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: A process for purpose-specific enhancement filtering of anatomical data includes acts of selecting at least one specific purpose from a predetermined list of a plurality of analytical tools for anatomical data analysis and setting specific parameter values for the specific purpose. The process also includes acts of enhancing the anatomical data using a three-dimensional, segmentation-based filter, using the specific parameter values, to provide enhanced anatomical data and using the enhanced anatomical data for the selected specific purpose.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for automatically processing a volumetric diagnostic image dataset. A first seed point is defined within a lesion. The lesion is within a first image dataset representative of a subject. A first boundary is defined in three dimensions within the first image dataset and the first seed point and the lesion are within the first boundary. At least one parameter is determined based on the first image dataset. A first segmentation algorithm is selected from a plurality of segmentation algorithms based on the at least one parameter, and the lesion is segmented using the first segmentation algorithm.

Abstract: A method for suppressing tagged material in prepless colonoscopy includes identifying and segmenting multiple density classes, intensity classes, or both in a volumetric medical image of a patient including a volume of the patient's colon and classifying the volume of the patient's colon into a plurality of types based upon the identified and segmented density classes, intensity classes, or both. The method further includes subtracting, suppressing, or leaving the tagged material in the image in accordance with the type classifications to produce a resulting image and visualizing the resulting image.

Abstract: A method and system for processing a cardiac image dataset acquired from an imaging system is provided. A location of a first potential blockage point within a first cardiac vessel is located. A functional impact of the first potential blockage point on the cardiac tissue is predicted, and a representation of the functional impact is provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for managing medical imaging data. The method includes storing location information that indicates a location of an imaging data set created for a medical purpose of a patient in an electronic file created for the medical purpose.

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: 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 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: 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: Methods and apparatus for detecting aneurysm in vasculatures are provided. The method includes removing bone structures from three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) angiography image data and extracting spherical shapes from the bone removed 3D CT angiography image data. The method further includes displaying the extracted spherical shapes on an image of the 3D CT angiography image data.

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: A method for retrospective internal gating is described. The method includes acquiring images at multiple z-locations z1 . . . zn and at different times t1 . . . tn at each of the z-locations, and reordering the images at least one of the z-locations to obtain a synchronized image set.

Abstract: A method and system for visualizing regions in an image is provided. The method comprises computing a regional response around a region in the image, deriving a region score based on from the regional response for the region and labeling the region in the image by comparing the region score to a plurality of probabilistic models.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing visualization of clinical conditions comprising receiving imaging data on a subject from an imaging modality, receiving user input on at least one suspected clinical condition of the subject undergoing imaging on the imaging modality, and processing the imaging data in association with a knowledgebase using an optimal image processing algorithm to enhance visualization of the at least one suspected clinical condition in at least one image.

Abstract: A method includes providing an auto visualization display based on at least one quantitative analysis of at least one object of interest's progress over time regarding therapy response parameters over time.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for automatically synchronizing multiple images. Multiple image sets of a single object are converted into a one dimensional data stream used to synchronize multiple image sets. A common reference point is located in the image sets. Various landmarks of the object are also located in the image sets. Corresponding landmarks among the image sets are noted. Distances from landmarks to the reference point and distances between landmarks are determined. Locations of the landmarks in relation to each other and in relation to the reference point are used to locate landmarks in another image set that correspond to landmarks in a selected image set. A first location in an image set may be identified using a first indicator. A second indicator corresponding to the location of the first indicator may then be determined in another image set.

Abstract: A method of performing a colon exam includes obtaining at least two initial Computed Tomography (CT) datasets, extracting colon automatically from the CT datasets, synthesizing views of the extracted colon, displaying a plurality of obtained and synthesized views of the colon simultaneously, and synchronizing the views.

Abstract: A method for detection and classification of nodules (N) in a tomographic image of an anatomical zone of a patient includes segmenting the image to identify therein a region of interest including at least one nodule, and classifying regions of the nodule as one of solid, part-solid, and non-solid.