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.

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: 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: Methods and apparatus for determining a functional impact of vascular lesions are disclosed. An example method includes calculating estimates of a single functional blood flow metric (for example, fractional flow reserve calculated from angiographic images) for multiple locations in each of a plurality of connected vascular branches. The method includes converting these estimates into FFR impact scores, which are indicative of the overall impact of occlusive vascular disease on the connected vascular branches.

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: 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.

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 vascular modeling is disclosed. The apparatus receives medical images from an imaging device that include representations of a coronary vessel tree of a subject recorded at a different viewing angles. The apparatus determines, from a first of the medical images, a first centerline set and first vessel diameters for sample points along the first centerline set, and determines, from a second of the medical images, a second centerline set and second vessel diameters for sample points along the second centerline set. The apparatus determines a correspondence between the first centerline set and the second centerline set, and determines diameters for a combined centerline set based on the correspondence of sample points along the first and second centerline sets. The apparatus provides the combined centerline set for estimating blood flow resistance values of the coronary vessel tree of the subject to determine at least one potential stenosis.

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 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: 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 for real-time vascular modeling and assessment is disclosed. Modeling, 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 automatically detect 2-D features, for example, paths along vascular extents, which are projected into 3-D to determine homologous features among blood vessels and construct 3-D vascular extents and determine other vascular characteristics. Assessment, in some embodiments, comprises processing models selectively different from one another to produce one or more vascular indexes which indicate a diagnostic preference, for example, to perform a medical intervention such as a stent implantation. Speed is achieved, for example, by the method being optimized for determining the effects of a medical intervention. In some embodiments, results are produced quickly enough to allow use of the method to perform PCI within the same catheterization used to perform diagnostic imaging.