Methods and apparatuses for analyzing images
First Claim
1. A method for automated analysis of textural differences present on a diagnostic medical image, said image comprising a plurality of pixels, with each pixel having a gray level assigned thereto, said method comprising:
- defining a region of interest (ROI) on said image;
performing at least one first order texture measure within said ROI to describe a frequency of occurrence of all gray levels assigned to pixels of said ROI;
performing at least one second order texture measure within said ROI to describe spatial interdependencies between the pixels of said ROI; and
classifying said ROI as belonging to a tissue pathology class based upon said first and second order texture measures obtained.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for analyzing CT images to determine the presence of pulmonary tissue pathology, such as in emphysema, IPF, sarcoid, etc. In accordance with one embodiment, a CT slice is selected to perform an automated, objective, and quantitative analysis of the slice. Initially, an image processing stage is performed, which includes segmentation and edgementation of the selected CT slice for preparation of a series of objective, quantitative measures to be performed on the slice. A region of interest (ROI) is selected on the CT slice in which these objective, quatitative measures are to be taken. The first set of objective, quantitative measures are first order texture measures that describe a frequency of occurrence of all gray levels assigned to pixels within the ROI of the image slice. The second set of objective, quantitative measures are second order texture measures that characterize the spatial interdependencies between particular pixels of the ROI. Fractal analysis could also be performed to provide additional objective, quantitative measures of the ROI. The ROI is classified to a particular tissue pathology class based upon an optimal subset of first or second order texture measures and fractal measures obtained. A color-coded output is displayed for visual presentation to a user indicating the different tissue pathology classes assigned to different regions of the CT slice.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A method for automated analysis of textural differences present on a diagnostic medical image, said image comprising a plurality of pixels, with each pixel having a gray level assigned thereto, said method comprising:
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defining a region of interest (ROI) on said image;
performing at least one first order texture measure within said ROI to describe a frequency of occurrence of all gray levels assigned to pixels of said ROI;
performing at least one second order texture measure within said ROI to describe spatial interdependencies between the pixels of said ROI; and
classifying said ROI as belonging to a tissue pathology class based upon said first and second order texture measures obtained. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for automated analysis of a diagnostic medical image, said image comprising a plurality of pixels, with each pixel having a particular gray level assigned thereto, said method comprising:
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forming pixel regions within said image by assigning a common gray level to a group of pixels which possess substantially similar gray levels;
obtaining measures from said image which describe relationships between said pixels; and
classifying areas of said image to a particular tissue pathology class based upon said texture measures obtained.
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17. An apparatus, comprising:
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image input means adapted to receive a diagnostic medical image, said image comprising a plurality of pixels, with each pixel having a particular gray level assigned thereto; and
processor means adapted to perform texture measures on a group of pixels within said image, said texture measures providing information on an occurance frequency of gray levels assigned to said group of pixels and spatial interdependencies between particular pixels of said group of pixels, said processor means being further adapted to classify said group of pixels to a tissue pathology class based upon said texture measures obtained. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method for automated analysis of textural differences present on a diagnostic medical image, said image comprising a plurality of pixels, with each pixel having a gray level assigned thereto, said method comprising:
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forming pixel regions within said image, wherein said pixels that are located adjacent one another are assigned a common gray level providing that said adjacent pixels'"'"' gray levels differ by an insignificant amount;
defining a region of interest (ROI) on said image;
performing at least one first order texture measure within said ROI to describe a frequency of occurrence of all gray levels assigned to pixels of said ROI;
performing at least one second order texture measure within said ROI to describe spatial interdependencies between the pixels of said ROI; and
classifying said ROI as belonging to a tissue pathology class based upon said first and second order texture measures obtained.
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37. A method for automated analysis of textural differences present on a diagnostic medical image of the pulmonary region, said image comprising a plurality of pixels, with each pixel having a gray level assigned thereto, said method comprising:
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defining a region of interest (ROI) on said image;
performing at least one first order texture measure within said ROI to describe a frequency of occurrence of all gray levels assigned to pixels of said ROI;
performing at least one second order texture measure within said ROI to describe spatial interdependencies between the pixels of said ROI;
centering a pixel block about each pixel of said ROI;
determining the average of absolute gray level intensity differences of each possible pixel-pair separated by a distance “
d”
within said pixel block;
assigning the pixel, about which said pixel block is centered, a stochastic fractal value based upon said average absolute gray level intensity differences obtained; and
classifying said ROI as belonging to a tissue pathology class based upon said first and second order texture measures and said stochastic fractal value obtained.
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Specification