Abstract: A vascular assessment apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus is configured to receive medical images of a coronary vessel tree of a subject from a medical imaging device and analyze the medical images to identify vessel segments within the coronary vessel tree. For each identified vessel segment, the apparatus is configured to determine flow rates at each identified vessel segment and calculate an index indicative of vascular function based on the determined flow rates.

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: 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.

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 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 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: 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.

Abstract: A vascular assessment apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus is configured to receive medical images of a coronary vessel tree of a subject from a medical imaging device and analyze the medical images to identify vessel segments within the coronary vessel tree. For each identified vessel segment, the apparatus is configured to determine flow rates at each identified vessel segment and calculate an index indicative of vascular function based on the determined flow rates.

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 vascular modeling 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 automatically detect 2-D features, for example, paths along vascular extents, which are projected into 3-D to determine homologous features among blood vessels. In some embodiments, projection and/or image registration is iteratively altered to improve feature position matching. Based on 3-D vascular extents and their registration to 2-D images, additional features such as vascular width are optionally determined and added to the model.

Abstract: Described is a method of stabilizing blood vessel wall abnormality. The method includes ultrasonically heating at least a portion of the blood vessel wall having the abnormality; monitoring a parameter related to a property of at least a portion of the heated portion of the blood vessel wall; and stopping the heating when the monitored parameter changes by a predetermined factor or after the monitored parameter changes in a slow enough rate. The slow enough rate may be, for instance, a predetermined fraction of a maximal rate change observed during heating.

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 vascular assessment apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus is configured to receive medical images of a coronary vessel tree of a subject from a medical imaging device and analyze the medical images to identify vessel segments within the coronary vessel tree. For each identified vessel segment, the apparatus is configured to analyze portions of the segment to determine at least one of a radius, diameter, or cross-sectional area of the vessel segment at the analyzed portions, determine resistances for the analyzed portions of the vessel segment based the radius, diameter, or the cross-sectional area at the analyzed portions, and combine the determined resistances for the analyzed portions of the vessel segment to determine a total resistance of the identified vessel segment. The example apparatus is also configured to determine flow rates at each identified vessel segment and calculate an index indicative of vascular function based on the determined flow rates.

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.

Abstract: A vascular assessment apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus is configured to receive medical images of a coronary vessel tree of a subject from a medical imaging device and analyze the medical images to identify vessel segments within the coronary vessel tree. For each identified vessel segment, the apparatus is configured to analyze portions of the segment to determine at least one of a radius, diameter, or cross-sectional area of the vessel segment at the analyzed portions, determine resistances for the analyzed portions of the vessel segment based the radius, diameter, or the cross-sectional area at the analyzed portions, and combine the determined resistances for the analyzed portions of the vessel segment to determine a total resistance of the each identified vessel segment and calculate an index indicative of vascular function based on the determined flow rates.

Abstract: Method for real-time vascular modeling and assessment. 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.

Abstract: A vascular assessment apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus is configured to receive a stenotic model having measurements of a coronary vessel tree of a subject, the stenotic model created from a set of medical images recorded before the subject underwent a stent procedure. The apparatus is also configured to receive a post-medical image of the coronary vessel tree of the subject after the stent has been placed into the coronary vessel tree and identify vascular features within the post medical image that correspond to vascular features that are provided among the set of medical images. The apparatus is further configured to modify geometrical information for the corresponding vascular features in the stenotic model to create an updated stenotic model from the identified vascular features of the post medical image and calculate an index indicative of vascular function, based, at least in part, on the updated stenotic model.

Abstract: A vascular assessment apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus is configured to receive a stenotic model having measurements of a coronary vessel tree of a subject, the stenotic model created from a set of medical images recorded before the subject underwent a stent procedure. The apparatus is also configured to receive a post-medical image of the coronary vessel tree of the subject after the stent has been placed into the coronary vessel tree and identify vascular features within the post medical image that correspond to vascular features that are provided among the set of medical images. The apparatus is further configured to modify geometrical information for the corresponding vascular features in the stenotic model to create an updated stenotic model from the identified vascular features of the post medical image and calculate an index indicative of vascular function, based, at least in part, on the updated 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.