Devices, systems, and methods for vessel assessment

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods for visually depicting a vessel and evaluating risk associated with a condition of the vessel are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of evaluating a vessel of a patient includes obtaining physiology measurements from a first instrument and a second instrument positioned within the vessel of the patient while the second instrument is moved longitudinally through the vessel from a first position to a second position and the first instrument remains stationary within the vessel; outputting the physiology measurements and an image of the vessel on a display, the output image including visualizations based on the obtained physiology measurements; and evaluating whether to perform to surgical procedure based on the physiology measurements and the image of the vessel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for providing information of a vessel of a patient to assist in evaluating the vessel, comprising:
 a pressure-sensing guidewire sized and shaped for introduction into the vessel of the patient; and   a processing system in communication with the pressure-sensing guidewire and a pressure-sensing instrument, the processing system configured to:
 obtain pressure measurements from the pressure-sensing instrument and the pressure-sensing guidewire while the pressure-sensing guidewire is moved longitudinally through the vessel of the patient from a first position to a second position while the pressure-sensing instrument is maintained in a fixed longitudinal position with respect to the vessel; 
 calculate, based on the pressure measurements from the pressure-sensing instrument and the pressure-sensing guidewire, a plurality of pressure ratios along the vessel; 
 define a plurality of regions of the vessel based on a comparison of the plurality of pressure ratios with a threshold value such that each region of the plurality of regions comprises a respective severity; 
 automatically determine a location between two regions of the plurality of regions having different severities; and 
 output an image of the vessel on a display in communication with the processing system, wherein the image comprises a two-dimensional angiographic image and a marking of the location between the two regions. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processing system is further configured to identify an area of interest extending from the location between the two regions to a second location, wherein the image further comprises a visualization of the area of interest. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 ,
 wherein, to identify the area of interest, the processing system is configured to automatically determine the second location between two additional regions of the plurality of regions having different severities, and   wherein the visualization of the area of interest comprises the marking of the location between the two regions and a marking of the second location between the two additional regions.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the image further comprises an indicator comprising a numerical value of a first pressure ratio of the plurality of pressure ratios displayed in association with the marking of the location between the two regions. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processing system is further configured to:
 receive a user input moving the marking to a second location along the vessel; and   output a modified image including the marking displayed at the second location.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the image is an extravascular image. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processing system is further configured to:
 calculate a risk score based on at least one of the plurality of pressure ratios; and   output the risk score on the display, the risk score associated with at least one of the plurality of regions.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the risk score predicts a probability of success of a surgical procedure for the vessel. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processing system is further configured to:
 associate the plurality of regions with one or more pre-defined anatomical segments of the vessel.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the image further comprises a visualization of the plurality of regions. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the location between the two regions comprises a border between the two regions. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising the pressure-sensing instrument. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising the display.