Multi-modal imaging system and workstation with support for structured hypothesis testing

• US 8,862,201 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2008
• Issued: 10/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Inventors: Zagorchev, Lyubomir, Buckler, Andrew, Jean, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Jung, Unsu
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mohammed, Shahdeep
• Application Number:
  US12/195,627
• Publication Number:
  US 20090043172A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,245 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 600/407
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/40 Animals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0035 adapted for acquisition of images from more than one imaging mode, e.g. combining MRI and optical tomography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4821 Determining level or depth of anaesthesia A61B5/1106 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/032 Transmission computed tomography [CT]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/0421 with immobilising means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/0442 made of non-metallic materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/467 characterised by special input means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/508 for non-human patients
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/5247 combining images from an ionising-radiation diagnostic technique and a non-ionising radiation diagnostic technique, e.g. X-ray and ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS

Abstract

Investigation of in vivo models of disease requires imaging studies involving single subjects in single imaging sessions, serial imaging of individuals or groups of subjects, and integration of data across diverse and heterogeneous experimental methodologies. Each type of experiment is preferably supported by various feature sets that can be rigorously applied to produce quantitative, reproducible results. Current imaging scanners are not equipped with standardized capability that supports an automated and scientifically rigorous workflow suited to hypothesis testing. An imaging system includes a research workstation at which a user can design, execute, study, and report imaging plans. Flexibility that comes along with a modular design of the system allows the user to customize workflow parameters for more robust hypothesis testing.

Claims

1. An in-vivo imaging system comprising:

an animal capsule which includes;

an animal bed configured to receive an animal subject;

physiological sensors;

heaters;

anesthesia cones;

a single cover which covers the animal bed, the physiological sensors, the heaters, and the anesthesia cones; and

a mechanical interface;

a first imaging scanner configured to receive the animal capsule and acquire in-vivo imaging data concurrently of the animal subjects located in the animal capsule and in an imaging region of the first imaging scanner;

a second imaging scanner that is mobile relative to the first imaging scanner, the second imaging scanner being positionable by a user and configured to receive the animal capsule and acquire in-vivo imaging data of the animal subjects located in the animal capsule concurrently;

one or more computers programmed to reconstruct the acquired in-vivo imaging data from the first and second imaging scanners into image representations of the animal subject located in the animal capsule;

a preparation station at which the animal subject is prepared for and recovers from imaging in the first and second imaging scanners, the preparation station and the first and second imaging scanners each having a uniform docking port to which the mechanical interface of the animal capsule is docked during preparation, imaging, and recovery;

a display on which vital signs of the animal subject in the preparation station and the first and second imaging scanners are displayed;

a research workstation including;

an electronic interface which receives the image representations of the animal subject located in the animal capsule,

a memory which stores at least one study which tests a hypothesis related to the image representations of the animal subject located in the animal capsule, and

the one or more computers are further programmed to;

create a new study to test a hypothesis related to the image representation of the animal subject located in the animal capsule, or

modify an existing study to test the hypothesis related to image representations of the animal subject located in the animal capsule.

2. The in-vivo imaging system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the one or more computers are further programmed to specify a relationship between imaging and computational methods.

3. The in-vivo imaging system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the one or more computers are further programmed to store indexing settings, data handling settings, control settings, and option settings for later recollection.

4. The in-vivo imaging system as set forth in claim 1, further including:

a touch screen located on one of the imaging scanners through which the user interfaces with the research workstation.

5. The in-vivo imaging system as set forth in claim 4, further including:

a scanner controller that controls local scanner functionalities, keeps track of the studies defined for the scanner, and provides input from the touch screen of the scanner to the research workstation.

6. The in-vivo imaging system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the one or more computers are further programmed to:

calculate a Bayesian confidence measure of the tested hypothesis.

7. The in-vivo imaging system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the one or more computers are further programmed to:

calculate a number of imaging sessions needed to achieve a selected statistical significance with respect to the tested hypothesis.

8. The in-vivo imaging system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the one or more computers are programmed to:

customize a workflow to test the hypothesis;

model modular arrangements to facilitate testing of the hypothesis which includes a measured time each of the animal subjects is under anesthesia;

identify potential problems with an output design; and

suggest an alternative input design.

9. The in-vivo imaging system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the one or more computers are further programmed to:

provide non-rigid registration of image representations of the animal subject located in the animal capsule reconstructed from the acquired in-vivo data with the first imaging scanner and the second imaging scanner.

10. An in-vivo imaging system comprising:

a plurality of animal capsules, each capsule including;

one or more animal beds;

a plurality of physiological sensors,

at least one heater,

a cover which covers the one or more animal beds, the plurality of physiological sensors, and the at least one heater, and

a mechanical interface connected with the plurality of sensors and the at least one heater;

a preparation station which includes a uniform docking port in which the mechanical interface is received and the mechanical interface supplies animal subject data from the plurality of physiological sensors to the uniform docking port when connected to the uniform docking port;

at least one imaging scanner including at least one of positron emission tomography (PET), computed tomography (CT), or a single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scanner, which receives at least one animal capsule of the plurality of animal capsules and acquires in-vivo imaging data of animal subjects in an imaging region of the imaging scanner and includes a second uniform docking port in which the mechanical interface is received and the mechanical interface supplies

animal subject data from the plurality of physiological sensors to the second uniform docking port when connected to the second uniform docking port;

one or more computers programmed to;

reconstruct the acquired imaging data into image representations of the animal subjects;

receive physiological data while the capsule is docked to the preparation station and the image representations and perform a statistical analysis of the received physiological data and image representations of the animal subjects;

access one or more databases related to the image representations of the animal subjects which store at least one of;

organ models, disease models, population data, subject data, quantification data, report data, and biobank data;

create a new study or modify an existing study based on the received image representations of the animal subjects or the statistical analysis of the received physiological data of animal subjects,

mine data from the one or more of the databases in conjunction with the created or modified study.

11. The in-vivo imaging system as set forth in claim 10, further including:

a database that stores at least one of a standardized uptake value tool, a pharmacokinetics tool, a cardiology tool, a neurology tool, an oncology tool, a bone densitometry tool, or a neo-vascularization tool; and

wherein the one or more computers are further programmed to;

quantify at least one aspect of the image representations of the animal subjects using bone density tool to measure bone density of the one or more tools retrieved from the database.

12. The in-vivo imaging system as set forth in claim 10, wherein the one or more computers are further programmed to:

customize a workflow to test a hypothesis of the user;

model modular arrangements to facilitate testing of the hypothesis;

identify potential problems and suggest alternatives.

13. An in-vivo imaging system comprising:

a plurality of animal capsules each having a mechanical interface and being configured to receive one or more animal subjects;

at least one imaging scanner having at least one docking port interface configured to receive the animal capsule mechanical interfaces and acquire in-vivo imaging data of the one or more animal subjects contained in one or more of the animal capsules in an imaging region of the scanner;

one or more first computers programmed to reconstruct the acquired in-vivo imaging data of the one or more animal subjects into image representations of the one or more animal subjects;

a preparation station at which the animal subject is prepared for and recovers from imaging in the first and second imaging scanners, the preparation station having a uniform docking port configured to dock the mechanical interface of the animal capsule during preparation;

a research workstation that includes at least one computer programmed to;

receive the reconstructed image representations of the animal subjects contained in the animal capsule,

create a new study or modify an existing study which includes the received reconstructed image representations of animal subjects contained in the animal capsule,

quantify an aspect of the image representations of animal subjects contained in the animal capsule using at least one of a standardized uptake value tool, a pharmacokinetics tool, a cardiology tool, a neurology tool, an oncology tool, a bone densitometry tool, or a neo-vascularization tool.

14. The in-vivo imaging system as set forth in claim 13, wherein the created or modified study is designed to test a hypothesis and the workstation computer is further programmed to:

calculate a confidence value for the hypothesis.

15. The in-vivo imaging system as set forth in claim 13, further including a second imaging scanner arranged in one of a serial, parallel, radial, and rotating relationship with the at least one imaging scanner to facilitate a workflow of the study.

16. The in-vivo imaging system as set forth in claim 13, wherein the workstation computer is further programmed to:

mine data from previous studies;

modifying the image representations;

evaluate and quantify data and the image representation;

statistically analyze the mined data; and

,

compile a user readable report.

17. An in-vivo imaging system comprising:

a plurality of animal capsules each having a mechanical interface and configured to receive one or more animal subjects;

at least one imaging scanner having docking ports configured to dock the animal capsule mechanical interfaces and concurrently acquires in-vivo imaging data of the animal subjects located in the docked animal capsules in an imaging region of the scanner;

a preparation station at which the animal subjects are prepared for and recovers from imaging in the at least one imaging scanner, the preparation station having at least one uniform docking port configured to dock the mechanical interface of the animal capsule during preparation;

at least one database that stores knowledge data including at least one of organ models, disease models, subject specific data, and demographic data;

one ore more computers programmed to;

reconstruct the acquired in-vivo imaging data of the animal subjects located in the animal capsules into image representations of the animal subjects;

a user interface on which, to test a hypothesis related to image representations of the animal subjects located in the animal capsules, a user inputs study designs or modifies the study designs related to the image representations of the animal subjects located in the animal capsules, inputs imaging protocols for controlling the at least one imaging scanner, and selects knowledge data to be retrieved from the at least one database;

a workstation having one or more of the one or more computers programmed to receive the study designs from the user interface, the image representations of the animal subjects located in the animal capsules, the knowledge data and perform a statistical analysis which includes at least one of;

analyzing the study design;

calculating a Bayesian confidence evaluation for the hypothesis;

performing a population analysis over a large subject population; and

performing an ad-hoc post analysis.

18. The in-vivo imaging system as set forth in claim 17, wherein the one or more computers are further programmed to:

customize a report to report the statistical analysis.

19. The in-vivo imaging system as set forth in claim 17, wherein each capsule includes:

a plurality of physiological sensors,

a heater,

a first docking interface connected with the sensors and the heater.

20. The in-vivo imaging system as set forth in claim 17, wherein the workstation processor is further programmed to:

identify potential problems with the selected or modified study design; and

suggest alternatives.

21. The in-vivo imaging system as set forth in claim 17, wherein the one or more computers are further programmed to:

i) initiate a study design workflow routine,

ii) specify a relationship between imaging and computational methods; and

iii) specify parameters of the study.

22. An in-vivo imaging system comprising:

a plurality of animal capsules, each animal capsule including;

an animal support which supports at least one animal subject,

a plurality of sensors which measure physiological parameters of the at least one animal subject,

a heater which controls a temperature of the at least one animal subject;

a nose cone through which anesthesia is delivered to the at least one animal subject, and

a mechanical interface connected with the plurality of sensors, the heater, and the nose cone to communicate the measured physiological parameters from the sensors, control signals to the heater, and anesthesia to plurality of nose cones;

at least one imaging scanner which receives at least one animal capsule of the plurality of animal capsules containing the at least one animal subject and acquires in-vivo imaging data of the at least one animal subject contained in the received one or more animal capsules in an imaging region of the scanner;

a reconstruction computer programmed to;

reconstruct the acquired in-vivo imaging data into image representations of the at least one animal subjects contained in the at least one animal capsule;

a preparation station including a plurality of preparation station mechanical interfaces with which one or more of the animal capsule mechanical interfaces is docked at least one of prior and after the acquiring of the in-vivo imaging data, the preparation station mechanical interfaces receiving the measured physiological parameters from the docked capsule mechanical interface and supplying the heater control signals and the anesthesia to the docked capsule mechanical interface;

the at least one imaging scanner including an imaging modality mechanical interface to which one or more of the animal capsule mechanical interfaces are docked during the acquiring of the in-vivo imaging data of the at least one animal subject located in the at least one animal capsule, the imaging modality mechanical interfaces receiving the measured physiological parameters of the at least one animal subject located in the at least one animal capsule from the docked capsule mechanical interface and supplying the heater control signals and the anesthesia to the docked capsule mechanical interface; and

a workstation including a workstation computer programmed to receive the monitored physiological parameters from the preparation station mechanical interfaces and the imaging modality mechanical interfaces, receive the image representations from the imaging scanner, control the imaging scanner, the capsule heaters, and a supply of anesthesia, and analyze at least the image representation of the at least one animal subject contained in the at least one animal capsule and the monitored physiological parameters.

23. The in-vivo imaging system as set forth in claim 22, wherein the workstation computer is further programmed to:

regulate anesthesia supplied to at least one of the preparation stations and the imaging scanner.

24. The in-vivo imaging system as set forth in claim 22, further including:

a positioner that positions one or more of the animal capsules optimally in an imaging region of the imaging scanner during an imaging session.

25. The in-vivo imaging system as set forth in claim 22, further including:

at least one animal monitor and anesthesia system which monitors vital signs of the animal during a sedation period, and provides regulated anesthesia to the animal via the preparation station and imaging scanner mechanical interfaces.

26. The in-vivo imaging system as set forth in claim 22, further including:

at least one database that stores knowledge data including at least one of subject data, population data, biobank data, and quantification data; and

wherein the workstation computer is further programmed to data mine the at least one database.

27. The in-vivo imaging system as set forth in claim 22, further including:

a database that stores at least one of a standardized uptake value tool, a pharmacokinetics tool, a cardiology tool, a neurology tool, an oncology tool, a bone densitometry tool, and a neo-vascularization tool; and

wherein the workstation computer is further programmed to quantify an aspect of the image representations of the animal subjects contained in the at least one animal capsule using one or more tools retrieved from the database.

28. The in-vivo imaging system as set forth in claim 22, wherein the workstation computer is programmed to perform a statistical analysis and includes at least one of:

evaluate a hypothesis using Bayesian confidence calculations; and

perform a population analysis over a large subject population.

29. The in-vivo imaging system as set forth in claim 22, wherein the workstation computer is further programmed to:

customize a workflow to test a hypothesis;

model modular arrangements to facilitate testing of the hypothesis;

identify potential problems and suggest alternatives.

30. The in-vivo imaging system as set forth in claim 22, wherein the workstation computer is further programmed to:

data mine previous studies;

modify the reconstructed image representations;

evaluate and quantify data and image representations from the studies designed by the study design subsystem;

analyze at least data from the data mining subsystem; and

compile a user readable report.

31. An in-vivo imaging system comprising:

at least one imaging scanner which receives one or more animal capsules in one or more docking ports, acquires in-vivo imaging data of animal subjects contained in the animal capsules in an imaging region of the at least one imaging scanner;

a computer configured to reconstruct the acquired in-vivo imaging data into image representations of the received animal subjects;

a research workstation that includes a computer programmed to;

receive the reconstructed image representation of the animal subjects contained in the animal capsule,

allow a user to input instructions to the computer to create a new pharmacological study or modify a pharmacological existing study to include “

drag and drop”

blocks that represent the image representations of the animal subjects contained in the animal capsule,

quantify an aspect of the image representations of the animal subjects contained in the animal capsule using a pharmacokinetics tool and at least one of a standardized uptake value tool, a cardiology tool, a neurology tool, an oncology tool, a bone densitometry tool, or a neo-vascularization tool;

a preparation station which includes a second docking port and at which at least one of the animal subjects is prepared for imaging and recovers from imaging in the imaging modality; and

wherein the animal capsule is one of a plurality of animal capsules which hold the animals to be imaged, each animal capsule including a docking interface which is configured to dock in the docking ports in the preparation station and the imaging scanner which provide anesthesia and physiological monitoring at each docked port.