System and method for facilitating cardiac intervention

• US 7,773,785 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2004
• Issued: 08/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: CMI Holding Co. Inc. (Chase Medical Technologies LP)
• Original Assignee: Chase Medical LP
• Inventors: Davis, Albert Michael, Murphy, Gregory, Suresh, Mitta
• Primary Examiner(s): Seth; Manav
• Application Number:
  US10/800,433
• Publication Number:
  US 20040176678A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,339 Days
• Field of Search: 434262-272, 703 1- 28, 382128-132, 623900-904, 378 1-210
• US Class Current: 382/128
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/00 Pattern recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30048 Heart; Cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/0012 Biomedical image inspection
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/28 for medicine
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/30 Anatomical models G09B23/281 - G09B23/288 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/922 including image analysis

Abstract

One embodiment discloses a computerized method of facilitating cardiac intervention, comprising inputting patient data, creating a computerized interactive model of a heart based on the patient data, wherein the model comprises features, simulating at least one proposed cardiac intervention treatment by adding or deleting features to the model, and determining the effects of the proposed cardiac simulation upon the entire model. Simulations may be repeated to allow the user to determine an optimal cardiac intervention. Additionally, a template may be created from the model to use as a guide during the cardiac intervention.

Claims

1. A system configured to design cardiac instruments, comprising:

a CPU; and

a system memory coupled to the CPU, wherein the system memory stores one or more computer programs executable by the CPU;

wherein one or more computer programs are executable to;

create a pattern of at least a portion of at least one patient-specific cardiac instrument or implant using at least one first image of heart tissue from a human heart;

evaluate motion of at least one portion of at least one feature of one or more first images of heart tissue; and

assess asynergy of the heart tissue.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the pattern is created automatically by at least one of the computer programs based on at least some user input.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first image comprises a plurality of features, and wherein at least one of the features comprises a physiological factor.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the implants comprises a reinforcing device, an annuloplasty ring, a suture, or a valve.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the instruments comprises a shaper, and wherein the shaper is configurable to expand to a predetermined shape and size substantially similar to the size and shape of an appropriate left ventricle.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the instruments comprises a guide.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the guide comprises an overlay, and wherein the overlay comprises indicia configurable to assist a surgical procedure during use.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more computer programs are further executable to extrapolate at least a portion of at least one feature from at least one first image of human heart tissue.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more computer programs are further executable to:

use at least two first images of human heart tissue to create at least a second image of the heart tissue, wherein at least a portion of the second image appears at least three-dimensional.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein one of the dimensions comprises time or at least one physiological factor.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the computer programs is further executable to:

compare a contrast between two or more sections in at least one first image; and

assess a viability of the heart tissue.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the computer programs is further executable to:

evaluate a curvature of at least a section of a portion of a heart comprising the heart tissue; and

assess a shape of at least the portion of the heart.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the computer programs is further executable to:

assign at least one reference point to at least two first images of the heart tissue;

evaluate a relative movement of at least one of the reference points between at least two first images of the heart tissue; and

assess a viability of the heart tissue.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the computer programs is further executable to:

determine at least a first and second volume of a portion of the heart tissue and blood flow through a portion of the heart; and

assess a mitral regurgitation with a provided velocity of a fluid through at least a portion of the aorta.

2. A system configured to design cardiac instruments, comprising:

a CPU; and

a system memory coupled to the CPU, wherein the system memory stores one or more computer programs executable by the CPU;

wherein one or more computer programs are executable to;

create a pattern of at least a portion of at least one patient-specific cardiac instrument or implant using at least one first image of heart tissue from a human heart;

assign at least one reference point to at least two first images of the heart tissue;

evaluate a relative movement of at least one of the reference points between at least two first images of the heart tissue; and

assess a viability of the heart tissue.

20. The system of claim 2, wherein the pattern is created automatically by at least one of the computer programs based on at least some user input.

21. The system of claim 2, wherein the first image comprises a plurality of features, and wherein at least one of the features comprises a physiological factor.

22. The system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the implants comprises a reinforcing device, an annuloplasty ring, a suture, or a valve.

23. The system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the instruments comprises a shaper, and wherein the shaper is configurable to expand to a predetermined shape and size substantially similar to the size and shape of an appropriate left ventricle.

24. The system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the instruments comprises a guide.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the guide comprises an overlay, and wherein the overlay comprises indicia configurable to assist a surgical procedure during use.

26. The system of claim 2, wherein one or more computer programs are further executable to extrapolate at least a portion of at least one feature from at least one first image of human heart tissue.

27. The system of claim 2, wherein one or more computer programs are further executable to:

use at least two first images of human heart tissue to create at least a second image of the heart tissue, wherein at least a portion of the second image appears at least three-dimensional.

28. The system of claim 2, wherein one of the dimensions comprises time or at least one physiological factor.

29. The system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the computer programs is further executable to:

compare a contrast between two or more sections in at least one first image; and

assess a viability of the heart tissue.

30. The system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the computer programs is further executable to:

evaluate motion of at least one portion of at least one feature of one or more first images of heart tissue; and

assess asynergy of the heart tissue.

31. The system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the computer programs is further executable to:

evaluate a curvature of at least a section of a portion of a heart comprising the heart tissue; and

assess a shape of at least the portion of the heart.

32. The system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the computer programs is further executable to:

determine at least a first and second volume of a portion of the heart tissue and blood flow through a portion of the heart; and

assess a mitral regurgitation with a provided velocity of a fluid through at least a portion of the aorta.

3. A system configured to design cardiac instruments, comprising:

a CPU; and

a system memory coupled to the CPU, wherein the system memory stores one or more computer programs executable by the CPU;

wherein one or more computer programs are executable to;

create a pattern of at least a portion of at least one patient-specific cardiac instrument or implant using at least one first image of heart tissue from a human heart;

determine at least a first and second volume of a portion of the heart tissue and blood flow through a portion of the heart; and

assess a mitral regurgitation with a provided velocity of a fluid through at least a portion of the aorta.

33. The system of claim 3, wherein the pattern is created automatically by at least one of the computer programs based on at least some user input.

34. The system of claim 3, wherein the first image comprises a plurality of features, and wherein at least one of the features comprises a physiological factor.

35. The system of claim 3, wherein at least one of the implants comprises a reinforcing device, an annuloplasty ring, a suture, or a valve.

36. The system of claim 3, wherein at least one of the instruments comprises a shaper, and wherein the shaper is configurable to expand to a predetermined shape and size substantially similar to the size and shape of an appropriate left ventricle.

37. The system of claim 3, wherein at least one of the instruments comprises a guide.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the guide comprises an overlay, and wherein the overlay comprises indicia configurable to assist a surgical procedure during use.

39. The system of claim 3, wherein one or more computer programs are further executable to extrapolate at least a portion of at least one feature from at least one first image of human heart tissue.

40. The system of claim 3, wherein one or more computer programs are further executable to:

use at least two first images of human heart tissue to create at least a second image of the heart tissue, wherein at least a portion of the second image appears at least three-dimensional.

41. The system of claim 3, wherein one of the dimensions comprises time or at least one physiological factor.

42. The system of claim 3, wherein at least one of the computer programs is further executable to:

compare a contrast between two or more sections in at least one first image; and

assess a viability of the heart tissue.

43. The system of claim 3, wherein at least one of the computer programs is further executable to:

evaluate motion of at least one portion of at least one feature of one or more first images of heart tissue; and

assess asynergy of the heart tissue.

44. The system of claim 3, wherein at least one of the computer programs is further executable to:

evaluate a curvature of at least a section of a portion of a heart comprising the heart tissue; and

assess a shape of at least the portion of the heart.

45. The system of claim 3, wherein at least one of the computer programs is further executable to:

assign at least one reference point to at least two first images of the heart tissue;

evaluate a relative movement of at least one of the reference points between at least two first images of the heart tissue; and

assess a viability of the heart tissue.

4. A non-transitory computer-readable medium configured to store program instructions, wherein the program instructions are executable to implement a method to design cardiac instruments, comprising:

creating a pattern of at least a portion of at least one patient-specific cardiac instrument or implant using at least one first image of heart tissue from a human heart;

evaluating motion of at least one portion of at least one feature of one or more first images of heart tissue; and

assessing asynergy of the heart tissue.

46. The computer-readable medium of claim 4, wherein the pattern is created automatically by at least some of the program instructions based on at least some user input.

47. The computer-readable medium of claim 4, wherein at least one of the first images comprises a plurality of features, and wherein at least one of the features comprises a physiological factor.

48. The computer-readable medium of claim 4, wherein at least one of the implants comprises a reinforcing device, an annuloplasty ring, a suture, or a valve.

49. The computer-readable medium of claim 4, wherein at least one of the instruments comprises a shaper, and wherein the shaper is configurable to expand to a predetermined shape and size substantially similar to the size and shape of an appropriate left ventricle.

50. The computer-readable medium of claim 4, wherein at least one of the instruments comprises a guide.

51. The computer-readable medium of claim 4, wherein at least one of the instruments comprises a guide, wherein the guide comprises an overlay, and wherein the overlay comprises indicia configurable to assist a surgical procedure during use.

52. The computer-readable medium of claim 4, wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement a method comprising:

extrapolating at least a portion of at least one feature from at least one first image of human heart tissue.

53. The computer-readable medium of claim 4, wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement a method comprising:

using at least two first images of human heart tissue to create at least a second image of the heart tissue, wherein at least a portion of the second image appears at least three-dimensional.

54. The computer-readable medium of claim 4, wherein one of the dimensions comprises time or at least one physiological factor.

55. The computer-readable medium of claim 4, wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement:

comparing a contrast between two or more sections in at least one first image; and

assessing a viability of the heart tissue.

56. The computer-readable medium of claim 4, wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement:

evaluating a curvature of at least a section of a portion of a heart comprising the heart tissue; and

assessing a shape of at least the portion of the heart.

57. The computer-readable medium of claim 4, wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement:

assigning at least one reference point to at least two first images of the heart tissue;

evaluating a relative movement of at least one of the reference points between at least two first images of the heart tissue; and

assessing a viability of the heart tissue.

58. The computer-readable medium of claim 4, wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement:

determining at least a first and second volume of a portion of the heart tissue and blood flow through a portion of the heart; and

assessing a mitral regurgitation with a provided velocity of a fluid through at least a portion of the aorta.

5. A non-transitory computer-readable medium configured to store program instructions, wherein the program instructions are executable to implement a method to design cardiac instruments, comprising:

creating a pattern of at least a portion of at least one patient-specific cardiac instrument or implant using at least one first image of heart tissue from a human heart;

assigning at least one reference point to at least two first images of the heart tissue;

evaluating a relative movement of at least one of the reference points between at least two first images of the heart tissue; and

assessing a viability of the heart tissue.

59. The computer-readable medium of claim 5, wherein the pattern is created automatically by at least some of the program instructions based on at least some user input.

60. The computer-readable medium of claim 5, wherein at least one of the first images comprises a plurality of features, and wherein at least one of the features comprises a physiological factor.

61. The computer-readable medium of claim 5, wherein at least one of the implants comprises a reinforcing device, an annuloplasty ring, a suture, or a valve.

62. The computer-readable medium of claim 5, wherein at least one of the instruments comprises a shaper, and wherein the shaper is configurable to expand to a predetermined shape and size substantially similar to the size and shape of an appropriate left ventricle.

63. The computer-readable medium of claim 5, wherein at least one of the instruments comprises a guide.

64. The computer-readable medium of claim 5, wherein at least one of the instruments comprises a guide, wherein the guide comprises an overlay, and wherein the overlay comprises indicia configurable to assist a surgical procedure during use.

65. The computer-readable medium of claim 5, wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement a method comprising:

extrapolating at least a portion of at least one feature from at least one first image of human heart tissue.

66. The computer-readable medium of claim 5, wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement a method comprising:

using at least two first images of human heart tissue to create at least a second image of the heart tissue, wherein at least a portion of the second image appears at least three-dimensional.

67. The computer-readable medium of claim 5, wherein one of the dimensions comprises time or at least one physiological factor.

68. The computer-readable medium of claim 5, wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement:

comparing a contrast between two or more sections in at least one first image; and

assessing a viability of the heart tissue.

69. The computer-readable medium of claim 5, wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement:

evaluating motion of at least one portion of at least one feature of one or more first images of heart tissue; and

assessing asynergy of the heart tissue.

70. The computer-readable medium of claim 5, wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement:

evaluating a curvature of at least a section of a portion of a heart comprising the heart tissue; and

assessing a shape of at least the portion of the heart.

71. The computer-readable medium of claim 5, wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement:

determining at least a first and second volume of a portion of the heart tissue and blood flow through a portion of the heart; and

assessing a mitral regurgitation with a provided velocity of a fluid through at least a portion of the aorta.

6. A non-transitory computer-readable medium configured to store program instructions, wherein the program instructions are executable to implement a method to design cardiac instruments, comprising:

creating a pattern of at least a portion of at least one patient-specific cardiac instrument or implant using at least one first image of heart tissue from a human heart;

determining at least a first and second volume of a portion of the heart tissue and blood flow through a portion of the heart; and

assessing a mitral regurgitation with a provided velocity of a fluid through at least a portion of the aorta.

72. The computer-readable medium of claim 6, wherein the pattern is created automatically by at least some of the program instructions based on at least some user input.

73. The computer-readable medium of claim 6, wherein at least one of the first images comprises a plurality of features, and wherein at least one of the features comprises a physiological factor.

74. The computer-readable medium of claim 6, wherein at least one of the implants comprises a reinforcing device, an annuloplasty ring, a suture, or a valve.

75. The computer-readable medium of claim 6, wherein at least one of the instruments comprises a shaper, and wherein the shaper is configurable to expand to a predetermined shape and size substantially similar to the size and shape of an appropriate left ventricle.

76. The computer-readable medium of claim 6, wherein at least one of the instruments comprises a guide.

77. The computer-readable medium of claim 6, wherein at least one of the instruments comprises a guide, wherein the guide comprises an overlay, and wherein the overlay comprises indicia configurable to assist a surgical procedure during use.

78. The computer-readable medium of claim 6, wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement a method comprising:

extrapolating at least a portion of at least one feature from at least one first image of human heart tissue.

79. The computer-readable medium of claim 6, wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement a method comprising:

using at least two first images of human heart tissue to create at least a second image of the heart tissue, wherein at least a portion of the second image appears at least three-dimensional.

80. The computer-readable medium of claim 6, wherein one of the dimensions comprises time or at least one physiological factor.

81. The computer-readable medium of claim 6, wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement:

comparing a contrast between two or more sections in at least one first image; and

assessing a viability of the heart tissue.

82. The computer-readable medium of claim 6, wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement:

evaluating motion of at least one portion of at least one feature of one or more first images of heart tissue; and

assessing asynergy of the heart tissue.

83. The computer-readable medium of claim 6, wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement:

evaluating a curvature of at least a section of a portion of a heart comprising the heart tissue; and

assessing a shape of at least the portion of the heart.

84. The computer-readable medium of claim 6, wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement:

assigning at least one reference point to at least two first images of the heart tissue;

evaluating a relative movement of at least one of the reference points between at least two first images of the heart tissue; and

assessing a viability of the heart tissue.