Automated Neuroaxis (Brain and Spine) Imaging with Iterative Scan Prescriptions, Analysis, Reconstructions, Labeling, Surface Localization and Guided Intervention

• US 20110123078A9
• Filed: 09/11/2006
• Published: 05/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABSIST, LLC
• Original Assignee: Absist Ltd.
• Inventors: Weiss, Kenneth, Storrs, Judd
• Granted Patent: US 8,014,575 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/131
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0036 including treatment, e.g., using an implantable medical device, ablating, ventilating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0042 for the brain
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0263 using NMR
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/00 Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles locks for vehicles E05B77/00-E05B85/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10016 Video; Image sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10072 Tomographic images
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10081 Computed x-ray tomography [CT]
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10088 Magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/20101 Interactive definition of point of interest, landmark or seed
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/20221 Image fusion; Image merging
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30004 Biomedical image processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30012 Spine; Backbone
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30016 Brain
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/0012 Biomedical image inspection
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/11 Region-based segmentation
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 2201/033 of skeletal patterns
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/40 for processing medical images, e.g. editing
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 70/60 relating to pathologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/40273 the transportation system being a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24 : Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24744 : Longitudinal or transverse tubular cavity or cell

Abstract

Automated spine localizing, numbering and autoprescription system enhances correct location of diseased or injured tissue, even allow multi-spectral diagnosis. Externally located this tissue is facilitated by an integrated self adhesive spatial reference and skin marking system that is designed for a variety of modalities to include MRI, CT, SPECT, PET, planar nuclear imaging, radiography, XRT, thermography, optical imaging and 3D space tracking. The device ranges from a point localizer to a more multifunctional and complex grid/phantom system. The specially designed spatial reference(s) is affixed to an adhesive strip with corresponding markings so that after applying the unit to the skin/surface and imaging, the reference can be removed leaving the skin appropriately marked. The localizer itself can also directly adhere to the skin after being detached from the underlying strip. A spine autoprescription process performs image analysis that is able to identify vertebrae and discs even in the presence of abnormalities.

Claims

1. An apparatus for identifying and labeling spinal structures in a medical diagnostic image of a patient, comprising:

a memory configured to receive the medical diagnostic images;

a program stored in the memory and operatively configured to detect a plurality of voxels in the image as candidate spinal structures, to apply at least one spinal structure constraint to identify a subset of the plurality of voxels as a series of spinal structures, and to label the series of spinal structures as a selected specified one of a cervical, thoracic, lumbar vertebral structures; and

a processor in communication with the memory to perform the program.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the program is further operatively configured to identify a selected seed vertebral structure and to identify adjacent vertebral structures by locating a longest chain of voxels and analyzing spacing and quantity of voxels in the longest chain.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the program is further configured to define putative spine structures by defining a search region, applying intensity thresholds, applying additional disc constraints, and identifying the longest chains.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the program is further configured to combine data and then search along a reconstructed path neighborhood for local maxima.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the program is further configured to make a determination whether twenty three spinal discs have been selected, and if not to search for an additional discs based on estimated interdisc distance for each level.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the program is further configured to search for an additional disc by extending a line from the longest chain and analyze for an additional disc.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the program is further configured to search for additional discs by extending the search line, drawing additional parallel lines to the extended line and analyze for additional discs.

8. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the program is further configured to search for an additional disc by analyzing an elongate space between adjacent discs and analyze for an additional disc by adjusting a search constraint.

9. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the program is further configured to apply optimized Gaussian filters to the search part.

10. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the program is further configured to search for auto-prescribed additional imaging planes and sequences.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the program is further configured to analyze a selected spinal structure to diagnose osteoporosis.

12. A method for performing a medical diagnostic imaging scan of a patient, comprising:

placing a longitudinally unique opaque spinal coil on external to a spine of a patient;

performing a scout scan;

identifying and labeling on diagnostic scans each vertebral body of the spin;

autoprescribing a portion proximate to a vertebral body for a detailed scan;

identifying a unique longitudinal position of the spinal coil proximate to a surgical site contained within the autoprescribed portion; and

inserting a therapeutic instrument localized by the spinal coil to the surgical site.