X-Ray and Optical Image Registration for Perfusion Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for diagnosing peripheral arterial diseases (PAD) such as atherosclerosis are cumbersome and unreliable, particularly in assessing perfusion and tissue oxygenation, with clinical methods like ankle brachial index, toe brachial index, and transcutaneous oxygen tension measurements being cumbersome and not very reliable, while optical imaging methods have limitations in penetration depth and chemical sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
A device and method combining X-ray based 2D angiographic image data with 2D optical perfusion measurement data to enhance perfusion analysis, utilizing a data processor to register and transfer perfusion-related image content, providing enhanced angiographic images with integrated perfusion parameters like blood volume and hemoglobin content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If clinical methods like ankle brachial index, toe brachial index, and transcutaneous oxygen tension measurements are used for diagnosing PAD, then diagnostic capability is provided, but the workflow becomes cumbersome and reliability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple imaging modalities (X-ray angiography and optical imaging) into a single integrated system that captures both structural vascular information and functional perfusion data simultaneously. This merging eliminates the need for separate clinical measurements and workflows, providing comprehensive diagnostic information in one procedure while improving both reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated imaging system performs multiple diagnostic functions simultaneously: it visualizes vascular anatomy through X-ray angiography, measures perfusion dynamics through optical imaging, and provides tissue oxygenation assessment. This multi-functionality replaces multiple separate clinical tests with a single universal diagnostic platform, reducing workflow complexity while enhancing diagnostic reliability.
2Measurement precision
If optical imaging methods are used for measuring peripheral perfusion and tissue oxygenation, then measurement capability is provided, but penetration depth is limited and chemical sensitivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges X-ray angiography with optical imaging to create a complementary hybrid system. The X-ray component provides deep penetration for visualizing large vessels and overall vascular structure, while the optical component delivers shallow penetration for measuring microvascular perfusion and tissue oxygenation. By combining these modalities, the system achieves both deep structural visualization and precise surface perfusion measurement, overcoming the penetration depth limitation of optical methods alone.
3Loss of information
If separate imaging modalities are used for vascular structure and perfusion analysis, then comprehensive information is provided, but device complexity and workflow complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates X-ray angiography and optical imaging systems into a single unified platform with shared hardware components and synchronized data acquisition. This merging allows simultaneous capture of vascular structure and perfusion function without requiring multiple separate devices, thereby providing comprehensive information while controlling device complexity through integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system performs multiple imaging functions using a single multi-functional platform. The system can switch between or simultaneously execute X-ray angiography, optical perfusion imaging, and combined modalities, eliminating the need for multiple specialized devices and simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining information completeness.
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
Facilitates a more reliable and efficient workflow for diagnosing PAD by integrating X-ray and optical imaging modalities, enhancing angiographic images with perfusion parameters, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy and patient monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
For the projection, a path of an X-ray radiation for the reference location in the first image data is traced and projected into the second image data as the corresponding reference line
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to perfusion analysis. In order to provide a facilitated way of achieving and providing perfusion analysis, a device (10) for perfusion analysis is provided that comprises a data input (12), a data processor (14) and an output interface (16). The data input is configured to provide X-ray based 2D angiographic image data as first image data of a region of interest of a subject; wherein the first image data comprises information about a distribution of contrast agent in tissue areas of the region of interest being indicative for perfusion; and to provide 2D optical perfusion measurement image data as second image data of a surface layer of a flat part of the region of interest of the subject; wherein the second image data comprises information about blood related properties of blood present within the surface layer of the flat part of the region of interest. The data processor is configured to register the first image data and the second image data; and to transfer perfusion related image content from the second image data to the first image data, generating enhanced first image data. The output interface is configured to provide the enhanced first image data.