Image analysis for assessing image data
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An imaging system, comprising:
- an X-ray source configured to emit X-rays;
a radiation detector configured to generate signals in response to the emitted X-rays incident on a surface of the radiation detector;
data acquisition circuitry configured to use the signals to generate one or more mammographic images that are transmitted directly or indirectly to a remote processing resource configured to execute a plurality of services which each evaluate the one or more images for a different type of non-conformity; and
an operator interface and display configured to execute an application that notifies a technician in real-time or near real-time to determine if a plurality of non-conformities of the one or more mammographic images identified by the remote processing resource includes a predetermined type of non-conformity, wherein the plurality of non-conformities include one or more of;
absence of a breast/chest angle in an MLO view, wherein the MLO is a mediolateral-oblique;
misalignment of a nipple and pectoral muscle in an MLO view, wherein the MLO is a mediolateral-oblique;
non-centered nipple in a CC view, wherein the CC is a center-caudal;
and absence of pectoral muscle in the CC view, wherein the CC is a center-caudal.
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Abstract
The present approach relates to providing image quality feedback to personnel (e.g., a technician) acquiring non-invasive images in real-time or near real-time. By way of example, the proposed approach may automatically assess the quality of images in real-time by evaluating the images for the presence or absence of non-conformities using processor-implemented, rule-based algorithms running partly or completely in parallel to one another. The proposed approach improves the image analysis pipeline by efficiently providing notification of and/or discarding low-quality or unsuitable images or exams after they are taken, such as in within seconds or minutes.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An imaging system, comprising:
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an X-ray source configured to emit X-rays; a radiation detector configured to generate signals in response to the emitted X-rays incident on a surface of the radiation detector; data acquisition circuitry configured to use the signals to generate one or more mammographic images that are transmitted directly or indirectly to a remote processing resource configured to execute a plurality of services which each evaluate the one or more images for a different type of non-conformity; and an operator interface and display configured to execute an application that notifies a technician in real-time or near real-time to determine if a plurality of non-conformities of the one or more mammographic images identified by the remote processing resource includes a predetermined type of non-conformity, wherein the plurality of non-conformities include one or more of;
absence of a breast/chest angle in an MLO view, wherein the MLO is a mediolateral-oblique;misalignment of a nipple and pectoral muscle in an MLO view, wherein the MLO is a mediolateral-oblique; non-centered nipple in a CC view, wherein the CC is a center-caudal; and absence of pectoral muscle in the CC view, wherein the CC is a center-caudal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An image analysis architecture, comprising:
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an X-ray source configured to emit X-rays; a radiation detector configured to generate signals in response to the emitted X-rays incident on a surface of the radiation detector; a data acquisition circuitry configured to use the signals to generate one or more mammographic image files; an application interface configured to be displayed at the site of an imaging system and to facilitate the transfer of die one or more mammographic image files to a remote processing resource; and a plurality of services executable on the remote processing resource, wherein at least a portion of the services are configured to execute in parallel and wherein each service is configured to analyze the one or more mammographic image files for a respective type from a plurality of non-conformities and to provide a notification to a technician in real-time or near real-time via the application interface to determine based on a threshold if a pre-determined type of non-conformity is identified, wherein the plurality of non-conformities include one or more of; absence of a breast/chest angle in an MLO view, wherein the MLO is a mediolateral-oblique; misalignment of a nipple and pectoral muscle in an MLO view, wherein the MLO is a mediolateral-oblique; non-centered nipple in a CC view, wherein the CC is a center-caudal; and absence of pectoral muscle in the CC view, wherein the CC is a center-caudal. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for remotely assessing image quality, comprising:
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emitting X-rays using an X-ray source; generating signals using a radiation detector in response to the emitted X-rays incident on a surface of the radiation detector; receiving an image of a patient or object using the signals generated at a site of an imaging system, wherein the image comprises mammographic images; processing the image using a plurality of image quality analysis services, at least a portion of which execute in parallel, wherein the image quality service analytics are executed on a network-based architecture physical remote form the site of the imaging system; transmitting one or more notifications of a plurality of non-conformities identified by the image quality analysis services to a technician in the site of the imaging system in less than a minute from the time the image was acquired to determine if the plurality of identified nonconformities includes a pre-determined type of non-conformity, wherein the plurality of nonconformities include one or more of; absence of a breast/chest angle in an MLQ view, wherein the MLO is a mediolateral-oblique; misalignment of a nipple and pectoral muscle in an MLO view, wherein the MLO is a mediolateral-oblique; non-centered nipple in a CC view, wherein the CC is a center-caudal; and absence of pectoral muscle in the CC view, wherein the CC is a center-caudal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification