Coronary Flow Reserve via Vessel Map Slope Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing coronary artery disease through coronary blood flow measurements are complex and lack robustness, making them unsuitable for clinical practice, and existing approaches to derive flow-related properties from contrast agent dynamics are time-consuming and require expertise.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that utilize two time-series of diagnostic images acquired under different conditions to compute vessel map feature values, allowing for the direct and efficient derivation of global hemodynamic parameters like Coronary Flow Reserve (CFR) without the need for fluid dynamics models, using X-ray angiography and machine learning algorithms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional coronary blood flow measurement techniques are used, then flow-related parameters can be measured, but the measurement process becomes complex and lacks robustness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical flow measurement systems with an image processing-based approach. By using diagnostic images and vessel map analysis, the system derives flow-related parameters without requiring direct mechanical flow sensors or complex fluid dynamics models, thus simplifying the measurement process while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the coronary vasculature through vessel maps generated from diagnostic images. This virtual representation allows for flow parameter derivation through image analysis rather than direct physical measurement, reducing complexity while preserving measurement capability
2Measurement precision
If contrast agent dynamics are tracked to derive flow velocity, then flow-related properties can be obtained, but the process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses vessel map feature values that capture essential flow information without requiring complete tracking of contrast agent dynamics throughout the entire cardiovascular cycle. By analyzing key features from vessel maps rather than full temporal contrast evolution, the system obtains flow velocity estimates more efficiently
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-processes diagnostic images into vessel maps with extracted feature values before flow analysis. This preliminary transformation organizes the data in a way that enables faster flow parameter derivation, avoiding time-consuming post-processing of raw contrast agent tracking data
3Measurement precision
If contrast agent dynamics are tracked to derive flow properties, then flow velocity can be obtained, but the approach requires expertise and complex segmentation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts essential flow-related information from vessel map feature values without requiring manual segmentation or expert interpretation of contrast agent dynamics. By focusing on specific extracted features rather than complete image analysis, the system simplifies operation while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements automated derivation of flow parameters from vessel map feature values using computational algorithms. This self-service approach eliminates the need for expert operators to perform complex manual segmentation or interpretation, making the system easier to operate while maintaining accuracy
4Measurement precision
If geometric models and fluid dynamics models are used for site-specific flow assessment, then accurate flow properties can be obtained, but the process requires determination of boundary conditions and sufficient expertise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex fluid dynamics modeling with a vessel map-based analysis approach. By deriving flow parameters directly from vessel map feature values and their temporal evolution, the system eliminates the need for geometric modeling and boundary condition specification, reducing complexity while maintaining site-specific assessment capability
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for assessing a coronary vasculature and a corresponding method are provided which allow to globally assess a coronary artery disease directly from the contrast agent dynamics as derived from diagnostic images acquired using an invasive medical imaging modality by following the time course of the area occupied by the vessels in the diagnostic images.