Computer-aided method for image feature analysis and diagnosis in mammography
First Claim
1. A method for automated detection in mammography of an abnormal anatomic region, comprising:
- obtaining a digital image of an object including said anatomic region;
processing said digital image to identify in said digital image locations which correspond to potential abnormal regions;
determining an edge gradient for each of the locations identified in said processing step;
comparing each edge gradient with at least one threshold, comprising comparing each edge gradient with a predetermined number; and
eliminating locations identified in said processing step from consideration as an abnormal region based on a result of said comparing step, comprising eliminating those regions having an edge gradient exceeding said predetermined number.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for automated detection of abnormal anatomic regions, wherein a mammogram is digitized to produce a digital image and the digital image is processed using local edge gradient analysis and linear pattern analysis in addition to feature extraction routines to identify abnormal anatomic regions. Noise reduction filtering and pit-filling/spike-removal filtering techniques are also provided. Multiple difference imaging techniques are also used in which difference images employing different filter characteristics are obtained and processing results logically OR'"'"'ed to identify abnormal anatomic regions. In another embodiment the processing results with and without noise reduction filtering are logically AND'"'"'ed to improve detection sensitivity. Also, in another embodiment the wavelet transform is utilized in the identification and detection of abnormal regions. The wavelet transform is preferably used in conjunction with the difference imaging technique with the results of the two techniques being logically OR'"'"'ed.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. A method for automated detection in mammography of an abnormal anatomic region, comprising:
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obtaining a digital image of an object including said anatomic region; processing said digital image to identify in said digital image locations which correspond to potential abnormal regions; determining an edge gradient for each of the locations identified in said processing step; comparing each edge gradient with at least one threshold, comprising comparing each edge gradient with a predetermined number; and eliminating locations identified in said processing step from consideration as an abnormal region based on a result of said comparing step, comprising eliminating those regions having an edge gradient exceeding said predetermined number. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for automated detection in mammography of an abnormal anatomic region, comprising:
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obtaining a digital image of an object including said anatomic region; processing said digital image to identify in said digital image locations which correspond to potential abnormal regions; determining a degree of linearity for each of the locations identified in said processing step; comparing the determined degree of linearity for each location with a predetermined linearity threshold; and elimination locations having a degree of linearity exceeding said linearity threshold from consideration as an abnormal region. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A method for automated detection of an abnormal anatomic region, comprising:
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obtaining a digital image of an object including said anatomic region; first filtering said digital image using a first set of filters having a first transfer function to produce a first difference image based on a difference between a signal-enhanced and a signal suppressed image of said digital image; second filtering said digital image using a second set of filters having a second transfer function different from said first transfer function to produce a second difference image based on a difference between a signal-enhanced and a signal suppressed image of said digital image; processing said first difference image to identify in said first difference image first locations which correspond to potential abnormal regions; processing said second difference image to identify in said second difference image second locations which correspond to potential abnormal regions; logically OR'"'"'ing the first and second locations to identify as candidate abnormal regions all those first and second locations which are separated by a predetermined distance or more; and
,processing the candidate abnormal regions to identify abnormal regions from among said candidate abnormal regions. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification