Respiratory resistance device for use in a method of acquiring in-vivo an image of interior parts of a human body

Abstract

A method of and device for acquiring in-vivo images or quantitative/qualitative data (perfusion, blood flow, vascularization, contrast enhancement, selective blood supply management) of interior parts of the human body using an imaging system includes the steps of positioning the body relatively to the imaging system, applying a respiratory resistance device to the respiratory system of the body, and performing an image acquisition step during or concomitantly an inhalation/inspiration/suction or exhalation/Valsalva/expiration phase, during which the body provides suction or exhalation against a resistance as provided by the respiratory resistance device.

1 . A respiratory resistance device for use in a method of acquiring in-vivo an image of interior parts of a human body of a patient, the respiratory resistance device comprising:
 a main body with one or more openings to connect in use with a respiratory system of the human body;   an inner volume defined by the main body, the inner volume being in fluid communication with the one or more openings of the main body and closed to an environment;   a replaceable subpart connectable with the main body, the replaceable subpart comprising a mouthpiece, wherein the mouthpiece is in fluid communication with the one or more openings of the main body when the replaceable subpart is connected with the main body,   wherein an overpressure of +10 mmHg to +30 mmHg is generated in the inner volume of the main body during an exhalation of the patient into the mouthpiece while the respiratory resistance device is connected with the respiratory system of the human body so that the closed inner volume of the main body is blocking partially the flow of air out of the respiratory system of the human body during exhalation of the patient, and an underpressure of −8 mmHg to −20 mmHg is generated in the inner volume of the main body during an inhalation of the patient from the mouthpiece, while the respiratory resistance device is connected with the respiratory system of the human body so that the closed inner volume of the main body is blocking partially the flow of air into the respiratory system of the human body during inhalation of the patient,   wherein the main body comprises a sensor for measuring a parameter related to the pressure in the inner volume of the main body, and   wherein the respiratory resistance device further comprises a control signal generator for generating a control signal indicative of a deviation from a predefined pressure range of the underpressure or overpressure in the inner volume of the main body during inhalation or exhalation of the patient from or into the mouthpiece, respectively.   
     
     
         2 . The respiratory resistance device according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner volume of the main body is dimensioned to generate an overpressure of +10 mmHg to +30 mmHg in the inner volume during an exhalation of the patient into the mouthpiece under normal exhalation conditions of a human respiratory system and an underpressure of −8 mmHg to −20 mmHg in the inner volume during an inhalation of the patient from the mouthpiece under normal inhalation conditions of a human respiratory system. 
     
     
         3 . The respiratory resistance device according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is in communication with the control signal generator to generate the control signal indicative of a deviation from an optimal inhalation or exhalation state of the respiratory system of the patient during inhalation or exhalation of the patient from or into the mouthpiece, respectively. 
     
     
         4 . The respiratory resistance device according to  claim 1 , wherein the control signal generator includes an indicator indicating whether the pressure in the inner volume is lower than a preset lower limit or higher than a preset upper limit. 
     
     
         5 . The respiratory resistance device according to  claim 1 , wherein the replaceable subpart comprises a tube acting as a mouthpiece to be in fluid communication with a mouth of the patient. 
     
     
         6 . The respiratory resistance device according to  claim 1 , wherein the control signal generated by the control signal generator is an acoustic or optical signal. 
     
     
         7 . The respiratory resistance device according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a piezoresistive transducer. 
     
     
         8 . A system for acquiring in-vivo an image of interior parts of a human body of a patient, the system comprising:
 an image acquisition system;   an injection system configured to intravenously inject a substance selected from a contrast fluid, a dye and a drug into the human body; and   the respiratory resistance device according to  claim 1 ,   wherein the image acquisition system is configured to acquire an image of inner parts of the human body during at least one of an inhalation phase during which the human body provides suction against a respiratory resistance provided by the respiratory resistance device, and an exhalation phase during which the body provides exhalation against a respiratory resistance provided by the respiratory resistance device.   
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein the image acquisition system and the respiratory resistance device are linked with each other by a data communication link. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein the sensor of the respiratory resistance device is linked to a synchronizing element which is linked to the image acquisition system. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein the respiratory resistance device is operated simultaneously and synchronized with the operation of the image acquisition system. 
     
     
         12 . An image enhancement kit comprising a contrast agent substance for injection into a human body and the respiratory resistance device according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . A respiratory resistance device for use in a method of acquiring in-vivo an image of interior parts of a human body of a patient, the respiratory resistance device comprising:
 a main body with one or more openings to connect in use with a respiratory system of the human body;   an inner volume defined by the main body, the inner volume being in fluid communication with the one or more openings of the main body and closed to an environment;   a replaceable subpart connectable with the main body, the replaceable subpart consisting of a mouthpiece, wherein the mouthpiece is in fluid communication with the one or more openings of the main body when the replaceable subpart is connected with the main body,   wherein an overpressure of +10 mmHg to +30 mmHg is generated in the inner volume of the main body during an exhalation of the patient into the mouthpiece while the respiratory resistance device is connected with the respiratory system of the human body so that the closed inner volume of the main body is blocking partially the flow of air out of the respiratory system of the human body during exhalation of the patient, and an underpressure of −8 mmHg to −20 mmHg is generated in the inner volume of the main body during an inhalation of the patient from the mouthpiece, while the respiratory resistance device is connected with the respiratory system of the human body so that the closed inner volume of the main body is blocking partially the flow of air into the respiratory system of the human body during inhalation of the patient,   wherein the main body comprises a sensor for measuring a parameter related to the pressure in the inner volume of the main body, and   wherein the respiratory resistance device further comprises a control signal generator for generating a control signal indicative of a deviation from a predefined pressure range of the underpressure or overpressure in the inner volume of the main body during inhalation or exhalation of the patient from or into the mouthpiece, respectively.