Novel subtraction technique for computerized detection of small lung nodules in computer tomography images
First Claim
1. A method for computerized detection of lung nodules in CT section images, comprising the following steps:
- warping a first CT section image to match a second CT section image;
warping a third CT section image to match the second CT section image;
creating a mask image by linear interpolation of the warped first CT section image and the warped third CT section image;
subtracting the mask image from the second CT section image to from a subtraction image; and
detecting small lung nodules based on the subtraction image.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method, system, computer readable medium and apparatus for computerized detection of lung nodules in computer tomography images, by which mask images are created such that subtractions of the mask image from a targeted CT section image reveal or highlight small lung nodules in the target CT section. The mask image is created utilizing the targeted CT section image along with other CT section images generated from the same CT scan. Based on these other section CT images and the targeted CT section image, a mask image can be created that is very similar to the target CT section image, but without the presence of small lung nodules. When the mask image is subtracted from the targeted CT section image, the differences between the mask images and the CT section images reveal small lung nodules. The mask image may be created by linear interpolation or a morphological filtered image.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for computerized detection of lung nodules in CT section images, comprising the following steps:
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warping a first CT section image to match a second CT section image;
warping a third CT section image to match the second CT section image;
creating a mask image by linear interpolation of the warped first CT section image and the warped third CT section image;
subtracting the mask image from the second CT section image to from a subtraction image; and
detecting small lung nodules based on the subtraction image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13)
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7. A method for computerized detection of small lung nodules in CT section images, comprising the following steps:
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creating a morphological filtered image from at least first, second, and third CT section images;
creating a mask image from the morphological filtered image;
subtracting the mask image from the second CT section image to form a subtraction image; and
detecting small lung nodules based on the subtraction image. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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14. An apparatus arranged computerized detection of lung nodules in CT section images comprising:
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a means for warping a first CT section image to match a second CT section image;
a means for warping a third CT section image to match the second CT section image;
a means for creating a mask image by linear interpolation of the warped first CT section image and the warped third CT section image; and
a means for subtracting the mask image from the second CT section image.
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Specification