Abstract: An illumination source may be coupled to an image capture device through a connector. A light sensor is placed downstream of the connector to measure the light received by the image capture device from the illumination source. The light sensor provides the measurement of the received light to the illumination source for closed-loop control of illumination source. The light sensor may be positioned in a camera housing to take into account light attenuation from the illumination source to the camera. The light sensor may be positioned at other locations on the image capture device. Multiple light sensors may be positioned at different locations on the image capture device to detect sources or locations of attenuation. Redundant light sensors of more than one type of sensor may be used at a single light sensor location to provide for validation of measurements and increase the variety of information measured.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for the measurement and display of attributes of an object of interest in a medical image. An object of interest is identified, such as a lesion or cluster of lesions in a breast area on a mammography image. At least one attribute of the lesion is then automatically measured, such as the area of the lesion, the width and height of a cluster of lesions, the number of lesions in a cluster, or the distance from one or more lesions to an anatomical feature such as the nipple, skin line or chest wall. The measurements are then displayed to a user, for example by displaying the measurements on the mammography image. Additionally, anatomical zones, such as standard, quadrant and clock zones of the breast area may be determined and displayed on the mammography image or diagram to display the location of the lesion as it corresponds to the zones.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for enhancing a region of interest in a medical image to improve its visibility. A region of interest is first identified in the medical image, such as identifying a breast region in a mammography image. The identified region of interest is then enhanced using an image processing technique, for example by adjusting the intensity or contrast, or by performing edge enhancement. Other regions of the medical image outside the region of interest remain unaltered, or may be diminished, such that the clarity of the region of interest is improved in comparison with the other regions of the medical image. A user viewing the enhanced image is less distracted by the non-enhanced regions and is not required to adjust the image on his or her own. The user can more quickly and effectively review the medical image to identify abnormalities and diagnose disease.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for matching visual features in at least two related medical images. The differences in visual features between at least two related images are identified, such as separate mammography images of a left breast and a right breast of a patient. The visual features may include the image brightness, contrast, sharpness (or edge strength), alignment or dynamic range. The visual features of at least one of the images is then adjusted to match the visual features of the other image, or both images are adjusted to match a predefined value of visual features for a medical image. The adjusted images may then be displayed to a user, such as a radiologist or technician, who is able to more accurately identify physiological inconsistencies between the two images now that they have similar underlying visual features.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for altering the appearance of an artificial object in a medical image. An artificial object is first identified in the medical image, such as identifying a breast implant in a mammography image. The prominence of the artificial object is then reduced, for example by suppressing the brightness or masking the artificial object out altogether. The resulting medical image with the altered artificial object is then displayed to a user so that the medical image can be more accurately analyzed without requiring the user to adjust the image on his or her own.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for the measurement and display of attributes of an object of interest in a medical image. An object of interest is identified, such as a lesion or cluster of lesions in a breast area on a mammography image. At least one attribute of the lesion is then automatically measured, such as the area of the lesion, the width and height of a cluster of lesions, the number of lesions in a cluster, or the distance from one or more lesions to an anatomical feature such as the nipple, skin line or chest wall. The measurements are then displayed to a user, for example by displaying the measurements on the mammography image. Additionally, anatomical zones, such as standard, quadrant and clock zones of the breast area may be determined and displayed on the mammography image or diagram to display the location of the lesion as it corresponds to the zones.

Abstract: A method for normalizing an image of tissue from a patient. The image type is determined, then the background content values in the image data are distinguished from tissue content values according to the image type. Noise is reduced in the background content values. A look-up table is formed for remapping tissue content values to a predetermined range. Tissue content values are remapped according to the look-up table to provide a normalized image.