manages complexity through systematic processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and storing 3D vascular model characteristics and FFR value distributions before final assessment queries. This preliminary processing enables rapid retrieval and display of distal FFR information, increasing productivity while the pre-computed nature of the data manages complexity through advance preparation.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for displaying flow index values on a user interface. An example method may include receiving medical images imaging a portion of a vasculature of a subject, with the portion of the vasculature including vessels; producing, by automatic processing of the medical images, a three-dimensional vascular model of the portion of the vasculature comprising the one or more vessels based on the medical images; calculating flow index values quantifying vascular function along each of the one or more vessels based on the three-dimensional vascular model; displaying a representation of the three-dimensional vascular model comprising the one or more vessels; and for a designated vessel of the one or more vessels, simultaneously displaying the flow value index for a designated location of the designated vessel along with the flow value index for a predetermined distal location along a length of the designated vessel.