Aim:
The project “SCALE” aims at a precise and patient-specific description of neurovascular pathologies considering multi-scale hemodynamic modelling. Furthermore, AI-based methods for a standardized evaluation and the development of a clinically usable scoring systems will be applied.
Description:
Neurovascular diseases can lead to severe limitations and disabilities in affected individuals and are also among the leading causes of death in Germany. Particularly patient-specific changes in the cerebral vessels are expressed, for example, in the form of so-called intracranial aneurysms (permanent, balloon-like vessel bulges) or arteriovenous malformations (abnormal connections of arterial and venous vessels without capillary bed). Although continuously evolving imaging modalities enable a reliable diagnosis, individual risk assessment is highly complex, subject to numerous influencing variables, and too simplified in clinical practice due to the lack of models. As a result, the optimal treatment decision is challenging.
In the context of this research project, a holistic approach to evaluate neurovascular pathologies shall be realized by means of multi-scale modeling. First, the cardiovascular hemodynamics are described by means of a one-dimensional model. Subsequently, the neurovascular circulation and the venous system are mapped in 3D using computational fluid dynamics. Through this highly individualized and AI-assisted approach, the aforementioned pathologies can be precisely described morphologically and hemodynamically to computationally track their growth and remodeling processes along the time scale. For the time scale, time-dependent 4D flow measurements and tomographic image data are employed as well as longitudinal studies.
After the successful realization of the modeling “from the aorta to the vein”, the project aims to standardize the developed in-silico models via a usability module within the framework. In parallel, high-resolution in vitro validation measurements will be performed to ensure the plausibility of the models. Finally, the transfer of the developments into a scoring system is planned in order to prepare an application in the clinical environment. The standardization as well as the scoring system will exploit methods based on artificial intelligence (AI). This comprises the image- and mesh-based preprocessing and evaluation of flow simulation (with focus on deep learning) as well as the classification of extracted parameters (with focus on machine learning).
In summary, the planned holistic approach to assess neurovascular pathologies enables a highly interdisciplinary combination of patient-specific hemodynamics with medical imaging, AI-based image processing and evaluation, and simulative description. Consequently, transferring these influencing variables and conditions into a standardized assessment system can enable a precise and risk-free assessment of the actual disease state for the patient.
Involved Institutions:
Research Campus STIMULATE, University of Magdeburg “Otto-von-Guericke”
Applicants:
PhD students:
Alumni
Publications:
2024
Image-based Hemodynamic Simulations for Intracranial Aneurysms – The Impact of Complex Vasculatures Journal Article
In: International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery, vol. 19, iss. 4, pp. 687-697, 2024.
In: Journal of Neurosurgery, 2024.
In: Fluids , vol. 9, iss. 3, no. 55, 2024.
Inter-model and inter-modality analysis of left ventricular hemodynamics: comparative study of two CFD approaches based on TTE and MRI Journal Article
In: GAMM-Mitteilungen, 2024.
Fusiform versus Saccular Intracranial Aneurysms—Hemodynamic Evaluation of the Pre-Aneurysmal, Pathological, and Post-Interventional State Journal Article
In: Journal of Clinical Medicine, vol. 13, iss. 2, no. 551, pp. 1-14, 2024.
Multi-Dimensional Modeling of Cerebral Hemodynamics: A Systematic Review Journal Article
In: Bioengineering , vol. 11, iss. 1, pp. 1-24, 2024.
2023
In vitro and in silico assessment of flow modulation after deploying the Contour Neurovascular System in intracranial aneurysm models Journal Article
In: Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery, 2023.
Fabrication of flexible intracranial aneurysm models using stereolithography 3D printing Journal Article
In: Current Directions in Biomedical Engineering, vol. 9, iss. 1, pp. 395-389, 2023.
Resolution-based comparative analysis of 4D-phase-contrast magnetic resonance images and hemodynamic simulations of the aortic arch Journal Article
In: Current Directions in Biomedical Engineering, vol. 9, iss. 1, pp. 650-653, 2023.
Is accurate lumen segmentation more important than outlet boundary condition in image-based blood flow simulations for intracranial aneurysms? Journal Article
In: Cardiovascular Engineering and Technology , vol. 14, iss. 5, pp. 617–630, 2023.
Assessment of the Flow-Diverter Efficacy for Intracranial Aneurysm Treatment Considering Pre- and Post-Interventional Hemodynamics Journal Article
In: Computers in Biology and Medicine, vol. 156, iss. 106720, 2023.
Multimodal exploration of the intracranial aneurysm wall Journal Article
In: International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery , vol. 18, iss. 12, pp. 2243–2252, 2023.
Design of a virtual data shelf to effectively explore a large database of 3D medical surface models in VR Journal Article
In: International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery , vol. 18, iss. 11, pp. 2013–2022, 2023.
Hemodynamic assessment of the pathological left ventricle function under rest and exercise conditions Journal Article
In: Fluids , vol. 8, iss. 2, no. 71, 2023.
A hybrid hierarchical strategy for registration of 7T TOF-MRI to 7T PC-MRI intracranial vessel data Journal Article
In: International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery , vol. 18, pp. 837–844, 2023.
Deep learning-based semantic vessel graph extraction for intracranial aneurysm rupture risk management Journal Article
In: International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery, vol. 18, iss. 3, pp. 515-525, 2023.
Geometric Deep Learning Vascular Domain Segmentation Proceedings
2023.
2022
Fusiform vs. saccular intracranial aneurysms: Image-based blood flow simulations can help to understand formation and treatment effects Proceedings Article
In: Summer Biomechanics, Bioengineering, and Biotransport Conference (SB3C) Cambridge, Maryland, USA, 2022.
Geometric uncertainty in intracranial aneurysm rupture status discrimination: a two-site retrospective study Journal Article
In: BMJ Open, vol. 12, iss. 11, 2022.
Uncertainty Quantification of Hemodynamic Parameters for Cerebral Aneurysm Rupture Risk Assessment Proceedings Article
In: Virtual Physiological Human Conference (VPH) Porto, Portugal, 2022.
Multimodal hemodynamic evaluation of vessel wall enhanced cerebral draining veins for the assessment of arteriovenous malformations Proceedings Article
In: pp. 609-616, The 18th International Conference on Fluid Flow Technologies Budapest, Hungary, 2022.
Centerline and blockstructure for faststructured mesh generation Journal Article
In: Current Directions in Biomedical Engineering, 2022.
Impact of patient-specific inflow boundary conditions on intracranial aneurysm hemodynamics Journal Article
In: Current Directions in Biomedical Engineering, vol. 8, iss. 1, pp. 125-128, 2022.
Segmentation of Circle of Willis from 7T TOF-MRI data and immersive exploration using VR Journal Article
In: Current Directions in Biomedical Engineering, vol. 8, iss. 1, pp. 129-132, 2022.
Multimodal patient-specific modeling of intracranial arteriovenous malformation hemodynamics including feeding artery and draining vein exploration Proceedings Article
In: pp. 691-694, In 7th International Conference on Computational and Mathematical Biomedical Engineering (CMBE) Milano, Italy, 2022.
Can Endovascular Treatment of Fusiform Intracranial Aneurysms Restore the Healthy Hemodynamic Environment? – A Virtual Pilot Study Journal Article
In: Frontiers, vol. Volume 12 – 2021, 2022.
2021
Can black blood MRI predict hemodynamics in intracranial aneurysms? – comparing in-vitro and in-silico flow investigations Proceedings Article
In: pp. 1-6, The 18th International Conference on Fluid Flow Technologies Budapest, Hungary, 2021.
Multimodal hemodynamic evaluation of vessel wall enhanced cerebral draining veins for the assessment of arteriovenous malformations Proceedings Article
In: pp. 1-8, The 18th International Conference on Fluid Flow Technologies Budapest, Hungary, 2021.