Method and system for computer aided detection of cancer
First Claim
1. A computerised method of analysing a medical image to detect the presence of a cancer having a radiographic density close to the radiographic density of normal tissue, the method including the steps of:
- a. processing the image so as to obtain feature measurements for plural features of different pixel neighbourhoods within a region of the image, each pixel neighbourhood including a pixel having a local minimum intensity value;
b. using the feature measurements to classify each pixel neighbourhood as one of plural neighbourhood categories;
c. processing classification information for each neighbourhood category to thereby calculate parameters for the region; and
d. using at least one of the region parameters to predict the presence of a cancer.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computerised method is described for analysing a medical image to detect the presence of a cancer having a radiographic density close to the radiographic density of normal tissue. The method includes processing the image so as to obtain feature measurements for plural features of different pixel neighbourhoods within a region of the image, each pixel neighbourhood including a pixel having a local minimum intensity value. The feature measurements are used to classify each pixel neighbourhood as one of plural neighbourhood categories. Classification information for each neighbourhood category is then processed to thereby calculate parameters for the region. At least one of the region parameters are used to predict the presence of a cancer.
-
Citations
40 Claims
-
1. A computerised method of analysing a medical image to detect the presence of a cancer having a radiographic density close to the radiographic density of normal tissue, the method including the steps of:
-
a. processing the image so as to obtain feature measurements for plural features of different pixel neighbourhoods within a region of the image, each pixel neighbourhood including a pixel having a local minimum intensity value;
b. using the feature measurements to classify each pixel neighbourhood as one of plural neighbourhood categories;
c. processing classification information for each neighbourhood category to thereby calculate parameters for the region; and
d. using at least one of the region parameters to predict the presence of a cancer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 37)
-
-
6. A computerised method of analysing a medical image to detect the presence of a cancer having a radiographic density close to the radiographic density of normal tissue, the method including the steps of:
-
a. pre-processing the image to select a region, the region including a plurality of pixels, each pixel having an intensity value;
b. identifying pixels in the region having a local minimum intensity value;
c. for each identified pixel having a local minimum intensity value, identifying an associated pixel neighbourhood;
d. for each identified neighbourhood;
i. obtaining measurements for plural features of the neighbourhood; and
ii. using the feature measurements to classify the neighbourhood, thereby providing neighbourhood classification information;
e. processing the neighbourhood classification information to calculate parameters for the region; and
f. using at least one of the region parameters to predict the presence of a cancer. - View Dependent Claims (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, 38)
-
-
36. A computerised method of analysing a digital mammogram to detect the presence of an invasive lobular carcinoma in human breast tissue, the method including the steps of:
-
a. processing an image file for the digital mammogram so as to obtain feature measurements for plural features of different pixel neighbourhoods within a region of the digital mammogram, each pixel neighbourhood including a pixel having a local minimum intensity value;
b. using the feature measurements to classify each pixel neighbourhood as one of plural neighbourhood categories;
c. processing classification information for each neighbourhood category to thereby calculate parameters for the region; and
d. using at least one of the region parameters to predict the presence of an invasive lobular carcinoma. - View Dependent Claims (39)
-
-
40. A system for analysing a medical image to detect the presence of a cancer having a radiographic density close to close to the radiographic density of normal tissue, the system including:
-
a. a programmable computer;
b. computer software installed onto the programmed computer, the computer software enabling the programmed computer to;
process the image so as to obtain feature measurements for plural features of different pixel neighbourhoods within a region of the image, each pixel neighbourhood including a pixel having a local minimum intensity value;
use the feature measurements to classify each pixel neighbourhood as one of plural neighbourhood categories;
process classification information for each neighbourhood category to thereby calculate parameters for the region; and
use at least one of the region parameters to predict the presence of a cancer.
-
Specification