Method for virtual endoscopic visualization of the colon by shape-scale signatures, centerlining, and computerized detection of masses
First Claim
1. A method of displaying volumetric image data of a target organ as a visual aid in detecting at least one abnormality in the target organ, comprising:
- obtaining the volumetric image data of the target organ, the volumetric image data including a plurality of voxels having a respective plurality of image data values;
determining at least two geometric feature values at each voxel in the plurality of voxels based on the plurality of image data values;
determining a colormap by assigning a color to each possible combination of the at least two geometric feature values, wherein each assigned color corresponds to a different region type within the target organ;
determining a display color for each voxel in the plurality of voxels based on the determined colormap; and
displaying, based on the determined display color for each voxel in the plurality of voxels, a color image representing the volumetric image data of the target organ.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A visualization method and system for virtual endoscopic examination of CT colonographic data by use of shape-scale analysis. The method provides each colonic structure of interest with a unique color, thereby facilitating rapid diagnosis of the colon. Two shape features, called the local shape index and curvedness, are used for defining the shape-scale spectrum. The shape index and curvedness values within CT colonographic data are mapped to the shape-scale spectrum in which specific types of colonic structures are represented by unique characteristic signatures in the spectrum. The characteristic signatures of specific types of lesions can be determined by use of computer-simulated lesions or by use of clinical data sets subjected to a computerized detection scheme. The signatures are used for defining a 2-D color map by assignment of a unique color to each signature region.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method of displaying volumetric image data of a target organ as a visual aid in detecting at least one abnormality in the target organ, comprising:
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obtaining the volumetric image data of the target organ, the volumetric image data including a plurality of voxels having a respective plurality of image data values;
determining at least two geometric feature values at each voxel in the plurality of voxels based on the plurality of image data values;
determining a colormap by assigning a color to each possible combination of the at least two geometric feature values, wherein each assigned color corresponds to a different region type within the target organ;
determining a display color for each voxel in the plurality of voxels based on the determined colormap; and
displaying, based on the determined display color for each voxel in the plurality of voxels, a color image representing the volumetric image data of the target organ. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for displaying volumetric image data of a target organ as a visual aid in detecting at least one abnormality in the target organ, comprising:
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a mechanism for obtaining the volumetric image data of the target organ, the volumetric image data including a plurality of voxels having a respective plurality of image data values;
a mechanism for determining at least two geometric feature values at each voxel in the plurality of voxels based on the plurality of image data values;
a mechanism for determining a colormap by assigning a color to each possible combination of the at least two geometric feature values, wherein each assigned color corresponds to a different region type within the target organ;
a mechanism for determining a display color for each voxel in the plurality of voxels based on the determined colormap; and
a mechanism for displaying, based on the determined display color for each voxel in the plurality of voxels, a color image representing the volumetric image data of the target organ. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system for displaying volumetric image data of a target organ as a visual aid in detecting at least one abnormality in the target organ, comprising:
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an image acquisition unit configured to obtain the volumetric image data of the target organ, the volumetric image data including a plurality of voxels having a respective plurality of image data values;
a processor configured (1) to determine at least two geometric feature values at each voxel in the plurality of voxels based on the plurality of image data values, (2) to determine a colormap by assigning a color to each possible combination of the at least two geometric feature values, wherein each assigned color corresponds to a different region type within the target organ, and (3) to determine a display color for each voxel in the plurality of voxels based on the determined colormap; and
a display unit configured to display a color image representing the volumetric image data of the target organ, based on the determined display color for each voxel in the plurality of voxels.
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23. A computer program product configured to store plural computer program instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer perform the steps of:
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obtaining the volumetric image data of the target organ, the volumetric image data including a plurality of voxels having a respective plurality of image data values;
determining at least two geometric feature values at each voxel in the plurality of voxels based on the plurality of image data values;
determining a colormap by assigning a color to each possible combination of the at least two geometric feature values, wherein each assigned color corresponds to a different region type within the target organ;
determining a display color for each voxel in the plurality of voxels based on the determined colormap; and
displaying, based on the determined display color for each voxel in the plurality of voxels, a color image representing the volumetric image data of the target organ. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification