Computer-aided diagnosis method and system

• US 6,266,435 B1
• Filed: 10/27/1998
• Issued: 07/24/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Shih-Ping Wang
• Original Assignee: Shih-Ping Wang
• Inventors: Wang, Shih-Ping
• Primary Examiner(s): Johns, Andrew W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Azarian, Seyed H.
• Application Number:
  US09/179,205
• Time in Patent Office: 1,001 Days
• Field of Search: 382/132, 382/133, 382/131, 382/130, 382/128, 378/28, 378/37, 128/922
• US Class Current: 382/132
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10116 X-ray image
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30068 Mammography; Breast
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 5/50 using two or more images, e.g. averaging or subtraction
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/0012 Biomedical image inspection
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 2201/032 of protuberances, polyps nodules, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 15/00 ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/40 for processing medical images, e.g. editing
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems
• CPC Class Codes: H05G 1/60 Circuit arrangements for obtaining a series of X-ray photographs or for X-ray cinematography

Abstract

A computer-aided diagnostic (CAD) method and system provide image annotation information that can include an assessment of the probability, likelihood or predictive value of the CAD-detected suspected abnormalities as an additional aid to the radiologist. More specifically, probability values, in numerical form and/or analog form, are added to the locational markers of the CAD-detected suspected abnormalities. The task of a physician using a CAD system is believed to be made easier by displaying two different markers representing different probability thresholds. An additional threshold can be used to display “extra view markers” as an additional aid or guide to the radiologic technician to take extra views of a patient before the patient is released or discharged. A control device is added to allow the user to select and vary the probability threshold for the display of locational markers.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

processing a mammogram in digital form to detect suspected abnormalities;

creating an annotated map of suspected abnormalities detected in said processing;

wherein said map shows both locations of suspected abnormalities and values related to confidence levels that suspected abnormalities are true abnormalities;

said confidence levels being user selectable; and

displaying both the mammogram and the annotation map to a user.

2. A method as in claim 1 comprising supplying an x-ray film mammogram and digitizing the film mammogram to thereby generate the mammogram in digital form that is processed in said processing.

3. A method as in claim 1 in which said processing includes converting said digital mammogram from one digital format to another digital format.

4. A method as in claim 1 including selecting a first threshold of said confidence level and using a first notation to show suspected abnormalities in said map detected in accordance with the first threshold.

5. A method as in claim 4 including selecting an additional, second threshold of said confidence levels, different from the first threshold, and using a second notation, different from said first notation, to show suspected abnormalities detected in accordance with the second threshold.

6. A method as in claim 5 including selecting a third threshold, different from said first and second thresholds, and using a third notation, different from said first and second notations, to show suspected abnormalities detected in accordance with the third threshold.

7. A method as in claim 1 in which said map shows said values related to confidence levels as numerical values.

8. A method as in claim 1 in which said map shows said values related to confidence levels as different colors for different ranges of values.

9. A method as in claim 1 in which said map shows said values related to confidence levels as location markers that are differently sized in accordance with said values.

10. A method as in claim 1 in which said displaying comprises displaying a mammogram at a lightbox and displaying an annotated map corresponding thereto at a monitor below and adjacent the mammogram.

11. A method as in claim 10 in which said displaying comprises displaying a reduced size version of the mammogram superimposed and registered with said map at said monitor.

12. A method as in claim 1 in which said displaying comprises displaying said mammogram in digital form at a monitor and displaying said annotated map on the same monitor, at a location spaced from a display of a breast in said mammogram.

13. A method as in claim 1 including printing a film version of said mammogram in digital form and of said annotated map, wherein said displaying comprises displaying said film version at a lightbox, with said annotated map spaced from a display of a breast in said film mammogram.

14. A system comprising:

a source of a mammogram in digital form;

a processor processing said mammogram digitally to detect suspected abnormalities therein;

said processor creating as a result of said processing an annotated map showing both locations of suspected abnormalities and values related to a likelihood that the abnormalities are true abnormalities;

a display coupled with said processor to display both the image of a breast represented in said mammogram and said annotation map.