Abstract: An apparatus for performing a vascular assessment is disclosed. The apparatus creates a three-dimensional model that is representative of a coronary vessel tree of a patient based on at least two angiographic images. The apparatus estimates first blood flow resistance values for points along at least some vascular segments of the coronary vessel tree using vascular geometrical dimensions of the three-dimensional model. The apparatus also estimates second blood flow resistance values for the points along the at least some vascular segments of the coronary vessel tree using a volume of a crown of the vascular segment downstream from the respective point. The apparatus determines fractional flow reserve (“FFR”) by calculating a ratio of the first blood flow resistance values and the second blood flow resistance values at each of the points along the at least some vascular segments of the coronary vessel tree.

Abstract: Systems and methods for four-dimensional analysis of a patient's coronary arteries and myocardial wall. An example method includes accessing angiographic x-ray images of one or more arteries, with the x-ray images depicting the arteries from respective angles, with each x-ray image being associated with a cardiac phase of cardiac phases, and with the cardiac phases being included in a cardiac cycle. A three-dimensional model of the arteries is generated for each cardiac phase based on a subset of the x-ray images which are associated with the cardiac phase. A four-dimensional representation of the arteries is generated throughout the cardiac cycle based on the three-dimensional models for the cardiac phase. Information associated with the four-dimensional presentation is presented.

Abstract: Automated image analysis used in vascular state modeling. Coronary vasculature in particular is modeled in some embodiments. Methods of “virtual revascularization” of a presently stenotic vasculature are described; useful, for example, as a reference in disease state determinations. Structure and uses of a model which relates records comprising acquired images or other structured data to a vascular tree representation are described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vascular assessment are disclosed. The apparatus, in some embodiments, receives, from a medical imaging device, a medical image of a coronary vessel tree of a subject and calculates a plurality of geometric measurements associated with individual portions of a vascular segment of the coronary vessel tree. The apparatus also determines a plurality of resistances associated with the plurality of geometric measurements associated with the individual portions of the vascular segment and determines a plurality of pressure drops across the individual portions of the vascular segment based on the determined resistances and a calculated or estimated blood flow. The apparatus further calculates based on the plurality of pressure drops, a functional index indicative of a presence or an absence of a stenosis within the vascular segment.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for selecting (i) an imaging angle with minimized foreshortening and/or overlap of a target region from one of a plurality of an existing angiographic images and/or (ii) selecting an imaging angle for new images so that foreshortening and/or overlap are minimized. In some embodiments, a viewing angle cost function is determined that defines one or more optimal viewing angles at least with respect to minimizing foreshortening of the target region. Using the cost function, an image may be selected from among the plurality of images, which potentially does not match the optimal imaging angle due to the optimal imaging angle having a high cost as a result of overlapping vascular features. The selected image may have an imaging angle that corresponds to a lower cost due to less overlap compared to the optimal imaging angle.

Abstract: An apparatus for synchronizing a three-dimensional model of a patient's coronary arteries with an orientation of a medical imaging device is disclosed. In an example, an apparatus is configured to receive an indication that a three-dimensional model has been rotated. The indication includes a number of degrees of rotation of the three-dimensional model along a roll and/or pitch axis. The processor uses a correlation or transfer function to determine a rotational angulation position of the medical imaging device based on the number of degrees of rotation of the three-dimensional model along the roll and/or pitch axis. The processor transmits a command or instruction to the medical imaging device that is indicative of the desired rotational angulation position, thereby causing the medical imaging device to rotate to the desired position.

Abstract: Automated image analysis used in vascular state modeling. Coronary vasculature in particular is modeled in some embodiments. Methods of “virtual revascularization” of a presently stenotic vasculature are described; useful, for example, as a reference in disease state determinations. Structure and uses of a model which relates records comprising acquired images or other structured data to a vascular tree representation are described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enhanced user interface and crosstalk analysis for cardiac index determination. An example method includes accessing a cardiac model of a portion of a patient's heart, the portion including one or more vessels of the patient's heart, and the cardiac model indicating a plurality of lesions along a length of at least one of the vessels; obtaining, based on the cardiac model for the lesions, respective positions along the length for which the lesions are associated with index drops, wherein the index drops are with respect to an index indicative of vascular function; and causing presentation of a user interface, wherein the user interface: presents a graph mapping the length to the index indicative of vascular function, presents individual toggles enabling nulling of individual lesions, and updates the graph in response to received user input to one or more of the toggles, wherein the user input nulls effects of one or more lesions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vascular assessment are disclosed. The apparatus, in some embodiments, receives, from a medical imaging device, a medical image of a coronary vessel tree of a subject and calculates a plurality of geometric measurements associated with individual portions of a vascular segment of the coronary vessel tree. The apparatus also determines a plurality of resistances associated with the plurality of geometric measurements associated with the individual portions of the vascular segment and determines a plurality of pressure drops across the individual portions of the vascular segment based on the determined resistances and a calculated or estimated blood flow. The apparatus further calculates based on the plurality of pressure drops, a functional index indicative of a presence or an absence of a stenosis within the vascular segment.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for the compositing together of model-linked vascular data from a plurality of sources, including at least one 2-D angiography image, for display in a frame of reference of the at least one angiography image. In some embodiments, a linking model comprises a data structure configured to link locations of angiographic images to corresponding elements of non-image vascular parameter data. The linking data structure is traversed to obtain a mapping to the frame of reference of one or more of the angiographic images.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting (i) an imaging angle with minimized foreshortening and/or overlap of a target region from an existing angiographic image and/or (ii) selecting an imaging angle for new images so that foreshortening and/or overlap are minimized. A viewing angle cost function is determined that defines optimal viewing angles at least with respect to minimizing foreshortening of the target region. Using the cost function, an image may be selected from among a set of images, which potentially does not match the optimal imaging angle due to the optimal imaging angle having a high cost as a result of overlapping vascular features. The selected image may have an imaging angle that corresponds to a lower cost due to less overlap compared to the optimal imaging angle.

Abstract: An apparatus for synchronizing a three-dimensional model of a patient's coronary arteries with an orientation of a medical imaging device is disclosed. In an example, an apparatus is configured to receive an indication that a three-dimensional model has been rotated. The indication includes a number of degrees of rotation of the three-dimensional model along a roll and/or pitch axis. The processor uses a correlation or transfer function to determine a rotational angulation position of the medical imaging device based on the number of degrees of rotation of the three-dimensional model along the roll and/or pitch axis. The processor transmits a command or instruction to the medical imaging device that is indicative of the desired rotational angulation position, thereby causing the medical imaging device to rotate to the desired position.

Abstract: Automated image analysis used in vascular state modeling. Coronary vasculature in particular is modeled in some embodiments. Methods of “virtual revascularization” of a presently stenotic vasculature are described; useful, for example, as a reference in disease state determinations. Structure and uses of a model which relates records comprising acquired images or other structured data to a vascular tree representation are described.

Abstract: Automated image analysis used in vascular state modeling. Coronary vasculature in particular is modeled in some embodiments. Methods of “virtual revascularization” of a presently stenotic vasculature are described; useful, for example, as a reference in disease state determinations. Structure and uses of a model which relates records comprising acquired images or other structured data to a vascular tree representation are described.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for the compositing together of model-linked vascular data from a plurality of sources, including at least one 2-D angiography image, for display in a frame of reference of the at least one angiography image. In some embodiments, a linking model comprises a data structure configured to link locations of angiographic images to corresponding elements of non-image vascular parameter data. The linking data structure is traversed to obtain a mapping to the frame of reference of one or more of the angiographic images.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vascular assessment are disclosed. The apparatus, in some embodiments, receives, from a medical imaging device, a medical image of a coronary vessel tree of a subject and calculates a plurality of geometric measurements associated with individual portions of a vascular segment of the coronary vessel tree. The apparatus also determines a plurality of resistances associated with the plurality of geometric measurements associated with the individual portions of the vascular segment and determines a plurality of pressure drops across the individual portions of the vascular segment based on the determined resistances and a calculated or estimated blood flow. The apparatus further calculates based on the plurality of pressure drops, a functional index indicative of a presence or an absence of a stenosis within the vascular segment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vascular assessment are disclosed. The apparatus, in some embodiments, receives a plurality of 2-D angiographic images of a portion of a vasculature of a subject, and processes the images to produce a stenotic model over the vasculature. The stenotic model has measurements of the vasculature at one or more locations along vessels of the vasculature. The apparatus, in some embodiments, determines a flow characteristic of the stenotic model and calculates an index indicative of vascular function, based, at least in part, on the flow characteristic in the stenotic model.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for the compositing together of model-linked vascular data from a plurality of sources, including at least one 2-D angiography image, for display in a frame of reference of the at least one angiography image. In some embodiments, a linking model comprises a data structure configured to link locations of angiographic images to corresponding elements of non-image vascular parameter data. The linking data structure is traversed to obtain a mapping to the frame of reference of one or more of the angiographic images.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vascular assessment are disclosed. The apparatus, in some embodiments, receives, from a medical imaging device, a medical image of a coronary vessel tree of a subject and calculates a plurality of geometric measurements associated with individual portions of a vascular segment of the coronary vessel tree. The apparatus also determines a plurality of resistances associated with the plurality of geometric measurements associated with the individual portions of the vascular segment and determines a plurality of pressure drops across the individual portions of the vascular segment based on the determined resistances and a calculated or estimated blood flow. The apparatus further calculates based on the plurality of pressure drops, a functional index indicative of a presence or an absence of a stenosis within the vascular segment.

Abstract: A method for vascular assessment is disclosed. The method, in some embodiments, comprises receiving a plurality of 2-D angiographic images of a portion of a vasculature of a subject, and processing the images to produce a stenotic model over the vasculature, the stenotic model having measurements of the vasculature at one or more locations along vessels of the vasculature. The method, in some embodiments, further comprises obtaining a flow characteristic of the stenotic model, and calculating an index indicative of vascular function, based, at least in part, on the flow characteristic in the stenotic model.