Producing Difference Image (e.g., Angiography) Patents (Class 382/130)
  • Patent number: 8942789
    Abstract: In a method for fluoroscopy controlled insertion of a stent into a curved aorta for aneurysm repair, a 3D volume image is obtained of a patient's aorta at the aneurysm. By knowing a registration of the 3D volume image to a C-arm of an angiographic system and projection geometry of the angiography system, the 3D volume images are projected to a 2D fluoroscopy image of the angiography system. For the 2D3D overlay, the 3D volume image is displayed as a curved planar reconstruction in which the 2D fluoroscopy image and the 3D volume image are warped around a curved center line of the curved aorta or around a curved guide instrument center line to correct for the curvature of the aorta so that the previously curved aorta center line or curved center line of the guide instrument turns into a straight line to visualize insertion of the stent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martin Ostermeier, Marcus Pfister
  • Patent number: 8942444
    Abstract: An imaging system includes an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert an analog pixel value into a first digital pixel value. The imaging system also includes an index value source configured to receive the first digital pixel value from the analog-to-digital converter and to generate a digital index value based on a comparison of the first digital pixel value to a digital reference value. In addition, the imaging system includes a transmitter in communication with the index value source and configured to transmit the digital index value. Further, the imaging system includes an image processing component configured to receive the digital index value and to generate a second digital pixel value based at least in part on the received digital index value and a lookup table of the image processing component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Richard Larry Anderton, Brian James Grekowicz, Bela Janos Kiraly
  • Publication number: 20150010221
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a medical image processing apparatus includes a subtraction image acquisition part, a threshold processing part, an image processing part and an image operation part. The subtraction image acquisition part is configured to acquire subtraction image data between X-ray contrast image data and X-ray non-contrast image data of an object. The threshold processing part is configured to perform threshold processing of the subtraction image data or image data generated based on the subtraction image data. The image processing part is configured to perform image processing of image data after the threshold processing. The image operation part is configured to generate image data for a display by an image operation between the subtraction image data and image data after the image processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Shingo ABE
  • Patent number: 8929631
    Abstract: A method and a device for reference image adapting in the field of fluoroscopy-controlled interventional repair of abdominal aortic aneurisms on angiography systems are proposed. Displacements which can be brought about as a result of introducing instruments, such as when a stent is deployed in an aorta, are automatically corrected. It is also possible to correct such displacements which initially cannot be perceived in the image due to the angle of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Marcus Pfister, Martin Von Roden
  • Patent number: 8929628
    Abstract: The measuring unit computes at least one of an area and a perimetrical length of a polygon, based on three or more measuring points including an indeterminate point of which a position is changed by a move instruction input through an operation unit, wherein the measuring points are designated on the image by an instruction of a user input through the operation unit. The controller updates the position of the indeterminate point, when the move instruction is input through the operation unit after display the computational result, controls the measuring unit to recompute at least one of the area and the perimetrical length of the polygon based on the measuring points including the updated indeterminate point, and controls the display unit to display at least one of the recomputed area and the recomputed perimetrical length of the polygon, as recomputational result after updated the indeterminate point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Kiyotomi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 8929632
    Abstract: A method of visualizing changes in blood flow in a digital subtraction angiography (DSA) image sequence is disclosed. A time-contrast curve is generated for all pixels in each image of the DSA image sequence. A reference parameter for each time-contrast curve to be used as a first time point is specified. The value of the reference parameter for each time-contrast curve is determined and an arbitrary parameter is specified for each time-contrast curve to be used as a second time point. An output image is generated by applying a color-coding of the difference between the first time point and the second time point to all pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Tim Horz, Markus Kowarschik
  • Patent number: 8923587
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for reconstructing images from limited or incomplete data, such as few view data or limited angle data or truncated data generated from divergent beams. The method and apparatus may iteratively constrain the variation of an estimated image in order to reconstruct the image. To reconstruct an image, a first estimated image may be generated. Estimated data may be generated from the first estimated image, and compared with the actual data. The comparison of the estimated data with the actual data may include determining a difference between the estimated and actual data. The comparison may then be used to generate a new estimated image. For example, the first estimated image may be combined with an image generated from the difference data to generate a new estimated image. To generate the image for the next iteration, the variation of the new estimated image may be constrained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Xiaochuan M. Pan, Emil Sidky, Chien-min Kao
  • Patent number: 8918481
    Abstract: A medical image display system according to an embodiment including a server that provides medical image display data and display/clinical applications and a terminal device that can access the server by way of a network, the system, configuring the medical image display data so that pieces of image display information of a plurality of types including medical image information and interface information for user operation are arranged in a multilayered manner; transmitting the pieces of image display information of a plurality of types to the terminal device from the server, assigning them to communication protocols of different types; synthetically combining and displaying the pieces of image display information of a plurality of types transmitted from the server with use of the terminal device; and generating operator information by utilizing the interface information for user operation displayed on the terminal device, and transmitting the operator information to the server by way of the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Takumi Yoshidome
  • Patent number: 8913060
    Abstract: An accurate analysis of the spatial distribution and intravascular pattern of blood flow in any organ must be based on detailed morphometry (diameters, lengths, vessel numbers, branching pattern, branching angles, etc.) of the organ vasculature. Despite the significance of detailed morphometric data, there is relative scarcity of database on vascular anatomy, mainly because the process is extremely labor intensive. Novel methods in the form of a segmentation algorithm for semi-automation of morphometric data extraction are provided. The extraction algorithm is based on a topological analysis of a vector field generated by the normal vectors of the extracted vessel wall. With this approach, special focus is made on achieving the highest accuracy of the measured values, with excellent results when compared to manual measurements of the main trunk of the coronary arteries with microscopy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: DTherapeutics, LLC
    Inventors: Ghassan S. Kassab, Thomas Wischgoll
  • Patent number: 8913084
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of simulating an intravascular procedure in a virtual environment. The method includes displaying information from a first view and a second view simultaneously. The first view contains virtual representations of an anatomical region of a human body and an intravascular imaging device disposed in the anatomical region. The second view contains a cross-sectional image of a segment of the anatomical region corresponding to a location of the intravascular imaging device. The method includes moving, in response to a user input, the virtual representation of the intravascular imaging device with respect to the virtual representation of the anatomical region. The method includes updating the cross-sectional image as the virtual representation of the intravascular imaging device is being moved. The updated cross-sectional image corresponds to a new location of the intravascular imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Volcano Corporation
    Inventors: Sara Chen, Edrienne Brandon
  • Publication number: 20140362970
    Abstract: A CT system includes a gantry having a rotatable base and having an opening for receiving an object to be scanned, an x-ray source, a CT detector, and a computer programmed to detect a mis-registration at a slab boundary between a first slab and a second slab of a reconstructed image, quantify an amount of mis-registration at the slab boundary, and adjust the reconstructed image at the slab boundary based on the quantification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Laurent Launay, Darin R. Okerlund, Guillermo Ruiz, Brian E. Nett
  • Patent number: 8908949
    Abstract: A system for detecting post-operative retained foreign bodies has a data storage unit adapted to receive and store a reference image of a surgical object, and a data processor in communication with the data storage unit. The data processor is configured to receive an image of an internal region of a patient and to receive the reference image from the data storage unit, and the data processor is configured to perform operations based on an algorithm to compare the reference image to at least a portion of the image of the internal region of the patient and determine whether a retained foreign body is present in the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Bolanle Asiyanbola, Ralph Etienne-Cummings, Chao-Cheng Wu
  • Patent number: 8908941
    Abstract: Described embodiments include a system, method, and computer program product. A described system includes a receiver circuit that receives a first reference image that includes an objective landmark subsurface feature of a mammalian body part, and a second reference image that includes a present-location landmark subsurface feature of the mammalian body part. A feature matching circuit determines a substantial correspondence between the objective landmark subsurface feature and a first atlas subsurface feature, and a substantial correspondence between the present-location landmark subsurface feature and a second atlas subsurface feature. A location analysis circuit determines a fourth spatial relationship between the destination region of interest and a distal end portion of the body-insertable device deployed operationally proximate to the mammalian body part. An indicator circuit generates informational data indicative of the determined fourth spatial relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Eric C. Leuthardt, Erez Lieberman, Dennis J. Rivet, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8903146
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image diagnosis apparatus includes a line shape information generating unit and a comparing unit. The line shape information generating unit is configured to generate first line shape information corresponding to a first medical image and second line shape information corresponding to a second medical image, respectively. The comparing unit is configured to compare the generated first line shape information with the second line shape information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Wakai
  • Patent number: 8894280
    Abstract: Embodiments of radiographic imaging systems and/or methods can operate a digital radiography detector in a multiple modes, where characteristics such as an exposure integration time and dark images (e.g., number timing integration time, etc.) for first and second modes are different. The digital radiography detector can be coupled to a memory that can store a first set of one or more calibration maps for the first mode and a second set of one or more calibration maps for the second mode and a processor. In one embodiment, the processor can form a first calibration-corrected exposure image by modifying a first exposure image from the first mode using the first set of calibration maps and a second calibration-corrected exposure image by modifying a second exposure image from the second mode using the second set of calibration maps in combination with calibration maps for the first mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Karin Topfer, John W. DeHority
  • Patent number: 8897535
    Abstract: A 2D mammogram image is synthesized from at least one of tomosynthesis projection images and/or the tomosynthesis reconstructed image data. In a simplest form, the mammogram may be synthesized by selecting one of the tomosynthesis projection images for display as a synthesized mammogram. Other methods of synthesizing a mammogram include re-projecting and filtering projection data and/or reconstructed data. The synthesized mammogram is advantageously displayed together with at least a portion of the reconstructed data to aid in review of the reconstructed data. The present invention thus provides a familiar image which may be used to facilitate review of a tomosynthesis data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Ruth, Andrew P. Smith, Jay Stein
  • Publication number: 20140341452
    Abstract: In a method for calculating and displaying a summary of changes in image-derived measurements of one or more properties of one or more regions of interest whereby a representation is presented to a user indicating a change in the property of at least one of the regions-of-interest, with an indication of the region-of-interest associated with the representation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Jens Kaftan, Matthew David Kelly
  • Patent number: 8891851
    Abstract: A home healthcare management system wherein a patient conducts self diagnoses and self testing, and manages their own medical records at home. A digital microscope is utilized as part of the system that is smaller, of lower cost, faster, of a higher dynamic range, and has a higher resolution than conventional microscopes. The microscope consists of an illumination source, a spatial sub-sampling device and a detector device. The digital microscope provides a vectored method of collecting images from a digital microscope that is independent of the optical resolution, and a slide based coordinate system, and a method of displaying images and communicating such images over the Internet in a file format that does not require a header or prior knowledge of magnification, coordinate system, or tiling structure. The system further includes an interface for physiological monitoring devices and a connection to the Internet for more comprehensive services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventor: Glenn F. Spaulding
  • Patent number: 8891843
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a medical image diagnosis apparatus includes a volume rendering image generation part, mask image-storage, real time fluoroscopic image generation part, subtraction image generation part, coil image generation part, and image composition part. The volume rendering image generation part generates, from volume data, a volume rendering image representing blood vessel information. The mask image-storage stores fluoroscopic mask images. The real time fluoroscopic image generation part acquires real time fluoroscopic images for each chronological sequence accompanying device insertion. The subtraction image generation part generates a subtraction image by subtraction processing on the fluoroscopic mask image stored in the mask image storage and the real time fluoroscopic image acquired for each chronological sequence. The coil image generation part generates a coil image from the fluoroscopic mask image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Satoru Ohishi
  • Publication number: 20140334700
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods and/or apparatus for 3-D volume image reconstruction of a subject, executed at least in part on a computer for use with a digital radiographic apparatus, can obtain image data for 2-D projection images over a range of scan angles. For each of the plurality of projection images, an enhanced projection image can be generated. In one embodiment, a first scatter intensity distribution through the plurality of projection images can be modulated based on a first scaling function and a SPR to generate a second scatter intensity distribution through the plurality of projection images, which can be combined with the original plurality of projection images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Dong Yang, Nathan J. Packard, Robert A. Senn
  • Patent number: 8885902
    Abstract: A fan-to-parallel beam re-binner includes a time deflection determiner that determines time deflections for a plurality of integration periods for different detector pixels of an imaging system, a data shifter that shifts fan beam data acquired for the integration periods by the system by time offsets corresponding to the time deflections; and a data re-sorter that parallelizes the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Gilad Shechter, Amir Livne
  • Patent number: 8885897
    Abstract: A 3D ultrasound image from a memory is compared with a 3D diagnostic image from a memory by a localizer and registration unit which determines a baseline transform which registers the 3D diagnostic and ultrasound volume images. The target region continues to be examined by an ultrasound scanner which generates a series of real-time 2D or 3D ultrasound or other lower resolution images. The localizer and registration unit compares one or a group of the 2D ultrasound images with the 3D ultrasound image to determine a motion correction transform. An image adjustment processor or program (operates on the 3D diagnostic volume image with the baseline transform and the motion correction transform, to generate a motion corrected image that is displayed on an appropriate display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Sheng Xu, Jochen Kruecker, Luis Felipe Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 8880153
    Abstract: An angiography system for angiographic examination of a patient is provided. The system has an x-ray emitter and an x-ray image detector attached to the ends of a C-arm, a patient support couch, a system control unit, an image system and a monitor. The system control unit generates a mask image that detects a reference image, effects a registration of the reference image to the C-arm, whereby if necessary a segmentation of the examination object is implemented in the reference image, contrasts image regions lying inside of the segmentation in order to generate a mask image, and subtracts the mask image from fluoroscopy live images acquired by the angiography system without contrast agent in order to form a roadmap image. The image system effects a reproduction of the roadmap images on the monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Marcus Pfister
  • Patent number: 8879801
    Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking a head position of a user include obtaining digital images of the user's head, processing the images to locate anatomical structures beneath the visible surface, and using those determined locations as inputs to a computing device. In an embodiment, images of a user's face are processed to identify the irises of the eyes, identify pixels along a boundary between each iris and the surrounding sclera, determine an ellipse defined by the identified iris-sclera boundary pixels, determine a distance-to-pixel ratio based on a pixel length of a long axis of such an ellipse compared to a known or presumed diameter of the iris, locating the iris in a three-axis coordinate system, determining an optical axis vector of the eye in the three-axis coordinate system, and calculating a center of the eyeball based on the optical axis vector and a known or presumed eyeball radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard R. Ragland
  • Patent number: 8879807
    Abstract: After selecting two or more image series for comparison, images of the image series are interleaved so that they are alternatively displayed in a comparison pane on a display device. In one embodiment, after one or more image series are selected for comparison, an interleaved image series is created containing each of the images of the one or more selected image series, or, alternatively, the interleaved image series comprises links to the images arranged in the interleaved pattern. If differences exist in the images of the multiple image series, these differences may be more easily detectable as the display device cycles between the images. Comparison of images in an interleaved image series may be more advantageous if the images of each selected image series are of a common anatomical area, common image size, and the images are in the same order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Dr Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan K. Fram, Murray A. Reicher, Steven M. Greim, John J. Schumacher
  • Patent number: 8873708
    Abstract: A radiographic image capturing device includes a capturing unit that captures a radiographic image based on radiation (for example, X-rays) which penetrates through an object. A system control section extracts one still image from the radiographic image that is captured by the capturing unit, and displays the extracted still image on a second display section of a graphical user interface. The system control section displays a mark on a predetermined portion, which corresponds to a portion to be subjected to surgery, of the still image that is displayed on the second display section. When the mark that is displayed on the still image is selected, the system control section performs control of capturing an image of a corresponding portion of the object that corresponds to the predetermined portion using the capturing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinko Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8866894
    Abstract: A method for displaying live video of a tooth identifies a tooth tissue region in a viewable image frame obtained from a video stream and processes pixel data within the tooth tissue region to identify a suspected caries site. Intensity values for pixels that correspond to the suspected caries site are modified and a highlighted viewable image frame is formed as a combination of the modified intensity values corresponding to the suspected caries site and other pixel values in the viewable image frame. The highlighted viewable image frame is displayed in video form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor C. Wong, Gary M. Spinelli, Peter D. Burns, Paul O. McLaughlin, Jean Marc Inglese
  • Patent number: 8867808
    Abstract: First elasticity information regarding elasticity of a subject in a first image and second elasticity information regarding the elasticity of the subject in a second image are acquired, and the first image and the second image are positioned with respect to each other on the basis of at least one of the first elasticity information and the second elasticity information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyohide Satoh, Takaaki Endo, Ryo Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8867822
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for model-based coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring. A model image of a heart region is aligned with an image of a patient's heart region in order to more easily identify the coronary arteries and other relevant anatomical features in the image. Once the images are aligned, relevant calcium plaques are identified by their presence within a coronary artery, and the relevant plaques are then labeled by the specific coronary artery in which they are located. The coronary arteries with the labeled plaques are scored individually based on their size and X-ray attenuation, and an overall score based on all of the relevant plaques is then computed, which is related to the patient's risk for coronary artery disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Seungseok Oh, Daniel Russakoff
  • Patent number: 8867700
    Abstract: A method for correcting at least one image of an object obtained with a mammography system is provided. The method comprises: acquiring a pre-exposure image of an object to determine the acquisition conditions for main images, the pre-exposure image comprising regions corresponding to the projection of radio-opaque elements, wherein a mask comprising radio-opaque elements is in an acquisition position; acquiring the main images resulting from the passing through the object of X-rays at higher doses than the dose used for acquisition of the pre-exposure image, wherein the mask comprising radio-opaque elements is in a retracted position; extracting regions from the pre-exposure image which correspond to the projection of radio-opaque elements; and determining the contribution of X-ray scatter at every point of the at least one image of the object, on the basis of the regions extracted from the pre-exposure image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ann-Katherine Carton, Serge Louis Wilfrid Muller, Remy Andre Klausz, Giovanni John Jacques Palma, Razvan Gabriel Iordache, Sylvie Puong
  • Patent number: 8855390
    Abstract: A method for processing radiological images is provided. The method includes extracting at least two image portions from at least two radiological images of an area to be treated. The method also includes defining an area in a final image for each extracted image portion. The method further includes laying out the extracted image portions in the final image so that each area of the final image comprises an extracted image portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vincent Bismuth, Regis Vaillant
  • Patent number: 8848997
    Abstract: In a medical image acquisition, and operating method, before acquiring a current planning image data set from a subject, a statistical atlas is generated from multiple planning image data sets using a specific measurement protocol, as a statistical compilation including an average image data set electronically associated with association information that identifies different anatomical entities represented by the statistical compilation. After the current planning image data set is acquired, the stored average image data set is transformed into the current planning image data set, with the association information being accurately associated with the current planning image data set. A diagnostic image acquisition of the subject is then controlled using the association information that is now associated with the current planning image data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Matthias Fenchel, Andreas Schilling, Stefan Thesen
  • Patent number: 8848996
    Abstract: A system generates medical image data representing smaller vessels including capillaries of a region of patient anatomy. An image data processor identifies pixels of larger vessels in individual images of difference images where the larger vessels have a size exceeding a predetermined threshold size. The image data processor generates an enhanced visualization small vessel image comprising substantially peak luminance values of individual pixels exclusive of pixels of the identified larger vessels. A peak luminance value of an individual pixel is generated in response to a peak luminance value of luminance values of pixels, spatially corresponding to the individual pixel and present in images comprising the plurality of temporally sequential individual difference images. An output processor outputs substantially peak luminance values as a vessel image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventor: John Baumgart
  • Patent number: 8848995
    Abstract: A method of classification of image portions corresponding to fecal residues from a tomographic image of a colorectal region, which comprises a plurality of voxels (2) each having a predetermined intensity value and which shows at least one portion of colon (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) comprising at least one area of tagged material (10). The area of tagged material (10) comprises at least one area of fecal residue (10a) and at least one area of tissue affected by tagging (10b). The image further comprises at least one area of air (8) which comprises an area of pure air (8a) not influenced by the fecal residues. The method comprises the operations of identifying (100), on the basis of a predetermined identification criterion based on the intensity values, above-threshold connected regions comprising connected voxels (2) and identifying, within the above-threshold connected regions, a plurality of connected regions of tagged material comprising voxels (2) representing the area of tagged material (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: IM3D S.p.A.
    Inventors: Silvia Delsanto, Lia Morra, Ivan Dmitriev
  • Patent number: 8842894
    Abstract: Tree structures corresponding to a first linear structure and a second linear structure are constructed from medical image data including the first linear structure and the second linear structure, each repeatedly branching from an origin and extending in directions away from the origin in such a manner to become wider. Each of a first root node corresponding to a root node in the first tree structure and a second root node corresponding to a root node in the second tree structure is connected to each node, based on the characteristic that each of the first and second linear structures repeatedly branches from the origin and extends in directions away from the origin in such a manner to become wider, by using, with respect to each node, a cost function that weights a cost representing a probability of connection of each of a plurality of edges connectable to each node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Ihara
  • Publication number: 20140270437
    Abstract: A system and method for performing DSA (digital subtraction angiography), which does not require a non-enhanced or “mask” image to be obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Reuven R. Shreiber, Guy E. Engelhard
  • Publication number: 20140270436
    Abstract: In part, the invention relates to processing, tracking and registering angiography images and elements in such images relative to images from an intravascular imaging modality such as, for example, optical coherence tomography (OCT). Registration between such imaging modalities is facilitated by tracking of a marker of the intravascular imaging probe performed on the angiography images obtained during a pullback. Further, detecting and tracking vessel centerlines is used to perform a continuous registration between OCT and angiography images in one embodiment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: LightLab Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Lorina Dascal, Itai Winkler, Stavit Cohen, Amit Cohen, Desmond Adler
  • Publication number: 20140270438
    Abstract: In a method for localizing a candidate foci in neuroimaging, two images are acquired, one being a baseline (interictal) image and another being an intervention (ictal) image. The two images are aligned and the intensities of the images are normalized. A difference image is calculated by subtracting the baseline (interictal) image from the intervention (ictal) image. The difference image is normalized and regions of interest are selected as candidate foci.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Jerome Declerck, Kinda Anna Saddi
  • Patent number: 8837800
    Abstract: Automated AIF/VOF identification is useful in connection with providing rapid and automatic quantitative imaging results. Examples include CBF (cerebral blood flow) and CBV (cerebral blood volume) perfusion maps. In the present work, AIF/VOF regions of images are identified by making use of a predefined anatomic vasculature template to provide numerical weighting values for voxels. A score is computed for each voxel that includes normalized signal fit parameters and the numerical weighting. AIF/VOF voxels are identified as N voxels having the highest score, where N can depend on the image resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Roland Bammer, Matus Straka, Gregory Albers
  • Patent number: 8837796
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a dermatologic condition is provided. The system may include a processor configured to receive an image depicting a dermatologic condition and a swatch adjacent to the dermatologic condition, normalize the image to receive a normalized image, and detect one or more parameters associated with the dermatologic condition based on the normalized image. The system may then perform a search of previously taken images of the same dermatologic condition, compare them with a newly taken image, and advise a user whether any changes were detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Healthcare Content Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Alena A. Zalutskaya
  • Publication number: 20140254903
    Abstract: A medical image processing apparatus comprises an image data processing unit configured to determine a result by processing image data using an algorithm, a confidence interval (CI) evaluation unit configured to determine a confidence interval for the result from at least two initial results, and an output unit configured to provide the confidence interval to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicants: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Ian POOLE, Jillian Steel
  • Patent number: 8831303
    Abstract: The present invention relates to minimally invasive X-ray guided interventions, in particular to an image processing and rendering system and a method for improving visibility and supporting automatic detection and tracking of interventional tools that are used in electrophysiological procedures. According to the invention, this is accomplished by calculating differences between 2D projected image data of a preoperatively acquired 3D voxel volume showing a specific anatomical region of interest or a pathological abnormality (e.g. an intracranial arterial stenosis, an aneurysm of a cerebral, pulmonary or coronary artery branch, a gastric carcinoma or sarcoma, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Nicolas F. Villain, Cécile A. M. Picard, Nicolas P. B. Gogin
  • Patent number: 8818058
    Abstract: A method of correcting target region in computed tomographic (CT) image, including the steps of obtaining a CT image of a patient; determining the size of a target object in the CT image; and correcting CT numbers of a portion of the CT image that corresponds to the target object, based on the determined size of the target object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignees: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation, University Health Network
    Inventors: Narinder S. Paul, Ali Ursani, Joerg Blobel
  • Patent number: 8811699
    Abstract: A method including receiving an image sequence, wherein the image sequence includes a plurality of two-dimensional (2D) image frames of an organ arranged in a time sequence; constructing a three-dimensional (3D) volume by stacking a plurality of the 2D image frames in time order; detecting a best bounding box for a target of interest in the 3D volume, wherein the best bounding box is specified by a plurality of parameters including spatial and temporal information contained in the 3D volume; and determining the target of interest from the best bounding box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoguang Lu, Jens Gühring, Hui Xue, Marie-Pierre Jolly, Christoph Guetter, Bogdan Georgescu, Sven Zuehlsdorff, Arne Littmann
  • Patent number: 8811708
    Abstract: A system is provided for quantification of medical image data. First image obtaining means (1) are for obtaining a first image (A). Second image obtaining means (2) are for obtaining a second image (B). Spatial transformation obtaining means (3) are for obtaining spatial transformation information representing a correspondence between points in the first image and corresponding points in the second image. Identifying means (4) are for identifying a first image region (C) in the first image (A). Transforming means (5) are for transforming the first image region (C) into a corresponding second image region C?) in the second image (B) based on the spatial transformation information. Quantification means (6) are for computing a quantification relating to the second image region (C?) by accessing image values of the second image (B) within the second image region (C?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Alexander Fischer, Uma Satya Ranjan, Utpal Kumar
  • Publication number: 20140226883
    Abstract: In a method for correcting for residual activity due to an earlier tracer in a later PET or SPECT scan image at reconstruction, thereby generating a residual-corrected later image the residual activity is estimated by detecting the time of an introduction of a tracer for the later PET or SPECT scan; and separating the residual activity from the true counts during iterative reconstruction of the PET or SPECT scan image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventors: Inki Hong, Xiao-Bo Pan
  • Publication number: 20140228676
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a data processing method for providing variation data which describe a physically-varying anatomical structure, in particular an indiscernible anatomical structure, in particular a non-enhancing tumour, comprising the steps of: providing second image data which describe a second image of a region of an anatomical body, wherein the region includes a second anatomical part which includes the physically-varying anatomical structure; providing first image data which represent a first image of the same region, wherein said same region includes a first anatomical part which does not include the physically-varying anatomical structure or which includes the physically-varying anatomical structure in a different physical state than in the second anatomical part; providing position change data which describe positional changes of corresponding image elements between the first image and the second image, on the basis of the first and second image data; and providing the variation data on
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventors: Rowena Thomson, Stephan Mittermeyer
  • Patent number: 8805045
    Abstract: A method for identifying a region of interest within a time sequence of images includes acquiring a time sequence of images comprising a plurality of image frames. Image segmentation is performed to segment a region of interest (ROI) from within each of the plurality of image frames of the time sequence of images. Manual edits are received for the ROI within one or more of the plurality of image frames. The manual edits are propagated to other image frames of the plurality of images. An extent to which each of the manual edits are propagated to other image frames is dependent upon a transformation function or deformation field used to propagate the manual edits and a weighing factor that is influenced by a distance in time between the other image frames and the frames that have been manually edited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christoph Guetter, Jens Gühring, Marie-Pierre Jolly, Arne Littmann, Manuela Rick, Michaela Schmidt, Hui Xue
  • Patent number: 8805041
    Abstract: A feature value is extracted from a boundary region that is located between a contrast-agent injection region and a background region in a subtraction image, a gradation curve depending on the feature value is generated, and gradation processing is performed by applying the gradation curve to the subtraction image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideaki Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 8798346
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for defining a common reference system in a record of volume data that represents an area of a patient's jaw and is captured by means of an X-ray imaging process and a record of surface data, at least some of which represents the same area of the patient's jaw and which is captured by means of a process for measuring visible surfaces. Volume data and surface data are unhidden on a screen. An object, especially a tooth, which is recognizable in both the volume data and the surface data, is superimposed on each other as congruently as possible in a preliminary positioning step. A volume structure characterizing the object is extracted from the volume data, particularly as a type of edge image, and is made to overlap as much as possible with a corresponding surface structure of the surface data by means of a transformation function, the overlap of the volume structure being adjusted to the surface structure in iterative steps by optimizing a predefined quality level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Sicat GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jiri Cizek