Use of computer-aided detection system outputs in clinical practice

• US 6,970,587 B1
• Filed: 09/29/2003
• Issued: 11/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: iCAD Incorporated
• Original Assignee: iCAD Incorporated
• Inventors: Rogers, Steven K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johns, Andrew W.
• Application Number:
  US10/674,232
• Time in Patent Office: 792 Days
• Field of Search: 382/128, 382/132, 382/309, 382/311, 128/920, 128/922, 378/37, 706/924
• US Class Current: 382/132
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30068 Mammography; Breast
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/0012 Biomedical image inspection
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/922 including image analysis

Abstract

The present invention provides for the use of computer-aided detection (CAD) system output displays for providing accurate representations of areas for subsequent exams. Since the CAD output, unlike the original medical imagery, is not used during the initial reading, the radiologist does not mark it until a final determination is reached regarding subsequent procedures. Additionally, since the CAD output contains versions of the original imagery, the regions indicated by the radiologist are shown in the context of the particular anatomical detail for the given patient. This detail assists the technologist in more efficiently and accurately locating the exact area for subsequent exams.

Claims

1. A method of providing information for an imaging procedure comprising:

providing digital data corresponding to at least one medical image;

performing a CAD analysis of the digital data;

providing an output from the CAD analysis identifying potential regions of interest related to an abnormal medical condition; and

modifying the output from the CAD analysis with input from a human observer to produce a modified CAD output, the modified CAD output including at least one identified potential region of interest indicated in the context of anatomical detail of the at least one medical image.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the modified CAD output is provided to a location remote from the human observer.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the modified CAD output is a paper file.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the modified CAD output is an electronic storage file.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the input from a human observer to produce the modified CAD output comprises adding additional potential regions of interest to the output provided from the CAD analysis.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the input from the human observer to produce the modified CAD output comprises removing potential regions of interest from the output provided from the CAD analysis.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the modified CAD output is accessed to provide a user with information for performing a medical imaging operation to provide additional information related to the at least one identified potential region of interest.

8. The method of claim 1 including the step of displaying the modified CAD output to a patient.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the modified CAD output comprises a low resolution image output of anatomical detail from a medical image.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of modifying the output from the CAD analysis comprises the human observer annotating the output from the CAD analysis.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of annotating the output of the CAD analysis is performed through a graphical interface.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of annotating the output of the CAD analysis comprises touching an area to highlight on a touch screen monitor.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein information for annotating the output of the CAD analysis is provided through a pull-down menu on a monitor displaying the output of the CAD analysis.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the output of the CAD analysis and the modified CAD output are stored in a network database.

15. A method of providing information for an imaging procedure comprising:

providing digital data corresponding to at least one medical image;

performing a CAD analysis of the digital data;

providing an output from the CAD analysis identifying potential regions of interest related to an abnormal medical condition and storing the output of the CAD analysis on a network database; and

displaying the output from the CAD analysis on graphical interface and modifying the output from the CAD analysis with input from a human observer to produce a modified CAD output which is stored on the network database, the modified CAD output including at least one identified potential region of interest indicated in the context of anatomical detail of the at least one medical image.

16. The method of claim 15 including the step of accessing the database to perform a step of performing a medical imaging operation to provide additional information related to the at least one identified potential region of interest.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of accessing the database is performed at a location remote from the location for performing the step of modifying the output from the CAD analysis.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of modifying the output from the CAD analysis comprises the human observer annotating the output from the CAD analysis.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of annotating the output of the CAD analysis comprises touching an area to highlight on a touch screen monitor.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein information for annotating the output of the CAD analysis is provided through a pull-down menu on a monitor displaying the output of the CAD analysis.

21. A method of providing information for an imaging procedure comprising:

providing digital data corresponding to at least one medical image;

performing a CAD analysis of the digital data;

providing an output from the CAD analysis;

annotating the output from the CAD analysis with input from a human observer to produce an annotated CAD output;

storing the annotated CAD output; and

referring to the annotated CAD output prior to performing an imaging procedure.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of annotating is accomplished with a graphical user interface.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of annotating is accomplished by recording spoken comments of the observer.