Cardiac function includes both electrical and mechanical aspects, which are usually measured separately: electrocardiogram (ECG) for the electrical, and ultrasound or MRI for the mechanical. This technology, termed Electromechanical Wave Imaging (EWI), is comprised of software that uses advanced algorithms to transform ultrasonography wave data and map unified electromechanical function of the heart in a detailed and precise manner. This is helpful for clinical diagnosis of cardiac output and could obviate the need for multiple methods of cardiac function monitoring, some of which may be significantly more invasive. EWI technology could be added to most currently existing ultrasound devices. EWI technology could facilitate more rapid cardiac imaging which will lead to earlier detection and diagnosis of cardiac dysfunction. In a more general sense, this technology may have the potential to improve medical imaging in diverse scenarios and settings beyond cardiology.
A clinician's understanding of a patient's heart is not complete without both mechanical and electrical data. Mechanical functioning of the heart can be revealed through three techniques: ultrasound, MRI, or CT scan. Ultrasound imaging, commonly known for in-utero imaging during pregnancy, is often used for heart imaging, but may have limited resolution. MRI is typically a very expensive option, and CT scans expose patients to undersirable ionizing radiation. Electrical functioning of the heart is revealed through ECG, which involves the physical attachment of a series of electrodes that measure electrical pulses, but this is not an imaging technique and gives only a graph output. Invasive catheters are another alternative to gather electrical data. EWI technology could obviate the need for separate ultrasound and ECG measurements by improving the ultrasound data analysis. This EWI technology is comprised of sophisticated algorithms contained in software that improves the interpretation of ultrasound data. With EWI technology, electrical function of the heart can be studied, something not previously done with regular ultrasound. This presents the opportunity to conduct more meaningful and rapid heart scans for cardiac monitoring and diagnosis. This technology has shown promising results in animal models.
Patent Pending
Tech Ventures Reference: IR CU13163