Computer-aided detection system utilizing temporal analysis as a precursor to spatial analysis
First Claim
1. A method for computer-aided detection in a four-dimensional series of medical images, the method comprising the following steps:
- (a) accessing from a memory a series of three dimensional medical images of a region of interest over a period of time, at least one set in the series being taken before administration of a contrast agent and a plurality of sets taken after the administration of a contrast agent to produce a four dimensional image;
(b) performing a temporal analysis using a processing unit to characterize each voxel in the four dimensional image, wherein the performing a temporal analysis step includes the steps of accessing at least one stored curve representative of a known tissue type, comparing the intensity over time at the voxel to the at least one curve, and classifying tissue based on the probability that the tissue at the voxel is the type represented by the curve; and
(c) performing a spatial analysis influenced by the temporal characterizations using the processing unit to segment the voxels into tissue types.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer-aided detection system for evaluating tissue based on a series of timed images acquired both before and after a contrast agent is administered performs a temporal analysis of the tissue and then a spatial analysis in which the tissue is categorized. After the temporal and spatial analysis is performed, the results can be displayed. The displayed results can include both tissue characterization results, underlying curves used to determine the characterization, and confidence data regarding how good the characterization is expected to be. The confidence data can be provided, for example, by using variations in color schemes, displaying numerical confidence levels, or providing graphical features such as piecewise linear models.
-
Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A method for computer-aided detection in a four-dimensional series of medical images, the method comprising the following steps:
-
(a) accessing from a memory a series of three dimensional medical images of a region of interest over a period of time, at least one set in the series being taken before administration of a contrast agent and a plurality of sets taken after the administration of a contrast agent to produce a four dimensional image; (b) performing a temporal analysis using a processing unit to characterize each voxel in the four dimensional image, wherein the performing a temporal analysis step includes the steps of accessing at least one stored curve representative of a known tissue type, comparing the intensity over time at the voxel to the at least one curve, and classifying tissue based on the probability that the tissue at the voxel is the type represented by the curve; and (c) performing a spatial analysis influenced by the temporal characterizations using the processing unit to segment the voxels into tissue types. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A method for computer-aided detection in a four-dimensional series of medical images, the method comprising the following steps:
-
(a) accessing from a memory a series of three dimensional medical images of a region of interest over a period of time, at least one set in the series being taken before administration of a contrast agent and a plurality of sets taken after the administration of a contrast agent to produce a four dimensional image; (b) performing a temporal analysis using a processing unit to characterize each voxel in the four dimensional image; (c) performing a spatial analysis influenced by the temporal characterizations using the processing unit to segment the voxels into tissue types, wherein the performing a spatial analysis step further comprises assigning a visual designator to each voxel based on at least one of the tissue type and a probability of belonging to a given tissue type. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A method for computer-aided detection in a four-dimensional series of medical images, the method comprising the following steps:
-
(a) accessing from a memory a series of three dimensional medical images of a region of interest over a period of time, at least one set in the series being taken before administration of a contrast agent and a plurality of sets taken after the administration of a contrast agent to produce a four dimensional image; (b) selecting a first scale space for processing the images and, for each of the images in the series; (c) performing a temporal analysis using a processing unit to characterize each voxel in the four dimensional image (d) performing a spatial analysis based on the temporal characterization using a processing unit to segment the voxels into at least one tissue type; (e) selecting a new scale space and repeating steps (c-d) over a range of scale spaces, and further comprising the steps of identifying voxels of interest based on the analysis in steps (c) and (d) to perform at least one of the steps of localizing the spatial analysis in step (d), adjusting the region of interest for the next scale space level, and limiting a display to at least one selected tissue type. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
-
-
17. A method of computer-aided detection in a four-dimensional series of medical images, the method comprising the following steps:
-
(a) accessing from a memory a series of three dimensional medical images of a region of interest over a period of time, at least one set in the series being taken before administration of a contrast agent and a plurality of sets taken after the administration of a contrast agent to produce a four dimensional image; (b) selecting a first scale space for processing the images and, for each of the images in the series; (c) performing a temporal analysis using a processing unit to characterize each voxel in the four dimensional image; (d) performing a spatial analysis based on the temporal characterization using the processing unit to segment the voxels into at least one tissue type; and (e) selecting a new scale space and repeating steps (c-d) over a range of scale spaces; wherein the step of performing a temporal analysis comprises applying a curve-fitting analysis by accessing at least one stored curve representative of a known tissue type, comparing the intensity over time at the voxel to the at least one curve, and classifying tissue based on the probability that the tissue at the voxel is the type represented by the curve.
-
Specification