Abstract: A data processing technique is provided. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes accessing reference deviation maps for a plurality of disease types. The reference deviation maps may include subsets of maps associated with severity levels of respective disease types, and a disease severity score may be associated with each severity level. The method may include selecting patient severity levels for multiple disease types based on the subsets of reference deviation maps. Also, the method may include automatically calculating a combined patient disease severity score based at least in part on the disease severity scores associated with the selected patient severity levels, and may include outputting a report based at least in part on the combined patient disease severity score. Additional methods, systems, and manufactures are also disclosed.

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: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for identifying stool particles in virtual dissection data for a colon. A shape classification may be determined for a segmented colon by three-dimensional filtering of a prone data set and a supine data set. The shape classification may be mapped onto a prone virtual dissection image and a supine virtual dissection image. The prone data set and the supine data set may be registered using one-dimensional registration to determine a registration. Shapes may be localized based on the shape classification and the registration for the prone virtual dissection and the supine virtual dissection. A distance metric may be applied to the localized shapes to identify stool particles. The identified stool particles may be suppressed. A prone virtual dissected image and a supine virtual dissected image may be displayed having the stool particles suppressed.

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: 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 method for enhancing images of an object includes registering a fixed image with cine images of the same object. Next, the fixed image and the cine images are transformed into frequency space representations thereof. A central portion of the frequency space cine images are merged with a peripheral portion of frequency space fixed image using a defined normalized response curve or a predefined normalized response curve (or both) to form a merged image. Finally, the method includes inversely transforming the merged image into enhanced cine images of the object.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for identifying stool particles in virtual dissection data for a colon. A shape classification may be determined for a segmented colon by three-dimensional filtering of a prone data set and a supine data set. The shape classification may be mapped onto a prone virtual dissection image and a supine virtual dissection image. The prone data set and the supine data set may be registered using one-dimensional registration to determine a registration. Shapes may be localized based on the shape classification and the registration for the prone virtual dissection and the supine virtual dissection. A distance metric may be applied to the localized shapes to identify stool particles. The identified stool particles may be suppressed. A prone virtual dissected image and a supine virtual dissected image may be displayed having the stool particles suppressed.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments, user interactions of adding, removing and selecting scale, within a mesh framework to improve repeatability and reproducibility of an arbitrary process in a three-dimensional medical space. In some embodiments, a multiple-mesh framework further improves performance of an arbitrary segmentation process.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments a normal database of metadata information is created from a standardization/normalization transformation of individual data values pertaining to all the labels in all axes of normal data. In some additional embodiments, a statistical metric is established from which is determined individual label-based abnormalities. In some additional embodiments, deviation of patient metadata from normal is displayed in a visual manner that lends to a holistic view of the results.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for handling data comprises decomposing data into a plurality of resolution levels using an integer wavelet decomposition. A transform module may be used to perform forward and inverse transformations on multi-dimensional data using integer wavelet transforms. A data stream is compiled comprising the plurality of resolution levels in a predetermined order. At least one resolution level of the plurality of resolution levels associated with a workflow application is accessed by a processor, and the workflow application is performed on the at least one resolution level.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method of medical image processing on a distributed network including: communicating on a distributed network comprising a server, a client, and a communications pathway having a bandwidth, wherein the distributed network comprises system resources related to the server, the client, and the communications pathway; monitoring the system resources and the bandwidth with at least one process monitor to generate monitor data; and recommending an allocation of at least a portion of the system resources for processing three dimensional image data to form two dimensional image data displayable on the client, wherein the allocation is based at least in part on the monitor data.

Abstract: A method for acquiring an image on an imaging system includes accessing at least first image data from a first imaging system, processing the first image data in accordance with a CAD algorithm, acquiring at least second image data based upon results of the CAD algorithm and processing the second image data in accordance with the CAD algorithm to confirm the results of the CAD algorithm regarding the first image data.

Abstract: A method for acquiring an image on an imaging system includes accessing at least first image data from a first imaging system, processing the first image data in accordance with a CAD algorithm, acquiring at least second image data based upon results of the CAD algorithm and processing the second image data in accordance with the CAD algorithm to confirm the results of the CAD algorithm regarding the first image data.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments detection of a change in characteristics of plaque in a longitudinal exam is automated for the purpose of assessing change in disease due to therapy, patient behavior modifications or follow-up. In some embodiments, diagnosis and treatment of arterial lesions includes obtaining a plurality of sets of computed-tomography images of at least one arterial plaque lesion, wherein each set of computed-tomography images are acquired at a different time, then storing the computed-tomography images in a database and analyzing arterial plaque variations in the sets of computed-tomography images for changes in at least one parameter.

Abstract: A technique for selecting portions of a multi-resolution medical image data set to be stored and the portions of the multi-resolution medical image data set to be discarded in order to reduce the overall amount of image data that is stored for each image data set. The selection is based on the clinical purpose for obtaining the medical image data. The clinical purpose for obtaining the medical image is used to define regions of interest in the medical image. At each resolution level of the multi-resolution medical image data set, the regions of interest are stored at the full resolution, while the remaining portions of the medical image are stored at a lesser resolution. A three-dimensional bit mask of the regions of interest is produced from a segmentation of the regions of interest. The segmentation list and the multi-resolution medical image data set are decomposed into multiple resolution levels. Each resolution level has a low frequency component and several high frequency components.

Abstract: A technique is provided for improving workflow in processing and exchange of image data in a medical context. Image data may be accessed for processing, and save-state information may be generated following such processing that captures a state of an application used to process the image data files. A link to the save-state information may be stored on a common memory device and selected or executed by a radiologist or downstream service provider for accessing both the images and for placing the application in the state used to process the images. The resulting workflow greatly facilitates access to images as well as restoration of useful states of applications used to process the images.

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: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments a central computer provides a communication path between a customer computer, a vendor computer and an expert computer. In some embodiments, a tiered fee structure that includes one or more incentive is transmitted between the computers.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments a central computer provides a communication path between a customer computer, a vendor computer and an expert computer. In some embodiments, a tiered fee structure that includes one or more incentive is transmitted between the computers.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments a central computer provides a communication path between a customer computer, a vendor computer and an expert computer. In some embodiments, a tiered fee structure that includes one or more incentive is transmitted between the computers.