MRI T1 image-guided tissue diagnostics
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for generating a magnetic resonance (MR) image, said method comprising the use of at least one programmed computer to:
- analyze a plurality of T1-weighted images for a subject containing at least one target organ or tissue type acquired using different inversion times as different imaging conditions, and derive T1-values from signal intensities of pixels of the T1-weighted images by calculation of applying the signal intensities to an exponential function;
specify, in a color correspondence table stored in a memory of the at least one programmed computer, a plurality of predetermined ranges of T1-values respectively corresponding to a plurality of predetermined organs or types of tissues with specific colors on the basis of only the derived T1 values;
assign the specific colors to respective T1-valued pixels of the T1-weighted images for each organ or tissue type in accordance with the color correspondence table; and
display on a display the colored T1-weighted images.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An MR image especially useful for computer-guided diagnostics uses at least one programmed computer to acquire an MR-image of T1 values for a patient volume containing at least one predetermined tissue type having a respectively corresponding predetermined range of expected T1 values. A color-coded T1-image is generated from the MR-image by (a) assigning a first color or spectrum of colors to those pixels having a T1 value falling within a predetermined range of expected T1 values and (b) assigning a second color or spectrum of colors to those pixels having a T1 value falling outside a predetermined range of expected T1 values. The color-coded T1-image is then displayed for use in computer-aided diagnosis of patient tissue.
17 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for generating a magnetic resonance (MR) image, said method comprising the use of at least one programmed computer to:
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analyze a plurality of T1-weighted images for a subject containing at least one target organ or tissue type acquired using different inversion times as different imaging conditions, and derive T1-values from signal intensities of pixels of the T1-weighted images by calculation of applying the signal intensities to an exponential function; specify, in a color correspondence table stored in a memory of the at least one programmed computer, a plurality of predetermined ranges of T1-values respectively corresponding to a plurality of predetermined organs or types of tissues with specific colors on the basis of only the derived T1 values; assign the specific colors to respective T1-valued pixels of the T1-weighted images for each organ or tissue type in accordance with the color correspondence table; and display on a display the colored T1-weighted images. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for generating a magnetic resonance (MR) image, said apparatus comprising;
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a memory configured to store a color correspondence table representing correspondence relationships between a plurality of predetermined ranges of T1 values and specific colors, each of the ranges of T1 values corresponding to predetermined organs or types of tissues; at least one processor configured to; analyze a plurality of T1-weighted images for a subject containing at least one target organ or tissue acquired using different inversion times as different imaging conditions, and derive T1-values from signal intensities of pixels of the T1-weighted images by calculation of applying the signal intensities to an exponential function; assign the specific colors to respective T1-valued pixels of the T1-weighted images, on the basis of only the derived T1 values and the color correspondence table; and display on a display the colored T1-weighted images. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification