Virtual Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient via 3D Fluid Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic methods for portal hypertension, especially in the early stages, are invasive, risky, and limited by high operation difficulty, or affected by various interference factors, lacking comprehensive assessment of the hepatic vein-portal vein system and neglecting hemorheological changes.
Innovation Solution
A method for determining virtual hepatic venous pressure gradient using CT angiography, 3D modeling, and fluid dynamics simulation, which involves injecting a contrast agent, performing CT angiography, processing images with MIMICS software to create a 3D model, and using ANSYS Workbench for finite element calculation to simulate blood flow and pressure distribution, thereby calculating the virtual hepatic venous pressure gradient.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive HVPG determination is used, then measurement precision is improved, but patient safety and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the hepatic vein-portal vein system using 3D modeling from CT angiography images. This virtual model replicates the anatomical structure and hemodynamic characteristics, allowing non-invasive simulation of pressure gradients while maintaining measurement accuracy comparable to invasive methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive catheter-based measurement system with a computational fluid dynamics simulation system. By substituting physical intrusion with virtual simulation, the method eliminates invasive risks while preserving the ability to accurately determine pressure gradients through mathematical modeling of blood flow.
2Measurement precision
If invasive HVPG determination is used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and operation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops an integrated software platform that combines CT image processing, 3D reconstruction, mesh generation, and fluid dynamics simulation into a single unified system. This multi-functional platform can handle various vascular imaging and analysis tasks, reducing the need for multiple separate devices and simplifying the overall determination process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces specialized software modules as intermediaries between the raw CT images and the final pressure gradient calculation. These software components serve as mediators that automatically perform complex processing steps including image segmentation, model reconstruction, and hemodynamic simulation, thereby simplifying operation for clinicians.
3Measurement precision
If invasive HVPG determination is used, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses existing CT angiography images, which are routinely acquired for other diagnostic purposes, to create virtual models for pressure gradient assessment. This approach reuses already-paid-for imaging data, eliminating the need for separate expensive invasive procedures while maintaining measurement accuracy.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If non-invasive methods are used, then patient safety and ease of operation are improved, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static anatomical images into dynamic hemodynamic parameters through computational fluid dynamics simulation. By changing from purely structural imaging to functional hemodynamic parameter estimation, the method achieves reliable diagnostic information without invasive procedures, maintaining both safety and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical pressure measurement with computational simulation of fluid dynamics. This substitution maintains diagnostic reliability by using well-established fluid mechanics principles to predict pressure gradients, while simultaneously eliminating invasive risks associated with catheter-based measurements.
5Measurement precision
If comprehensive assessment of hepatic vein-portal vein system is performed, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but device complexity and operation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the complex assessment into distinct automated processing stages: image import and preprocessing, 3D model reconstruction, mesh generation, fluid dynamics simulation, and results extraction. Each stage is handled automatically by specialized software modules, making the comprehensive assessment accessible without requiring manual intervention at each step.
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 provides a safe, non-invasive, accurate, and quantitative diagnostic technique for portal hypertension, improving early detection and reducing the burden on patients and healthcare systems by overcoming limitations of existing invasive and variably affected methods.
Implementation Method 1
injecting a contrast agent, performing CT angiography
Implementation Method 2
injecting a contrast agent through the median cubital vein of a subject
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to the field of early non-invasive diagnosis, and specifically, to a method of determining a virtual hepatic venous pressure gradient. The method includes: constructing a 3-dimensional (3D) hepatic vein-portal vein model; establishing a finite element division mathematical model; and applying fluid dynamics to compute and simulate a virtual hepatic venous pressure gradient (vHVPG). The method optimizes and improves a more complete 3D hepatic vein-portal vein model, finite element division, and fluid dynamic simulation computation, constructing and validating a new vHVPG determination technology providing better diagnosis, providing a safe, non-invasive, accurate, and quantitative method for early non-invasive diagnosis of a portal vein high pressure patient.