Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for segmentation of an object in a 2D or 3D image data set by extracting a path along the object.

Abstract: A method of constructing a non-uniform attenuation map (460) of a subject for use in image reconstruction of SPECT data is provided. It includes collecting a population of a priori transmission images and storing them in an a priori image memory (400). The transmission images not of the subject. Next, a cross-correlation matrix (410) is generated from the population of transmission images. The eigenvectors (420) of the cross-correlation matrix (410) are calculated. A set of orthonormal basis vectors (430) is generated from the eigenvectors (420). A linear combination of the basis vectors (420) is constructed (440), and coefficients for the basis vectors are determined (450) such that the linear combination thereof defines the non-uniform attenuation map (460).

Abstract: A Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS) having multi-level image data processing is provided. The system includes imaging a patient with an imaging modality to generate raw digital image data and then sending the raw image data to an acquisition workstation. The acquisition workstation then performs a first level of image data processing to form partially processed raw image data with regard to a predetermined subset of the set of control parameters to form a partially processed image. The subset of control parameters may comprise frequency control parameters or contrast control parameters, for example. The partially processed image may then be sent to an external connection, stored in a database in the PACS, or sent to a display workstation for a second level of image data processing to complete the image processing and display the image.

Abstract: A method for processing images in a Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS) is provided. The method includes imaging a patient with an imaging modality to generate raw digital image data and then sending the raw image data to an acquisition workstation. The acquisition workstation then partially processes the raw image data with regard to a predetermined subset of the set of control parameters to form a partially processed image. The subset of control parameters may comprise frequency control parameters or contrast control parameters, for example. The partially processed image may then be sent to an external connection, stored in a database in the PACS, or sent to a display workstation for complete processing and display. A partially processed image that has been stored in a database in the PACS may be retrieved and sent to a display workstation for complete processing and display.

Abstract: A method and system of encoding physiological data. In one embodiment of the invention, raw data is transformed into formatted images and then the formatted images are encoded. The data is transferred at full resolution once to a main server and then the superimposition of the data is encoded using a compression scheme. Preferably, the data is encoded using difference-based encoding, such as MPEG encoding. Encoding the data in this way makes it possible to perform data analysis on a wide variety of workstations, not just high-performance machines.

Abstract: A video-based surgical targeting system for targeting anatomical structures within a patient.

Abstract: A method for detecting epithelial cancer includes generating a real-time video image of the locus of potential cancerous sites on the epithelium. The real-time video image is displayed on a television monitor screen. The real-time video image on the monitor is examined to locate suspected cancerous sites and the results of such examination are recorded.

Abstract: At least one kind of image input modality and at least one kind of image information output device are connected to an image processing system. At least one kind of image input modality, which is among connected image input modalities, includes a plurality of image information input apparatuses having different input device characteristics. The image processing system comprises a standardization device for carrying out transform processing on image information such that, in every case where the image information has been received from one image information input apparatus, which is among the plurality of the image information input apparatuses, the received image information may be transformed into standard image information, which does not depend upon the input device characteristics of the one image information input apparatus and depends upon standard device characteristics having been set previously for the image input modality including the one image information input apparatus.

Abstract: Methods of diagnosing and preventing bone loss and/or enhancing bone formation are disclosed. The invention additionally provides methods of diagnosing a predisposition to bone loss. The methods mathematically combine the information provided by imaging tests with the information provided by biomarkers to provide an index value. The index value is used for diagnosis of bone diseases, and to assess the progress of treatment of bone diseases.

Abstract: In an apparatus and a method for modeling momentary conditions of a medical object dependent on at least one time-variable body function, at least one further status value of the time-variable body function is calculated on the basis of the geometry of the medical object that is acquired from data obtained with a medical imaging method for at least one status value of the time-variable body function, and the geometry of the medical object is made available approximately synchronously with the currently measured status value of the time-variable body function.

Abstract: A diagnostic imaging system, notably a magnetic resonance imaging system comprises a receiver antenna for picking-up magnetic resonance signals and an ultrasound probe for receiving ultrasound echoes. A reconstruction unit is arranged to reconstruct a diagnostic image from the magnetic resonance signals and the ultrasound echoes in particular, the magnetic resonance image and ultrasound images are registered in a common reference frame and geometric distortions in the ultrasound image are corrected on the basis of the magnetic resonance image. Different tissues types are distinguished in the magnetic resonance image and corrections are made for differences between ultrasound sound velocities in these tissue types. Further, information contained in the magnetic resonance signals can be displayed in combination in the ultrasound echoes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for patient point-of-care data management is provided. Patient point-of-care data is obtained in realtime or in substantially realtime and is made available to subscribers or authorized users on either a local computer display screen, a remote computer display screen, or both. In some embodiments, data associated with a plurality of patients is made available and is viewable simultaneously on a computer display screen. In some embodiments, patient point-of-care data from a plurality of hospitals is available.

Abstract: First and second volume data are collected in advance for the same region of a human body under examination. By performing volume rendering along the set direction of line of sight, a composite image of a first three-dimensional image based on the first volume data and a second three-dimensional image based on the second volume data is produced. The volume rendering is performed taking into consideration whether the trimming of the front region has been specified or not. In the volume rendering, by setting the initial position of a point of interest on the plane of projection or on the plane section indicated by a depth map according to whether the trimming of the front region has been specified or not, a three-dimension imaging region is varied. When the trimming of the front region has been specified, the initial position of the point of interest is set on the plane of projection.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a variable length correlation method is provided for compensating for body motions and heart creep in a sequence of image frames obtained by single-photon emission computed tomograph (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging. Abrupt body motions, gradual body motions, and heart upward creep are detected and corrected in the sequence of image frames, based on varying correlation lengths. A linear transformation is used to compensate for appearance changes of the heart under different acquisition angles so as to achieve high accuracy of motion detection and correction. The detecting and correcting step is applied in the two-dimensional image domain. The method also includes the steps of detecting and excluding high intensity, non-heart regions in a particular image frame so that non-heart motions such as bowel gas, spleen, and liver motions are excluded from being involved in the motion detection and correction procedure.

Abstract: A method for MRI signal analysis of an area of a biological tissue comprising: a) providing a biological tissue, wherein physiological activity is taking place in an area thereof; b) acquiring sequential magnetic resonance images, at least during a portion of time in which the physiological activity is taking place, of said area and of at least a portion of the tissue in a vicinity of the area; c) constructing, responsive to at least one pixel-related parameter value of the images, a pixel parameter space; and d) separating the pixel parameter space into at least two subspaces.

Abstract: A system and method for digital imaging. A digital radiological image of a subject is obtained having at least one low density region. The image is processed using first weighting factors in the at least one low density region of the digital image and second weighting factors smaller than the first weighting factors in regions of the digital image other than the at least one low density region. A processed digital image is obtained and a representation of the processed digital image is produced. In the processing of the image, unsharp mask filtering is employed using a processing curve having maximum unsharp mask filtering in the at least one low density region of the digital image and a constant amount of unsharp mask filtering less than the maximum unsharp mask filtering in the regions of the image other than the low density regions.

Abstract: A method for detecting epithelial cancer includes generating a real-time video image of the locus of potential cancerous sites on the epithelium. The real-time video image is displayed on a television monitor screen. The real-time video image on the monitor is examined to locate suspected cancerous sites and the results of such examination are recorded.

Abstract: A method of measuring motion of an object by magnetic resonance imaging including applying a pulse sequence to spatially modulate a region of interest of said object. At least one spectral peak is acquired from the Fourier domain of the spatially modulated object. The inverse Fourier transform information of the acquired spectral peaks is computed. The angle images are computed from the spectral peak. The angle images employed to measure motion of the object. The method may employ a SPAMM pulse sequence as the pulse sequence. The angle images may be employed to compute directly and automatically, planar strain in two dimensions or a full strain tensor in three dimension. The data may be useful in detection and quantification of myocardial ischemia and infarction. The angle images may also be employed to generate data equivalent to planar tag data automatically and can be employed to generate any desired tag separations.

Abstract: In a bone measurement method, an index value representing a condition of a structure of a bone tissue is acquired. Bone tissue pattern emphasis processing is carried out on a radiation image of an object, which contains at least the bone tissue, and in accordance with a morphology operation. Index value acquisition processing is then carried out on a bone tissue image, which has been obtained from the bone tissue pattern emphasis processing and represents an emphasized pattern of the structure of the bone tissue. The index value accurately representing the condition of the structure of the bone tissue is thereby acquired non-invasively in accordance with the radiation image.

Abstract: New or growing skin lesions are identified by providing digital baseline image data of an area of a subject's skin, and storing the baseline image data. An imaging system is operated to produce up-to-date digital image data of the skin area directly from the subject or from a photograph thereof as a real time input to a computer. The stored baseline image data also is provided to the computer. The up-to-date image data and baseline image data are alternately displayed on a monitor in a blinking mode. The orientation, focus, and/or distance of the camera from the actual area or photograph thereof so as to frame, scale, and/or align features of the alternately displayed images. A frame of the aligned up-to-date image is digitized and stored. The stored up-to-date image data and the baseline image data are alternately displayed on a monitor in a blinking mode to visually identify lesions which blink enough to identify a new or significantly growing lesion.

Abstract: A method for the enhancement of medical images for hardcopy prints comprising the steps of: obtaining a medical image in digital format; conducting a plurality of operations for Human Visual System (HVS)-based edge enhancement with each operation having a uniquely specified high frequency amplification function and range such that edges are more enhanced in the shadow region than in the highlight region; adjusting image tone scale, for reflection prints increase the contrast in the shadow region and decrease the contrast in the highlight region, and for transparency prints decrease the contrast in the shadow region and increase the contrast in the highlight region; sending the processed image to the output device for hardcopy prints.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for configurable logging and analysis of performance data for a medical diagnostic imaging system. A medical diagnostic imaging system may be divided into at least one subsystem. The subsystems include data acquisition modules for acquiring desired types of data related to the performance of an associated subsystem. The data acquisition modules acquire raw performance data during the operation of the medical diagnostic imaging system. The data acquisition modules may remotely acquire the raw performance data. The raw performance data may be acquired based upon a configuration file which identifies parameters associated with a desired type of performance analysis. New configuration files may be downloaded to dynamically select at least one parameter for a desired type of performance analysis. Parameters in the configuration file may comprise at least one of a performance variable and a sampling rate for the performance variable.

Abstract: A computer-based imaging technique for three dimensional modeling of root canal shape and accurate measuring of root canal length is provided. A direct digital radiology (DDR) system that replaces film by an electronic sensor is used to acquire radiographic images of the root canal. The DDR system allows instant radiographic imaging with significantly less patient exposure than conventional film-based radiography. Additionally, since the images are captured in digital form, a computer is used for processing. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, two digital images of the dentition from two different angles are acquired. The root canal in each image, along with the direction of projection will define a surface in 3-D space. The intersection of two surfaces will represent the root canal in 3-D. Once the 3-D shape of the root canal is reconstructed, the length of the root canal can be obtained by computing the length of the 3-D curve.

Abstract: Disclosed is a blood vessel detecting apparatus which accurately detects a blood vessel using an image pickup element having a plurality of pixels to pick up an image of a blood vessel, a detector for detecting a pixel output estimated as a blood vessel on the basis of pixel the output from the image pickup elements, and a determination unit for, when the detector detects pixel outputs that are likely to be a plurality of blood vessels, determining a correct number of blood vessels using the pixel output or an area image pickup element.

Abstract: In a radiographic image reading method of reading a radiographic image on a radiographic image conversion panel and for obtaining radiographic image information; the adiographic image reading method includes steps of: reading panel discriminating information corresponding to the radiographic image conversion panel, thereby obtaining information regarding the radiographic image conversion panel; and applying image processing for the radiographic image information based on the information regarding the radiographic image conversion panel.

Abstract: An ultrasound segmentation method comprising the steps of automated initial contour identification, followed by application of a geometrically deformable model (GDM). The formation of the initial contours involves the input of a single seed point by the user, and has been found to be insensitive to the placement of the seed within a structure. The GDM minimizes contour energy, providing a smoothed final result, with only three simple parameters being required as easily selectable input values.

Abstract: An image processing method improves contrast of relevant subject matter surrounded or partially bordered by a substantially homogeneous background. A first sub-image is defined that includes the relevant subject matter and a reduced amount of the substantially homogeneous background. A second sub-image is defined from the first sub-image that is substantially just the relevant subject matter. If any of the homogeneous background remains, a smoothing routine can be applied to the edges of the second sub-image. The second sub-image can then be re-scaled to a given dynamic range for improved contrast of the relevant subject matter.

Abstract: Appropriate image processing is carried out on image information input to a network. Processing completion or incompletion judging means in a QC-WS reads header information of image information input from an image information inputting apparatus to the network, and judges whether or not the image information has been processed. If the image information has been judged as processing incomplete, the information is sent to an image processing apparatus to be processed thereby and output from an image information outputting apparatus. If the image information has been judged as processing complete, the image information is output from the image information outputting apparatus as it is.

Abstract: Processing for detecting an abnormal pattern candidate embedded in a medical image having been obtained from an image recording operation is performed on an image signal representing the medical image. In cases where the image signal is one which has been subjected to predetermined signal processing, correction processing is performed on the image signal such that the abnormal pattern candidate detecting processing performed on the image signal, which has been subjected to the predetermined signal processing, does not depend upon the predetermined signal processing. The abnormal pattern candidate detecting processing is then performed on the image signal, which has been obtained from the correction processing.

Abstract: This invention discloses an apparatus for fetal weight determination including an ultrasonic imager operative to image a fetus in utero and to provide output image data in respect thereof, an image processor operative automatically to measure at least one dimension of at least one fetal body part based on the output image data and to provide output body part dimension data, and an automatic fetal weight calculator operative to calculate fetal weight automatically based on the output body part dimension data. A method for determining fetal weight is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device includes a registration module that determines a registration transformation between a first set of data of a first image and a second set of data of a second image. A sampling module re-samples the first set of data into a third set of data able to be superposed directly, sample by sample, on the second set of data. A processing module determines, starting from the second and third set of data, a set of difference data representing differences between superposable areas of the images constituted by the second and third sets of data.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for registering frames of imaging data using Fourier phase matching. Successive image frames of pixel data are processed using an image registration algorithm. Either image frames or the frames after edge detection are transformed into polar-logarithmic coordinates in the frequency domain and the phases of the Fourier transform of the resulting image representations, after inverse Fast Fourier transformation, are matched. The coordinates at the maximum phase difference are used to determine the scaling and rotation parameters needed for image frame registration. The frequency domain representation of one of the image frames is then scaled and rotated using an anti-aliasing algorithm in accordance with those parameters. The phase of the result is matched with the phase of the frequency domain representation of the other image frame to determine the translation parameters needed for image frame registration.

Abstract: For the purpose of accurately calculating the average value M of original complex observed signals S from an absolute-value image produced by the complex observed signals S, in Step A1, the average value Ma of pixel values |S| of the absolute-value image in a local region is calculated by:

Abstract: A method for MRI signal analysis of an area of a biological tissue comprising: a) providing a biological tissue, wherein physiological activity is taking place in an area thereof; b) acquiring sequential magnetic resonance images, at least during a portion of time in which said physiological activity is taking place, of said area and of at least a portion of the tissue in a vicinity of the area; c) constructing, responsive to at least one pixel-related parameter value of said images, a pixel parameter space; and d) separating the pixel parameter space into at least two subspaces.

Abstract: A method of analyzing medical image data to measure brain atrophy and determine the severity and progression of multiple sclerosis or other condition which leads to neurodegeneration or axonal damage is provided. Magnetic resonance image data representing a brain of a subject is provided and a brain surface contour is automatically identified by separating the brain from other connected structures in the image data. A total volume within the brain surface contour is calculated. A brain volume is then determined within the surface contour which excludes fluid filled regions and accounts for partial volume effects. The brain volume is then normalized by the total contour volume which generates a brain parenchymal fraction. The brain parenchymal fraction serves as a reliable measurement of brain atrophy and assists in determining the severity and progression of multiple sclerosis or other condition which leads to neurodegeneration or axonal damage.

Abstract: A system and method of generating an image analysis report relating to an image of a subject. The method includes querying a user for an image description providing locational information regarding the image, querying the user for a physical description providing locational information regarding the subject, and querying the user for a finding description providing selected characteristics of the image. A description set including the user's responses to the queries is stored and processed to generate the report. Any of the querying steps may include providing the user with a limited set of entry options, and some of the entry may be by selecting a location on a graphical map. A second description set relating to a different image of the same or a different subject may also be entered, and the user may be queried for information relating to a causal link between the description sets. A user may be queried for a confidence level of any observation or conclusion.

Abstract: Systems and methods deploy an electrode structure in contact with the tissue region. The electrode structure carries a sensor at a known location on the electrode structure to monitor an operating condition. The systems and methods provide an interface, which generate an idealized image of the electrode structure and an indicator image to represent the monitored operating condition in a spatial position on the idealized image corresponding to the location of the sensor on the electrode structure. The interface displays a view image comprising the idealized image and indicator image. The systems and methods cause the electrode structure to apply energy to heat the tissue region while the view image is displayed on the display screen.

Abstract: Edge candidate points are detected with respect to radial straight lines, which have been set with respect to a predetermined point lying in a radiation image. A predetermined number of reference candidate lines are detected by the utilization of Hough transform with respect to the edge candidate points. It is determined that the region surrounded by the reference candidate lines is the irradiation field. The irradiation field on a radiation image is thereby recognized accurately. A blackening process is carried out on the region outside of the irradiation field, which has thus been determined.

Abstract: For the purpose of providing an image processing method for properly performing filtering, a local region is defined containing a pixel of interest in an original image (504); pixel groups are defined in the region in a plurality of modes (506); a pixel group mode which best fits a structure of the original image in the local region is selected (508, 510); and an average pixel value of the pixel group which contains the pixel of interest is used as a new pixel value for the pixel of interest.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a three-dimensional visualization image of an object such as an organ using volume visualization techniques and exploring the image using a guided navigation system which allows the operator to travel along a flight path and to adjust the view to a particular portion of the image of interest in order, for example, to identify polyps, cysts or other abnormal features in the visualized organ. An electronic biopsy can also be performed on an identified growth or mass in the visualized object. Improved fly-path generation and volume rendering techniques provide enhanced navigation through, and examination of, a region of interest.

Abstract: A diagnosis system includes a terminal T and a server S which are connected to each other through a network B. A user images a given position of user's body by an imaging device C connected to the terminal T and transmits image data obtained by that imaging to the server S through the network. The server S compares the received image data with reference data of the server S and automatically diagnoses the user's health condition, to thereby produce diagnosis data. The diagnosis data is equivalent to a diagnosis result whom a doctor says a patient, to thereby realize an automatic diagnosis.

Abstract: A method and system for the computerized automatic analysis of lesions in magnetic resonance (MR) images, a computer programmed to implement the method, and a data structure for storing required parameters is described. Specifically the system includes the computerized analysis of lesions in the breast using spatial, temporal and/or hybrid measures. Techniques include novel developments and implementations of two-dimensional and three-dimensional features to assess the characteristics of the lesions and in some cases give an estimate of the likelihood of malignancy or of prognosis. The system can also allow for the enhanced visualization of the breast and its pathological states. The system also includes an option to merge the extracted features with those from x-ray and/or ultrasound images in order to further characterize the lesion and/or make a diagnosis and/or a prognosis.

Abstract: A medical network system comprising a multitude of reference terminals for referring to diagnosis images can be constructed at low cost and the reference terminals can carry out fast display equivalent to that by a high performance workstation for diagnosis. An image server is loaded with a web server, separately from a server (DICOM server) for providing image data based on a protocol specific to a medical system, so that a web connection to the image server becomes possible. An image processing server loaded with an image processing component for carrying out image processing for display is provided, separately from the image server. The reference terminals obtain image data and a display program from the image server via the web connection, cause the image processing server to execute image processing on the obtained image data, and carry out display alone of the processed image.

Abstract: A method of constructing a cardiac map of a heart having a heart cycle including; bringing an invasive probe into contact with a location on a wall of the heart; determining, at at least two different phases of the heart cycle, a position of the invasive probe; and determining a local non-electrical physiological value at the location. The method is repeated for a plurality of locations in the heart The positions are combined to form a time-dependent map of at least a portion of the heart and local relationships between changes in positions of the invasive probe and determined local non-electrical physiological values are determined. Preferably, local electrical activity at the plurality of locations is also acquired.

Abstract: The method and system embeds digital meta-data into an original image in such a way that the meta-data can be completely removed at a later time to allow loss less recovery of the original image. The loss less recovery of the original image allows for a digital signature of the image to be embedded in the image itself and later recovered and used to verify the authenticity of a received image.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for providing programs, such as operational protocols, to medical diagnostic institutions and systems. The protocols are created and stored on machine readable media. A description of the protocols is displayed at the diagnostic institution or system. A user may select a desired protocol or program from a user interface, such as a listing of protocols. The protocol listing may include textual and exemplary image descriptions of the protocols. Selected protocols are transferred from the machine readable media to the diagnostic institution or system. The transfer may take place over a network link, and may be subject to fee arrangements, subscription status verifications, and so forth. Protocols may be loaded for execution on system scanners by selection from the same or a similar protocol listing screen.

Abstract: A prospective abnormal pattern is detected in accordance with one of image signals representing radiation images of the right and left mammae of an object. A region of the detected prospective abnormal pattern in one radiation image, which is represented by the one image signal, and a region in the other mamma radiation image, which region corresponds to the position of the region of the detected prospective abnormal pattern in the one radiation image, are set. Iris filter processing is carried out on image signal components, which represent picture elements located in the region of the detected prospective abnormal pattern in the one radiation image, and on image signal components, which represent picture elements located in the region in the other mamma radiation image. Iris filter output signals are thereby obtained. A calculation is made to find a difference value between the iris filter output signals, which have been obtained with respect to corresponding picture elements in the regions.

Abstract: We demonstrate a comprehensive image processing system to automatically detect the use of a stationary anti-scatter device (also referred to as a linear grid) and suppress the artifacts that such a device creates in a digital radiographic images. The detection process consists of the stages of determining an appropriate region of the image from which to perform the analysis; performing a spectral analysis to identify the grid frequencies; and identifying the most likely grid line frequency. When a grid is detected, the results of the detection process are used to perform adaptive grid suppression using custom designed blurring filters and a plurality of adaptation methods.

Abstract: An diagnostic imaging apparatus for acquiring image information representing at least one region of an examination subject, generates image signals that correspond to the acquired image information and has a signal processor to which the image signals are fed. The signal processor subjects the image signals to spatial-frequency filtering with a controlled bandpass characteristic, in order to be able to display subjects situated in the passband of the bandpass characteristic more clearly with respect to their dimensions.

Abstract: Improved methods for detecting lesions in dense breast tissue are disclosed. The methods of the invention generally feature administration to a subject of an LHRH antagonist in an amount and for a period of time sufficient to reduce the density of breast tissue prior to generating an image of the breast tissue, for example by mammography, to detect a lesion in the breast tissue. Packaged formulations for reducing breast density in a subject prior to generating an image of the subject's breast tissue, comprising an LHRH antagonist packaged with instructions for using the LHRH antagonist to reduce breast density in a subject prior to imaging the breast tissue, are also disclosed.