Medical imaging method and system
First Claim
1. A method for computerized analysis of particular color changes of specific clinical nature for all types of medical analysis pertaining to color, present in one image originating from at least one lesion in human body tissue, comprising:
- a) placing a matching reference label having a plurality of reference colors, in the vicinity of every analyzed lesion, said reference label having a window cut in it and placed so as to surround the corresponding lesion size and shape associated with an area of interest (AOI) therein;
b) capturing a color image including every analyzed lesion and the corresponding reference label along with human tissue encompassing said reference label, wherein said image is a digital image or is converted into a digital image;
c) performing color calibration of the image using the LAB color system, said calibration comprising reading the color intensity value of at least one reference color from the reference label in the image, comparing said value to the true predetermined color intensity value of said reference color, and optionally correcting the digital data of the image in at least one channel within the LAB color system, for color distortion;
d) selecting the borders of said AOI within the image;
c) calculating the intensity and distribution of color within said area of interest in relation to said reference label using at least one channel of the LAB system, to give at least one color information attribute within a clinically relevant range; and
f) displaying said at least one color information attribute upon display means;
wherein at least steps (c) and (e) are performed by a processing means allowing color calibration and allowing calculation and display of said at least one color information attribute.
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Abstract
A computerized method and system for detection and quantification of changes in color on skin or internal tissue or organs within the human body. Digital images of the skin or tissue containing an area of interest are analyzed using the software of the invention, based on at least one channel of the LAB color system. The invention calculates the intensity and distribution of color present within the predetermined area of interest, and results in display of at least one color information attribute. The invention allows color calibration of the image to be performed in relation to a reference label having predetermined colors which surrounds the area of interest, prior to the analysis. The invention allows a threshold analysis to be performed, which graphically depicts the size and location of areas exhibiting significant change in color, which is a determinant factor in medical diagnosis.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for computerized analysis of particular color changes of specific clinical nature for all types of medical analysis pertaining to color, present in one image originating from at least one lesion in human body tissue, comprising:
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a) placing a matching reference label having a plurality of reference colors, in the vicinity of every analyzed lesion, said reference label having a window cut in it and placed so as to surround the corresponding lesion size and shape associated with an area of interest (AOI) therein; b) capturing a color image including every analyzed lesion and the corresponding reference label along with human tissue encompassing said reference label, wherein said image is a digital image or is converted into a digital image; c) performing color calibration of the image using the LAB color system, said calibration comprising reading the color intensity value of at least one reference color from the reference label in the image, comparing said value to the true predetermined color intensity value of said reference color, and optionally correcting the digital data of the image in at least one channel within the LAB color system, for color distortion; d) selecting the borders of said AOI within the image; c) calculating the intensity and distribution of color within said area of interest in relation to said reference label using at least one channel of the LAB system, to give at least one color information attribute within a clinically relevant range; and f) displaying said at least one color information attribute upon display means; wherein at least steps (c) and (e) are performed by a processing means allowing color calibration and allowing calculation and display of said at least one color information attribute. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 21, 22)
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14. A system for computerized analysis of particular color changes of specific clinical nature for all types of medical analysis pertaining to color present in one image originating from at least one lesion in human body tissue, comprising:
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a. a digital camera, or scanning means for converting image information into digital image information; b. a reference label having a plurality of reference colors, said reference label having a window cut in it and being placed so as to surround an area of interest (AOI) in said lesion image, wherein said lesion image includes human tissue encompassing said reference label; c. calculation means for calculating the size and shape of said lesion; and d. processing means comprising a memory device, a driver and display means, wherein said processing means is in communication with said memory device, and is configured to; i. perform color calibration of the image using the LAB color system, said calibration comprising reading the color intensity value of at least one reference color from the reference label in the image, comparing said value to the true predetermined color intensity value of said reference color, and optionally correcting the digital data of the image in at least one channel within the LAB color system, for color distortion; ii. calculate the intensity and distribution of color within an area of interest using at least one channel of the LAB system, to give at least one color information attribute within a clinically relevant range; and iii. display said at least one color information attribute upon said display means. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising software capable of:
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a) performing color calibration of an image using the LAB color system, said calibration comprising reading the color intensity value of at least one reference color from a reference label present in an image, comparing said value to the true predetermined color intensity value of said reference color, and optionally correcting the digital data of the image in at least one channel within the LAB color system, for color distortion; b) calculating the intensity and distribution of color within a predetermined area of interest (AOI) within said image, wherein said reference label has a window cut in it and is placed so as to surround said AOI so that said reference label is in close proximity to said image, using at least one channel of the LAB system, to give at least one color information attribute within a clinically relevant range, wherein said image includes a region encompassing said reference label; and c) directing display of said at least one color information attribute upon display means. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification