X-ray Imaging Blood Flow Analysis via Image Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional X-ray imaging apparatuses struggle to accurately comprehend blood flow in regions with moving blood vessels, such as the heart, due to the need for additional devices that increase radiation exposure and operation time.

Innovation Solution

An X-ray imaging apparatus with an image processing analysis element that sets up analysis points based on relative location data of characteristic points across multiple frames, allowing for the analysis of time-course variations in blood vessels without additional devices, thereby reducing radiation exposure and operation time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If additional devices are used to measure blood flow in moving blood vessels, then measurement precision is improved, but radiation exposure and operation time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood flow measurement accuracyVSAvoidradiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical/physical measurement devices (such as Doppler flow meters or FFR devices that require catheter insertion) with an image processing-based measurement system. The system uses X-ray images and automated analysis to track blood flow, eliminating the need for additional invasive devices and thereby reducing radiation exposure and operational complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual model of blood flow by analyzing X-ray image sequences. Instead of using physical measurement devices, the system generates a digital representation of blood flow characteristics through image processing, allowing accurate measurement without additional hardware intrusion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If additional devices are used to measure blood flow in moving blood vessels, then measurement precision is improved, but operation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood flow measurement accuracyVSAvoidoperation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces time-consuming manual device insertion and measurement procedures with automated image processing algorithms. The system automatically tracks blood flow through sequential X-ray images, eliminating the need for physical device manipulation and significantly reducing operation time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs blood flow measurement continuously during the X-ray imaging process rather than as a separate procedure. By analyzing image sequences in real-time or near-real-time, the system obtains blood flow data without requiring additional procedural steps, thereby reducing total operation time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If conventional X-ray imaging is used for moving blood vessels, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging system simplicityVSAvoidblood flow analysis accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual reference model of the blood vessel by analyzing sequential X-ray images. This virtual model is then used to track and measure blood flow characteristics without requiring additional physical devices, thereby maintaining system simplicity while improving measurement precision through sophisticated image processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms static X-ray images into dynamic blood flow information by analyzing temporal variations in image parameters. By extracting and analyzing changes in pixel intensity, vessel position, and contrast agent distribution across multiple frames, the system derives accurate blood flow measurements from conventional imaging data

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 accurate analysis of blood flow in moving blood vessels without additional devices, reducing radiation exposure and operation time by setting up analysis points based on relative location data, facilitating detailed blood flow analysis in regions like the heart.

Implementation Method 1

an X-ray irradiation element that irradiates an X-ray to a subject

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray emission: X-Ray

Implementation Method 2

a detection element that detects the X-ray that transmits through the subject

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray detection: X-Ray

Data Source

PatentUS11672499B2X-ray imaging apparatus and method of X-ray image analysis

Publication Date: 2023.06.13 SHIMADZU CORP

AI summary

An X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray irradiation element, an X-ray detection element, an X-ray image generation element, and an image processing analysis element. The image processing analysis element reflects the analysis point on each frame based on a respective relative location between a characteristic point 10 of the X-ray image consisting of a plurality of frames. In addition, an image analysis element analyzes the time-course variation of the blood flow in the blood vessel of the heart based on the variation of the pixel value at the analysis point of each frame of the X-ray image.