Abstract: A method is provided for synchronizing corresponding landmarks among a plurality of images of an elastic object. The method includes identifying a plurality of landmarks in a first image of the object and a second image of the object, determining a correspondence between the landmarks in the first image and the landmarks in the second image, determining a distance transformation between a pair of adjacent landmarks in the first image and the corresponding pair of adjacent landmarks in the second image, and when displaying the first and second images, using the distance transformation to smoothly navigate between the adjacent landmarks such that corresponding landmarks of the first and second images are arrived at about simultaneously during navigation.

Abstract: Certain examples provide systems and methods for holistic viewing to provide comparative analysis and decision support in a drug development process. An example method includes providing a first set of data corresponding to a drug of interest: providing a disease signature; providing a reference set of drug interaction data associated with the disease signature, comparing the first set of data to the reference set using a holistic analysis, and reporting the results of the comparison. An example of the apparatus includes, a standardizer to at least one of standardize and normalize drug interaction data related to a pre-selected disease signature: a deviation analyzer to compare the drug interaction data to data corresponding to a drug under review using a holistic analysis, and a reporter for reporting the output of the deviation analyzer.

Abstract: Certain examples provide systems and methods for holistic viewing to provide comparative analysis and patient treatment decision support in a drug therapy development process. A computer-implemented method for developing a therapeutic drug treatment plan for a patient using quantifiable comparative holistic decision support. In addition, the inventive may also be summarized as a computer-implemented method for developing a therapeutic drug treatment plan for a patient using quantifiable comparative holistic decision support for a known disease signature corresponding to a subject medical condition of a patient.

Abstract: Certain examples provide systems and methods for holistic viewing to provide comparative analysis and decision support in a drug development process. An example of the inventive apparatus includes a standardizer to at least one of standardize and normalize data related to drug performance for a known disease signature; and a deviation analyzer to analyze said data based on at least one of a plurality of different efficacy metrics, wherein a quantified variation between a first data set of results corresponding to an identified target drug and a second data set of results corresponding to a control, wherein said first data set of results is provided for comparison with the second data set of results and the deviation therebetween is compared to the at least one efficacy metric associated with the disease signature.

Abstract: Certain examples provide systems and methods for holistic viewing to provide comparative analysis and decision support in a drug development process. A computer-implemented method for integrated comparative holistic analysis of drug development and related quantifiable patient treatment decision support for a medical condition having a known disease signature.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments a time series is generated from a plurality of X-ray projections of an object that were acquired under limited angular conditions with a flat-panel X-ray detector, and thereafter the plurality of X-ray projections in the time series are displayed in reference to a pivot point.

Abstract: One or more techniques are provided for identifying a period of minimal motion for an organ of interest, such as the heart or lungs. Motion data is acquired for the organ of interest and for one or more proximate organs using sensor-based and/or image-based techniques. The sensor-based techniques may include electrical and non-electrical techniques. The image-based techniques may include both pre-acquisition and acquisition image data. The motion data for the organ of interest and proximate organs may be used to generate a set of multi-input motion data that may be processed to identify desired periods, such as periods of minimal motion, within the overall motion of the organ of interest.

Abstract: A method for processing computed tomography (CT) datasets comprises identifying regions of interest (ROIs) within a CT dataset is provided. The ROIs are ranked based on a comparison to at least one predetermined parameter. The ranking determines a level of importance for the ROIs with respect to each other. A list of the ROIs is provided on a display, the list indicating the ROIs based on an associated level of importance. The ROIs are selectable with a user interface.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some implementations changes in an aneurysm in a patient over time are identified by determining temporal differences between segmented aneurysms in a plurality of longitudinal exams and visually presenting the temporal differences.

Abstract: A data processing technique is provided. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes accessing individual patient deviation maps indicative of a structural difference and a functional difference, respectively, of at least one anatomical region of a patient with respect to standardized reference image data. The method may also include generating a composite patient deviation map indicative of both the structural difference and the functional difference based on at least the individual patient deviation maps, and outputting the composite patient deviation map. Additional methods, systems, and manufactures are also disclosed.

Abstract: A technique is provided for processing image data based upon determination of whether pixilated data tends to represent or exhibit one characteristic or another. Many such characteristics may be considered, such as whether the pixels probably represent structures or non-structures. Multiple thresholds for the classification of segmentation are used, and pixels falling within an overlapping regions are processed as if they exhibited both characteristics. Subsequent processing may include assignment of values for the overlapping pixels, such as by weighted blending.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reconstructing a multiple resolution images of an object are provided. The method includes reconstructing a first three-dimensional image at a first resolution, determining at least one volume of interest in the generated image, and reconstructing a second three-dimensional image of the determined at least one volume of interest at a second resolution, the second resolution being higher than the first resolution such that a quantification of image structures is facilitated.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for coding a visual representation of one or more plaque regions in a vessel are provided. The method includes segmenting the visual representation of the vessel to identify structures associated with the vessel, classifying at least one region in the vessel as a plaque region, displaying the at least one plaque region using a visual highlight selectively associated with the classification for the at least one plaque region, and shading the visual highlight based on a probability that the classification is correct.

Abstract: A technique for measuring and characterizing the motion of an internal organ is provided. The technique includes using two or more motion-sensitive sensors, disposed on a patient in a region of interest proximate to the internal organ, which acquire motion data along the surface of the patient. The motion data may then be processed and displayed to depict or characterize the mechanical motion undergone by the internal organ. The mechanical motion may be displayed as an image or video. In addition, the mechanical motion data may be combined with other measured data, such as electrical or acoustic data, or with images acquired by other imaging modalities to generate a composite image.

Abstract: One or more techniques are provided for determining the overall motion of an organ of interest relative to a viewer or imager. Motion data is acquired for the organ of interest and/or for one or more proximate organs using sensor-based and/or image data-based techniques. The sensor-based techniques may include electrical and non-electrical techniques. The image data-based techniques may include both pre-acquisition and acquisition image data. The motion data for the organ of interest and proximate organs may be used to determine one or more quiescent periods corresponding to intervals of minimal motion for the organ of interest and the proximate organs. The one or more quiescent periods may be used to determine one or more gating points that may be used prospectively, i.e., during image acquisition. In addition, the one or more quiescent periods may be used to determine one or more motion compensation factors that may be used during processing and reconstruction of the acquired image data.

Abstract: A data processing technique is provided. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes accessing patient deviation data of a structural difference between a patient anatomical feature and a standardized anatomical feature. The method may also include comparing the patient deviation data to reference deviation data sets representative of multiple disease types. Each reference deviation data set may be representative of an expected deviation from the standardized anatomical feature for a particular disease type. The method may further include automatically identifying one or more potential patient disease types based at least in part on the comparison. Additional methods, systems, and manufactures are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for generating a score for soft plaque in coronary arteries includes using the computer to estimate the soft plaque content within at least one object depicted in a medical image, using the computer to determine a plaque score dependent upon the estimated soft plaque content of the at least one object, and using the computer to report the plaque score.

Abstract: Method and system for processing an object within a diagnostic image comprises segmenting a three dimensional (3D) object within a diagnostic image. A contour of the object is fitted with a 3D mesh comprising splines in at least first and second directions. The splines provide a plurality of editable control points, and the splines in the first direction intersect with the splines in the second direction at intersection points. A position of at least one control point on the 3D mesh is adjusted based on a user input.

Abstract: A system and method includes using a point spread function based rule to classify regions in a dataset and processing the dataset based on the point spread function based classification.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically generating a severity index for images of anatomical features of a patient are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, an image of an anatomical feature of a patient is compared with a normal, standardized image of the same anatomical feature. Based on this comparison, a deviation image for the anatomical feature is generated that represents the degree and manner the acquired image deviates from normal for that anatomical feature. The deviation image is automatically pattern matched against multiple images of known disease severity for the anatomical feature. Based on the automated pattern match, a known disease severity, such as in the form of a severity index, is provided as corresponding anatomical feature for the patient.