SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TISSUE ANALYSIS AND VISUALIZATION

20250009341

18/763063

July 03, 2024

The invention relates to methods, systems, and devices providing tissue analysis and visualization using contrast enhanced ultrasound.

1. A system for providing tissue analysis and visualization, the system comprising: a console comprising a hardware processor coupled to non-transitory, computer-readable memory containing instructions executable by the processor to cause the console to: receive three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound image data from an imaging device, the 3D image data being associated with an anatomical region of interest including a targeted tissue site and perfusion of a contrast agent therewith before, during, and/or after an ablation procedure being performed thereon; and dynamically reconstruct multiple images from the 3D image data to provide a 3D visualization of the anatomical region of interest and targeted tissue site, based, at least in part, on analysis of perfusion of the contrast agent relative to vasculature associated at least with the targeted tissue site.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the 3D ultrasound image data is real-time 3D ultrasound data.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the 3D visualization comprises visualization of lesion formations in the targeted tissue site.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the tissue comprises microvasculature associated with the targeted tissue site.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the analysis comprises identifying perfusion characteristics in the microvasculature.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein a lesion formation is identified based on the perfusion characteristics.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the console is configured to correlate perfusion characteristics within a given location of the microvasculature with physical characteristics of the microvasculature at said given location.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the perfusion characteristics comprise a plurality of gradations of propagation and accumulation of contrast agent into a given location of microvasculature.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein: unobstructed propagation and accumulation of contrast agent into a given location of microvasculature is indicative of unaffected and otherwise healthy microvasculature; and lack of propagation and accumulation of contrast agent into a given location is indicative of damaged microvasculature.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the damaged microvasculature is a result of ablation and the lack of propagation and accumulation of contrast agent into the given location is indicative of a portion of a lesion formation.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the console is configured to characterize a lesion formation based, at least in part, on correlation of the perfusion characteristics with physical characteristics of a given location of the microvasculature.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the physical characteristics are one or more of flow, microflow, and stiffness.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein characterization comprises providing a visual indication of at least one of an extent of the lesion formation, transmurality of the lesion formation, and continuity of an ablation path associated with the lesion formation.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the console is configured to segment a given lesion formation into at least three different regions comprising a core region, a border region immediately adjacent to and surrounding the core region, and a periphery region immediately adjacent to and surrounding the border region.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein a core region of a lesion formation is associated with a complete, or near complete, lack of propagation and accumulation of contrast agent into a given location of the microvasculature and appears normal within a 3D ultrasound image.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein a border region of a lesion formation is associated with some propagation and accumulation of contrast agent into a given location of the microvasculature and presents a stronger backscatter signal within a 3D ultrasound image as compared to a backscatter signal associated with the core region.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein a periphery region of a lesion formation is associated with substantially unobstructed propagation and lack of accumulation of contrast agent into a given location of microvasculature and presents a weaker backscatter signal within a 3D ultrasound image as compared to backscatter signals associated with the border region a short time after injection.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the console performs segmentation of a given lesion formation based, at least in part, on a segmentation algorithm.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the segmentation algorithm comprises at least one of automatic thresholding, connected component analysis, and neural network-based segmentation.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the contrast agent is injected into vasculature before and/or after performing one or more ablation procedures.

21. The system of claim 1, further comprising a catheter-based ultrasound imaging device operably coupled to the console and configured to transmit ultrasound pulses to, and receive echoes of the ultrasound pulses from, intravascular and/or intracardiac tissue.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the ultrasound imaging device comprises a four-dimensional (4D) catheter-based ultrasound imaging device.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the console is configured to receive at least full circumferential, 3D image data from the ultrasound imaging device in real, or near-real time, and the console is configured to reconstruct multiple images in real, or near-real time, based, at least in part, on user input and/or predefined protocols.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the console is configured to provide a 3D visualization of the anatomical region of interest and targeted tissue site during an ablation procedure being performed on the targeted tissue site.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the anatomical region of interest and targeted tissue site are associated with myocardial tissue.

61; 61

edspap.20250009341