Heartflow, Inc.

Embodiments include a method for processing images to determine cardiovascular information. The method may include receiving medical imaging data of a patient and segmenting a plurality of computational model candidates for an anatomical model of a vessel including a stenosis region. Segmenting may include generating the plurality of computational model candidates, determining one or more candidate collocation points, assigning a refinement criterion to each collocation point, freezing each collocation point based on whether a termination criterion is met, and repeating until all collocation points are frozen. The method may further include computing one or more pieces of cardiovascular information for the stenosis region in each computational model candidate, determining whether a variation among values meets a threshold associated with a clinical decision regarding the stenosis region, and outputting images, indicators, reports, or simulations indicating information relating to the cardiovascular information.

Systems and methods are disclosed for predicting coronary plaque vulnerability, using a computer system. One method includes acquiring anatomical image data of at least part of the patient's vascular system; performing, using a processor, one or more image characteristics analysis, geometrical analysis, computational fluid dynamics analysis, and structural mechanics analysis on the anatomical image data; predicting, using the processor, a coronary plaque vulnerability present in the patient's vascular system, wherein predicting the coronary plaque vulnerability includes calculating an adverse plaque characteristic based on results of the one or more of image characteristics analysis, geometrical analysis, computational fluid dynamics analysis, and structural mechanics analysis of the anatomical image data; and reporting, using the processor, the calculated adverse plaque characteristic.

Systems and methods are disclosed for using geometry sensitivity information for guiding workflows in order to produce reliable models and quantities of interest. One method includes determining a geometric model associated with a target object; determining one or more quantities of interest; determining sensitivity information associated with one or more subdivisions of the geometric model and the one or more quantities of interest; and generating, using a processor, a workflow based on the sensitivity information.

Embodiments include systems and methods for determining cardiovascular information for a patient. A method includes receiving patient-specific data regarding a geometry of the patient's vasculature; creating an anatomic model representing at least a portion of the patient's vasculature based on the patient-specific data; and creating a computational model of a blood flow characteristic based on the anatomic model. The method also includes identifying one or more of an uncertain parameter, an uncertain clinical variable, and an uncertain geometry; modifying a probability model based on one or more of the identified uncertain parameter, uncertain clinical variable, or uncertain geometry; determining a blood flow characteristic within the patient's vasculature based on the anatomic model and the computational model of the blood flow characteristic of the patient's vasculature; and calculating, based on the probability model and the determined blood flow characteristic, a sensitivity of the determined fractional flow reserve to one or more of the identified uncertain parameter, uncertain clinical variable, or uncertain geometry.

Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a cardiovascular score for a patient. A method includes receiving, using at least one computer system, patient-specific data regarding a geometry of multiple coronary arteries of the patient; and creating, using at least one computer system, a three-dimensional model representing at least portions of the multiple coronary arteries based on the patient-specific data. The method also includes evaluating, using at least one computer system, multiple characteristics of at least some of the coronary arteries represented by the model; and generating, using at least one computer system, the cardiovascular score based on the evaluation of the multiple characteristics. Another method includes generating the cardiovascular score based on evaluated multiple characteristics for portions of the coronary arteries having fractional flow reserve values of at least a predetermined threshold value.

Systems and methods are disclosed for determining anatomy directly from raw medical acquisitions using a machine learning system. One method includes obtaining raw medical acquisition data from transmission and collection of energy and particles traveling through and originating from bodies of one or more individuals; obtaining a parameterized model associated with anatomy of each of the one or more individuals; determining one or more parameters for the parameterized model, wherein the parameters are associated with the raw medical acquisition data; training a machine learning system to predict one or more values for each of the determined parameters of the parametrized model, based on the raw medical acquisition data; acquiring a medical acquisition for a selected patient; and using the trained machine learning system to determine a parameter value for a patient-specific parameterized model of the patient.

A computer-implemented method for medical measurement reconstruction may comprise: receiving a measurement acquisition signal; based on the received measurement acquisition signal, creating a plurality of representations of the measurement acquisition signal, wherein each of the plurality of representations relates to a different aspect of the measurement acquisition signal; modifying one or more of the plurality of representations; and generating an output signal including the modified one or more of the plurality of representations.

Systems and methods are disclosed for performing probabilistic segmentation in anatomical image analysis, using a computer system. One method includes receiving a plurality of images of an anatomical structure; receiving one or more geometric labels of the anatomical structure; generating a parametrized representation of the anatomical structure based on the one or more geometric labels and the received plurality of images; mapping a region of the parameterized representation to a geometric parameter of the anatomical structure; receiving an image of a patient's anatomy; and generating a probability distribution for a patient-specific segmentation boundary of the patient's anatomy, based on the mapping of the region of the parameterized representation of the anatomical structure to the geometric parameter of the anatomical structure.

Systems and methods are disclosed for predicting coronary plaque vulnerability, using a computer system. One method includes acquiring anatomical image data of at least part of the patient's vascular system; performing, using a processor, one or more image characteristics analysis, geometrical analysis, computational fluid dynamics analysis, and structural mechanics analysis on the anatomical image data; predicting, using the processor, a coronary plaque vulnerability present in the patient's vascular system, wherein predicting the coronary plaque vulnerability includes calculating an adverse plaque characteristic based on results of the one or more of image characteristics analysis, geometrical analysis, computational fluid dynamics analysis, and structural mechanics analysis of the anatomical image data; and reporting, using the processor, the calculated adverse plaque characteristic.

Embodiments include a system for determining cardiovascular information for a patient. The system may include at least one computer system configured to receive patient-specific data regarding a geometry of the patient's heart, and create a three-dimensional model representing at least a portion of the patient's heart based on the patient-specific data. The at least one computer system may be further configured to create a physics-based model relating to a blood flow characteristic of the patient's heart and determine a fractional flow reserve within the patient's heart based on the three-dimensional model and the physics-based model.