Producing Difference Image (e.g., Angiography) Patents (Class 382/130)
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Patent number: 8527032Abstract: An embodiment of an imaging system of an imaged subject is provided. The imaging system comprises a controller, and an imaging system and a display in communication with the controller. The imaging system can include an imaging probe having a marker representative of a unique identifier. The display can be illustrative of the imaged data acquired with the imaging probe in combination with a graphic representation of an imaging plane vector representative of a general direction of a field of view (FOV) of image acquisition of the imaging probe traveling through the imaged subject.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2008Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Dun Alex Li
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Patent number: 8526694Abstract: An image data subtraction system enhances visualization of vessels subject to movement using an imaging system. The imaging system acquires data representing first and second anatomical image sets comprising multiple temporally sequential individual mask (without contrast agent) and fill images (with contrast agent) of vessels respectively, during multiple heart cycles. An image data processor automatically identifies temporally corresponding pairs of images comprising a mask image and a contrast enhanced image and for the corresponding pairs, automatically determines a shift of a contrast enhanced image relative to a mask image to compensate for motion induced image mis-alignment. The image data processor automatically shifts a contrast enhanced image relative to a mask image in response to the determined shift.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2011Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventor: Michael Pajeau
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Patent number: 8526695Abstract: Methods of, and systems for, magnetic resonance imaging of diagnostic mapping of tissues, where sodium mapping is performed individually, as well as in combination with other images of tissue, such as T1?, T2, and/or T1-weighted images. In one method embodiment, a sodium image of the tissue is acquired during the same scanning session. Maps are constructed of each of the first and sodium images individually, and in combination, and further facilitate viewing in combination with each other as a single, blended image of the tissue. Maps of the images may be displayed individually or in combination with each other.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2009Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: The Trustees Of The University Of PennsylvaniaInventors: Walter R. Witschey, Ari Borthakur, Ravinder Reddy
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Patent number: 8520916Abstract: A method for displaying a radiographic image identifies a region of interest in a portion of the radiographic image, suppresses background image content within the identified region of interest, and enhances contrast of the image within the region of interest to form an enhanced region of interest. The enhanced region of interest is displayed within the remaining portion of the radiographic image.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2008Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.Inventors: Zhimin Huo, Minjie Chen, Jing Zhang, David H. Foos
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Publication number: 20130217996Abstract: A method of analysis is disclosed. The method comprises: registering a target image to define a plurality of keypoints arranged in sets corresponding to polygons or linear segments in the target image; accessing a database of registered and annotated images, and employing a polygon-wise comparison between the target image and each database image; and using the comparison for projecting annotated locations from the database images into the target image.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: August 22, 2013Applicants: Ramot at Tel-Aviv University Ltd., Mor Research Applications Ltd.Inventors: Mor Research Applications Ltd., Ramot at Tel-Aviv University Ltd.
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Publication number: 20130216114Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing a minimally invasive procedure in an automated or semi-automated fashion, where an imaging probe having an imaging modality compatible with the presence of an intraluminal medium is employed to record images that are processed to identify regions of interest and direct a medium displacement operation during a subsequent minimally invasive operation that benefits from the displacement of the intraluminal medium. The minimally invasive operation may include recording images with a second imaging modality, or may be a therapeutic treatment. The method is may be performed in real-time, where images obtained from the first imaging modality are processed in real time to determine whether or not the minimally invasive operation is to be performed at a given position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2011Publication date: August 22, 2013Applicant: COLIBRI TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventors: Brian Courtney, Amandeep Thind
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Patent number: 8515141Abstract: A medical image processing apparatus of the present invention includes: a three-dimensional model estimating section for estimating a three-dimensional model of an object based on a two-dimensional image of an image of the object which is inputted from a medical image pickup apparatus; an image dividing section for dividing the two-dimensional image into a plurality of regions each of which includes at least one or more pixels; a feature value calculation section for calculating a feature value according to a grayscale of each pixel in one region for each of the plurality of regions; and a lesion detection reference setting section for setting lesion detection reference for detecting a locally protruding lesion in the regions of the three-dimensional model which correspond to each of the plurality of regions, based on the feature value according to the grayscale.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2009Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.Inventors: Miho Sawa, Hirokazu Nishimura, Hideki Tanaka, Ryoko Inoue, Kenji Nakamura
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Patent number: 8509384Abstract: A method for enhanced visualization of objects in interventional angiographic examinations is provided. X-ray images are recorded during the system dose regulation phase with pure anatomy and during the filling phase with the vessels filled with contrast agent. A mask image is produced from both of the images. Native X-ray images are produced during a working or intervention phase with an object, for example a wire, a catheter or a “coil”, moved in the vessel. The images have a matrix-shaped array of pixels. The pure anatomy images are subtracted from the filling images and from the native images for generating a first subtraction image and a second subtraction image respectively. The first and the second subtraction image are processed for generating a vessel image and an object image respectively. The vessel image and the object image are processed for generating a roadmap image which is played back on a monitor.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2010Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Martin Spahn
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Patent number: 8503752Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance apparatus for correction of image distortions that occur in acquisition of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance images of an examination subject, a reference image is acquired without diffusion weighting, a first diffusion-weighted image is acquired for a diffusion direction, a second diffusion-weighted image is acquired for the same diffusion direction, with a different diffusion weighting or a different diffusion gradient polarity than the first diffusion-weighted image. The first diffusion-weighted image is deskewed with a first set of deskewing parameters, and the second diffusion-weighted image is deskewed with a second set of deskewing parameters. The deskewing parameters are correlated and determined by simultaneous minimization of differences between the deskewed first image and the reference image and differentiation between the deskewed second image and the reference image.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2010Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Thorsten Feiweier
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Patent number: 8498462Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a storage unit which stores volume data associated with an area including a contrast-enhanced artery as an examination target, a first calculation unit which calculates a plurality of partial atherosclerotic indexes associated with a plurality of portions of the artery on the basis of morphological information associated with the artery which is obtained from the volume data, a second calculation unit which calculates a whole atherosclerotic index associated with the entire artery including the plurality of portions on the basis of the morphological information associated with the artery, and a display unit which displays evaluation information based on the calculated whole atherosclerotic index.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2008Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignees: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation, The Johns Hopkins UniversityInventors: Hiroyuki Niinuma, Kakuya Kitagawa, Joao A. C. Lima, Yasuko Fujisawa, Miwa Okumura
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Patent number: 8498463Abstract: To provide an improved method for achieving DSA images where the effect of residual motions in cardiac DSA during the perfusion phase is reduced and in order to display subtracted images containing less motion artefacts, a method of performing digital subtraction angiography DSA in an imaging apparatus comprises the steps of generating a first image sequence of mask images (10) of a subject to be examined, generating at least one first contrast image (22) at a first phase (16) whereby in the first contrast image part of the subject has a different contrast than in said first image sequence, subtracting the mask images (10) from the at least one first contrast image (22) generating a first DSA image sequence (24), subtracting the DSA images of the first DSA image sequence (24) from the first contrast image (22) within the first phase (16) generating a sequence of extended mask images (32); generating a second contrast image (34) with the imaging system at a second phase (18), said second phase (18) being separType: GrantFiled: August 6, 2009Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Raoul Florent, Vincent Maurice Andre Auvray, Odile Bonnefous
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Publication number: 20130188846Abstract: A method for automatic segmentation of a medical image is provided. The method comprises registering a reference image associated with an object to the medical image, determining a transformation function on the basis of the registration, applying the transformation function to a probability map associated with the object; carrying out a probability thresholding on the transformed probability map by selecting a first area of the medical image in which the probability of the object is within a probability range, carrying out an intensity thresholding on the medical image by selecting a second area of the medical image in which the intensity is within an intensity range, selecting a common part of the first and second areas and carrying out on the common part a morphological opening resulting in separate sub-areas, selecting the largest sub-area as a seed, and segmenting the medical image on the basis of the seed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2013Publication date: July 25, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
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Patent number: 8488861Abstract: A system and method of determining hemodynamic parameters of a patient is described. A background image data set is obtained prior to the administration of a contrast agent. A series of image data sets is obtained during the first passage of the bolus through a parenchymal volume. The pre-contrast-agent image is subtracted from image data sets obtained during the first passage of the contrast agent bolus, so that the amount of contrast agent in the volume may be determined. The time series of the amount of contrast agent is computed to determine the arterial input function (AIF) which may be used to determine a tissue impulse response, and hemodynamic parameters such as cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV) and mean transit time (MTT).Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2008Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Yu Deuerling-Zheng, Jan Boese, Michael Zellerhoff
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Patent number: 8488856Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a cine-imaging unit, a characterizing-part detecting unit, a motion-analyzing unit, and an image-extracting unit. First, the cine-imaging unit collects the time-series images of a region of interest in a subject and reconstructs an image. Next, the characterizing-part detecting unit detects the characteristics of the time-series images. The motion-analyzing unit analyzes motion-characteristic values of the characteristics extracted by the characterizing-part detecting unit. The image-extracting unit extracts a specified time-series image in accordance with the motion-characteristic values.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2008Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventor: Masao Yui
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Patent number: 8483360Abstract: The techniques described herein provide for correcting projection data that comprises contamination due to source switching in a multi energy scanner. The correction is a multi-neighbor correction. That is, it uses data from at least two other views of an object (e.g., generally a previous view and a subsequent view) to correct a current view of the object. The multi-neighbor correction may use one or more correction factors to determine how much data from the other two views to use to correct the current view. The correction factor(s) are determined based upon a calibration that utilizes image space data and/or projection space data of a phantom. In this way, the correction factor(s) account for source leakage that occurs in multi energy scanners.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2009Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Analogic CorporationInventors: Andrew Litvin, Julia Pavlovich, Aleksander Roshi, Sergey Simanovsky, Ram Naidu
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Patent number: 8483461Abstract: A diagnostic imaging system including a plurality of scanning apparatuses. Each scanning apparatus including scanning hardware, a data acquisition system connected to the scanning hardware for generating raw image data representative of an object disposed in an imaging region of the scanning apparatus, and a reconstruction unit processing the raw image data for reconstructing an image representation therefrom. Subsets of the raw image data generated by the data acquisition system of one of the scanning apparatuses are distributed via a communication link among the scanning apparatuses for parallel processing by the reconstruction units of the respective scanning apparatuses.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2009Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventor: Paul Royston Harvey
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Patent number: 8472688Abstract: An image reconstruction method applicable to a number of different imaging modalities including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), x-ray computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is disclosed. A sparsifying image is reconstructed from a series of acquired undersampled data to provide a priori knowledge of a subject being imaged. An iterative reconstruction process is further employed to iteratively determine a correction image for a given image frame that, when subtracted from the sparsifying image, produces a quality image for the image frame.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2008Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research FoundationInventors: Alexey A. Samsonov, Huimin Wu, Walter F. Block
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Patent number: 8467856Abstract: A hot spot detection system for automatically segmenting and quantifying hot spots in functional images includes a segmentation unit (76) to segment an anatomical image representation (72) into regions corresponding to anatomical structures of a subject. A hot spot detection unit (90) detects regions of high uptake from a functional second image representation (74). The regions of high tracer uptake indicate high metabolic activity which maybe caused by potentially hazardous tumor lesions or other malignant processes. However, a number of normally functioning organs uptake high amounts of imaging tracer, particularly FDG. Therefore, a suppression unit (102) suppresses regions of high tracer uptake in the functional second image representation based on the results of a classification unit (101). The classification unit classifies the regions of high tracer uptake according to their position relative to the anatomical structures segmented from the anatomical first image representation.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2010Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Steffen Renisch, Roland Opfer
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Patent number: 8467587Abstract: A method for distinguishing between gray matter and white matter starting from a time-dependent computed tomography image data record from a perfusion CT examination is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, a plurality of time-independent images are calculated from the time-dependent image data record, a plurality of threshold histogram analyses are performed in order to determine regions of the brain which can be assigned to one or more types of cerebral matter, and subsequently the region of gray matter is determined from the information obtained in respect of type and region of the cerebral matter using at least one logical combination and at least one exclusion method. A control and computational unit is also disclosed with a storage medium in which a computer program or program module is stored, which executes the described method during operation.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2009Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Corinna Bürger, Ernst Klotz, Jochen Schleu, Grzegorz Soza
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Patent number: 8467498Abstract: An image diagnostic apparatus includes a radiography unit which generates a mask image and contrast images before and after the injection of a contrast medium, an image memory which stores the mask image and the contrast images, an ROI identifying unit which sets a region of interest from the mask image and the contrast images, a pixel shift amount detecting unit which detects a pixel shift amount between the mask and the contrast image upon localization to the region of interest, and a processing unit which shifts at least the mask image or the contrast image in accordance with the detected pixel shift amount and performs subtraction between the images.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2007Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventor: Satoru Ohishi
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Patent number: 8463012Abstract: A system automatically processes different medical image sequences facilitating comparison of the sequences in adjacent respective display areas. An image data processor, identifies first and second mask images of first and second image sequences respectively as images preceding introduction of contrast agent and determines a translational shift between the first and second mask images. The image data processor transforms data representing individual images of at least one of the first image sequence and the second image sequence in response to the determined translational shift to reduce mis-alignment of the individual images of the first image sequence relative to the individual images of the second image sequence. A display presents first and second image sequences corrected for mis-alignment, in substantially adjacent display areas to facilitate user comparison.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2011Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventors: John Christopher Rauch, John Baumgart
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Patent number: 8463014Abstract: A method for determining an optimal trajectory for 3-dimensional rotational X-ray coronary angiography for a C-arm X-ray system that has at least two degrees of freedom, where the C-arm X-ray system is defined by a rotational movement of the C-arm expressed in a left/right coronary artery oblique angle, and a roll motion of the C-arm expressed in a caudal/cranial angle. The method includes generating of a 3-dimensional representation of a center-line of a body vessel in a region of interest. generating at least one optimal view map. Further, an optimal trajectory for the X-ray system within the optimal view map is determined, where an optimal trajectory is at least determined by movements of the C-arm within its two degrees of freedom allowing image projections with minimal foreshortening and/or overlap while minimizing an exposure to X-rays.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2007Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignees: The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate, Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Babak Movassaghi, Onno Wink, Shiuh-Yung James Chen, Joel Alberto Garcia, John D. Carroll
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Patent number: 8457378Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing device and method for effectively generating a difference image from plural images. The plural images generated by an image generation unit are first associated with radiography date and hour information and stored in a storage unit, at least one reference image and one comparison image are designated by an image designation unit from the stored images, the date and hour information of the designated reference image is compared with that of the designated comparison image by an image comparison unit, a difference process is executed by a difference processing unit based on an operation determined based on the comparison result, and the processed difference image is displayed on a display unit under the control of a display control unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2011Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Makoto Sato
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Patent number: 8447009Abstract: A method and a computed tomography scanner are disclosed for carrying out an angiographic examination of a patient, wherein the utilized computed tomography scanner includes at least one recording system mounted on a gantry such that it can rotate about a z-axis. Projection data is acquired from at least one prescribed angular position of the gantry for at least two different energies of X-ray radiation. The projection data is subsequently combined to form a resulting projection image by evaluating the projection data corresponding to the respective angular position, in which projection image at least one substance, which should be displayed selectively, is imaged with a high image contrast compared to the respective individual projection data. This procedure extends the field of application of the computed tomography scanner to projection-based angiography examinations, which were previously restricted to C-arm systems.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2011Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Thomas Flohr, Michael Grasruck, Bernhard Schmidt, Martin Sedlmair
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Publication number: 20130121550Abstract: A reconstructed image is rendered of a patient by a processor from a set of undersampled MRI data by first subtracting two repetitions of the acquired data in k-space to create a third dataset. The processor reconstructs the image by minimizing an objective function under a constraint related to the third dataset, wherein the objective function includes applying a Karhunen-Loeve Transform (KLT) to a temporal dimension of data. The objective function under the constraint is expressed as arg minf{??(f)?1 subject to ?Af?y?2??}. The reconstructed image is an angiogram which may be a 4D angiogram. The angiogram is used to diagnose a vascular disease.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2011Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: Siemens CorporationInventors: Ti-chiun Chang, Mariappan S. Nadar, Jens Gühring, Michael Zenge, Kai Tobias Block, Peter Schmitt, Edgar Mueller
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Patent number: 8442282Abstract: In consideration of the fact that a lung field varies in the density of sponge-like tissue depending on an individual or display region, an opacity curve which gives priority to a nodule candidate region or an extended nodule candidate region can be set by generating a histogram concerning a volume of interest which includes a foreground region, and using the statistical analysis result on the histogram as an objective index.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2007Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventors: Atsuko Sugiyama, Hitoshi Yamagata, Shigeharu Ohyu
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Patent number: 8442280Abstract: The present invention describes a method and system for intelligent diagnostic relevant information processing and analysis. Information associated with a patient is processed via an image reading platform. Based on such processed information, a matrix of diagnosis decisions containing diagnostic related information is generated via a matrix of diagnosis decision platform. A diagnostic decision is made based on the diagnostic relevant information. The image reading platform and/or the matrix of diagnosis decision platform encapsulate information and toolkits to be used to manipulate the information.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2004Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Edda Technology, Inc.Inventors: Jianzhong Qian, Li Fan, Guo-Qing Wei, Cheng-Chung Liang
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Patent number: 8437526Abstract: A system locally allocates relatively higher and lower spatial resolution areas of a medical X-ray image in response to image spatial resolution requirements of individual sections of a partitioned image. A system processes image data by adaptively varying pixel resolution within a 2D (two Dimensional) X-ray medical image. The system includes an imaging detector comprising a matrix array of detection picture elements having a detector pixel resolution for detecting X-rays passed through patient anatomy. An image data processor determines a first area within a 2D image to be allocated a first pixel resolution and a second area within the 2D image to be allocated a second pixel resolution lower than the first resolution. A combinational processor combines image data of multiple adjacent detection picture elements to provide an individual pixel of the second pixel resolution.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2008Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventor: Martin Spahn
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Patent number: 8437519Abstract: An image data subtraction system suitable for use in Angiography or other medical procedure enhances vessel visualization. An imaging system subtracts data representing a first mask image from data representing temporally sequential individual images of patient vessels to provide first digitally subtracted images. The sequential individual images encompass introduction of a contrast agent. An image processor automatically, processes the data representing the first digitally subtracted images to identify a first image indicating presence of the contrast agent and a second image preceding the first image by determining a measure representing a net presence of contrast agent in an individual digitally subtracted image. The second image is substantially exclusive of an indication of presence of the contrast agent.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2009Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventors: John Baumgart, George F. Kramp, Gary S. Martucci
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Patent number: 8437518Abstract: A method for identifying a structure in a volume of interest is provided. The method comprises acquiring a plurality of points related to the structure in a continuous mode, and subsequently registering at least one of the points to a previously acquired imaging dataset of the structure. An apparatus, system and a computer-readable medium are also provided. The present invention provides faster acquisition of EAM points by modifying the mapping system so that catheter tip locations are automatically and continuously recorded without requiring explicit navigation to and annotation of fiducial landmarks on the endocardium.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2007Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignees: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., The General Hospital CorporationInventors: Raymond Chan, Robert Manzke, Zachary John Malchano, Vivek Reddy
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Patent number: 8428688Abstract: A method for automatic femur segmentation and condyle line detection. The method includes: scanning a knee of a patient with medical imaging equipment to obtain 3D imaging data with such equipment; processing the obtained 3D imaging data in a digital processor to determine two lines tangent to the bottom of the knee condyles in an axial and a coronal plane; and automatically scanning the patient in the defined plane. The processing includes: determining an approximate location of the knee; using the determined the location to define a volume of interest; segmenting the femur in the defined volume of interest; and determining a bottom point on the femur portion on a right side and a left side of the segmented femur in an axial and a coronal slice to determine the two lines.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2009Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Marie-Pierre Jolly, Christopher V. Alvino, Benjamin L. Odry, Jens Gühring
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Patent number: 8428325Abstract: A method is disclosed for performing an imaging examination technique. In at least one embodiment, the method includes measuring a first dataset via a first imaging examination technique, measuring a second dataset via a second imaging examination technique, segmenting the first dataset, transferring the segmentation to the second dataset, selecting at least one localization in the second dataset on the basis of the transferred segmentation, and measuring a third dataset via a third imaging examination technique such that the third dataset includes the at least one localization.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2009Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Stefan Assmann
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Patent number: 8428319Abstract: Automatic measurement of morphometric and motion parameters of a coronary target includes extracting reference frames from input data of a coronary target at different phases of a cardiac cycle, extracting a three-dimensional centerline model for each phase of the cardiac cycle based on the references frames and projection matrices of the coronary target, tracking a motion of the coronary target through the phases based on the three-dimensional centerline models, and determining a measurement of morphologic and motion parameters of the coronary target based on the motion.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2010Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Yanghai Tsin, Klaus J. Kirchberg, Günter Lauritsch, Chenyang Xu, Jan Boese, Rui Liao
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Publication number: 20130094734Abstract: A system automatically processes different medical image sequences facilitating comparison of the sequences in adjacent respective display areas. An image data processor, identifies first and second mask images of first and second image sequences respectively as images preceding introduction of contrast agent and determines a translational shift between the first and second mask images. The image data processor transforms data representing individual images of at least one of the first image sequence and the second image sequence in response to the determined translational shift to reduce mis-alignment of the individual images of the first image sequence relative to the individual images of the second image sequence. A display presents first and second image sequences corrected for mis-alignment, in substantially adjacent display areas to facilitate user comparison.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2011Publication date: April 18, 2013Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS USA, INC.Inventors: John Christopher Rauch, John Baumgart
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Patent number: 8423123Abstract: An in-vivo imaging system and method to screen for colorectal polyps in the GI tract may include an in-vivo imaging device for capturing a stream of image frames in a GI tract, a polyp detector for detecting and/or identifying one or more image frames from the stream of image streams that may show colorectal polyps, and a graphical user interface (GUI) to display image frames detected.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2005Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Given Imaging Ltd.Inventor: Eli Horn
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Publication number: 20130083985Abstract: An angiographic examination method of an examination object for determining the morphology, histology and/or state of moving walls of vessels is disclosed. A series of angiography images of a section of interest of a vessel is disclosed. A quantitative analysis of the vascular wall of the section of the vessel is provided. The inherent motion of the vascular wall from two consecutive angiography images in each instance is calculated. The difference of the inherent motion of the vascular wall is visualized and/or the morphology and/or histology of the vascular wall is visualized.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2012Publication date: April 4, 2013Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventor: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
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Patent number: 8411914Abstract: High resolution time sequences of 3D images that show the dynamics of a time varying changes are provided. The 3D time series of images representing an object that include time varying changes may be produced from lower dimensional image time sequences, such as 2D images. The 2D images may be generated using angiography and may include fluid flow information (e.g., arrival times). The fluid flow information may be provided, for example, by injecting a chemical into the fluid and analyzing its position in the object or body over time. A varying contrast model may be applied to determine the location of the chemical at different points in time which may assist in detecting an ailment.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2007Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignees: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc., Tufts Medical Center, Inc.Inventors: Rami Mangoubi, Mukund Desai, Adel Malek, Andrew Copeland
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Patent number: 8411989Abstract: A spectral characteristic calculation device stores a plurality of conversion matrices used to calculate the spectral characteristic values based on brightness values of a digital color image, and a plurality of pieces of brightness value information respectively corresponding to a plurality of sample groups. The plurality of conversion matrices are generated based on the sample color image information contained in the plurality of sample groups, respectively. An evaluating unit is configured to evaluate similarity of brightness value information of the target data with respect to each of the plurality of pieces of brightness value information of the plurality of sample groups. A conversion matrix corresponding to the sample group that is evaluated to have the highest similarity is selected as the conversion matrix. Then, a calculating unit calculates the spectral characteristic values of the target data using the conversion matrix selected by the selecting unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2009Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Hoya CorporationInventor: Toru Chiba
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Patent number: 8411927Abstract: A method for detecting markers within X-ray images includes applying directional filters to a sequence of X-ray image frames. Marker candidate pixels are determined based on the output of the directional filters. Candidate pixels are grouped into clusters and distances between each possible pair of clusters is determined and the most frequently occurring distance is considered an estimated distance between markers. A first marker is detected at the cluster that most closely resembles a marker based on certain criteria and a second marker is then detected at a cluster that is the estimated distance from the first marker. The pair of first and second marker detections is scored to determine detection quality. If the detected marker pair has an acceptable score then the detected marker pair is used.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2010Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Ti-chiun Chang, Yunqiang Chen, Michelle xiaohong Yan, Tong Fang
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Publication number: 20130077839Abstract: A method (10, 100) for temporal encoding for digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and other angiographic data.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2012Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicant: Siemens CorporationInventors: Tim Horz, Markus Kowarschik
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Patent number: 8406490Abstract: This invention relates to a system and methods for determining the initiation and/or the termination of an autonomous in vivo imaging procedure, such as by a capsule imaging the gastro intestinal tract.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2008Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Given Imaging Ltd.Inventors: Daniel Gat, Ofra Zinaty
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Patent number: 8406491Abstract: Image registration of low contrast image sequences is provided. In one aspect, a desired region of an image is automatically segmented and only the desired region is registered. Active contours and adaptive thresholding of intensity or edge information may be used to segment the desired regions. A transform function is defined to register the segmented region, and sub-pixel information may be determined using one or more interpolation methods.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2008Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Timothy F. Gee, James S. Goddard
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Patent number: 8406488Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which coronary plaque is classified in an image and visually displayed using an iterative adaptive process, such as an expectation maximization process.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2006Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Saad Ahmed Sirohey, Gopal B. Avinash, Sandeep Dutta, John V. Skinner, Patricia Le Nezet
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Patent number: 8401256Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a test image including a plurality of bands and a plurality of markers in each band. Each band includes a plurality of pixels of the same pixel value. Each marker contrasts with the plurality of pixels in the band. The markers are adapted to allow a user to determine a feature of an image display system.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2006Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Richard Jon Warp
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Publication number: 20130064438Abstract: Embodiments include a system for determining cardiovascular information for a patient. The system may include at least one computer system configured to receive patient-specific data regarding a geometry of the patient's heart, and create a three-dimensional model representing at least a portion of the patient's heart based on the patient-specific data. The at least one computer system may be further configured to create a physics-based model relating to a blood flow characteristic of the patient's heart and determine a fractional flow reserve within the patient's heart based on the three-dimensional model and the physics-based model.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2012Publication date: March 14, 2013Inventors: Charles A. Taylor, Timothy A. Fonte, Gilwoo Choi, Ying Bai, Christopher K. Zarins
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Patent number: 8396273Abstract: A method is provided that includes acquiring a first set of image data from X-rays produced at a first energy level and a second set of image data from X-rays produced at a second energy level. The method includes generating a first noise mask for a first basis material and a second noise mask for a second basis material and removing pixels corresponding to cross contaminating structural information from the first noise mask and the second noise mask. The method includes processing a first materially decomposed image generated from the first set of image data and the second set of digital data using the second noise mask after removal of the cross contaminating structural information and processing a second MD image generated from the first set of image data and the second set of digital data using the first noise mask after removal of the cross contaminating structural information.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2009Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Baojun Li, Naveen Stephan Chandra, Jed Douglas Pack, Jiang Hsieh, Xiaoye Wu, Mary Sue Kulpins
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Patent number: 8391576Abstract: A normal image representing a normal structure of a predetermined structure in an input medical image is generated with higher accuracy. Further, an abnormal component in the input medical image is separated with higher accuracy. A supervised learned filtering unit inputs an input image representing a predetermined structure to a supervised learned filter to generate an image representing a normal structure of the predetermined structure. The supervised learned filter is obtained through a learning process using supervisor images, each representing a normal structure of the predetermined structure in a subject (individual), and corresponding training images, each containing an abnormal component in the corresponding subject (individual). Further, a difference processing unit separates an abnormal component in the input image by calculating a difference between the input image and the image representing the normal structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2008Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Yoshiro Kitamura, Wataru Ito
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Publication number: 20130044926Abstract: A method of extracting at least one time-value curve to determine a protocol in an imaging procedure using an imaging system, includes: determining a first N-dimensional data set of pixel values of a portion of a body of the patient at a first time using the imaging system, wherein N is an integer; determining at least a second N-dimensional data set of pixel values of the portion at a second time using the imaging system; computing a predetermined number of correlated segments of the imaged portion corresponding to a predetermined number of regions of interest of the patient by computing a similarity metric of a time series of pixel values; computing the at least one time-value curve for at least one of the regions of interest; and determining a protocol for a diagnostic scan using the image system based at least in part upon data from the time value curve.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2012Publication date: February 21, 2013Applicant: MEDRAD, INC.Inventor: Medrad, Inc.
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Patent number: 8366619Abstract: A medical device is configured to diagnose whether a nodule of a bodily organ is malignant or benign using ultrasound elastography to determine a nodule stiffness index. Using either an external compression source or an in vivo pulsation source, the stiffness of the nodule of the bodily organ can be quantified by either its static properties or dynamic properties. The nodule can be classified as Type I, which is benign requiring further observation, or Type II, which is malignant requiring invasive procedures.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2010Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: University of WashingtonInventors: Yongmin Kim, Manjiri Dighe, Si Luo, Jae Kim, Eung-Hun Kim
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Publication number: 20130028494Abstract: A flow pattern in a tube system is calculated from acquired image data. From the flow pattern virtual image data are generated and compared with the acquired data in order to determine a quality measure for the usability of the generated flow pattern at characteristic locations.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2011Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: Alexandra Groth, Qi Sun, Matthias Bertram