Method and apparatus for high-resolution detection and characterization of medical pathologies
First Claim
1. Apparatus for detection and characterization of one or more medical pathologies within an object under study, comprising:
- (a) a radiation source adapted to emit radiation within a predetermined frequency range or at a predetermined frequency onto a volume within such object, said radiation source being disposed so as to be capable of radiating such object;
(b) a plurality of radiation detectors being disposed relative to such object to receive radiation scattered by said volume, said plurality of detectors being capable of providing data corresponding to the radiation received;
(c) means for controlling said radiation source and said plurality of radiation detectors to emit and receive radiation; and
(d) a device coupled to said plurality of radiation detectors and configured to construct a multidimensional field rendering of said volume using the data provided by said plurality of detectors, and to detect and characterize such one or more medical pathologies within said volume.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the construction and/or use of multidimensional fields that can be used for high-resolution detection and characterization of features within objects. The multidimensional field is constructed from data that is collected by an array of radiation detectors that substantially surround the object under study. The detected radiation is produced by an array of radiation sources and is subsequently scattered, reflected, transmitted, or diffracted by the object under study and any features within the object under study. In particular embodiments of the invention, the radiation that is used is ultrasonic radiation and the object under study is human or animal tissue or an organ. In this case, the invention permits the detection and identification of cancer by an intelligently trained evaluation system.
81 Citations
81 Claims
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1. Apparatus for detection and characterization of one or more medical pathologies within an object under study, comprising:
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(a) a radiation source adapted to emit radiation within a predetermined frequency range or at a predetermined frequency onto a volume within such object, said radiation source being disposed so as to be capable of radiating such object;
(b) a plurality of radiation detectors being disposed relative to such object to receive radiation scattered by said volume, said plurality of detectors being capable of providing data corresponding to the radiation received;
(c) means for controlling said radiation source and said plurality of radiation detectors to emit and receive radiation; and
(d) a device coupled to said plurality of radiation detectors and configured to construct a multidimensional field rendering of said volume using the data provided by said plurality of detectors, and to detect and characterize such one or more medical pathologies within said volume. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. Apparatus for detection and characterization of one or more medical pathologies within an object under study, comprising:
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(a) a plurality of ultrasound radiation sources adapted to emit ultrasound radiation within a predetermined frequency range or at a predetermined frequency onto a volume within such object, said plurality of ultrasound radiation sources being disposed so as to be capable of insonifying such object;
(b) a plurality of ultrasound radiation detectors being disposed relative to such object to receive ultrasound radiation scattered by said volume, said plurality of detectors being capable of providing data corresponding to the ultrasound radiation received;
(c) means for controlling said plurality of ultrasound radiation sources and said plurality of radiation detectors to emit and receive ultrasound radiation; and
(d) a device coupled to said plurality of ultrasound radiation detectors and configured to construct a multidimensional field rendering of said volume using the data provided by said plurality of detectors, and to detect and characterize such one or more medical pathologies within said volume.
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40. Apparatus for detection and characterization of one or more medical pathologies within an object under study, comprising:
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(a) a plurality of devices adapted both to emit radiation within a predetermined frequency range or at a predetermined frequency onto a volume within such object and to receive radiation scattered by said volume, said plurality of devices being disposed so as to be capable of insonifying such object and said plurality of devices being capable of providing data corresponding to the radiation received;
(b) means for controlling said plurality of devices; and
(c) a computational device coupled to said plurality of devices and configured to construct a multidimensional field rendering of said volume using the data provided by said plurality of devices, and to detect and characterize such one or more medical pathologies within said volume.
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41. Apparatus for detection and characterization of one or more medical pathologies within an object under study, comprising:
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(a) a plurality of devices adapted both to emit ultrasound radiation within a predetermined frequency range or at a predetermined frequency onto a volume within such object and to receive ultrasound radiation scattered by said volume, said plurality of devices being disposed so as to be capable of insonifying such object and said plurality of devices being capable of providing data corresponding to the ultrasound radiation received;
(b) means for controlling said plurality of devices; and
(c) a computational device coupled to said plurality of devices and configured to construct a multidimensional field rendering of said volume using the data provided by said plurality of devices, and to detect and characterize such one or more medical pathologies within said volume.
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42. Apparatus for detection and characterization of one or more medical pathologies within a human breast, comprising:
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(a) a plurality of ultrasound radiation sources adapted to emit ultrasound radiation within a predetermined frequency range or at a predetermined frequency onto a volume within such object, said plurality of ultrasound radiation sources being disposed so as to be capable of insonifying such object;
(b) a plurality of ultrasound radiation detectors being disposed relative to such object to receive ultrasound radiation scattered by said volume, said plurality of ultrasound radiation detectors being capable of providing data corresponding to the ultrasound radiation received;
(c) means for controlling said plurality of ultrasound radiation sources and said plurality of ultrasound radiation detectors to emit and receive ultrasound radiation; and
(d) a device coupled to said plurality of ultrasound radiation detectors and configured to construct a multidimensional field rendering of said volume using the data provided by said plurality of ultrasound radiation detectors, and to detect and characterize such one or more medical pathologies within said volume.
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43. Apparatus for detection and characterization of one or more medical pathologies within an object under study, comprising:
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(a) a radiation source adapted to emit radiation within a predetermined frequency range or at a predetermined frequency onto a volume within such object, said radiation source being disposed so as to be capable of radiating such object;
(b) at least 5,000 radiation detectors being disposed relative to such object to receive radiation scattered by said volume, said plurality of detectors being capable of providing data corresponding to the radiation received;
(c) means for controlling said radiation source and said at least 5,000 radiation detectors to emit and receive radiation; and
(d) a device coupled to said at least 5,000 radiation detectors and configured to construct a multidimensional field rendering of said volume using the data provided by said at least 5,000 radiation detectors, and to detect and characterize such one or more medical pathologies within said volume.
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44. Apparatus for detection and characterization of cancer within human or animal tissue, comprising:
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(a) a plurality of ultrasound radiation sources adapted to emit ultrasound radiation within a predetermined frequency range or at a predetermined frequency onto a volume within such object, said plurality of ultrasound radiation sources being disposed so as to be capable of insonifying such human or animal tissue;
(b) a plurality of ultrasound radiation detectors being disposed relative to such human or animal tissue to receive ultrasound radiation scattered by said volume, said plurality of ultrasound radiation detectors being capable of providing data corresponding to the ultrasound radiation received;
(c) means for controlling said plurality of ultrasound radiation sources and said plurality of ultrasound radiation detectors to emit and receive ultrasound radiation; and
(d) a device coupled to said plurality of ultrasound radiation detectors and configured to construct a multidimensional field rendering of said volume using the data provided by said plurality of ultrasound radiation detectors, and to detect and characterize such cancer within said volume. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69)
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45. Apparatus for detection and characterization of cancer within human or animal tissue, comprising:
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(a) a plurality of ultrasound radiation sources adapted to emit ultrasound radiation within a predetermined frequency range or at a predetermined frequency onto a volume within such object, said plurality of ultrasound radiation sources being disposed so as to be capable of insonifying such human or animal tissue;
(b) a plurality of ultrasound radiation detectors being disposed relative to such human or animal tissue to receive ultrasound radiation scattered by said volume said plurality of ultrasound radiation detectors being capable of providing data corresponding to the ultrasound radiation received;
(c) means for controlling said plurality of ultrasound radiation sources and said plurality of ultrasound radiation detectors to emit and receive ultrasound radiation; and
(d) an expert system coupled to said plurality of ultrasound radiation detectors and configured to construct a multidimensional field rendering of said volume, using the data provided by said plurality of ultrasound radiation detectors, and to detect and characterize such cancer within said volume.
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46. Apparatus for detection and characterization of cancer within human or animal tissue, comprising:
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(a) a plurality of ultrasound radiation sources adapted to emit ultrasound radiation within a predetermined frequency range or at a predetermined frequency onto a volume within such object, said plurality of ultrasound radiation sources being disposed so as to be capable of insonifying such human or animal tissue;
(b) a plurality of ultrasound radiation detectors being disposed relative to such human or animal tissue to receive ultrasound radiation scattered by said volume, said plurality of ultrasound radiation detectors being capable of providing data corresponding to the ultrasound radiation received;
(c) means for controlling said plurality of ultrasound radiation sources and said plurality of ultrasound radiation detectors to emit and receive ultrasound radiation; and
(d) a neural net coupled to said plurality of ultrasound radiation detectors and configured to construct a multidimensional field rendering of said volume using the data provided by said plurality of ultrasound radiation detectors, and to detect and characterize such cancer within said volume.
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47. Method for detection and characterization of one or more medical pathologies within an object under study, comprising the steps of:
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(a) irradiating, using a radiation source disposed so as to be capable of irradiating such object, upon a volume within the object under study with radiation within a predetermined frequency range or at a predetermined frequency;
(b) receiving, using a plurality of radiation detectors being disposed relative to such object, radiation scattered by said volume within the object and providing data corresponding to the radiation received;
(c) constructing a multidimensional field rendering of said volume using the data provided by said plurality of detectors; and
(d) detecting and characterizing such one or more medical pathologies within said volume using said multidimensional field rendering of said volume.
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70. Method for detection and characterization of one or more medical pathologies within an object under study, comprising the steps of:
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(a) insonifying, using a plurality of ultrasound radiation sources disposed so as to be capable of insonifying such object, upon a volume within the object under study with ultrasound radiation within a predetermined frequency range or at a predetermined frequency;
(b) receiving, using a plurality of ultrasound radiation detectors being disposed relative to such object, ultrasound radiation scattered by said volume within the object and providing data corresponding to the ultrasound radiation received;
(c) constructing a multidimensional field rendering of said volume using the data provided by said plurality of ultrasound radiation detectors; and
(d) detecting and characterizing such one or more medical pathologies within said volume using said multidimensional field rendering of said volume.
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71. Method for detection and characterization of one or more medical pathologies within an object under study, comprising the steps of:
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(a) irradiating, using a plurality of devices disposed so as to be capable of irradiating such object, upon a volume within the object under study with radiation within a predetermined frequency range or at a predetermined frequency;
(b) receiving, using such plurality of devices being disposed relative to such object, radiation scattered by said volume within the object and providing data corresponding to the radiation received;
(c) constructing a multidimensional field rendering of said volume using the data provided by said plurality of devices; and
(d) detecting and characterizing such one or more medical pathologies within said volume using said multidimensional field rendering of said volume.
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72. Method for detection and characterization of one or more medical pathologies within an object under study, comprising the steps of:
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(a) irradiating, using a radiation source disposed so as to be capable of irradiating such object, upon a volume within the object under study with radiation within a redetermined frequency range or at a predetermined frequency;
(b) receiving, using at least 5,000 radiation detectors being disposed relative to such object, radiation scattered by said volume within the object and providing data corresponding to the radiation received;
(c) constructing a multidimensional field rendering of said volume using the data provided by said at least 5,000 radiation detectors; and
(d) detecting and characterizing such one or more medical pathologies within said volume using said multidimensional field rendering of said volume.
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73. Method for detection and characterization of one or more medical pathologies within an object under study, comprising the steps of:
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(a) insonifying, using a plurality of ultrasound devices disposed so as to be capable of insonifying such object, upon a volume within the object under study with ultrasound radiation within a predetermined frequency range or at a predetermined frequency;
(b) receiving, using such plurality of ultrasound devices being disposed relative to such object, ultrasound radiation scattered by said volume within the object and providing data corresponding to the ultrasound radiation received;
(c) constructing a multidimensional field rendering of said volume using the data provided by said plurality of ultrasound devices; and
(d) detecting and characterizing such one or more medical pathologies within said volume using said multidimensional field rendering of said volume.
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74. Method for detection and characterization of one or more medical pathologies within a human breast, comprising the steps of:
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(a) insonifying, using a plurality of ultrasound radiation sources disposed so as to be capable of insonifying such human breast, upon a volume within the human breast with ultrasound radiation within a predetermined frequency range or at a predetermined frequency;
(b) receiving, using a plurality of ultrasound radiation detectors being disposed relative to such human breast, ultrasound radiation scattered by said volume within the human breast and providing data corresponding to the ultrasound radiation received;
(c) constructing a multidimensional field rendering of said volume using the data provided by said plurality of ultrasound radiation detectors; and
(d) detecting and characterizing such one or more medical pathologies within said volume using said multidimensional field rendering of said volume.
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75. Method for detection and characterization of cancer within an human or animal tissue, comprising the steps of:
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(a) insonifying, using a plurality of ultrasound radiation sources disposed so as to be capable of insonifying such human or animal tissue, upon a volume within the human or animal tissue with ultrasound radiation within a predetermined frequency range or at a predetermined frequency;
(b) receiving, using a plurality of ultrasound radiation detectors being disposed relative to such human or animal tissue, ultrasound radiation scattered by said volume within the human or animal tissue and providing data corresponding to the ultrasound radiation received;
(c) constructing a multidimensional field rendering of said volume using the data provided by said plurality of ultrasound radiation detectors; and
(d) detecting and characterizing such cancer within said volume using said multidimensional field rendering of said volume.
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76. Method for detection and characterization of cancer within an human or animal tissue, comprising the steps of:
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(a) insonifying, using a plurality of ultrasound radiation sources disposed so as to be capable of insonifying such human or animal tissue, upon a volume within the human or animal tissue with ultrasound radiation within a predetermined frequency range or at a predetermined frequency;
(b) receiving, using a plurality of ultrasound radiation detectors being disposed relative to such human or animal tissue, ultrasound radiation scattered by said volume within the human or animal tissue and providing data corresponding to the ultrasound radiation received;
(c) constructing a multidimensional field rendering of said volume using the data provided by said plurality of ultrasound radiation detectors; and
(d) detecting and characterizing such cancer within said volume using an expert system to analyze said multidimensional field rendering of said volume.
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77. Method for detection and characterization of cancer within an human or animal tissue, comprising the steps of:
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(a) insonifying, using a plurality of ultrasound radiation sources disposed so as to be capable of insonifying such human or animal tissue, upon a volume within the human or animal tissue with ultrasound radiation within a predetermined frequency range or at a predetermined frequency;
(b) receiving, using a plurality of ultrasound radiation detectors being disposed relative to such human or animal tissue, ultrasound radiation scattered by said volume within the human or animal tissue and providing data corresponding to the ultrasound radiation received;
(c) constructing a multidimensional field rendering of said volume using the data provided by said plurality of ultrasound radiation detectors; and
(d) detecting and characterizing such cancer within said volume using a neural net to analyze said multidimensional field rendering of said volume.
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78. Apparatus for detection and characterization of one or more distinct features within an object under study, comprising:
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(a) a radiation source adapted to emit radiation within a predetermined frequency range or at a predetermined frequency onto a volume within such object, said radiation source being disposed so as to be capable of radiating such object;
(b) a plurality of radiation detectors being disposed relative to such object to receive radiation scattered by said volume, said plurality of detectors being capable of providing data corresponding to the radiation received;
(c) means for controlling said radiation source and said plurality of radiation detectors to emit and receive radiation; and
(d) a device coupled to said plurality of radiation detectors and configured to construct a multidimensional field rendering of said volume using the data provided by said plurality of detectors, and to detect and characterize such one or more distinct features within said volume.
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79. Method for detection and characterization of one or more distinct features within an object under study, comprising the steps of:
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(a) irradiating, using a radiation source disposed so as to be capable of irradiating such object, upon a volume within the object under study with radiation within a predetermined frequency range or at a predetermined frequency;
(b) receiving, using a plurality of radiation detectors being disposed relative to such object, radiation scattered by said volume within the object and providing data corresponding to the radiation received;
(c) constructing a multidimensional field rendering of said volume using the data provided by said plurality of detectors; and
(d) detecting and characterizing such one or more distinct features within said volume using said multidimensional field rendering of said volume.
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80. Method for destruction of one or more medical pathologies within an object under study, comprising the steps of:
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(a) constructing or retrieving a multidimensional field rendering of a volume of an object under study;
(b) detecting and characterizing such one or more medical pathologies based on said multidimensional field rendering; and
(b) irradiating such one or more medical pathologies with high-intensity focused radiation to destroy or eliminate such one or more medical pathologies.
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81. Method for destruction of one or more distinct features within an object under study, comprising the steps of:
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(a) constructing or retrieving a multidimensional field rendering of a volume of an object under study;
(b) detecting and characterizing such one or more distinct features based on said multidimensional field rendering; and
(b) irradiating such one or more distinct features with high-intensity focused radiation to destroy or eliminate such one or more medical pathologies.
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Specification