Medical imaging: AI‑Driven Detection and Modeling of Atherosclerotic Plaque

Introduction

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for 32% of all global deaths (17.9 million in 2019). Atherosclerotic vulnerable plaques are responsible for approximately 85% of cardiovascular events. Early detection enables blood flow restoration procedures like Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI).

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) uses infrared light to produce high-resolution vessel images (avg. 100-300 images per scan). OCT-guided PCI procedures surged 548.4% from 246 in 2011 to 1,595 in 2019, per NIS databases.

Main Challenges in OCT Interpretation

Interpreting OCT data requires extensive physician experience and training. The process is time-consuming (45-60 minutes per pullback analysis), with artifacts and motion impacting image quality.

Product Overview

Our AI-based OCT analysis software overcomes conventional limitations by analyzing hundreds of OCT images, segmenting Regions of Interest (ROI), generating 3D artery models, and supporting treatment decisions.

Key features include automated plaque identification and precise clinical metrics measurement.

Sophisticated Processing Pipeline

From raw OCT data, the software processes 360° images, selects compressible segments, analyzes images via algorithms, performs advanced plaque analysis, and cleans ground truth data against expert validation.

This enables comprehensive diagnosis based on ROI analysis, ROI interest assessment by AI, and PCI risk evaluation.

AI-based OCT analysis eliminated hours of manual review—delivering precise plaque detection and 3D models in minutes, empowering cardiologists with diagnostics previously impossible.

3D Model Capabilities

The 3D model provides detailed artery views highlighting atherosclerotic plaque, lipid identification areas, and coronary calcifications.

Advanced smart glasses enable augmented reality (AR) visualization for immersive review.

Key Benefits

AI-based OCT analysis delivers significant advantages:

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Time reduction: Pullback analysis drops from 45-60 minutes to 8 minutes (5-6x faster).
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Complete metrics: Measures thickness, volume, length, angle of lipids/calcium; identifies plaque types.
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Precision: Results align with CFA experts; detects features impossible with human analysis.

Conclusion:

Transforming cardiology through AI-powered OCT innovation

Our AI-based OCT analysis software revolutionizes cardiology by automating plaque detection, 3D artery modeling, and slashing analysis time 5-6x (45-60 to 8 minutes). It boosts clinical precision, PCI decisions, and positions AI imaging as cardiovascular care's future. Preclinical studies are underway, with clinical trials next

Results of the Change

BEFORE

Manual OCT analysis took 45-60 minutes per pullback, requiring extensive physician training and prone to artifacts impacting image quality.

AFTER

Our AI-based OCT analysis completes the process in just 8 minutes with automated segmentation, 3D artery reconstruction, and precise plaque/lipid metrics.

EFFECT

5-6x faster diagnostics enable quicker PCI decisions, reduce patient complications, minimize treatment costs, and improve cardiologist accuracy through comprehensive clinical measurements previously impossible manually.

success stories