Abstract: In part, the disclosure relates to methods, and systems suitable for evaluating image data from a patient on a real time or substantially real time basis using machine learning (ML) methods and systems. Systems and methods for improving diagnostic tools for end users such as cardiologists and imaging specialists using machine learning techniques applied to specific problems associated with intravascular images that have polar representations. Further, given the use of rotating probes to obtain image data for OCT, IVUS, and other imaging data, dealing with the two coordinate systems associated therewith creates challenges. The present disclosure addresses these and numerous other challenges relating to solving the problem of quickly imaging and diagnosis a patient such that stenting and other procedures may be applied during a single session in the cath lab.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods of providing live x-ray images such as fluoroscopic images in combination with reference information co-registered angiography frames that are motion corrected in real time. In part, the disclosure describes an improvement on the existing workflow where the user must remember where the vessel features from OCT are and use a reference frame to estimate the location of desired stent placement. Disclosed herein are methods to correlate the live imaging feed and the reference angiography image such that the user may dynamically zoom and pan the live imaging feed and the reference angiography image.

Abstract: In part, the disclosure relates to intravascular data collection systems and the software-based visualization and display of intravascular data relating to detected side branches and side branch obstruction. An estimate of side branch diameter can be made based on a vessel profile or a maximum diameter of a vessel at a distal and proximal location relative to the side branch. A amount of side branch obstruction may be determined by comparing an observed side branch diameter with in the image data with the estimated side branch diameter. In addition, an amount of blood flow obstruction may also be determined.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for automated self-inspection by an OCT imaging engine or device, to identify and resolve failures or inefficiencies in the hardware and/or software of the system or device during imaging. An OCT imaging engine can include a catheter connection check system for checking the quality of a physical connection point between a catheter and other components of an OCT imaging device or system. In some examples, the OCT imaging engine includes a self-inspection engine implemented to perform routine self-inspection by using a reference reflector internal to the OCT imaging engine to generate system performance data. The OCT imaging engine can use the system performance data to periodically search for and resolve failures or inefficiencies in the system. The OCT imaging engine can perform a self-calibration process to perform k-linearization and/or correct for chromatic dispersion using mirror measurements collected from an internal reference reflector.

Abstract: In part, the disclosure relates to methods, and systems suitable for evaluating image data from a patient on a real time or substantially real time basis using machine learning (ML) methods and systems. Systems and methods for improving diagnostic tools for end users such as cardiologists and imaging specialists using machine learning techniques applied to specific problems associated with intravascular images that have polar representations. Further, given the use of rotating probes to obtain image data for OCT, IVUS, and other imaging data, dealing with the two coordinate systems associated therewith creates challenges. The present disclosure addresses these and numerous other challenges relating to solving the problem of quickly imaging and diagnosis a patient such that stenting and other procedures may be applied during a single session in the cath lab.

Abstract: In part, the disclosure relates to methods, and systems suitable for evaluating image data from a patient on a real time or substantially real time basis using machine learning (ML) methods and systems. Systems and methods for improving diagnostic tools for end users such as cardiologists and imaging specialists using machine learning techniques applied to specific problems associated with intravascular images that have polar representations. Further, given the use of rotating probes to obtain image data for OCT, IVUS, and other imaging data, dealing with the two coordinate systems associated therewith creates challenges. The present disclosure addresses these and numerous other challenges relating to solving the problem of quickly imaging and diagnosis a patient such that stenting and other procedures may be applied during a single session in the cath lab.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to the field of vascular system and peripheral vascular system data collection, imaging, image processing and feature detection relating thereto. In part, the disclosure more specifically relates to methods for detecting position and size of contrast cloud in an x-ray image including with respect to a sequence of x-ray images during intravascular imaging. Methods of detecting and extracting metallic wires from x-ray images are also described herein such as guidewires used in coronary procedures. Further, methods for of registering vascular trees for one or more images, such as in sequences of x-ray images, are disclosed. In part, the disclosure relates to processing, tracking and registering angiography images and elements in such images. The registration can be performed relative to images from an intravascular imaging modality such as, for example, optical coherence tomography (OCT) or intravascular ultrasound (IVUS).

Abstract: In part, the invention relates to a probe suitable for use with image data collection system. The probe, in one embodiment, includes an optical transceiver, such as a beam director, and an acoustic transceiver such as an ultrasound transducer. The optical transceiver is in optical communication with an optical fiber in optical communication with a beam director configured to transmit light and receive scattered light from a sample such as a wall of a blood vessel. The acoustic transceiver includes an ultrasound device or subsystem such as a piezoelectric element configured to generate acoustic waves and receive reflected acoustic waves from the sample.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of automatically locating in an image of a blood vessel the lumen boundary at a position in the vessel and from that measuring the diameter of the vessel. From the diameter of the vessel and estimated blood flow rate, a number of clinically significant physiological parameters are then determined and various user displays of interest generated. One use of these images and parameters is to aid the clinician in the placement of a stent. The system, in one embodiment, uses these measurements to allow the clinician to simulate the placement of a stent and to determine the effect of the placement. In addition, from these patient parameters various patient treatments are then performed.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for an x-ray detection device for detecting radiation scattered off of a target during an imaging procedure and generating temporal data indicating the time of occurrence of a pulse of radiation emitted towards the target. The temporal data can be sent to a host device and used to timestamp images generated from the pulses of radiation. The x-ray detection device is portable and can be installed in a catheterization laboratory or imaging environment to detect the occurrence of radiation, without occluding or partially occluding the beam source. Aspects of the disclosure also provide for a system for receiving temporal data generated by the x-ray detection device, and accurately tagging received image frames based on the temporal data.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to the field of vascular system and peripheral vascular system data collection, imaging, image processing and feature detection relating thereto. In part, the disclosure more specifically relates to methods for detecting position and size of contrast cloud in an x-ray image including with respect to a sequence of x-ray images during intravascular imaging. Methods of detecting and extracting metallic wires from x-ray images are also described herein such as guidewires used in coronary procedures. Further, methods for of registering vascular trees for one or more images, such as in sequences of x-ray images, are disclosed. In part, the disclosure relates to processing, tracking and registering angiography images and elements in such images. The registration can be performed relative to images from an intravascular imaging modality such as, for example, optical coherence tomography (OCT) or intravascular ultrasound (IVUS).

Abstract: A method and apparatus of automatically locating in an image of a blood vessel the lumen boundary at a position in the vessel and from that measuring the diameter of the vessel. From the diameter of the vessel and estimated blood flow rate, a number of clinically significant physiological parameters are then determined and various user displays of interest generated. One use of these images and parameters is to aid the clinician in the placement of a stent. The system, in one embodiment, uses these measurements to allow the clinician to simulate the placement of a stent and to determine the effect of the placement. In addition, from these patient parameters various patient treatments are then performed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates, in part, to computer-based visualization of stent position within a blood vessel. A stent can be visualized using intravascular data and subsequently displayed as stent struts or portions of a stent as a part of a one or more graphic user interface(s) (GUI). In one embodiment, the method includes steps to distinguish stented region(s) from background noise using an amalgamation of angular stent strut information for a given neighborhood of frames. The GUI can include views of a blood vessel generated using distance measurements and demarcating the actual stented region(s), which provides visualization of the stented region. The disclosure also relates to display of intravascular diagnostic information such as indicators. An indicator can be generated and displayed with images generated using an intravascular data collection system. The indicators can include one or more viewable graphical elements suitable for indicating diagnostic information such as stent information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of automatically locating in an image of a blood vessel the lumen boundary at a position in the vessel and from that measuring the diameter of the vessel. From the diameter of the vessel and estimated blood flow rate, a number of clinically significant physiological parameters are then determined and various user displays of interest generated. One use of these images and parameters is to aid the clinician in the placement of a stent. The system, in one embodiment, uses these measurements to allow the clinician to simulate the placement of a stent and to determine the effect of the placement. In addition, from these patient parameters various patient treatments are then performed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of automatically locating in an image of a blood vessel the lumen boundary at a position in the vessel and from that measuring the diameter of the vessel. From the diameter of the vessel and estimated blood flow rate, a number of clinically significant physiological parameters are then determined and various user displays of interest generated. One use of these images and parameters is to aid the clinician in the placement of a stent. The system, in one embodiment, uses these measurements to allow the clinician to simulate the placement of a stent and to determine the effect of the placement. In addition, from these patient parameters various patient treatments are then performed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for identifying features of a blood vessel using extravascular and intravascular images in order to estimate a virtual flow reserve (VFR) of the imaged blood vessel. Aspects of the disclosure include using extravascular images to estimate the size of the blood vessel in regions that have not been intravascularly imaged. The VFR estimation may be based on a resistance model that incorporates both the intravascular image data and the estimated blood vessel size. In other aspects, multiangled extravascular images are captured and analyzed in order to identify the size and orientation of branch vessels.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to systems, methods, and algorithms to train a machine learning model or neural network to classify OCT images. The neural network or machine learning model can receive annotated OCT images indicating which portions of the OCT image are blocked and which are clear as well as a classification of the OCT image as clear or blocked. After training, the neural network can be used to classify one or more new OCT images. A user interface can be provided to output the results of the classification and summarize the analysis of the one or more OCT images.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer-readable storage media, for lipid detection by identifying fibrotic caps in medical images of blood vessels. A method includes receiving one or more input images of a blood vessel and processing the one or more input images using a machine learning model trained to identify locations of fibrotic caps in blood vessels. The machine learning model is trained using a plurality of training images each annotated with locations of one or more fibrotic caps. A method includes identifying and characterizing fibrotic caps of lipid pools based on differences in radial signal intensities measured at different locations of an input image. A system can generate one or more output images having segments that are visually annotated representing predicted locations of fibrotic caps covering lipidic plaques.

Abstract: The disclosure relates, in part, to computer-based visualization of stent position within a blood vessel. A stent can be visualized using intravascular data and subsequently displayed as stent struts or portions of a stent as a part of a one or more graphic user interface(s) (GUI). In one embodiment, the method includes steps to distinguish stented region(s) from background noise using an amalgamation of angular stent strut information for a given neighborhood of frames. The GUI can include views of a blood vessel generated using distance measurements and demarcating the actual stented region(s), which provides visualization of the stented region. The disclosure also relates to display of intravascular diagnostic information such as indicators. An indicator can be generated and displayed with images generated using an intravascular data collection system. The indicators can include one or more viewable graphical elements suitable for indicating diagnostic information such as stent information.

Abstract: In part, the invention relates to a probe suitable for use with image data collection system. The probe, in one embodiment, includes an optical transceiver, such as a beam director, and an acoustic transceiver such as an ultrasound transducer. The optical transceiver is in optical communication with an optical fiber in optical communication with a beam director configured to transmit light and receive scattered light from a sample such as a wall of a blood vessel. The acoustic transceiver includes an ultrasound device or subsystem such as a piezoelectric element configured to generate acoustic waves and receive reflected acoustic waves from the sample.