| Entries |
| Document | Title | Date |
|---|
| 20080199060 | Distortion compensated imaging - Certain aspects can relate to responsive to the at least some input compensating information, imaging the at least the portion of the individual in a manner to limit at least some distorting effects of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature associated with the at least the portion of the individual at least partially by modifying a non-optical electromagnetic output from an imaging modality as applied to the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature associated with the at least the portion of the individual. Certain aspects can relate to creating at least one conformal absence of a non-optical electromagnetic output to limit distortion to an imaging of an at least a portion of an individual resulting at least partially from at least one distorting feature associated with the at least the portion of the individual. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080199061 | Quantitative Single Image-Based Magnetization Transfer Weighted Imaging Using an Inter-Subject Normalization Reference Within the Image - Disclosed is a system and method for generating quantitative imagery of demyelination in the spinal cord. The method includes acquiring a magnetization transfer weighted (MTw) MR image of the spinal column, identifying a reference region of interest within the image corresponding to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), averaging the signal intensity corresponding to the reference region of interest, and computing a ratio, on a voxel-by-voxel basis, of the signal intensity of each voxel by the averaged reference signal intensity. In doing so, normalized MTw images are obtained such that detrimental artifacts such as motion-induced errors, coil loading, and RF coil sensitivity variations are obviated. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080199062 | METHOD, DEVICE AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR EVALUATING MEDICAL IMAGE DATA SETS - The present invention relates to a method, a device and a computer program product for evaluating medical image data sets, which consists of two-dimensional section images, in particular MR images, wherein a plurality of two-dimensional cross-sections (K | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080199063 | Iterative Highly Constrained Image Reconstruction Method - An image reconstruction method includes reconstructing an initial composite image of a subject using a conventional reconstruction method. The initial composite image employs the best information available regarding the subject of the scan and this information is used to constrain the reconstruction of a highly undersampled or low SNR image frames. This highly constrained image reconstruction is repeated a plurality of iterations with the reconstructed image frame for one iteration being used as the composite image for the next iteration. The reconstructed image frame rapidly converges to a final image frame. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080199064 | System and Method For Measuring Left Ventricular Torsion - A system and method are provided for determining at least one torsion angle of a left ventricle. The method includes the steps of collecting three-dimensional ultrasound data of the left ventricle ( | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080205727 | Computed Tomography Method With Helical Relative Movement And Conical Beam Bundle - The invention relates to a computed tomography method in which a periodically moving object is irradiated by a conical beam bundle. An nPi-relative movement is generated between a radiation source, which generates the conical beam bundle, and the object. During the nPi-relative movement, measured values are acquired, which depend on the intensity in the beam bundle on the other side of the object and from these measured values filter values are determined, which are divided into different groups. The filter values of at least one group are weighted in dependence on the movement of the object, wherein, when filter values of several groups are weighted, filter values of different groups are weighted differently in dependence on the movement of the object. Finally, a CT image of the object is reconstructed from the filter values. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080205728 | Apparatus and Method for Providing 2D Representation of 3D Image Data Representing an Anatomical Lumen Tree Structure - A CT imaging apparatus ( | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080205729 | Method And Device For The Iterative Reconstruction Of Tomographic Ilmages - The invention relates to a device and a method for the iterative reconstruction of the attenuation coefficients μ | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080205730 | Independent Motion Correction In Respective Signal Channels Of A Magnetic Resonance Imaging System - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, wherein a plurality of independent signal acquisition channels, defined by spatially separated coil elements ( | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080205731 | Noise Model Selection for Emission Tomography - Accurate error estimates are beneficial for many applications of emission tomography, e.g. kinetic modelling or SUV quantification with confidence levels. Due to the variety of parameters influencing the noise properties of PET images, the use of a single error model for all imaging situations and data processing set-ups leads to inaccurate error estimates. The present invention circumvents this problem by providing a database that includes a plurality of pre-determined noise models for different imaging situations. The most appropriate noise model can then be selected manually or automatically depending on the given imaging situation. Hence, the time-consuming procedure of extracting correct noise models, e.g. by utilizing a bootstrap method or by analysing repeated measurements, needs to be performed only once for each model and can be done by the vendor of the acquisition system, so that the clinician can instantly access the optimized error models from the database. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080205732 | Artifact suppression in dynamic magnetic resonance imaging - A method for removing one or more artifacts from a time series of magnetic resonance (MR) images is provided. In one embodiment of the invention, an MR time series of data sets is acquired while changing the k-space that is sampled at each time frame. By using the acquired data, information is produced for a plurality of MR images at different time points, wherein the images contain desired components and one or more artifacts. Changing the k-space locations that are sampled from time frame to time frame makes the artifacts behave in a signature way through time, so that they can be identified as being artifacts and be removed through temporal analysis. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080205733 | Quantitative tract-of-interest metrics for white matter integrity based on diffusion tensor MRI data - The exemplary embodiments of this invention relate at least in part to a method, apparatus and system to characterize white matter, such as for detecting a presence of a white matter impairment. An exemplary method to characterize white matter includes identifying at least one tract of interest (TOI) in the brain of a subject of interest, the tract of interest having a set of streamtubes representing white matter fibers; determining a set of quantitative tractography metrics associated with the tract of interest, the set of quantitative tractography metrics having a plurality of members; and comparing at least one member of the determined set of quantitative tractography metrics to a corresponding member of a reference set of quantitative tractography metrics, or comparison of one TOI in a single subject or group of subjects and other TOI in the same subject(s). | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080205734 | X-Ray Micro-Tomography System Optimized for High Resolution, Throughput, Image Quality - A projection x-ray imaging system that possibly utilizes a laboratory-based micro-focused x-ray source is disclosed. Techniques for optimizing the system for high quality, three dimensional image formation with tomographic imaging with the potential for high resolution and high throughput are described. It also concerns ways to optimize the system design to obtain improved image quality. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080205735 | METHOD FOR GENERATION OF TEMPORALLY HIGH-RESOLUTION MR EXPOSURES - In a method for generation of MR exposures in an MR system, a number of under-sampled MR raw data sets are acquired with non-constant density in k-space. A density compensation is implemented dependent on the geometry of the structure to be depicted. The under-sampled MR raw data sets are translated into a Cartesian coordinate system. Fourier transformation of the translated raw data sets in classical three-dimensional space ensues to generate under-sampled MR images. An averaged MR image is generated on the basis of a number of the under-sampled MR raw data sets. The MR exposures are produced by multiplication of the under-sampled MR images with the averaged MR image. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080205736 | METHOD OF FORMING ULTRASOUND IMAGE BY PERFORMING DIGITAL SCAN CONVERSION IN FREQUENCY DOMAIN - A method of forming ultrasound image is disclosed. A first, image data described with a cylindrical coordinate in a space domain is formed from receiving signals provided by a probe. A scan-converted Fourier transformation described with a rectangular coordinate in a frequency domain is applied to the first image data to form second image data described with the rectangular coordinate in a frequency domain. An inverse Fourier transformation is applied to the second image data to form a third image data described with the rectangular coordinate in the space domain. An ultrasound image is formed with the third image data. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080205737 | Method and apparatus for the artifact-reduced detection of a 3D object in tomographic imaging - Incomplete data records owing to an object extent that stretches beyond the scanning field of view (SFOV) constitute a general problem in computed tomography. In these cases, parts of the object are to be reconstructed, for which only incomplete projections from an angular range of less than 180° are available. The application of iterative algorithms such as, for example, the algebraic reconstruction technique (ART) or the simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (SART) to this problem of truncated projections cannot lead to a satisfactory solution unless use is made of special boundary conditions. In order to regularize the reconstruction method, in at least one embodiment, information relating to the statistics of the attenuation values of the reconstructed object is also included in the form of the logarithmic probability function of the attenuation values. This information can be obtained from the regions of those image parts which are still completely contained in the SFOV, but nevertheless lie in the vicinity of the region where the object leaves the SFOV. Furthermore, the information can be used in an algebraic reconstruction method by adding a boundary condition term to the cost function to be minimized. Experiments indicate that taking account of this information leads to good estimates with reference to the object in the event of insubstantially truncated projections such as are customary in CT applications, for example. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080212859 | Calibration Image Alignment in a Pet-Ct System - A phantom ( | 09-04-2008 |
| 20080212860 | Fast Reconstruction Algorithm for Cone-Beam Ct - A fast reconstruction algorithm for cone-beam computed tomography is presented. The algorithm is of the filtered backprojection type and uses nonuniform fast Fourier transforms to switch between functions defined and uniformly sampled on the detector plane and the Fourier transforms of these functions, sampled on a polar grid in the associated Fourier plane. | 09-04-2008 |
| 20080212861 | Revolutionary Series Control for Medical Imaging Archive Manager - A series control algorithm ( | 09-04-2008 |
| 20080212862 | Method for displaying computed-tomography scans, and a computed-tomography system or computed-tomography system assembly for carrying out this method - At least one embodiment of the invention relates to a method and/or a computed-tomography system and/or a computed-tomography system assembly for displaying tomographic records, with a first computed-tomography display data record displaying structures of a first type and of a second type by way of a complex recording technique, with an area of interest with structures of a second type being marked there and with relative positions of the structures being determined, with a second computed-tomography display data record subsequently being created by a simpler recording technique, in which only structures of the first type can be identified, and the structures of the second type are made visible in this display on the basis of the known relative positions with respect to the visible structures of the first type or at least their position, or a surrounding boundary. | 09-04-2008 |
| 20080212863 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - An image processing method of performing an imaging process on an original image having a connection figure including a first figure and a second figure connected to the first figure to generate an extraction image of the first figure extracted, includes the steps of: obtaining a first image in which the connection figure in the original image is selectively extracted by performing a segmentation process on the original image; obtaining a second image including a third figure separated from the second figure and a fourth figure separated from the first figure in the connection figure by sequentially performing an erosion process and a dilation process in a morphologic operation so as to separate the first and second figures from each other, in the connection figure included in the first image; obtaining a third image by performing a segmentation process so as to selectively extract the third figure in the second image; obtaining a fourth image by performing a process of obtaining the difference between the first image and the third image; obtaining a fifth image by determining whether the size of a figure included in the fourth image obtained in the fourth image processing step is equal to or larger than a reference value, and when the size is equal to or larger than the reference value, eliminating the figure from the fourth image and, when the size is less than the reference value, processing the fourth image so as to leave the figure in the fourth image; and obtaining the extraction image by adding the third image and the fifth image. | 09-04-2008 |
| 20080219532 | Geometry-dependent filtering in CT method and apparatus - A method is provided for processing an image. The method comprises identifying one or more contours or surfaces in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional image generated from a set of projection data. The set of projection data is differentially processed based on the identification of those data points that largely define one or more contours or surfaces. An enhanced image set is reconstructed from the set of processed projection data. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080219533 | Apparatus and Method For Correlating First and Second 3D Images of Tubular Object - A computer tomography (CT) imaging apparatus ( | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080219534 | Extension of Truncated CT Images For Use With Emission Tomography In Multimodality Medical Images - An apparatus and method for expanding the FOV of a truncated computed tomography (CT) scan. An iterative calculation is performed on the original CT image to produce an estimate of the image. The calculated estimate of the reconstructed image includes the original image center and a estimate of the truncated portion outside the image center. The calculation uses an image mask with the image center as one boundary. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080219535 | Localized and Highly Constrained Image Reconstruction Method - An image reconstruction method includes reconstructing a composite image of a subject using a conventional reconstruction method. The composite image employs the best information available regarding the subject of the scan and this information is used to constrain the reconstruction of a highly undersampled image frames or improve the SNR of image frames. A blurred and normalized weighting image is produced from image frame data, and this normalized weighting image is multiplied by the composite image. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080219536 | REGISTRATION OF CT VOLUMES WITH FLUOROSCOPIC IMAGES - A method for registering images of multiple modalities includes acquiring first image of a subject using a first modality. A second image of the subject is acquired using a second modality. The first image includes greater structural detail of the subject than the second image and the second image is a video image including multiple image frames. The first and second images are registered based on an anatomical structure observable in the first image and a foreign object proximate to the anatomical structure observable in the second image. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080219537 | MEDICAL IMAGE DISPLAY APPARATUS - A medical image display apparatus has a dividing unit and a setting unit. The dividing unit divides a range after changing to an overlapping range that a range after changing overlaps a range before changing, and a non-overlapping range that not includes the overlapping range, when a position of the range is changed. The setting unit configured to set a pixel value after changing based on a pixel value constituting a diagnostic image before changing and voxel values along a predefined direction in the non-overlapping range according to a predefined condition about a pixel that a position of a voxel value in volume data corresponding to the pixel value constituting the diagnostic image before changing exists in the overlapping range, among each pixels constituting a diagnostic image after changing generated based on the voxel values along the predefined direction in the range after changing. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080226149 | Motion Compensation in Functional Imaging - Medical images are collected in a plurality of cardiac and respiratory phases. The images are transformed into a series of respiratory compensated images with the plurality of cardiac phases, but all at a common respiration phase. The series of respiratory compensated images are transformed into one image at a selected cardiac phase and the common respiration phase. In some embodiments, a database of gated transform matrices is generated. The database may be based on specific patient information or on information generated from a pool of patients. The database may account for respiratory motion, cardiac contractile motion, other physiological motion, or combinations thereof. For a current image to be motion corrected, the transformation matrices collected in the database are used to estimate a current set of transformation matrices accounting for the motion in the current image, and a motion-compensated image is generated based on the current set of transform matrices. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20080226150 | X-ray CT imaging displaying method, X-ray CT image displaying apparatus, and X-ray CT apparatus - An X-ray CT image displaying method, an X-ray CT image displaying apparatus, and an X-ray CT apparatus are proposed and disclosed, in order to produce and display the occlusal plane surface image seen upwardly and downwardly from the inside of the oral cavity of the jaw so as to face each other on the basis of the occlusal surface, if the occlusal surface which is important for the dental diagnosis is specified on the basic image or the image data according to the X-ray absorption coefficient distribution information produced from X-ray projection image of the head of an object to be examined. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20080232664 | COUCH POSITIONING SYSTEM FOR RADIOTHERAPY, TREATMENT PLAN UNIT, AND COUCH POSITIONING UNIT - An object of the present invention is to easily maintain the couch positioning accuracy and reduce the couch positioning time while resolving the complexity of input operations by the operator at the time of couch positioning. To accomplish the above object, calculation points are set to a CT image at the time of treatment planning, and the 3D coordinates of the set calculation point are set to a DRR image. When a couch positioning unit | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080232665 | Method for noise reduction in digital images with locally different and directional noise - A method is disclosed for noise reduction in images with locally different and directional noise, in particular for noise reduction in image data records of computed tomography. In at least one embodiment of the method, two image data records of an identical object region that have mutually independent noise are provided. The two image data records are decomposed by a discrete wavelet transformation into a number of frequency bands, detailed images having high frequency structures being obtained in at least two different directions. Noise images in the respective frequency bands and directions are obtained by subtracting a wavelet coefficient of the two input images. These noise images are used to estimate noise locally and as a function of direction, and on the basis of this estimate local threshold values are calculated and applied to the averaged wavelet coefficients of the input images. A result image with reduced noise is obtained after an inverse wavelet transformation. | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080232666 | Method for visualizing a sequence of tomographic volume data records for medical imaging - A method for visualizing a sequence of tomographic volume data records for medical imaging, which were recorded in temporal sequence with administration of contrast agents in vessels in an object volume, is provided. At least one extremal value and one time value are determined from the temporal sequence of the measured signal values for each voxel of the object volume, the time value describing a time lag of the extremal value compared to a fixed time during the recording of the volume data records. Each combination of time value and extremal value is assigned a color value and opacity value by a multi-dimensional transfer function. The transfer function is applied to the previously determined time and extremal values so that each voxel of the object volume is assigned a color value and opacity value. The voxel with the respective opacity and color values are displayed using volume rendering. | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080240530 | Methods For Obtaining Mri Frequency Maps - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method includes generating first and second spin populations within each of a plurality of pixels of a slice of an object. These spin populations have different phase histories. For each pixel, MRI signals from those spin populations are acquired at different times These MRI signals can then be used to determine a field strength difference between different pixels of the slice. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080240531 | X-RAY CT IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION METHOD - In an X-ray CT image reconstruction method, position and size of a high X-ray absorber are determined by photographing a to-be-measured-target using high-energy X-rays, and performing the image reconstruction. Moreover, photographed data is computed which corresponds to a case where the high X-ray absorber is photographed using low-energy X-rays. Next, the to-be-measured-target is photographed using the low-energy X-rays. Furthermore, positions and sizes of low X-ray absorbers are determined by subtracting influence of the high X-ray absorber computed above from projection data which results from the photography using the low-energy X-rays. Finally, the positions and sizes of the high and low X-ray absorbers are synthesized on the reconstructed image. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080240532 | System and Method for Detection of Fetal Anatomies From Ultrasound Images Using a Constrained Probabilistic Boosting Tree - A method for detecting fetal anatomic features in ultrasound images includes providing an ultrasound image of a fetus, specifying an anatomic feature to be detected in a region S determined by parameter vector θ, providing a sequence of probabilistic boosting tree classifiers, each with a pre-specified height and number of nodes. Each classifier computes a posterior probability P(y|S) where yε{−1,+1}, with P(y=+1|S) representing a probability that region S contains the feature, and P(y=−1|S) representing a probability that region S contains background information. The feature is detected by uniformly sampling a parameter space of parameter vector θ using a first classifier with a sampling interval vector used for training said first classifier, and having each subsequent classifier classify positive samples identified by a preceding classifier using a smaller sampling interval vector used for training said preceding classifier. Each classifier forms a union of its positive samples with those of the preceding classifier. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080240533 | POST-ACQUISITION ADAPTIVE RECONSTRUCTION OF MRI DATA - An improved method for reconstruction of medical images includes the acquisition of k-space data through MRI imaging. Subsequently, subsets of the k-space data are transformed into intermediate images by performing an inverse Fourier transform on selected sets. These intermediate images are saved to a PACS or other memory storage, and can be recalled later to reconstruct an image. By selecting various intermediate images, a user can vary both the spatial and temporal resolution of the reconstructed image after acquisition, thereby providing adaptive reconstruction of images without the need to acquire new data. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080240534 | Method and Device For Navigating and Measuring in a Multidimensional Image Data Set - The invention relates to a method and device for navigating on a vision plane ( | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080240535 | Systems And Methods For Multi-Modal Imaging - The invention relates to imaging systems that include a coded aperture detection system and an optical detection system. The coded aperture detection system is configured to detect radiation emitted by a radionuclide present within an object and to provide a first detector signal from the detected radiation. The optical detection system is configured to detect optical radiation from the object and to provide a second detector signal from the detected optical radiation. The system also includes a processor configured to prepare first image data from the first detector signal, second image data from the second detector signal, and registered data indicative of a spatial relationship in at least one dimension between the first and second image data. The invention also includes methods of using the new systems, e.g., for sentinel lymph node mapping and tissue resection. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080247622 | Methods, Systems, and Computer Program Products For Hierarchical Registration Between a Blood Vessel and Tissue Surface Model For a Subject and a Blood Vessel and Tissue Surface Image For the Subject - Methods, systems, and computer program products for hierarchical registration ( | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080247623 | Automatic Generation of Optimal Views For Computed Tomography Thoracic Diagnosis - Generating at least one view ( | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080247624 | Method for determining a three-dimensional reconstruction of an examination object - A provisional three-dimensional reconstruction of an examination object is determined based on two-dimensional original projection images. Provisional metal volumes are determined on the reconstruction by segmentation and mapped into the original projection images to define provisional metal areas. Edge points on edge zones of the provisional metal areas are selected. Data values of the original projection images within the provisional metal areas are modified as a function of data values of the selected edge points to determine modified projection images. Differential images are determined based on the original projection images and the corresponding modified projection images. Definitive metal areas are determined in the differential images by segmentation. The differential images are added to the modified projection images with the definitive metal areas deducted. A definitive three-dimensional reconstruction of the examination object is determined based on the modified projection images including the added differential images. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080247625 | Method and System for Leading Macromolecule Substances into Living Target Cells - A method and system for leading macromolecule substances into target cells includes an image picking unit, an image merging unit, an injection unit, and an energy conversion module. The image picking unit is used for picking up the three-dimensional (3D) and the 3D blood vessel photographic images of the tissue or organ where the target cells locate. The image merging unit is used for merging the 3D structure images into the 3D blood vessel photographic images, therefore choosing a blood vessel passage fully covering the target cells for transmitting the macromolecule substances. The injection unit is used for injecting liquid and transmitting the macromolecule substances to the target cells. The energy conversion module is used for exerting energy to activate the liquid to perform biological effects, thereby forming non-permanent holes in the cell membranes of the target cells. The macromolecule substances enter into the target cells through the non-permanent holes. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080253635 | Image-Wide Artifacts Reduction Caused by High Attenuating Objects in Ct Deploying Voxel Tissue Class - A reconstruction processor ( | 10-16-2008 |
| 20080253636 | RESPIRATORY MOTION EXTRACTION FROM TOMOGRAPHIC PROJECTION AND IMAGE DATA - The present technique provides a novel method and apparatus for determining the motion of an internal tissue or organ undergoing dynamic movement such as a respiratory cycle. Particularly, the technique provides for a method and system for processing projection data to determine the motion rather than relying on additional data acquired from an external sensor. The motion is extracted from projection data by tracking the change over time in projections from the same projection angle and/or conjugate projection angle pairs. The extraction is possible because multiple gantry rotations occur in the time period of a single respiratory period. The motion information may in turn be used to facilitate data acquisition or image reconstruction, such as by gating techniques, to reduce or eliminate motion related artifacts. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20080253637 | Volumetric type compton scattered X-ray visualization, imaging, or information provider - One aspect relates to capturing one or more tomographic-type Compton scattering based visualizations, images, or provided information of an at least some matter of at least a portion of an individual based at least partially on Compton scattering of an at least one X-ray being applied to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual. Another aspect relates to deriving an at least one material characteristic distribution function that substantially fits at least some data obtained at least partially by scattering of an at least one applied X-ray within at least some matter of at least a portion of an individual to form at least one Compton scattered X-ray. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20080253638 | Method and Apparatus for Detecting Interventricular Dyssynchrony - Several embodiments of a method and apparatus for detecting interventricular dyssynchrony are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an image segment processor and an image classifier. The image segment processor may segment left and right ventricles in source images of a subject's heart to form left and right ventricle segments in segmented images. Each source image may include cross sections of the right and left ventricles in common spatial relation along the short axis plane and in common temporal relation in reference to a cardiac cycle. The source images and corresponding segmented images may be temporally-spaced in relation to the cardiac cycle. The image classifier may determine first and second cross-sectional areas associated with the left and right ventricle segments for each segmented image, compare the first and second cross-sectional areas, and classify the subject's heart in an interventricular dyssynchronous class or a non-dyssynchronous class. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20080253639 | System and Method for Acquiring Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Mri) Data - A method for acquiring image data from a patient with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The proposed method comprises the steps of: a) predefining a number of scan geometries for acquiring the image data from at least one region of interest (ROI) relative to the patient, b) performing at least one scan for acquiring the image data in accordance with at least one of the predefined scan geometries, c) analysing in the image data a position of the region of interest to detect a deviation from the at least one predefined scan geometry, d) changing the at least one predefined scan geometry if said deviation exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and e) repeating steps b) to d) until a predetermined number of scans has been performed. Thus, by means of the proposed method the utility of such predefined scan geometries is greatly enhanced. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20080253640 | Method and System for Pet Image Reconstruction Using a Surogate Image - A method and system for use in positron emission tomography, wherein a first processor element ( | 10-16-2008 |
| 20080260227 | Ultrasonic Imaging Apparatus and Projection Image Generating Method - A three-dimensional ultrasonic image with which the positional relationship between tissues can be surely grasped is generated. Accordingly, an ultrasonic imaging apparatus and a projection image generating method according to the present invention acquire first three-dimensional image data and second three-dimensional image data, generate a first projection image on the basis of at least a part of the first three-dimensional image data and the second three-dimensional image data, and generate a second projection image on the basis of at least a part of the second three-dimensional image data and the first three-dimensional imaged data. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080260228 | Methods of View Selection for Radioactive Emission Measurements - A method is described for identifying an optimal, or preferred set of views for radioactive-emission measurements of a body structure, based on modeling the body structure, in terms of its geometry and radioactive emission distribution, obtaining different sets of views of the model, and scoring the different sets of views, with a scoring function, using information theoretic measures, for example, for uniformity, reliability and separability in reconstruction. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080260229 | System and method for segmenting structures in a series of images using non-iodine based contrast material - A method and system of defining a boundary of a part of a blood vessel in an image captured by an ex vivo imager, where such part of the blood vessel is free from iodine-based contrast material. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080260230 | Method and Apparatus for Detecting Intraventricular Dyssynchrony - A method and apparatus for detecting intraventricular dyssynchrony is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes: a) receiving information from an observer viewing a source image to define a plurality of points associated with muscle boundaries of a ventricle, b) extracting muscle boundaries for a series of source images to define a corresponding series of contour shape images using a Fourier descriptor model, and c) deforming each contour shape based at least in part on image forces, external forces, and internal forces to track movement of the muscle boundaries over time. In another embodiment, the method includes: a) characterizing the series of source images as a corresponding series of contour shape images representative of movement of muscle boundaries of the ventricle over time, b) classifying the series of contour shape images in a dyssynchronous class or a non-dyssynchronous class, and c) pre-diagnosing the ventricle as dyssynchronous or non-dyssynchronous. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080267476 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RECONSTRUCTING IMAGE VOLUMES FROM HELICAL SCAN ACQUISITIIONS - A method and computer-readable medium for reconstructing an image volume of an object scanned in helical mode is provided. The method and computer-readable medium include obtaining one or more helical views corresponding to an image volume of an object and determining a plurality of discretized focal lengths within an imaging plane of the reconstructed field of view comprising the image volume. The method then comprises generating a plurality of circular scan sinograms for the plurality of discretized focal lengths. The plurality of circular scan sinograms are generated by interpolating the helical views. The method then comprises selecting one or more circular scan sinograms from the plurality of circular scan sinograms, based on the plurality of discretized focal lengths, wherein the selection is performed within a backprojection operation, for one or more image points within the imaging plane, over one or more circular views. The method then comprises using one or more of the selected circular scan sinograms, in the backprojection of one or more of the image points over one or more of the circular views. The method finally comprises performing a backprojection for all the image points over all the circular views to generate a reconstructed image of the object. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080267477 | Iterative Image Processing - A method for processing an image which has the steps of a) receiving acquired data necessary to obtain an image and estimating a preliminary image; b) selecting at least one image element within the image; c) performing an iterative algorithm for processing the image at least on the at least one image element; d) computing a difference between the processed at least one image element and the at least one image element; and e) repeating the steps c) and d) until the difference is below a predefined threshold. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080267478 | Device consisting of a combination of a magnetic resonance tomograph and a positron emission tomograph - A sandwich structure which attenuates the PET radiation only very slightly, is used as a support tube for the transmit antenna. In at least one embodiment, it includes a thin strong inner wall, a likewise thin and strong outer wall and an interior of the support tube which is of the honeycomb type or is made of foam material. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080267479 | Faster Rates for Real-Time 3D Volume Rendered Images - The present invention provides for generating ultrasound volume images at a higher rate by generating rendered images at the same rate as that of the acquired frames. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080267480 | Iterative Image Reconstruction of a Moving Object From Projection Data - Iterative methods for reconstructing an image sequence of a moving object based on projection data usually require a high computationally effort. According to embodiments of the present invention there is provided such a method wherein a first image representing the object at a first phase is used as an initial image for iteratively reconstructing a second image at a second phase. A first gating function is assigned to the first phase, a second gating function is assigned to the second phase. When executing a first iteration for reconstructing the second image only projection data corresponding to a non-overlapping part of the two gating functions are used. For executing further iterations the amount of projection data corresponding to the overlapping part of the two gating functions may be gradually increased. Therefore, for all further but the last iteration the computationally effort is significantly reduced. However, this low computationally expense has no negative impact on the quality of the finally reconstructed second image because the method benefits from the fact that the first image was used as the initial image for iteratively reconstructing the second image. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080267481 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CORRECTING RESULTS OF STRUCTURE RECOGNITION, AND RECORDING MEDIUM HAVING A PROGRAM FOR CORRECTING RESULTS OF STRUCTURE RECOGNITION RECORDING THEREIN - To correct a region recognition result in each tomographic image easily. Causing a plurality of tomographic images representing a plurality of regions of a subject or a reconstructed image based on the images and results of recognition processing of the regions of the subject represented by the respective tomographic images, in which the positional relationship of the recognized regions between the tomographic images matches with the anatomical positional relationship of the regions, to be displayed on a screen, accepting input of correction information identifying a correction position which is a boundary of different regions, determining an image whose result of the recognition processing is incorrect and a correct region of the image based on the anatomical positional relationship and/or results of the recognition processing of images adjacent to the correction position, and the correction information, and correcting the result of the recognition processing of the image. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080267482 | ULTRASONIC IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND ULTRASONIC IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - Three slices, i.e., Basal, Mid, and Apical slices, which correspond to clinically useful ASE segmentation are designated, and the positions of the three slices are tracked through at least one cardiac cycle by performing three-dimensional speckle tracking in the remaining time phases. Three C-mode projection images concerning the tracked positions are reconstructed. In addition, arbitrary myocardial wall motion parameters at the tracked positions are computed and displayed upon being superimposed on C-mode images or projected/displayed on a polar map. As a C-mode projection image method, one of the following techniques can be used detecting and projecting only movement components perpendicular to slices determined in an initial time phase, detecting and projecting average movement components of the respective walls, and tracking and projecting each myocardial position. The obtained C-mode images are simultaneously displayed together with markers indicating the positions of long-axis images and C-mode images. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080267483 | Registration of Medical Images Using Learned-Based Matching Functions - A method for registering a medical image includes acquiring a first medical image of a subject. One or more simulated medical images are synthesized based on the acquired first medical image. One or more matching functions are trained using the first medical image and the simulated medical images. A second medical image of the subject is acquired. The first medical image and the second medical image are registered using the one or more trained matching functions. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080273778 | Image Reconstruction Method and Tomograph - A weighting function is created according to an arbitrary bio-movement correction range and a projection data angle for back-projection (width in the view direction used for reconstruction), set by a user, by considering the degree of the bio-movement and redundancy. By using this weighting function, an image reconstruction is performed. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080273779 | Elastic Image Registration Functionality - A current diagnostic image (A) and an archived diagnostic image (B) of a common region of a patient are loaded into a first memory ( | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080273780 | Methods and systems for attenuation correction in medical imaging - Methods and systems for imaging a patient are provided. The method includes scanning a patient and acquiring a plurality of frames of cine computed tomography (CT) images during one complete respiratory cycle. In one embodiment, a method is provided that includes selecting a value for each pixel that represents the maximum density measurement for the pixel throughout the cine acquisition. In one embodiment, an attenuation correction image of a volume of interest is constructed by weighting a combination of the maximum pixel intensity value and an average pixel intensity value. Undesirable motion artifacts can be removed from positron emission tomography (PET) images by utilizing the CT attenuation correction image. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080273781 | Electronic Stool Subtraction in Ct Colonography - A method for processing CT colonography input image voxel data representative of 3-dimensional images of a colon having gas and stool tagged with stool tagging agent, to remove the stool from the images. The input image voxel data is generated by an imaging instrument having a characteristic point spread function representative of instrument blurring. The point spread function of the instrument can be empirically determined, and the image data processed as a function of the point spread function to accurately identify and remove the tagged stool. In one embodiment of the invention, portions of the image data representative of the tagged stool and colon tissue are dilated as a function of the point spread function. In another embodiment, portions of the image data representative of the tagged stool are convolved with the point spread function to determine the fractional amount of stool present in the image portions, and the tagged stool subtracted by reducing the intensities of the associated portions of the image by an amount proportional to the fractional amount of stool present. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080273782 | X-RAY CT APPARATUS, MYOCARDIAL PERFUSION INFORMATION GENERATING SYSTEM, X-RAY DIAGNOSTIC METHOD AND MYOCARDIAL PERFUSION INFORMATION GENERATING METHOD - An X-ray CT apparatus has an image generating unit and a blood flow information acquiring unit. The image generating unit acquires projection data at rest and at non-rest from a myocardial part of an object into which contrast medium is injected continuously in a state in which each concentration of the contrast medium can be considered to be constant and reconstructs contrast CT image data at the rest and at the non-rest using the acquired projection data. The blood flow information acquiring unit obtains third blood flow information based in first blood flow information derived from the contrast CT image data at the rest and second blood flow information derived from the contrast CT image data at the non-rest. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080273783 | Methods, Systems and Computer Program Products For Mixed-Density Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) Imaging - Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for acquiring an image set using optical coherence tomography (OCT). A first portion of a defined volume is scanned at a low-density sampling rate to obtain a plurality of low-density frames. A second portion of the defined volume is scanned at a high-density sampling rate, higher than the low-density sampling rate, to obtain at least one high-density frame. The low-density frames and the at least one high-density frame are combined to provide a complete mixed-density image set. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080273784 | Image system for retaining contrast when merging image data - The invention relates to a method for the joint of registering, archiving, contrast-retaining merging, and visualizing of 2D x-ray images and reconstructed 2D projections or 3D views of generated image data in minimally invasive medical interventions or operations performed under x-ray control on internal organs, areas of tissue, lesions, or pathological structures in a patient's body. A first image and the image data of a second image being mixed over the first image are mutually linked, co-registered, and merged using an alpha-channel-based mixing technique, whereby the color values or gray-scale values of the individual pixels of the first image are prior to being mixed-over with the segmented foreground of the second image brightened through the application of a color-value or gray-scale-value for compensating or lessening the reduction in contrast that occurs during mix-over in the first image before being displayed graphically on a monitor terminal. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080273785 | Methods and systems for retrospective internal gating - The present invention, in one form, is a method for deriving respiratory gated PET image reconstruction from raw PET data. In reconstructing the respiratory gated images in accordance with the present invention, respiratory motion information derived from individual voxel signal fluctuations, is used in combination to create usable respiratory phase information. Employing this method allows the respiratory gated PET images to be reconstructed from PET data with out the use of external hardware, and in a fully automated manner. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080279433 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MULTI-COIL MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A method for determining weights (or coefficients) for synthesizing k-space data for autocalibrated parallel imaging (API) combines training data sets (including k-space data such as autocalibrating signals (ACS)) acquired at multiple successive time points. Combining training data sets from multiple successive time points together to determine a set of weights increases the accuracy of the calculated weights. The weights may be applied to k-space data from a single or multiple time points. The method retains the phase information of the individual time point images and may thus be applied, for example, to phase-sensitive multi-point imaging such as chemical species separation studies. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080279434 | Method and system for automated modeling - Embodiments of the present invention include automated methods and systems for statistical modeling in high-dimensional problem domains. The automated statistical-analysis methods and systems of the present invention employ computationally efficient methods for preparing large amounts of high-dimensional data for analysis, computationally efficient methods for selecting and transforming predictors, and, based on these methods, computationally efficient model-building methods to generate effective prediction models. Embodiments of the present invention are especially useful when the high-dimensional nature of a problem domain exceeds that of problem domains that can be analyzed by human statisticians, or by human-guided automated systems, within reasonable time and budget constraints. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080279435 | Automated Calcium Scoring of the Aorta - A method automatically scores calcium in the aorta and other arteries of the body using calcium plaque definitions that include subject specific in vivo blood/muscle density measurements, subject specific voxel statistical parameters and 2D and 3D voxel connectivity criteria to automatically identify the plaques. The images are optionally calibrated with external phantoms or internal reference tissue. Aortic calcium is identified automatically without manual marking. Potential false plaques from bone are automatically excluded. A 3D coordinate system provides the specific coordinates of the detected plaques, which are displayed in a plaque map for follow-up exams or ease in plaque review. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080279436 | Method and System of Multivariate Analysis on Volume-Wise Data of Reference Structure Normalized Images for Improved Quality in Positron Emission Tomography Studies - A method and system are provided to mask out the background in dynamic PET images, to perform pre-normalization on the masked dynamic PET images, and to apply multivariate image analysis (e.g., principal component analysis PCA) on the masked pre-normalized dynamic PET images in order to improve the quality of the dynamic PET images and the PET study. A masking operation applies PCA to untreated dynamic PEET images before any pre-normalization in order to mask out the background pixels. This masking operation uses the Otsu method. A first normalization method is background noise pre-normalization where pixel values are corrected for background noise. A second normalization method is kinetic pre-normalization where the contrast within an image is improved. Multivariate analysis such as PCA may be applied on the whole volume to find the largest variance in the structure. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080279437 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE CENTRALIZED EDITING, PROCESSING, AND DELIVERY OF MEDICALLY OBTAINED OBSTETRICAL ULTRASOUND IMAGES - A system and method uses images and video acquired from a medically necessary obstetric ultrasound procedure. The images and video are processed at a centralized location to create an end product to provide to the obstetric patient as a keepsake. Processing the images at the centralized location enables sophisticated editing and packaging processes to be used that are neither cost effective nor time effective if implemented at each medical facility. The system and method processes images and video from multiple locations and creates an exemplary product from procedures that confirm to FDA standards. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080279438 | Inverse planning using optimization constraints derived from image intensity - A method of automatically identifying a region of differing intensity in a functional image is described. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080279439 | Distributed Architecture for Mammographic Image Acquisition and Processing - A distributed architecture allows for decoupling of mammographic image acquisition and review, thereby enabling more efficient use of resources and enhanced processing. In one embodiment, the system ( | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080285827 | METHOD FOR IMAGE PROCESSING AND RECONSTRUCTION OF IMAGES FOR OPTICAL TOMOGRAPHY - A method for reconstructing three-dimensional (3D) tomographic images. A set of pseudo-projection images of an object is acquired. Error corrections are applied to the set of pseudo-projection images to produce a set of corrected pseudo-projection images. The set of corrected pseudo-projection images are processed to produce (3D) tomographic images. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080285828 | Method and System for Pet Image Reconstruction Using Portion of Event Data - A method and system for use in positron emission tomography, wherein a list-based reconstructor means ( | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080285829 | System and Method for Consistent Detection of Mid-Sagittal Planes for Magnetic Resonance Brain Scans - A method for finding consistent mid-sagittal planes (MSPs) in a pair of 3D image head scans of a same patient includes, for each image, selecting a 2D transverse localizer image from a middle slice along a transverse view of the 3D image, fitting an ellipse to the transverse localizer image to locate a head position (x, y), where the y-coordinate is indicative of a position of a 2D coronal localizer image in the 3D image, fitting an ellipse to the coronal localizer image to locate a head position (x, y) in the coronal localizer image, calculating a middle line in the transverse localizer image and a middle line in the coronal localizer image, calculating an MSP from the middle lines, and determining a new set of slope and intercept parameters for one MSP that maximizes a similarity measure between the one MSP and the other MSP. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080285830 | Computer Aided Lesion Assessment in Dynamic Contrast Enhanced Breast MRI Images - A method for performing computer-assisted lesion assessment includes acquiring contrast enhanced MRI data. A region of interest is identified. Kinetic properties, morphological properties and pattern of enhancement are determined for the identified region of interest. A score is calculated for each of the kinetic properties, morphological properties, pattern of enhancement. A cumulative score is calculated for the identified region of interest. The scores are provided to a medical practitioner to assist in diagnosing the identified region of interest. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080285831 | AUTOMATICALLY UPDATING A GEOMETRIC MODEL - A computer implemented method for automatically updating a geometric model of an object of interest includes determining, automatically, a region of the geometric model for updating according to a update parameter, acquiring data at the region, extracting features from the acquired data, updating the geometric model described by the extracted features, wherein updating the model includes calculating at least one acquisition parameter of a set of acquisition parameters, and displaying a scene showing the object of interest using the model. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080285832 | MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR RECORDING INCIDENTAL INFORMATION - An ultrasonic apparatus images incidental information including at least either subject information or examination information to generate an incidental information image, and executes information processing of the incidental information image as an independent frame from a series of ultrasonic images as well as information processing to form the incidental information image as a series of images with the ultrasonic images. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080285833 | Method for calculating signal-to-noise ratio in parallel acquisition image reconstruction - The invention discloses a method for calculating the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in parallel acquisition image reconstruction, comprising: determining a reconstruction expression for a linear operation of the image reconstruction; determining a weighted coefficient according to the reconstruction expression; calculating the SNR according to the weighted coefficient and the raw data. The SNR not only is relevant to the geometric shape and position of the coils, but also is influenced by the reconstruction method and the sampling mode. The SNR is calculated based on contribution of the raw data at positions in the reading direction from all the phase-coding lines in all acquisition channels. It reflects more precisely the loss of the SNR in the parallel acquisition image reconstruction, especially the changes in the SNR caused by the number of the reference lines combined during the reconstruction. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080285834 | Method and apparatus for reconstructing parallel-acquired image - The invention discloses a method and an apparatus for reconstructing a parallel-acquired image, comprising: generating reconstruction data by combining uniformly under-sampled data and low-frequency fully-sampled data in MRI K-space according to a hybrid sampling mode; calculating the sensitivity distribution of a coil according to said low-frequency fully-sampled data; and reconstructing an image according to the reconstruction data, the coil's sensitivity distribution and the hybrid sampling mode. The signal to noise ratio of the reconstructed image is effectively improved by using the reconstruction data combined with the low-frequency fully-sampled data in reconstructing the image since the low-frequency fully-sampled data contains more useful information. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080285835 | Reducing distortion in magnetic resonance images - Systems and techniques for reducing distortions in magnetic resonance images. In one aspect, machine-implemented method for reducing image distortion in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) includes receiving a first MRI image and a second MRI image, estimating displacements of voxels between the first MRI image and the second MRI image by minimizing a cost function expressing a cost of the displacements, reducing distortion in an MRI image using the estimated displacements, and making the MRI image having reduced distortion available. The first MRI image and the second MRI image were acquired using different gradient fields. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080292162 | Method and System for Generating a Collage to Summarize a Medical Dataset - Certain aspects of a method and system for generating a collage of images or videos to summarize a medical dataset are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include segmenting medical images based on a type of tissue. A portion of each of the segmented medical images may be selected based on one or more selection criteria by fitting a bounding box encompassing each selected portion. A collage of images may be generated based on the selected portion of each of the segmented medical images. The generated collage of images may be stored in an image storage repository. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20080292163 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONSTRAINED RECONSTRUCTION OF IMAGING DATA USING DATA REORDERING - A method, system, and computer-readable medium are provided which perform reconstruction of an image from undersampled, multi-image k-space data. A first undersampled image dataset and a second undersampled image dataset defined in a first dimension are received. The first undersampled image dataset and the second undersampled image dataset define a multi-image dimension. An ordering for a plurality of pixels of the first dimension in the multi-image dimension is defined. The first undersampled image dataset and the second undersampled image dataset in the multi-image dimension are sorted based on the defined ordering. A first constraint is defined in the first dimension using the unsorted first and second undersampled image datasets. A second constraint is defined in the multi-image dimension using the sorted first and second undersampled image datasets. An image is reconstructed using the applied first constraint and the applied second constraint while preserving fidelity to the first undersampled image dataset and the second undersampled image dataset. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20080292164 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COREGISTRATION AND ANALYSIS OF NON-CONCURRENT DIFFUSE OPTICAL AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE BREAST IMAGES - A method for joint analysis of non-concurrent magnetic resonance (MR) and diffuse optical tomography (DOT) images of the breast includes providing a digitized MR breast image volume comprising a plurality of intensities corresponding to a 3-dimensional (3D) grid of voxels, providing a digitized DOT breast dataset comprising a plurality of physiological values corresponding to a finite set of points, segmenting the breast MR image volume to separate tumorous tissue from non-tumorous tissue, registering a DOT breast dataset and the MR image volume and fusing said registered DOT and MR datasets, wherein said fused dataset is adapted for analysis. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20080292165 | Generalized 5D Dynamic and Spectral Factor Analysis - A method for processing image data includes representing the image data as a model having a spatial dimension, a time dimension, and an energy dimension; providing an objective function that is a function of energy factors, time factors, and image coefficients included in the model; and determining values of the energy factors, the time factors, and the image coefficients that minimize a difference between the optimal value of an objective function and a value of the objective function, the values of the energy factors, the time factors, and the image coefficients defining a solution. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20080292166 | Method and apparatus for displaying phase change fused image - To allow the correspondence between a region having different susceptibility and a tissue structure to be easily visible, a phase change weighted image is produced by use of a phase of each pixel of phase change image data and a color bar, and an absolute value image is produced by use of an absolute value of each pixel of absolute value image data and a grayscale. Then, a phase change fused image in which the phase change weighted image and absolute value image are overlaid on each other is displayed. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20080292167 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONSTRAINED RECONSTRUCTION APPLIED TO MAGNETIC RESONANCE TEMPERATURE MAPPING - A method, system, and computer-readable medium are provided which perform reconstruction of an image from undersampled k-space data. Imaging data of an image area is received. The imaging data is thermal magnetic resonance imaging data in k-space generated at less than the Nyquist rate. A cost function is minimized based on an image estimate and the received imaging data. An image of the image area is defined based on the minimized cost function. The received imaging data may include current k-space data and a summation of k-space data from previous time frames. Additionally, the image may be defined before imaging data is received for a next timeframe. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20080292168 | Image data acquisition system of an x-ray, CT or MRI machine with an integrated data compression module for data reduction of acquired image data - A data acquisition and data reduction system (DERS) are disclosed for acquiring and compressing image data generated and loaded by an image data detection unit (DE) of an imaging system (BGS) in which the data acquisition and data reduction system (DERS) is integrated. The imaging system (BGS) can, for example, in this case be a conventional x-ray, computed tomography or magnetic resonance tomography machine for high resolution radiographic, CT or MRI based display of interesting tissue regions of a patient to be examined. At least one embodiment of the present invention relates chiefly to a data compression module (DKM) integrated in the front end of the data acquisition and data reduction system (DERS), and to an associated method for acquiring comprised image data with the aid of which the data throughput rate of an image processing and image visualization system (BVS, AB) connected to the x-ray, CT or MRI machine can be improved. In order to accomplish the data reduction, in addition to loss free, reversible compression and coding methods that are operated, for example, using the principle of run length coding, Shannon Fano entropy coding, Huffman coding or Lempel Ziv Welch coding, it is also possible in at least one embodiment to use lossy compression and coding methods that are based, for example on the principle of discrete cosine transformation, wavelet transformation or geometric or fractal image compression. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20080292169 | Method for segmenting objects in images - A method for identifying an attribute of an object represented in an image comprising data defining a predetermined spatial granulation for resolving the object, where the object is in contact with another object. In an embodiment, the method comprises identifying data whose values indicate they correspond to locations completely within the object, determining a contribution to the attribute provided by the data, and identifying additional data whose values indicate they are not completely within the object. The method next interpolates second contributions to the attribute from the values of the additional data and finds the attribute of the object from the first contribution and second contributions. The attribute may be, for example, a volume, and the values may correspond, for example, to intensity. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20080292170 | Method for scattered radiation correction in an X-ray computed tomography system, and method for generating a tomographic display corrected for scattered radiation, and/or an X-ray computed tomography system - A method is disclosed for scattered radiation correction in an X-ray computed tomography system having at least two tube-detector systems. It is provided, according to at least one embodiment, to make use of a data record that includes data projections required for the reconstruction and a prescribed number of first scattered radiation projections. Respective scattered radiation components for the scattered radiation correction of all data projections are determined on the basis of the first scattered radiation projections and second scattered radiation projections determined therefrom. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20080292171 | Method and X-ray CT system for generating computed tomography displays - A method is disclosed for generating computed tomography displays, in which with the aid of at least one X-ray source, an examination object is scanned in a rotationally circulating fashion with a measured dose rate dependent on the circulation angle, projection data are collected from a multiplicity of viewing angles, and at least similarly redundant projection data from angularly identical or angularly complementary projection angles with a different measured dose are interpolated with distance weighted relative to a projection value and are used for reconstruction. According to at least one embodiment of the invention, during the distance weighted interpolation of the at least similarly redundant projection data an additional noise optimizing weighting is carried out as a function of the noise present per projection value. Furthermore, an X-ray computed tomography system is disclosed for generating tomographic displays of an examination object with the aid of an arithmetic logic unit, including computer program code for evaluating detector data and carrying out a reconstruction, the arithmetic logic unit including program code that during operation executes at least one embodiment of the method. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20080292172 | Method for automatically selecting a display mode for an image data record of an organ to be examined - According to an embodiment of the invention, a method for automatically selecting a display mode for an image data record is provided. In an embodiment of the process, spatially resolved values of a parameter are determined in a first image data record of the organ to be examined, with the parameter allowing an evaluation of a functionality of the organ to be examined. Thereupon a deviation of the determined values of the parameter from a tolerance range is localized. The result of the localization is saved, and a display mode of a second image data record is selected on the basis of the result of localization, with the second image data record being a 3D image data record. The second image data record is shown in the selected display mode. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20080292173 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ARTIFACT REDUCTION - A method for facilitating a reduction in image artifacts is provided. The method includes receiving data regarding a scan of an object, reconstructing a plurality of images using the received data to form a three-dimensional image space, determining an orientation for a maximum intensity pixel operation, locating the maximum intensity pixels within a plurality of ray paths in accordance with the determined orientation, and filtering around each maximum intensity pixel along each ray path. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20080298658 | Medical Image Diagnosing Support Method and Apparatus, and Image Processing Program - A medical image diagnosing support method of the present invention includes: a site region extracting step for obtaining a tomographic image which is picked up by a medical diagnostic imaging apparatus and extracting a predetermined site region from the obtained tomographic image; a first region extracting step for extracting a first lesion candidate region from the site region based on pixel values of the site region extracted in the predetermined site region extracting step;
| 12-04-2008 |
| 20080298659 | Systems and Methods for Processing Medical Image Data to Facilitate Comparisons Among Groups of Subjects - Systems and methods for processing medical image data with increased sensitivity to facilitate comparisons among groups of subjects are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving a first three-dimensional image comprising a plurality of voxels, reducing a regional trend within the three-dimensional image, computing a semivariogram for a region of interest, defining at least one block of spatially correlated voxels, calculating voxel weights for each voxel within the at least one block, and determining a block average count and variance for the at least one block. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080298660 | 3-DIMENSIONAL DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING SYSTEM - A 3-dimensional diagnostic imaging system for acquiring and displaying 3-dimensional images includes an ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus configured to display any cross section of a 3-dimensional image extracted from volume data including an affected part of a subject; a 3-dimensional medical diagnostic imaging apparatus configured to display a cross section of a 3-dimensional image extracted from volume data obtained by medical diagnostic imaging modalities other than the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus, the cross section being substantially identical to the cross section displayed by the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus; and an image processing/display unit configured to synchronously display substantially identical cross sections of a plurality of 3-dimensional images from both the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus and the 3-dimensional medical diagnostic imaging apparatus, or to synchronously display substantially identical cross sections of a plurality of 3-dimensional images extracted from volume data obtained by the same medical diagnostic imaging modality at different times. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080298661 | Method and Apparatus for Parameter Free Regularized Partially Parallel Imaging Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging - Embodiments of the invention are directed to a method and apparatus for parameter free regularized partially parallel imaging (PPI). Specific embodiments relate to a method and apparatus for high pass GRAPPA (hp-GRAPPA), doubly calibrated GRAPPA (db-GRAPPA), and/or image ratio constrained reconstruction (IRCR). The subject techniques can be applied individually or in combination. In a specific application of an embodiment of the subject method, hp-GRAPPA is used to reconstruct high frequency information, and db-GRAPPA is used reconstruct low frequency information regularized with prior information. In another specific application of an embodiment of the subject method, the result of IRCR a regularization term for db-GRAPPA. Experiments demonstrate that the results obtained by implementing embodiments of the subject method have significantly higher SNR than results obtained utilizing un-regularized techniques and have higher spatial resolution and/or lower error than results obtained using regularized SENSE. The subject double calibration technique lessens the motion problem of the pre-scan even when significant structure change occurs. High quality images generated by a specific embodiment of the subject double calibration technique are demonstrated with a net reduction factor as high as 4.8. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080298662 | Automatic Detection of Lymph Nodes - A method for detecting lymph nodes in a medical image includes receiving image data. One or more regions of interest are detected from within the received image data. One or more lymph node candidates are identified using a set of predefined parameters that is particular to the detected region of interest where each lymph node candidate is located. The identifying unit may identify the one or more lymph node candidates by performing DGFR processing. The method may also include receiving user-provided adjustments to the predefined parameters that are particular to the detected regions of interest and identifying the lymph node candidates based on the adjusted parameters. The lymph node candidates identified based on the adjusted parameters may be displayed along with the image data in real-time as the adjustments are provided. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080298663 | Task Specific Reconstruction of Functional Medical Scans - The invention addresses the problem of algorithm specific artefacts introduced by reconstruction of functional medical scans. After a general purpose reconstruction is performed, regions of interest are identified from the data and task specific reconstruction of the region(s) of interest is carried out. The reconstructed data can be displayed (for example) as a report or image overlay. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080298664 | Method for data evaluation - A method is disclosed for data evaluation of first and second measured data records acquired substantially simultaneously with the aid of a combined medical examination device suitable for simultaneous and isocentric acquisition of first measured data, specifically magnetic resonance or computed tomography measured data, and second nuclear medicine measured data, specifically PET measured data or SPECT measured data. In at least one embodiment, the method includes reconstructing a first image data record from the measured data of the at least one first measured data record, reconstructing a second image data record from the measured data of the at least one second measured data record, fusing the image data records as a function of registering the coordinate systems of the first measured data record and of the second measured data record to form a fusion image data record, and displaying and/or storing the fusion image data record. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080304726 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR IMPROVING SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL RESOLUTION OF COMPUTED IMAGES OF MOVING OBJECTS - A method of improving a resolution of an image using image reconstruction is provided. The method includes acquiring scan data of an object and forward projecting a current image estimate of the scan data to generate calculated projection data. The method also includes applying a data-fit term and a regularization term to the scan data and the calculated projection data and modifying at least one of the data fit term and the regularization term to accommodate spatio-temporal information to form a reconstructed image from the scan data and the calculated projection data. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20080304727 | Method and apparatus for forming an image with dynamic projective data - An apparatus for forming an image of a body of a patient. The apparatus comprises an energy source which emits energy that passes through the body or which causes the body to emit energy. The apparatus comprises at least one detector element which receives the energy which has pass through, or originated within the body. The apparatus comprises a computer with a memory in communication with the detector element which stores in the memory angular and timing information relative to the body regarding the energy. The apparatus comprises means for obtaining additional angular and timing information relative to the body regarding the information including the computer-generated steps from a computable readable medium of: acquiring time resolved projective data, either in a sparse manner or in a highly sampled manner, depending on which acquisition aspect of the patient is to be reduced; interpolating either along a circumferential direction or along a temporal direction sparsely sampled data, the interpolation direction being determined by a relative k-space sampling density; applying data filtering either along the circumferential direction or along the temporal direction for highly sampled data, the filtering direction being determined by the relative k-space sampling density; compiling a full radial sampling set from the filtered or interpolated data; and submitting the sampling set for reconstruction. A method for forming an image of a patient. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20080304728 | Method and system for performing high temporal resolution bolus detection using CT image projection data - A method of evaluating changes in contrast of an image using a diagnostic imaging system is provided. The method provides acquiring raw image data of an organ or tissue, calculating a baseline of data based on the raw image data acquired before arrival of an agent, and determining changes in a signal intensity of the agent based on changes in the raw image data compared to the baseline. The agent may be an imaging agent, a contrast agent, a biomedical agent, a needle, a catheter, a biomedical device, and the like. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20080304729 | Method and Apparatus for Continuous Imaging by Ultrasound Transducer System - A low profile large aperture matrix based ultrasound transducer fixably attached to the human body by a disposable pad and is used to image the human anatomy. The image tuning and field of view is controlled remotely by inputs to the ultrasound imaging system. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20080304730 | ULTRASONIC IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING ULTRASONIC IMAGE - A contour detector detects the contour of a specific tissue based on ultrasonic image data having been acquired in a predetermined time phase. A contour tracking part obtains the position of each of points composing the contour of a specific tissue in ultrasonic image data having been acquired in each time phase, by pattern matching for each time phase. A computing part obtains motion information indicating the motion state of a specific tissue in each time phase, based on the position of each of points composing the contour in each time phase. A display controller controls a display to display an ultrasonic image based on ultrasonic image data having been acquired in each time phase, for each time phase. Furthermore, the display controller controls the display to display the motion information in each time phase, on each occasion of each time phase. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20080304731 | Data processing apparatus, medical diagnostic apparatus, data processing method and medical diagnostic method - A data processing apparatus includes a SNR distribution data generating unit, a filter processing unit, a weighting function generating unit and a corrected data generating unit. The SNR distribution data generating unit generates SNR distribution data of processing target data based on the processing target data. The filter processing unit generates filter processed data obtained by performing filter processing to the processing target data to improve a SNR of the processing target data. The weighting function generating unit generates a weighting function based on the SNR distribution data. The corrected data generating unit generates corrected data by performing weighted calculation between the processing target data and the filter processed data using the weighting function. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20080310695 | Locally Adaptive Nonlinear Noise Reduction - An imaging scanner ( | 12-18-2008 |
| 20080310696 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CORRECTING MOTION IN MULTI-SHOT DIFFUSION-WEIGHTED MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A method for performing motion correction in an autocalibrated, multi-shot diffusion-weighting MR imaging data acquisition includes performing motion correction on k-space data in an autocalibration region for each shot individually and then combining the motion-corrected k-space data from each shot to form a motion-corrected reference autocalibration region. Uncorrected source k-space data points are “trained to” the motion-corrected k-space data from the motion-corrected reference autocalibration region to determine coefficients that are used to synthesize motion-corrected k-space data in the outer, undersampled regions of k-space. Similarly, acquired k-space lines in the outer, undersampled regions of k-space may also be replaced by motion-corrected synthesized k-space data. The motion-corrected k-space data from the motion-corrected reference autocalibration region may be combined with the synthesized motion-corrected k-space data for the outer, undersampled regions of k-space to reconstruct motion-corrected images corresponding to each coil element. The motion corrected images corresponding to each coil element may be combined into a resultant image. | 12-18-2008 |
| 20080310697 | Method and System of Multivariate Analysis on Normalized Volume-Wise Data in the Sinogram Domain For Improved Quality in Positron Emission Tomography Studies - A method and system are provided for improving the quality in positron emission tomography (PET) images. PET input data is masked using raw dynamic PET data (sinograms) as input for primary component analysis (PCA) that generates primary components which in turn are used to create a mask. This mask can be used to allow object pixel data to be extracted from the sinograms into masked sinograms where background pixels outside the reference object are set to zero. A volume-wise approach to PCA uses masked sinograms as input data. Pixel-wise noise pre-normalization may then be performed generating pre-normalized sinograms from the masked PET input data. PCA is then performed on the pre-normalized sinograms resulting in PCA sinograms recreated into PCA-modified sinograms by adding background pixel values of zero. These PCA-modified sinograms may optionally be scaled and may then be reconstructed into dynamic PET images with improved image quality. | 12-18-2008 |
| 20080310698 | IMAGE ACQUISITION, ARCHIVING AND RENDERING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REPRODUCING IMAGING MODALITY EXAMINATION PARAMETERS USED IN AN INITIAL EXAMINATION FOR USE IN SUBSEQUENT RADIOLOGICAL IMAGING - A CT- or MRT-assisted image acquisition, image archiving and image rendering system allows generation, storage, post-processing, retrieval and graphical visualization of computed or magnetic resonance tomography image data that, for example, can be used in the clinical field in the framework of radiological slice image diagnostics as well as in the framework of interventional radiology. Moreover, a method implemented by this system allows reproduction of patient-specific examination parameters of an initial examination implemented by means of computed or magnetic resonance tomography imaging in the framework of CT or MRT follow-up examinations (“follow-ups”), for example in a post-operative tumor examination implemented under slice image monitoring in connection with a histological tissue sample extraction (biopsy) implemented under local anesthesia or a minimally-invasive intervention implemented for tumor treatment. Acquisition, measurement, 2D and/or 3D reconstruction parameters from a radiological initial examination of the patient conducted by means of CT, PET-CT or MRT as well as position data to establish the position adopted by this patient on the examination table of a computed tomography or magnetic resonance tomography apparatus are electronically documented, retrievably and persistently stored, and are automatically reused given subsequent CT-, PET-CT- or MRT-based monitoring examinations, or CT-controlled or MRT-controlled interventional or operative procedures. | 12-18-2008 |
| 20080317311 | Coherent Scatter Imaging - A region of interest is identified using a conventional CT or X-ray approach. Then, the region of interest is scanned using a plurality of pencil beams ( | 12-25-2008 |
| 20080317312 | Method of Guiding an Irradiation Equipment - The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for guiding an irradiation equipment ( | 12-25-2008 |
| 20080317313 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRACKING MOTION FOR GENERATING MOTION CORRECTED TOMOGRAPHIC IMAGES - A method and related system for generating motion corrected tomographic images includes the steps of illuminating a region of interest (ROI) to be imaged being part of an unrestrained live subject and having at least three spaced apart optical markers thereon. At least one camera is used to obtain images of the markers. Motion data comprising 3D position and orientation of the markers relative to an initial reference position is then calculated. The at least three spaced apart optical markers and the at least one camera are sufficient in quantity and position to avoid multiple epipolar solutions. Motion corrected tomographic data obtained from the ROI using the motion data is then obtained, where motion corrected tomographic images obtained therefrom. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20080317314 | Automated Determination of Lymph Nodes in Scanned Images - Techniques include automatically detecting a lymph node in a scanned image of a body without human intervention, using one or more of three approaches. First, a subset of scanned images is determined, which belongs to one anatomical domain. A search region for lymph tissue is in a particular spatial relationship outside an anatomical object in the domain. Second, scanned images are segmented without human intervention to determine a boundary of a particular lymph node. The scanned images and outline data are received. Some of these embodiments automatically segment by determining an external marker, based on the outline data, and an internal marker, based on a geometric center of the outline data or thresholds determined automatically inside detected edges, or both, for a marker-controlled watershed algorithm. Third, based on lymph node data at a particular time, a second scanned image at a different time is segmented automatically, without human intervention. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20080317315 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CORRECTION OF MOVEMENT ARTIFACTS - In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) for correction of movement in the acquisition of MR images of an examination region, wherein the movement that occurs between the acquisition of data of spatially different slices of the examination region is taken into account, data from the examination region are acquired in multiple slices that are acquired in at least two groups, with slices of a second group arranged at least partially between slices of the first group, such that at least one slice of the second group lies between slices of the first group. Correction for movement of the examination region that occurred between the acquisition of data of the slices of the first group and the acquisition of data of an intervening slice of the second group is done by reconstructing a reference data set for the intervening slice from acquired slice data of the first group for the movement correction. This reference data set is compared with data of the acquisition of the MR image of the intervening slice in order to determine and correct the occurred movement. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20080317316 | ULTRASONIC IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING ULTRASONIC IMAGE - Obtains the position of each of points composing the contour of a specific tissue shown in ultrasonic image data having been acquired at each time phase by pattern matching for each time phase. Obtains motion information of each of parts composing the specific tissue based on the position of each of the points composing the contour. For each time phase, obtain the differential value of the motion information of each of the parts by differentiating the motion information of each of the parts by time, and normalizes the differential value of the motion information. Assigns a color corresponding to the magnitude of the normalized differential value of the motion information to each of the parts displays an ultrasonic image at each time phase and furthermore display each of the parts of the specific tissue shown in the ultrasonic image of each time phase in the assign color. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20080317317 | Method and Apparatus For Accelerated Elastic Registration of Multiple Scans of Internal Properties of a Body - Techniques for accelerated elastic registration include receiving reference scan data and floating scan data, and a first transformation for mapping coordinates of scan elements from the first scan to coordinates of scan elements in the second scan. A subset of contiguous scan elements is determined. At least one of several enhancements is implemented. In one enhancement cubic spline interpolation is nested by dimensions within a subset. In another enhancement, a local joint histogram of mutual information based on the reference scan data and the floating scan data for the subset is determined and subtracted from an overall joint histogram to determine a remainder joint histogram. Each subset is then transformed, used to compute an updated local histogram, and added to the remainder joint histogram to produce an updated joint histogram. In another enhancement, a measure of similarity other than non-normalized mutual information is derived from the updated joint histogram. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20080317318 | Method for visualizing a three-dimensional image data record from an x-ray CT examination and workstation for carrying out the method - A method and a workstation are disclosed for visualizing a three-dimensional image data record having a multiplicity of voxels of a heart of a patient, recorded with the aid of an x-ray CT examination carried out with contrast agent present in the bloodstream. In at least one embodiment, the method includes saving the CT image data record including a multiplicity of voxels defined by absorption values, determining the voxels associated with the chamber of the heart by segmenting the chambers of the heart filled with blood containing the contrast agent, removing the image information from the voxels associated with the chambers of the heart, calculating a two-dimensional virtual projection from the remaining CT image data record, and displaying the virtual two-dimensional projection. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20080317319 | Method for determining an optimal output of an ablation catheter for a myocardial ablation in a patient and associated medical apparatus - The invention relates to a method for determining an optimal output of an ablation catheter for a myocardial ablation in a patient with the following steps: creation of at least one at least three-dimensional image recording of an ablation region provided for the myocardial ablation using at least one image recording apparatus; at least partial segmentation of the recorded ablation region to obtain segmentation information using a computation apparatus; at least partial determination from the segmentation information of the location-dependent thickness of the myocardium in the ablation region by the computation apparatus; and determination of the optimal output of the ablation catheter, in particular by the computation apparatus or a separate computation apparatus of an ablation catheter system, as a function of the determined myocardium thickness. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20090003674 | Sense Mr Parallel Imaging With Continuously Moving Bed - During continuous moving of an imaging subject ( | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090003675 | Bleeding Detection Using a Blanket Ultrasound Device - A method for differentiating between a blood vessel bifurcation and a bleeding blood vessel in an ultrasound volume includes performing vessel segmentation on the ultrasound volume, calculating vessel centerlines for the segmented vessels, automatically detecting a bifurcation candidate using the calculated vessel centerlines, placing a first marker at a predetermined distance before the detected bifurcation candidate, placing a second marker at a predetermined distance after the bifurcation candidate, placing a third marker at a predetermined distance alone a potential vessel branch of the bifurcation candidate, acquiring spectral Doppler waveform data at each of the three markers, and comparing the acquired spectral Doppler waveform data for each of the three markers to determine whether the bifurcation candidate is a point of internal bleeding. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090003676 | IMAGE DIAGNOSIS SUPPORTING APPARATUS, METHOD AND PROGRAM, AND RECORDING MEDIUM THEREOF - Slice image groups of a first photographing opportunity and a second photographing opportunity are acquired. Three-dimensional tumor areas (lesion areas) are extracted from the slice image groups, and a slice image with maximum tumor area is determined as a reference slice image of each slice image group. Based on the reference slice images thus determined, slice images positioned at the same distance away from the reference slice images in the slice direction are respectively acquired from the slice image groups of a first photographing opportunity and a second photographing opportunity, and the acquired slice images are displayed on a monitor device so that images can be compared and interpreted. Thus, an image interpreter can accurately compare and interpret images of lesion areas included in slice image groups with different photographing opportunities. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090003677 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND RECORDING MEDIUM - An image processing apparatus includes: a recognizing device which recognizes a bone area extracted from a tomogram, the bone area including a bone site composed of several bone pieces, in units of bone pieces; a display site selecting device which selects a bone site to be displayed; a display/non-display determining device which determines a bone piece to be displayed with respect to the selected bone site; and a display controlling device which controls to display a bone piece corresponding to the selected bone site based on the determination by the display/non-display determining device. Thus, only a selection of a bone site to be displayed allows a display of the selected bone site in units of bone pieces. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090010514 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Device, Image Data Correcting Device and Image Data Correcting Method - An image data correcting device has a movement information acquiring section, a correcting section and a synthesizing section. The movement information acquiring section acquires movement information showing a spatial distribution of the magnitude of a movement in the real space of an image pickup part of a detected body. The correcting section makes a correction different from that of a second area in a first area of image data collected by a scan of magnetic resonance imaging on the basis of the movement information. The synthesizing section synthesizes respective image data of the first area and the second area corrected by the correcting section. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20090010515 | Robust Reconstruction Method for Parallel Magnetic Resonance Images - Methods and systems for reconstruction of an image from parallel Magnetic Resonance Image (pMRI) data are disclosed. A reconstructed pMRI image may suffer from noise and aliasing. A method for reducing aliasing by applying a bounded error function is disclosed. A method for reducing noise in a reconstruction by applying an error term is also disclosed. Error terms are included in an expression that can be solved as a minimization problem. Creating a solution in an iterative way is also disclosed. Examples of specific solutions are provided. A system applying the methods is also provided. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20090010516 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D) RECONSTRUCTION OF THE LEFT ATRIUM AND PULMONARY VEINS - A method for centering a left atrium and pulmonary veins at an isocenter of an imaging device is provided. The method includes positioning an injection catheter at a bifurcation of a pulmonary artery; obtaining an anterior or posterior flouroscopic image of area including and/or surrounding the left atrium and pulmonary veins; and moving the imaging device, patient support, or the combination thereof, such that the injection catheter and a spine of a patient are displayed in the fluoroscopic image. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20090010517 | NON-INVASIVE IN VIVO MRI AXON DIAMETER MEASUREMENT METHODS - Magnetic resonance methods include modeling magnetic resonance signals obtained from specimens at low and high q-values to obtain parameters and distributions of parameters associated with specimen structure and orientation. In evaluation of brain white matter specimens, diffusion within axons can be modeled based on hindered diffusion parallel to an axis of the axon and restricted diffusion perpendicular to the axis. Diffusion exterior to axons can be modeled as hindered diffusion with differing diffusivities parallel to and perpendicular to the axis. Based on extracted parameters and associated model functions, distributions of specimen properties such as intra and extra-axonal principal diffusivities and the corresponding principal directions can be estimated. Features of the axon diameter distribution can also be estimated using this approach. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20090010518 | METHOD FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY REPRESENTATIONS FROM X-RAY CT DATA SETS OF AN EXAMINATION SUBJECT WITH SPIRAL SCANNING - The image reconstruction is implemented along theoretical π-lines, wherein the theoretical π-lines not only lead to interpolated detector data but also can emanate from interpolated source positions. Interpolation thus occurs both at the detector and at the source. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20090010519 | MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND MEDICAL IMAGE DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS - A medical image processing apparatus comprises: an acquiring part configured to acquire a morphological image that is formed by a first apparatus and shows the morphology of an organ of an object, and a functional image that is formed by a second apparatus different from the first apparatus and shows the state of the organ; a display; and a processor configured to cause the display to display a synthetic image based on the morphological image and the functional image. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20090016588 | Method and system for segmentation of tubular structures in 3D images - A method and system for segmenting tubular structures in 3D images is disclosed. User inputs identifying a first region on the image inside of a tubular structure and a second region of the image outside of the tubular structure are received. Based on this information, an ordered series of pearls are generated along the tubular structure. Pearls are spheres, each having a center location and a radius determined based on the center locations and radii of previous pearls and on local voxel intensities in the image. A continuous model of the tubular structure can be generated by interpolating the center locations and radii of the ordered series of pearls. The ordered series of pearls can be displayed and easily edited in response to user input, thus providing an efficient and flexible method for interactive segmentation of a potion of interest in a tubular structure. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090016589 | Computer-Assisted Detection of Colonic Polyps Using Convex Hull - A method for performing computer-assisted diagnosis includes receiving a plurality of two-dimensional views of an internal structure, defining a search space around one or more areas of analysis within each view of the internal structure, calculating a convex hull for each area of analysis within each search space of each view of the internal structure, determining a set of foreground pixels that are located within the convex hull for each area of analysis within each search space within each view of the internal structure, and for each area of analysis, merging the set of foreground pixels that are located within the convex hull from each view. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090016590 | Method of Analyzing Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Image - A method of analyzing a diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance image is adapted to analyze an orientation distribution function ψ | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090016591 | Tissue Detection Method for Computer Aided Diagnosis and Visualization in the Presence of Tagging - A method for obtaining a tissue volume, includes inputting a dataset including a plurality of voxels; initializing a tissue probability volume for the plurality of voxels to a pre-determined value; updating, by one of increasing or decreasing the tissue probability volume of each of the plurality of voxels, based on corresponding intensity values of each of the plurality of voxels; and generating the tissue volume by combining the updated tissue probability volume and the inputted dataset. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090016592 | Method for correcting truncation artifacts - The invention relates to a method for correcting truncation artifacts in a reconstruction method for computed tomography recordings. The projection images are recorded by an x-ray image detector being extended by determining the attenuation of the radiation outside the projection image for pixels. Non-horizontal filter lines are extended by transaxial and axial artificial extension of the x-ray image detector for the purposes of truncation correction. The truncation correction for non-horizontal filter lines being carried out according to a method from at least one of the following groups: truncation correction takes place regardless of the specific location and orientation of the filter lines; truncation correction takes place as a function of the specific position and orientation of the filter lines, with the filter lines themselves being retained; and truncation correction takes place by introducing new modified filter lines, with filtering taking place along offset artificially extended filter lines. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090022378 | IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE - There is provided an image display device capable of easily checking an enormous number of tomograms. Display synthesis means ( | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090022379 | Method for Quantifying Organ Motion, Apparatus Therefor, Method for Estimating Organ Position, Apparatus Therefor, Method for Irradiating Radiation, Apparatus Therefor, and Apparatus for Detecting Abnormal Organ - A plurality of CT images of an organ ( | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090022380 | SUB-VOXEL MOTION CORRECTION FOR PHASE-CONTRAST MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A method and system are described for image registration using an information theoretic approach that can be used for correcting motion in blood flow studies as well as other applications. The joint probability distribution between two MRI (or other modality) images is estimated where the interpolation method is referred to as a continuous histogram. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090022381 | METHOD TO CORRECT THE REGISTRATION OF RADIOGRAPHY IMAGES - A method for the correction of registration of radiography images comprises means to determine a residual rigid transformation in comparing the pre-operation 3D image with a fluoroscopic image. This residual transformation is determined according to a registration based on the content of the image. Once the residual transformation is computed, it is combined with a geometrical registration. The use of the geometrical registration in this combination enables the making of a real-time registration comprising the motion of the C-arm without any additional registration. And the use of the registration based on the content of the image enables the precision of said geometrical registration to be refined. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090022382 | IMAGING METHOD FOR MOTION ANALYSIS - The invention concerns a system and method for generating a 3D imaging data set of an object or of at least two elements, including: obtaining a 3D image data set of the object or the at least two elements in a first shape, first absolute position, or first relative position, moving at least one of the elements and/or deforming the object to have a second shape, second absolute position, or second relative position, different from the first shape, first absolute position, or first relative position; obtaining a 2D data set of the object or the at least two elements while in the second shape, second absolute position, or second relative position; and calculating a 3D image data set of the object or the at least two elements in the second shape, absolute, or relative position using said 2D image data set and said 3D image data set. The method also may be performed by obtaining the 2D image data set in the first position and obtaining the 3D image data set in the second position. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090022383 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR CHANGES IN ANATOMY OF RADIOTHERAPY PATIENTS - Portal images are combined with 3D ultrasound to determine adjustments to patient treatment parameters. The images are acquired while the patient is in an initial position, and the images are registered to a treatment coordinate system. The images are combined and outlines of anatomical structures are superimposed on the portal images, resulting in new portal images that incorporate the anatomy extracted from the ultrasound. The enhanced portal images are used to identify modifications to the treatment parameters. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090022384 | Method for correction of distortion in image data records recorded by means of a magnetic resonance scanner, as well as a computer program, image processing unit and magnetic resonance scanner for carrying out the method - A method is disclosed which calculates local shifts of image elements in a loaded image data record which has been recorded by a magnetic resonance scanner using known recording parameters. In at least one embodiment, the known recording parameters and known local discrepancies of a basic magnetic field of the magnetic resonance scanner in a measurement volume of the magnetic resonance scanner are used to calculate the local shifts. A corrected image data record is created on the basis of the calculated shifts and the loaded image data record. This corrected image data record is finally displayed and/or stored. Furthermore, a computer program, an image processing unit and a magnetic resonance scanner for carrying out the method are disclosed. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090022385 | Method for correction of distortion in image data records recorded by means of a magnetic resonance scanner, as well as a computer program, image processing unit and magnetic resonance scanner for carrying out the method - A method is disclosed for correction of distortion, which is created by way of discrepancies in a basic magnetic field of a magnetic resonance scanner, in image data records which are recorded via the magnetic resonance scanner. In at least one embodiment, the method includes loading a first image data record, recorded via the magnetic resonance scanner with a first frequency coding gradient, of an examination region; loading a second image data record, recorded via the magnetic resonance scanner but using a second frequency coding gradient, of the same examination region, with the first and the second frequency coding gradient being different; receiving a transformation shift field as final result of a registration process of the first and the second image data record; calculating a correction shift field for the first and/or the second image data record on the basis of the calculated transformation shift field; correcting the distortion of the first and/or second image data record on the basis of the calculated correction shift field; and displaying and/or storing the corrected image data record or the corrected image data records. A computer program, an image processing unit and a magnetic resonance scanner for carrying out the method are also disclosed. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090022386 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR COMPUTER AIDED TARGETING - 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. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090022387 | Medical image display system and medical image display program - A medical image display apparatus of the present invention is used in a medical image display system having a function of preparing three-dimensional image data on a subject including a plurality of luminal organs and displaying the prepared three-dimensional image data on a display ( | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090028405 | Three Time Point Lung Cancer Detection, Diagnosis and Assessment of Prognosis - malignancy classification method and medium for classifying a region of lung tissue are disclosed. The classifying includes: setting time points T | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090028406 | Perfusion Assessment Based on Animated Perfusion Imaging - An embodiment of a medical imaging system is proposed. The system includes means for providing a sequence of recorded input images each one offering a digital representation at a corresponding instant of a body part being perfused with a contrast agent, each input image including a plurality of visualizing values each one representing a corresponding portion of the body part, and means for associating each sequence of corresponding sets in the input images of at least one visualizing value with a model function of time; the system further includes means for generating a sequence of computed images at further instants, each computed image including a plurality of further visualizing values each one being determined by an instantaneous function-value which is calculated from the associated model function at the corresponding further instant, and means for displaying the sequence of computed images. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090028407 | SCANNING BEAM WITH VARIABLE SEQUENTIAL FRAMING USING INTERRUPTED SCANNING RESONANCE - A scanning device for use in an endoscope or other applications can be driven to scan a region with one or more different scanning parameters during successive scanning frames. The scanning device, which can include an optical fiber or reflective surface driven by an actuator to move relative to one or more axes, can be provided with a drive signal that is different during successive scanning frames so that the scanning pattern can be caused to differ between the successive scanning frames by one or more of size, amplitude in at least one direction, depth, duration, shape, and resolution. Thus, different scanning frames can be employed for imaging, carrying out a diagnosis, rendering a therapy, and/or monitoring a site, using the appropriate scanning pattern, appropriate light source, and other parameters for each function that is carried out by the scanning device. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090028408 | RADIATION THERAPY FLANNING PROCEDURE - An improved radiation therapy planning procedure is suggested. The procedure comprises the steps of specifying and determining the absolute grade of cell degeneracy by in-vitro tests, whereby marker(s) indicative for specific cell degeneracy are detected and quantified, establishing a biology-based segmentation of areas with similar grade of relative cell degeneracy and applying the absolute grade of cell degeneracy to the biology-based segmentation data, thereby establishing an improved radiation therapy planning procedure. Moreover, the present invention suggests a system for an improved radiation therapy planning procedure and its use in procedures of diagnosis and/or therapy management of cancer | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090028409 | X-RAY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - An X-ray tube generates X-rays. An X-ray detector detects X-rays generated from the X-ray tube and transmitted through an object to be examined. A rotating frame continuously rotates the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector around the object. A reconstruction unit reconstructs a plurality of first volume data sets with different scan times for the same scan area of the object on the basis of an output from the X-ray detector. An image processing unit generates single second volume data set corresponding to a maximum value, an average value, a median value, or minimum value of the plurality of reconstructed first volume data sets in the temporal direction. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090028410 | ULTRASONIC IMAGING APPARATUS - An ultrasonic imaging apparatus includes an image acquisition unit for acquiring tomographic image information of a subject on a real-time basis, a display unit for displaying the image of the tomographic image information, a DICOM server for storing and managing DICOM image information of the DICOM specification, a control unit for controlling the image acquisition unit and the DICOM server on a time-sharing basis, and an input unit for inputting the control information for the control. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090028411 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS TO ACQUIRE TEMPORALLY SUCCESSIVE IMAGE DATA SETS - In a method and magnetic resonance apparatus for acquisition and processing of a series of temporally successive image data sets of the series of temporally successive image data sets is acquired by magnetic resonance technology, wherein k-space image data corresponding to each image data set are acquired, and for each image data set in the series, a determination is made, in at least one first part of that image data set, of a measure that characterizes a global image intensity value of that image data set. At least one second part of the image data sets is corrected using the determined measures and/or the determined measures are used in an evaluation of at least one third part of the image data sets. A temporal change of the global image intensity value in the series of temporally successive image data sets is compensated or taken into account in this manner. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090034812 | SUPERIMPOSING BRAIN ATLAS IMAGES AND BRAIN IMAGES WITH DELINEATION OF INFARCT AND PENUMBRA FOR STROKE DIAGNOSIS - Brain images are processed and analyzed with the aid of a computer for stroke diagnosis or therapeutic decision making, where multiple stroke-related images are superimposed. The superimposed images include brain images that have infarct and penumbra regions, and patient-specific brain atlas images. The infarct and penumbra regions are determined and delineated on the superimposed images. Each patient-specific brain atlas image may be formed by mapping a pre-existing brain atlas to a co-ordinate system in which the brain images are co-registered. A brain atlas may depict brain structures such as anatomy structures, blood supply territories (BST), or cerebral vasculature. The superimposed images may be used to determine any overlap between a particular brain structure and the infarct and penumbra regions. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090034813 | Joint Detection and Localization of Multiple Anatomical Landmarks Through Learning - A method for detecting and localizing multiple anatomical landmarks in medical images including: receiving an input requesting identification of a plurality of anatomical landmarks in a medical image; applying a multi-landmark detector to the medical image to identify a plurality of candidate locations for each of the anatomical landmarks; for each of the anatomical landmarks, applying a landmark-specific detector to each of its candidate locations, wherein the landmark-specific detector assigns a score to each of the candidate locations, and wherein candidate locations having a score below a predetermined threshold are removed; applying spatial statistics to groups of the remaining candidate locations to determine, for each of the anatomical landmarks, the candidate location that most accurately identifies the anatomical landmark; and for each of the anatomical landmarks, outputting the candidate location that most accurately identifies the anatomical landmark. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090034814 | Expanded Pharmacokinetic Model for Population Studies in Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - A method for pharmacokinetic analysis, including: receiving time-series medical image data of a patient introduced with a contrast agent; identifying a reference region in the medical image data; identifying a plurality of points of interest in the medical image data; measuring an intensity of voxels in the reference region; and for each point of interest, measure an intensity of voxels therein, use the measured reference region and point of interest intensities to obtain an expression relating the point of interest's voxel concentration to that of the reference region, wherein the expression is a five-parameter nonlinear model with no reference to an arterial input function; and obtain values for each of the five-parameters by solving the expression and use the obtained values to determine whether the point of interest is malignant. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090034815 | METHOD OF ACQUIRING A DIAGNOSTIC INDEX - A diagnostic index that indicates a condition of obesity of an abdominal area of a human body with improved reliability is provided. For slice images representing two or more cross-sections of an abdominal area of a subject, a ratio of a size of the subcutaneous fat region and the visceral fat region in the abdominal area to the abdominal area is calculated. Then, the ratio obtained for the subject is compared with a corresponding ratio obtained in advance for a human body model to acquire the diagnostic index indicating the condition of obesity of the subject. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090034816 | Reduction of Lymph Tissue False Positives in Pulmonary Embolism Detection - A system for automatically detecting pulmonary emboli from medical image data includes receiving image data, automatically detecting one or more pulmonary embolism candidates from the image data, segmenting an airway tract from the image data, segmenting an artery structure from the image data, calculating a distance between each of the candidates and a nearest portion of the segmented airway, determining whether each of the candidates is within or outside of the segmented artery structure, rejecting candidates based on the calculated distance between each of the candidates and the nearest portion of the segmented airway and the determination as to whether each of the candidates is within or outside of the segmented artery structure, and indicating the location of the non-rejected candidates within the image data. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090034817 | Method for correction of truncation artifacts in a reconstruction method for tomographic imaging with truncated projection data - There is described a method for correction of truncation artifacts in reconstructed tomographic images in a reconstruction method for tomographic images with truncated projection image data in the reconstructed tomographic images, in which divergent radiation is emitted from a radiographic source, an object to be examined is x-rayed with the divergent radiation in different projection directions, the radiation penetrating through the object to be examined is detected by a detector as projection images, with the data of the signal being arranged in a number of projection data rows and projection images detected by the detector being expanded line-by-line through extrapolation of the projection data rows. In this case the signal of a projection data row can be smoothed with a polynomial filter to reduce the noise component of the signal and the truncated proportion of the projection data row can be computed from the smoothed signal of the projection data row by means of an extrapolation method, with the extrapolation widths being derived from a number of rows. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090034818 | RADIOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND ARITHMETIC PROCESSING PROGRAM - A radiographic apparatus according to this invention includes a back projection arithmetic processing unit which, when carrying out a back projection arithmetic process on projection data detected by a flat panel X-ray detector (FPD) | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090041322 | Computer Assisted Detection of Polyps Within Lumen Using Enhancement of Concave Area - A method for performing computer assisted diagnosis, includes receiving medical image data of a structure under analysis including background and foreground pixels, matching a set of one or more masks to foreground pixels of the acquired medical image data, converting a background pixel of the acquired medical image data to foreground pixel based on a match between one of the masks and the acquired medical image data, performing morphological dilation on the medical image data with the converted pixel, performing morphological erosion on the dilated medical image data, and identifying one or more regions of interest based on a difference between the original acquired medical image data and the eroded medical image data. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090041323 | Systems and Methods for Constructing Images - Techniques and systems for constructing a three-dimensional representations of anatomical structures from a series of images of the structure include creating interpolated images between actual images and defining voxels based on pixel values of the actual and interpolated images. A three-dimensional representation of the structure may be constructed based on the voxels. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090041324 | IMAGE DIAGNOSIS SUPPORT SYSTEM, MEDICAL IMAGE MANAGEMENT APPARATUS, IMAGE DIAGNOSIS SUPPORT PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE DIAGNOSIS SUPPORT METHOD - An image diagnosis assistance system which includes a medical image management apparatus and an image diagnosis assistance processing apparatus configured to communicate with each other via a communication network, wherein the medical image management apparatus includes storage unit which stores a medical image obtained by a medical image diagnosis apparatus, extraction unit which extracts, from the medical image, as a diagnosis target image, a partial region including an anatomical region which is the target of image diagnosis, and transmission unit which transmits the diagnosis target image to the image diagnosis assistance processing apparatus via the communication network, and the image diagnosis assistance processing apparatus includes reception unit which receives the diagnosis target image via the communication network, and processing unit which performs image diagnosis assistance processing to assist the image diagnosis concerning the anatomical region with respect to the diagnosis target image. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090046912 | Process and System for Simulation or Digital Synthesis of Sonographic Images - The invention relates to a method for the simulation or digital synthesis of echographic images, characterised by the direct transformation in real time, or quasi real time, of the information contained in an IRM-type medical or veterinary image, without delimitation or segmentation of the bodies or structures contained in the volume of data of the IRM image, according to at least one two-dimensional observation window which can be modified in real time, or quasi real time, in terms of the dimension, position, direction and orientation thereof, the characteristics thereof depending on the type of virtual echographic probe determined, and reproducing all of the attenuation, reflection, refraction and dispersion effects, and the regulation effects of a real echographic image, each echographic image supplied cumulating the results of the simulations of the pre-cited effects. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090046913 | Methods and apparatus for data communication across a slip ring - A method for reducing bandwidth required for transmission of data in a device having two portions rotating with respect to one another. The first portion includes a data acquisition system (DAS) having a charge-to-digital converter and a digital signal processor (DSP) configured to receive and compress digital data from the charge-to-digital processor. The second portion includes a computer configured to receive data from the DAS. The DAS and computer are communicatively coupled via a slip ring having a finite transmission bandwidth. The computer is configured to reconstruct and display an image using compressed data. The method includes using the DAS to compress scan data to a predetermined number of mantissa bits and a predetermined number of exponent bits, transmitting the compressed data from the first portion to the second portion across the slip ring, and using the transmitted compressed data to reconstruct and display an image of an object. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090046914 | TIME-SEQUENTIAL VOLUME RENDERING - There is disclosed a method and apparatus for generating data for a two-dimensional image which identifies different classes of property of an imaged subject, this being done by separately rendering volumetric data classified into those different classes and, from all of those separate renderings, choosing one datum for use in the two-dimensional image as an image pixel. This being repeatable for each datum to be used in the two-dimensional image—thereby, for example, to selectively build-up the data for whole of the two-dimensional image as a mixture/combination of different classes of data. The data for the two-dimensional image may be colour coded for visually distinguishing data of different classes. Thus when applied to the image enhancement of tissues subjected to contrast agent uptake in patients kinetic information may be incorporated into the volume renderings to enable tissues of different enhancement and kinetic characteristics to be identified as such. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090046915 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CORRECTION OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGES - A method of correcting magnetic resonance images is provided. Seed points having a same expected true intensity are selected from the image points in an image. An intensity correction function I | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090046916 | CT SCANNER AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR - A CT scanner which can reconstruct high-quality tomographic images using only the projected images obtained by scanning an object without requiring any special three-dimensional phantom is provided. A two-dimensional radiation sensor placed to face a radiation source via the object acquires projected images while relatively rotating the object in the radiation emitted from the radiation source. Tomographic images are obtained at one predetermined slice position of the object by performing, for each of geometrical calibration parameter values, reconstruction of a tomographic image of the object using one of the calibration parameter values based on acquired projected images. One of the calibration parameter values is selected based on the obtained tomographic images. A tomographic image is reconstructed at each slice position by using a selected calibration parameter value based on a projected image at each acquired slice position of the object. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090052755 | ADJUSTABLE PHANTOM - An adjustable phantom ( | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090052756 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GLOBAL-TO-LOCAL SHAPE MATCHING FOR AUTOMATIC LIVER SEGMENTATION IN MEDICAL IMAGING - A method for automatically segmenting a liver in digital medical images includes providing a 3-dimensional (3D) digital image I and a set of N training shapes {φ | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090052757 | DEFORMABLE 2D-3D REGISTRATION - A method for deformable registration including determining a vector field from a two-dimensional matching of a volume of an object of interest and a two-dimensional image of the object of interest, providing a deformation profile, and finding a volume deformation that maps to a state of the two-dimensional image, wherein the deformation is parameterized by the vector field and control points of the deformation profile to find a control point configuration of the volume deformation. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090052758 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - In a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, an image storage unit correlates a reconstructed pre-correction image and a reconstructed post-correction image for each slice position and stores the correlated images. When a display condition related to a reconstructed image of one of either the reconstructed pre-correction image and the reconstructed post-correction image stored in the image storage unit is changed, the changed display condition is also applied to the other reconstructed image. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090052759 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FAST AUTOMATIC CENTERLINE EXTRACTION FOR VIRTUAL ENDOSCOPY - A method for automatic centerline extraction for a virtual endoscopy image of an organ having a boundary surface includes centering on selected points of an initial path through the image, which is derived from an endoscopy dataset, respective spheres exhibiting respective maximal diameters short of contacting the boundary surface; and forming a centered path consecutively joining centers of the spheres. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090060305 | SLICE VIEW - A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture display multiple slices of a three-dimensional body in a computer drawing application. A first view of a 3D body is displayed. One or more slice sketches are defined on the first view. A single slice view of the three dimensional body is displayed. The single slice view simultaneously depicts all of the slices with a zero-depth representation of each slice. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090060306 | ULTRASONIC IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND A METHOD FOR PROCESSING AN ULTRASONIC IMAGE - A contour specifying part receives volume data representing a subject acquired by transmission of ultrasonic waves to the subject, and specifies a 3-dimensional contour of a myocardium based on the volume data. A forming part sets a reference point on the contour of the myocardium, and forms an image generation plane including a plane substantially orthogonal to the contour of the myocardium at the reference point. An image generator generates image data on the image generation plane based on the volume data. A display controller controls a display to display an image based on the image data. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090060307 | Tensor Voting System and Method - Described herein is a method and system for facilitating a tensor voting scheme. The tensor voting scheme includes determining at least one voter point and at least one receiver point from input data and determining a tensor vote directed from the receiver point to the voter point. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090060308 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATIC SEGMENTATION OF ONE OR MORE CRITICAL STRUCTURES OF THE EAR - A system and method for automatic segmentation of a structure of interest of an ear are disclosed, where the structure of interest includes the facial nerve and chorda tympani. In one embodiment, the method combines an atlas-based approach with a minimum cost path finding algorithm. A structure model is constructed from a plurality of preoperative image volumes to have a centerline of the structure of interest in an atlas with each point along the centerline being associated with expected values for characteristic features, and used to create a spatially varying cost function that includes geometric information. A three-dimension minimum cost accumulating path is computed using the cost function, which is used to extract the centerline of the structure of interest. The centerlines are then expanded into the full structures using a level-set algorithm with a spatially-varying speed function, so as to segment of the structure of interest. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090060309 | RADIATION IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD THEREOF - A radiation image processing apparatus which processes non-spiral projection data obtained by radiation imaging performed by rotating a radiation generator and a two-dimensional radiation detector relative to a subject reconstructs the non-spiral projection data into first volume data subjected to an averaging process in a direction of a rotation axis of the rotation and second volume data not subjected to the averaging process. The radiation image processing apparatus performs planar reconstruction calculation using the first volume data to generate a cross section image in a first plane perpendicular to the direction of the rotation axis and performs planar reconstruction calculation using the second volume data to generate a cross section image in a second plane parallel to the direction of the rotation axis. The resulting cross section images are displayed on a display apparatus. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090067697 | SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR RECEIVING MAGNETIC RESONANCE (MR) SIGNALS FROM AN IMAGING SUBJECT - An apparatus for receiving magnetic resonance (MR) signals emitted by an imaging subject includes a receiver coil configured to detect the MR signals and a frequency translating preamplifier coupled to the receiver coil. The frequency translating preamplifier is configured to amplify the MR signals and to convert a frequency of the MR signals to an intermediate frequency. The frequency translating preamplifier may include an amplifier having a predefined gain, a frequency filter configured to filter at least one predetermined frequency and a mixer configured to convert the frequency of the MR signals to the intermediate frequency. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090067698 | Robust Segmentation of Breast and Muscle in MRI - A method for segmenting an anatomical structure within medical image data includes acquiring medical image data. The medical image data is transformed from an original image space into a projective dual image space. A boundary of an anatomical structure is identified within the transformed medical image data based on a set of preexisting training data. An inverse transform is performed on the transformed medical image data and the identified boundary to convert the transformed medical image data and the identified boundary into the original image space. The inverse transformed identified boundary of the anatomical structure is used to segment the anatomical structure within the acquired medical image data. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090067699 | OPTIMIZATION OF VELOCITY SCALE FOR COLOR TISSUE DOPPLER IMAGING - An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is operable to produce tissue Doppler images and data for diagnostic use. The system includes a visual or audible alert which alerts a user to the possibility of aliasing in the tissue Doppler image data and the need to reset the velocity scale of the color map. The visual alert may be a light on the display screen or control panel or contrasting colors to the colors of the color map in an area of the image where aliasing may be occurring. The visual alert may be a histogram displayed in alignment with the color bar of the tissue Doppler image. The indication by the histogram of image values at a velocity limit of the color bar indicates a need to adjust the color velocity scaling. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090074278 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR METAL ARTIFACT REDUCTION IN COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY - A method for reducing artifacts in an original computed tomography (CT) image of a subject, the original (CT) image being produced from original sinogram data. The method comprises detecting an artifact creating object in the original CT image; re-projecting the artifact creating object in the original sinogram data to produce modified sinogram data in which missing projection data is absent; interpolating replacement data for the missing projection data; replacing the missing projection data in the original sinogram data with the interpolated replacement data to produce final sinogram data; and reconstructing a final CT image using the final sinogram data to thereby obtain an artifact-reduced CT image. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090074279 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS ON SLICE-WISE DATA OF REFERENCE STRUCTURE NORMALIZED IMAGES FOR IMPROVED QUALITY IN POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY STUDIES - A method and system are provided for improving the quality in positron emission tomography (PET) images. Image quality may be improved by pre-normalizing dynamic PET images and then applying a multivariate analysis tool on the images to generate improved quality dynamic PET images. The dynamic PET images are the images reconstructed from the raw dynamic PET data in the image domain of the PET study. A first normalization method is a data treatment (also referred to as noise pre-normalization) for the negative values that may result from the image reconstruction and/or from random variations in detector readings. A second normalization method is background noise pre-normalization where background pixel values are masked. A third normalization method is kinetic pre-normalization where the contrast is improved to allow greater visualization of the activity in the image. Multivariate analysis such as PCA may then be applied to each slice of the dynamic PET images. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090074280 | Automated Detection of Planes From Three-Dimensional Echocardiographic Data - A plane position for a standard view is detected from three-dimensional echocardiographic data. The position of the plane within the volume is defined by translation, orientation (rotation), and/or scale. Possible positions are detected and other possible positions are ruled out. The classification of the possible positions occurs sequentially by translation, then orientation, and then scale. The sequential process may limit calculations required to identify the plane position for a desired view. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090074281 | Method for Energy Calculation and Pileup Determination for Continuously Sampled Nuclear Pulse Processing - A method for processing events in a medical imaging device may comprise the steps of receiving analog signals from at least one PMT into an Applied Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) comprising a Constant Fraction Discriminator (CFD) and transmitting analog outputs from the ASIC. Further, sampling the analog outputs continuously using an Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) and transmitting digital outputs; and collecting a number of samples of the digital output during a sampling period using a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) when triggered by the CFD. The method may additionally determine the energy of the analog signals from the at lease one PMT by subtracting the peak value of each signal from the baseline value of each signal, wherein the peak value is determined as an average of at least one sample taken only around the peak during the sampling period, and the baseline value is determined as an average of at least one sample taken only around the beginning or end of the sampling period. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090080737 | System and Method for Use of Fluoroscope and Computed Tomography Registration for Sinuplasty Navigation - Certain embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods of improved medical device navigation. Certain embodiments include acquiring a first image of a patient anatomy, a second image of patient anatomy, and creating a registered image based on the first and second images. Certain preferred embodiments teach systems and methods of automated image registration without the use of fiducial markers, headsets, or manual registration. Thus the embodiments teach a simplified method of image registration that allows a medical device to be navigated within a patient anatomy. Furthermore, the embodiments teach navigating a medical device in a patient anatomy with reduced exposure to ionizing radiation. Additionally, the improved systems and methods of image registration provide for improved accuracy of the registered images. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090080738 | EDGE DETECTION IN ULTRASOUND IMAGES - Embodiments of the present invention improve edge detection in 2-dimensional image data that may be carried out automatically with minimal user involvement. The invention is carried automatically, using an image processing technique that results in generation of a segmented edge contour, which may then be used in 3-dimensional reconstruction and segmentation. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090080739 | SWEPT SOURCE OCT APPARATUS - A method of performing spectral OCT imaging on a target involves repeatedly scanning said target along a transverse scanning line with an object beam derived from an OCT interferometer having a narrowband source. The wavelength of the narrowband source is modulated over a range of wavelengths at a rate that is slow relative to the rate of scanning the target. The object beam returned from the target is detected to produce a set of data obtained from multiple scans along said scanning line over the entire range of wavelengths. The data is then processed to extract an OCT image (typically a B-scan) of the target containing depth information. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090080740 | Automatic Lesion Detection and Characterization Using Generative Model of Enhancement Dynamics in Breast MR - A method for automatic detection of lesions within MR images includes administering a magnetic contrast agent into a subject. A sequence of MR images are acquired at predetermined intervals of time. One or more regions of suspicion are automatically identified within the MR images. A bidirectional exchange of the magnetic contrast agent between each compartment and its neighboring compartment is monitored for each compartment within each region of suspicion. Each region of suspicion is characterized based on the bidirectional exchange between each of its compartments and their neighboring compartments. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090080741 | Multi-Scale Analysis of Signal Enhancement in Breast MRI - A method for computer assisted lesion detection in magnetic resonance (MR) images includes acquiring dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) MR images. The images are processed to produce a subtraction image illustrating change in voxel enhancement between the images. A Gaussian low-pass filter is applied to the subtraction image. An elimination mask is created from the filtered subtraction image by removing voxels with enhancement values below a threshold value. The elimination mask is used to remove noise from the subtraction image. One or more regions of suspicion are automatically detected from the noise-removed subtraction image. To produce the subtraction image, DCE-MR images are divided into first and second sub-sets. Positive-signed enhancement values of voxels of the MR images from the first sub-set are added to a combined subtraction image along with absolute values of all enhancement values of voxels of the MR images from the second sub-set. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090080742 | IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE AND IMAGE DISPLAY PROGRAM STORAGE MEDIUM - An image display device includes: an image acquiring section that acquires sets of cross-sectional images of a subject captured at different image capturing positions arranged in a predetermined direction with respect to the subject; and a target site setting section that sets a target site on a cross-sectional image of one of the cross-sectional image sets acquired by the image acquiring section. The device further includes: a cross-sectional image search section that detects a cross-sectional image including a site corresponding to the target site from a plurality of cross-sectional images forming another one of the cross-sectional image sets excluding the cross-sectional image set having the target site set therein by the target site setting section; and an image display section that displays the cross-sectional image detected by the cross-sectional image search section. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090080743 | METHOD TO DETECT THE AORTIC ARCH IN CT DATASETS FOR DEFINING A HEART WINDOW - A method for processing anatomic images acquired in volume by a medical imaging system. Also, a medical imaging system and a computer program, each configurable to perform this method. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090080744 | IMAGE DISPLAY SYSTEM, APPARATUS AND METHOD - When a series of present images have been taken at a follow-up examination of a patient, correspondence data is produced, showing correspondence between the respective present images and past images that were taken at past examinations of the same patient under similar condition. The correspondence data is stored in association with the present images. In a normal mode of an image interpretation making terminal, a designated one of the present images is displayed on a monitor. When a comparison mode is selected, such past images that correspond to the designated present image are retrieved from among those taken at the respective past examinations with reference to the correspondence data, so that the present image and the corresponding past images are displayed in turn or in parallel on the monitor. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090080745 | Method and system for measuring left ventricle volume - A method and system for measuring the volume of the left ventricle (LV) in a 3D medical image, such as a CT, volume is disclosed. Heart chambers are segmented in the CT volume, including at least the LV endocardium and the LV epicardium. An optimal threshold value is automatically determined based on voxel intensities within the LV endocardium and voxel intensities between the LV endocardium and the LV epicardium. Voxels within the LV endocardium are labeled as blood pool voxels or papillary muscle voxels based on the optimal threshold value. The LV volume can be measured excluding the papillary muscles based on the number of blood pool voxels, and the LV volume can be measured including the papillary muscles based on the total number of voxels within the LV endocardium. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090080746 | System and method for automated magnetic resonance scan prescription for optic nerves - A method and system for automated magnetic resonance (MR) scan prescription is disclosed. A 3D MR scout image is obtained by an initial MR scan. The location of an optic nerve in the scout image is determined by registering a template image to the scout image using a hierarchical series of rigid registrations. The hierarchical series of rigid registrations utilizes a coarse to fine scheme to register regions in the template image to the scout image, starting with the whole template image and finishing with the optic nerve. A diagnostic MR scan is then aligned based on the location of the optic nerve in the scout image, and the diagnostic scan is performed resulting in a high quality diagnostic 3D MR image. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090080747 | User interface for polyp annotation, segmentation, and measurement in 3D computed tomography colonography - A method and system for providing a user interface for polyp annotation, segmentation, and measurement in computer tomography colonography (CTC) volumes is disclosed. The interface receives an initial polyp position in a CTC volume, and automatically segments the polyp based on the initial polyp position. In order to segment the polyp, a polyp tip is detected in the CTC volume using a trained 3D point detector. A local polar coordinate system is then fit to the colon surface in the CTC volume with the origin at the detected polyp tip. Polyp interior voxels and polyp exterior voxels are detected along each axis of the local polar coordinate system using a trained 3D box. A boundary voxel is detected on each axis of the local polar coordinate system based on the detected polyp interior voxels and polyp exterior voxels by boosted 1D curve parsing using a trained classifier. This results in a segmented polyp boundary. The segmented polyp is displayed in the user interface, and a user can modify the segmented polyp boundary using the interface. The interface can measure the size of the segmented polyp in three dimensions. The user can also use the interface for polyp annotation in CTC volumes. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090080748 | System, Method and Apparatus for Small Pulmonary Nodule Computer Aided Diagnosis from Computed Tomography Scans - The present invention is a multi-stage detection algorithm using a successive nodule candidate refinement approach. The detection algorithm involves four major steps. First, the lung region is segmented from a whole lung CT scan. This is followed by a hypothesis generation stage in which nodule candidate locations are identified from the lung region. In the third stage, nodule candidate sub-images pass through a streaking artifact removal process. The nodule candidates are then successively refined using a sequence of filters of increasing complexity. A first filter uses attachment area information to remove vessels and large vessel bifurcation points from the nodule candidate list. A second filter removes small bifurcation points. The invention also improves the consistency of nodule segmentations. This invention uses rigid-body registration, histogram-matching, and a rule-based adjustment system to remove missegmented voxels between two segmentations of the same nodule at different times. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090080749 | COMBINING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGES - The invention relates to a method of combining magnetic resonance (MR) images to form a combined image, to a device for implementing such a method, and to a computer program comprising instructions for performing such a method when the computer program is run on a computer. Large transitions in pixel values in such combined images could make visual interpretation of the combined image difficult. A method of combining MR images to form a combined image that is easier to interpret visually is therefore desirable. Accordingly, a method of forming a combined image is disclosed, wherein pixel intensity values of at least one of the images is modified based on an interpolation operation, and the two MR images are suitably merged to form a combined image. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090080750 | PASSIVE MR VISUALISATION OF INTERVENTIONAL INSTRUMENTS - The invention relates to a device for magnetic resonance imaging of a body ( | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090087053 | Systems and Methods for Image Processing of 2D Medical Images - Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system for image processing including a database, an image processor, and a display. The database includes a plurality of image slices. Each image slice in the plurality of image slices is based at least in part on an object. The image processor is adapted to generate a display image. The display image includes a selected image slice rendered about perpendicular to a localizer image. The selected image slice is selected from the plurality of image slices. The display is adapted to display the display image. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090087054 | Method and computer-readable code for characterizing a three-dimensional space - In one embodiment, a three-dimensional space is characterized by identifying sets of corresponding pixels in a plurality of radiation images. Different ones of the plurality of radiation images correspond to different slices of the three-dimensional space, and each of the sets of corresponding pixels corresponds to a different one of a plurality of x/y-coordinates of the three dimensional space. For each set of corresponding pixels, a pixel that conveys a defined property of the set of corresponding pixels is identified. The three-dimensional space is then characterized by outputting a composite radiation image comprising the identified pixels. Other embodiments are also disclosed. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090087055 | Method and system for computed tomographic imaging - The present invention is a method and system for computed tomography imaging. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090087056 | SCAN CONVERSION METHOD AND DEVICE FOR COLOR ULTRASONIC IMAGING - A scan conversion method and device for color ultrasonic imaging that uses conditional interpolation of neighboring points is disclosed. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090087057 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MOTION CORRECTION IN IMAGING SYSTEMS - A method, a system, and a computer-readable medium are provided which perform motion correction of image data. A first set of data and a second set of data of k-space data of an object to be imaged are received. The first set of data and the second set of data include a plurality of phase encoded lines that encompass the object to be imaged. The first set of data correlates with the second set of data. A cross-correlation is calculated by multiplying the first set of data and the second set of data in k-space. A value of the motion of the object to be imaged that occurred between acquisition of the first set of data and acquisition of the second set of data is calculated using the cross-correlation. The second set of data is corrected using the calculated value to remove the motion. The correction process is repeated until the k-space data is completely processed. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090087058 | IMAGE ANALYSIS APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE ANALYSIS PROGRAM STORAGE MEDIUM, IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM STORAGE MEDIUM, IMAGE ANALYSIS METHOD AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - Plural sectional images are acquired at a plurality of slice positions arranged in a predetermined direction in a subject. Each of the plural sectional images acquired by the image acquisition section is binarized based on a predetermined reference image density. Each image included in the sectional images binarized by the binarizing section is classified into a first image group having the images inside the subject and a second image group having the images outside the subject, based on the relative position of the each image from the other images in the same sectional image and also the relative position of the each image from other images contained in another sectional images. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090087059 | IMAGE DISPLAY APPARATUS AND COMPUTER-READABLE IMAGE DISPLAY PROGRAM STORAGE MEDIUM - An image display apparatus and an image display program includes image acquiring section which acquires cross-section image groups which include cross-section images on cut positions arranged in a predetermined direction of a subject, a place setting section which sets places on the cross-section images in the cross-section image groups, an image group extracting section which extracts a series of image groups which continue along the cross-section images and include the image on the places from the cross-section image groups, a cut position calculating section which calculates cut positions whose positional feature in the respective image groups is common among the image groups, on the image groups, and an image display section which arranges to display cross-section images in the cross-section image groups. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090087060 | IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND PROGRAM - An image processing method includes identifying a body region in a tomographic image based on pixel values within the tomographic image, extracting a bone muscle region corresponding to essential parts of bones and muscles based on bone muscle pixels having pixel values corresponding to the bones or muscles in the body region, searching boundary points of the bone muscle region from outside a region surrounding the extracted bone muscle region to inside the region, creating a bone-muscle region outer peripheral profile line by joining only boundary points at which each index related to at least one of a length and a slope of a line segment connecting between the adjoining boundary points of the searched boundary points satisfies a predetermined condition, and extracting a visceral fat region comprised of fat pixels having pixel values corresponding to fat in a region lying inside the bone-muscle region outer peripheral profile line. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090087061 | Intrinsic Co-Registration For Modular Multimodality Medical Imaging Systems - A method and device are provided for matching a patient coordinate system (PCS) of a nuclear medical imaging scanner with a coordinate system of a CT scanner in a multimodality modular imaging system, based on a predefined relationship between a vertical position of a patient bed during the NM scan; an axial position of the patient bed during the NM scan; an axial distance between a gantry of the NM scanner and a gantry of the CT scanner; and a vertical distance between a center of orbit of the NM scanner and a center of rotation of the CT gantry. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090087062 | Reconstruction Support Regions For Improving The Performance of Iterative SPECT Reconstruction Techniques - A method for iterative reconstruction of tomographic images of an object of interest includes obtaining data corresponding to a field of view of a detector, processing the data to prepare a reconstruction support region corresponding to a region within the field of view encompassing the object, and reconstructing a tomographic image using the reconstruction support region. Preferably, the data corresponding to the field of view includes at least one of a projection image of the object, an orbit location of a detector relative to a center of rotation of the detector, or an attenuation coefficient map of the object, which data can be used to describe a reconstruction support region corresponding to the object. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090087063 | METHOD FOR REGISTERING TWO-DIMENSIONAL IMAGE DATA, COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT, NAVIGATION METHOD FOR NAVIGATING A TREATMENT APPARATUS IN THE MEDICAL FIELD, AND COMPUTATIONAL DEVICE FOR REGISTERING TWO-DIMENSIONAL IMAGE DATA - The present application relates to a method for registering two-dimensional image data, comprising the steps of:
| 04-02-2009 |
| 20090087064 | TOMOGRAPHIC IMAGING WITH A STRIPE-LIKE SHAPED SENSOR - Tomographic imaging using an imaging sensor that has a stripe-like shape is disclosed where a stripe sensor is mechanically scanned over a sample at different angles. For a single stripe detector imaging, linear motion and angular rotation are required. Single stripe sensor imaging may be performed using an elongated inductive coil detector. By utilizing an array of parallel stripe sensors that can be individually addressed, two-dimensional imaging can be performed with rotation only, eliminating the requirement for linear motion, e.g. with parallel coils array. Imaging with a stripe-type sensor of particular width and thickness (where width is much larger than thickness) is resolution limited only by the thickness (smaller parameter) of the sensor. Multiple sensor families can be produced where this imaging technique may be beneficial such as magneto-resistive, inductive, SQUID, and Hall effect sensors, and particularly in the field of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090087065 | ACCOUNTING FOR FOREIGN OBJECTS WHEN CREATING CT-BASED ATTENUATION MAPS - In a method for generating an attenuation map ( | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090087066 | Method and system for vessel enhancement and artifact reduction in TOF MR angiography of brain - A method and system for vessel enhancement and artifact reduction in a 3D time-of-flight (TOF) magnetic resonance (MR) angiography brain image. An intensity-based threshold is used to extract structures of interest in the brain image. Vessels are isolated in the structures of interest by filtering the structures based on a vesselness measure. The vessels are then enhanced by multiplying the filtered image by a coefficient map based on intensities of the original brain image. The scalp is detected in the enhanced image, and the scalp is removed from the enhanced image to generate a noise-reduce enhanced image. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090092303 | Dynamic parallel magnetic resonance imaging(DpMRI) with sparse data - Example methods, apparatus, and systems associated with dynamic parallel magnetic resonance imaging (DpMRI) are presented. One example system facilitates separating data associated with a dynamic portion of a dynamic magnetic resonance image from data associated with a static portion of the dynamic magnetic resonance image. The system computes reconstruction parameters for a DpMRI reconstruction processes for both the dynamic portion of the image and the static portion of the image. The example system produces a DpMRI image based on separate reconstructions of the dynamic portion of a dynamic magnetic resonance image and the static portion of a dynamic magnetic resonance image. The separate reconstructions may depend on separate sets of reconstruction parameters and on separated static data and dynamic data. | 04-09-2009 |
| 20090092304 | Apparatus and method for remotely controlling in real time measurement parameters of a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner - Apparatus for remotely controlling parameters of an image scanning apparatus includes a software interface for translating commands from an external application for providing scanner control commands to a scanner control machine for control of the parameters; and the software interface includes syntax software for translating the commands from the external application into a given syntax for providing the scanner control commands. | 04-09-2009 |
| 20090092305 | Method for detecting movements and correcting movements in tomographic and projective image series and tomography or projection system for implementing this method - A method is disclosed for detecting movements and correcting movements in tomographic and projective image series. Further, a tomography or projection system is further disclosed for implementing this method. In at least one embodiment, the temporal changes in an image series with a multiplicity of temporally subsequent image data records are determined and a transformation function for correcting movements is calculated using registration methods, by which movements can be eliminated. To this end, in at least one embodiment a motion detection algorithm recognizes and distinguishes scan volumes and times at which a movement or no movement occurs. Subsequently, in at least one embodiment an algorithm for correcting the movement in those scan volumes in which a movement was detected is implemented, with the correction referring to respectively representative image intervals. | 04-09-2009 |
| 20090092306 | Apparatus for Two-Dimensional Transducers used in Three-Dimensional Ultrasonic Imaging - A single chip transducer apparatus that includes on-chip electronic circuitry which, when connected properly to a two-dimensional matrix of ultrasonic transducer elements, provides enough information to an external imaging system to form three-dimensional images of the subject of interest. In a preferred embodiment, the circuitry provides an amplifier for each transducer element, and then conditions the output of the amplifier in several ways. In one embodiment of the invention, the elements' analog voltages are stored in a sample and hold circuit, and time multiplexed into a high speed line driver that sends many elements data down the interconnect to the system's high speed Analog to Digital converters. In another embodiment, the gain of the amplifiers can be controlled in time to provide aperture translation and time based expansion for translating and focusing image slices in the elevation direction. | 04-09-2009 |
| 20090097726 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUS AUTOMATIC SEGMENTATION OF LIVER IN MULTIPHASE CONTRAST-ENHANCED MEDICAL IMAGES - Systems, method and apparatus in which some embodiments of automatic segmentation of a liver parenchyma from multiphase contrast-enhanced computed-tomography images includes analyzing an intensity change in the images belonging to the different phases in order to determine the region-of-interest of the liver, thereafter segmenting starting from the region-of-interest and incorporating anatomical information to prevent oversegmentation, and thereafter combining the information of all available images. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090097727 | 3D General Lesion Segmentation In CT - A general purpose method to segment any kind of lesions in 3D images is provided. Based on a click or a stroke inside the lesion from the user, a distribution of intensity level properties is learned. The random walker segmentation method combines multiple 2D segmentation results to produce the final 3D segmentation of the lesion. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090097728 | System and Method for Detecting Tagged Material Using Alpha Matting - A method for computer-aided object classification, soft segmentation and layer extraction in computed tomographic colonography includes providing a contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) digital image of the colon, finding a foreground region of voxels with an intensity higher than a pre-defined foreground threshold, creating a 3D trimap of the colon where the image is segmented into the foreground region, a background region, and an unknown region between the foreground and background, starting from the background, extracting successive layers of the unknown region until the foreground region is reached, and classifying each extracted layer as background or foreground, and generating a foreground matte, a background matte, and an alpha matte, where alpha indicates a mixing ration of foreground and background voxels. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090103791 | IMAGE INTERPOLATION FOR MEDICAL IMAGING - Presented are systems and methods that allow for interpolation of a 3-D volume from arbitrarily oriented 2-D medical images. The interpolation of 3-D volume from arbitrarily oriented 2-D images reduces or eliminates most constraints on image acquisition thereby allowing for, inter alia, freehand manipulation of an image acquisition device (e.g. an ultrasound transducer). Related utilities involve the use of prior information about a specific object of interest to interpolate a surface (e.g., 3-D surface) of the object from limited information obtained from very few 2-D images. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090103792 | Depth of Field Extension for Optical Tomography - An optical projection tomography system is illuminated with a light source. An object-containing tube, a portion of which is located within the region illuminated by the light source, contains an object of interest that has a feature of interest. A detector is located to receive emerging radiation from the object of interest. A lens, including optical field extension elements, is located in the optical path between the object region and the detector, such that light rays from multiple object planes in the object-containing tube simultaneously focus on the detector. The object-containing tube moves relatively to the detector and the lens operate to provide multiple views of the object region for producing an image of the feature of interest at each view. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090103793 | Methods, systems, and computer program products for processing three-dimensional image data to render an image from a viewpoint within or beyond an occluding region of the image data - Methods, systems, and computer program products for processing three-dimensional image data to render an image from a viewpoint within or beyond an occluding region of the image data are disclosed. According to one method, a set of three-dimensional image data is accessed. The image data includes image data for a surface of interest and image data for a region occluding the surface of interest from a desired viewpoint. The viewpoint may be within or beyond the occluding region. A plurality of rays is cast from the viewpoint to the surface. Along each ray, an occlusion determination is made independent from a volume rendering transfer function definition to render voxels within the occluding region as transparent or partially transparent. The volume rendering transfer function is applied along a portion of each ray outside of the occluding region to render voxels defining surface of interest as visible. The voxels that define the surface are displayed as visible. The voxels within the occluding region are shown in a transparent or partially transparent manner. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090103794 | DISPLAY OF CLASSIFIER OUTPUT AND CONFIDENCE MEASURE IN AN IMAGE - Systems and methods are described for displaying classifier output and confidence measure in an image. The confidence measure advantageously provides additional information to the user indicating the accuracy of the classification result. Based on the classification accuracy, the user may accept or reject the classification result. In an exemplary embodiment, the classifier output is displayed on the image by color coding regions in the image based on their classifications. The confidence measure is displayed by adjusting the transparencies of the color coded regions according to their confidence measures. In one embodiment, only the classifications having confidence measures above a threshold are displayed. In other embodiments, the classifier output and confidence measure may be displayed separately, contour lines may be drawn through image regions having similar confidence measures, and the confidence measure may be displayed for a region under a pointer that the user can move within the image. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090103795 | Robust motion correction for functional magnetic resonance imaging - A computer-implemented method to correct motion and interpolation effects for functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) analysis is provided. The method estimates the motion on every voxel of the data and removes those effects to leave a residual signal that can be analyzed to high accuracy. The estimation of the motion includes solving a normal matrix equation based on the local translational motion of each voxel of the head, and a regularization parameter that depends on the local spatial structure of the head. Methods to regularize a matrix from the normal equation using the regularization parameter are also provided. A rolling filter implementation for real-time processing and motion correction is provided. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090110253 | System and Method for Preventing Sample Misidentification in Pathology Laboratories - A block of tissue is imaged and used as a reference. Later slides formed from that tissue receive numbers, and are also imaged. The imaged slides are compared to the reference image to determine identification errors. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090110254 | External Pixon Smoothing for Tomographic Image Reconstruction Technical Field - In an aspect, tomographically reconstructing a 3D image object corresponding to a data set includes reconstructing a first reconstructed object from the data set, receiving a smoothing map, smoothing the first reconstructed object based on the smoothing map thereby creating a first smoothed object, and outputting the first smoothed object as the 3D image object. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090110255 | Reconstructing a Tomographic Image - In an aspect, tomographically reconstructing a 3D image object corresponding to a data set includes for each step in a series of iteration steps, determining an updated object by performing a combined operation, which includes performing an update operation for updating an input object and performing a smoothing operation, and following a last iteration, outputting one of the updated objects as the 3D image object. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090110256 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMAGE-BASED ATTENUATION CORRECTION OF PET/SPECT IMAGES - A system and method for image-based correction including a receiver to acquire an image from one or more data storage systems, one or more processors to determine an attenuation mismatch estimate and calculate a correction for the image based on the attenuation mismatch estimate and the image, and an output to generate an attenuation mismatch corrected image based on the correction. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090110257 | INTERPOLATION INTERLACING BASED DATA UPSAMPLING ALGORITHM FOR CONE-BEAM X-RAY CT FLYING FOCAL SPOT PROJECTION DATA - A method of computed-tomography and a computed-tomography apparatus where a flying focal spot x-ray interpolation interlacing is used. Weighted or non-weighted interlacing of zero values is performed, or interpolation interlacing is performed. The interpolation interlacing may be implemented as part of backprojection and or may be a separate process prior to backprojection. In both cases interlacing is performed on post-logged convolved data. The interpolation interlacing may also be incorporated into different parts of the processing chain, such as before convolution. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090110258 | METHOD OF REMOVING AN EFFECT OF SIDE LOBES IN FORMING AN ULTRASOUND SYNTHETIC IMAGE - The present invention relates to a method of removing an effect of side lobes in an ultrasound synthetic image. The method includes: a) setting a plurality of scan lines and defining sequential indices upon the scan lines; b) setting a transmit order of a transmit beam for the scan lines in a non-sequential manner in which increment and decrement of the indices of the scan lines are repeated; c) transmitting the transmit beam based on the set transmit order to obtain a plurality of receive beams in response to each transmission of the transmit beam; d) grouping the receive beams to an increment group corresponding to an increment direction of the numbers of the scan lines and a decrement group corresponding to a decrement direction of the numbers of the scan lines; e) performing an auto correlation upon the receive beams included in the respective increment group and the decrement group; and f) applying weights to the auto correlation results and summing the weight-applied auto correlation results to thereby remove an effect of side lobes. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090116716 | Learning A Coarse-To-Fine Matching Pursuit For Fast Point Search In Images Or Volumetric Data Using Multi-Class Classification - A landmark location system for locating landmarks in volumes includes a medical image database including volumes of medical images, a learning unit that trains a multi-class classifier to locate a landmark point in each volume from extracted features of the volumes near a sample point offset from the landmark point and discrete displacements of the sample point to the landmark point, and a landmark locator that locates the landmark point in an input volume using the trained multi-class classifiers. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090116717 | METHOD FOR RECONSTRUCTION IMAGES AND RECONSTRUCTION SYSTEM FOR RECONSTRUCTING IMAGES - A reconstruction method for an image of an object, the reconstruction method comprising receiving a first projection data set representing information about said object, receiving a second projection data set representing information about said object, reconstructing a first image of said object using the first projection data set, reconstructing a second image of said object using the second projection data set, performing a registration between the first image and the second image, and fusing the first image and the second image to said image of said object, wherein the first projecting data set and the second projecting data set are achieved by using a single radiation type. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090116718 | MEDICAL IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE AND PROGRAM - In a medical image display device, setting means sets first reference information for starting extraction of a desired region on a medical image displayed on the display means and second reference information for terminating the region extraction. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090116719 | RETROSPECTIVE SORTING OF 4D CT INTO BREATHING PHASES BASED ON GEOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF IMAGING FIDUCIALS - A respiratory marker ( | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090123047 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CHARACTERIZING PROSTATE IMAGES - A pixel image is received and bounded contours are identified. Bounded contours are categorized based on certain pixel statistics, both comparative and with respect to given thresholds and other criteria, into one of a plurality of given categories. Image objects within certain categories are further characterized with respect to a certain estimation of area and symmetry. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090123048 | Image Reconstruction Methods Based on Block Circulant System Matrices - An iterative image reconstruction method used with an imaging system that generates projection data, the method comprises: collecting the projection data; choosing a polar or cylindrical image definition comprising a polar or cylindrical grid representation and a number of basis functions positioned according to the polar or cylindrical grid so that the number of basis functions at different radius positions of the polar or cylindrical image grid is a factor of a number of in-plane symmetries between lines of response along which the projection data are measured by the imaging system; obtaining a system probability matrix that relates each of the projection data to each basis function of the polar or cylindrical image definition; restructuring the system probability matrix into a block circulant matrix and converting the system probability matrix in the Fourier domain; storing the projection data into a measurement data vector; providing an initial polar or cylindrical image estimate; for each iteration; recalculating the polar or cylindrical image estimate according to an iterative solver based on forward and back projection operations with the system probability matrix in the Fourier domain; and converting the polar or cylindrical image estimate into a Cartesian image representation to thereby obtain a reconstructed image. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090123049 | Nodule Detection - A method of detecting a nodule in a three-dimensional scan image comprises calculating a three-dimensional sphericity index for each point in the scan image ( | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090123050 | Method and system for automatic quantification of aortic valve function from 4D computed tomography data using a physiological model - A method and system for modeling the aortic valve in 4D image data, such as 4D CT and echocardiography, is disclosed. An initial estimate of a physiological aortic valve model is determined for at least one reference frame of a 4D image sequence based on anatomic features in the reference frame. The initial estimate is refined to generate a final estimate in the reference frame. A dynamic model of the aortic valve is then generated by estimating the physiological aortic valve model for each remaining frame of the 4D image sequence based on the final estimate in the reference frame. The aortic valve can be quantitatively evaluated using the dynamic model. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090129648 | Method of reducing imaging time in propeller-MRI by under-sampling and iterative image reconstruction - A method for reducing PROPELLER MRI data acquisition times, by combining k-space under-sampling and iterative reconstruction using NUFFT, while maintaining similar image quality as in PROPELLER MRI with sufficient k-space sampling. Iterative image reconstruction using NUFFT minimizes image artifacts produced with conventional PROPELLER image reconstruction in under-sampled acquisitions. The data acquisition and image reconstruction parameters are selected in order to achieve image quality similar to that of sufficiently-sampled PROPELLER acquisitions for significantly shorter imaging time. An advantage of using under-sampled PROPELLER imaging is a reduction in acquisition time by as much as 50% without introducing significant artifacts, and while maintaining other benefits of PROPELLER imaging. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090129649 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING MULTIPLE SERIES OF BIOLOGICAL IMAGES OBTAINED FROM A PATIENT - A computer-readable storage medium comprising computer-readable program code stored thereon which, when interpreted by a computing apparatus, causes the computing apparatus to implement an image processing tool for processing a plurality of biological images arranged in a plurality of image series wherein certain biological images across different image series have a predefined correspondence with one another. The computer-readable program code comprises computer-readable program code for causing the computing apparatus to: be attentive to receipt of an indication of a selected biological image from the plurality of biological images and belonging to a first one of the image series; be attentive to receipt of an indication of a segmentation mask created based on the selected biological image; apply the segmentation mask to a second biological image from the plurality of biological images, the second biological image belonging to a second one of the image series that is different from the first one of the image series, the second biological image having a predefined correspondence with the selected biological image; and display the second biological image after application of the segmentation mask. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090129650 | SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING PROJECTION IMAGE INFORMATION - A system and method are disclosed for presenting projection image information, including a first image generating module or step, for generating a first image representing a first projection of a three-dimensional object; a second image generating module or step, for generating a second image representing a second projection of the three-dimensional object; an image display module or step, for displaying the first and second images; a region selection module or step, for selecting a first region in the first image; a correspondence module or step, for determining a second region in the second image that corresponds to the first region; and a marking module or step, for displaying a first mark on the first image to identify the first region, and a second mark on the second image to identify the corresponding second region. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090129651 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING HIGHLY CONSTRAINED ULTRASOUND IMAGES - A highly constrained image processing method is used to improve the quality, including spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), of ultrasound image frames. Ultrasound image frames are accumulated to form a composite image that contains a priori information about the subject being imaged. This composite image is used in a HYPR processing method to improve the quality of the ultrasound image frame. For example, the SNR of the composite image is increased as a function of the number of ultrasound image frames used to produce it, and this increased SNR is passed on to each highly constrained image frame. Additionally, high spatial resolution ultrasound images are produced using an undersampled sampling density, and the quality of these images is restored to substantially the same level as a fully sampled image. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090129652 | HIGH RESOLUTION RADIO FREQUENCY MEDICAL IMAGING AND THERAPY SYSTEM - A method for imaging includes directing a plurality of radio frequency (RF) beams toward a target organ from a plurality of angles. The RF beams include one or more first pairs of the RF beams, each first pair including two of the RF beams that impinge on the target organ from opposite directions. RF signals reflected from the target organ are received responsively to the RF beams, the RF signals including one or more second pairs of the RF signals engendered respectively by the one or more first pairs of the RF beams. Local tissue parameters at multiple points in the target organ are extracted by jointly processing the RF signals in each of the second pairs. Images of the target organ are produced using the extracted local tissue parameters. Other embodiments described herein include methods for passive imaging, motion vector analysis, ablation, local heating and application of electromagnetic pressure. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090136107 | Automatic Segmentation of the Heart and Aorta in Medical 3-D Scans Without Contrast Media Injections - A method automatically segments the heart and abdominal aorta from volumetric images without the need to inject iodine contrast media into the subject. The method automatically quantifies arterial plaque (hard plaque, soft plaque or both) in the cardiovascular system. Plaque definitions include subject specific in vivo blood/muscle density measurements, subject specific voxel statistical parameters and 2-D and 3-D voxel connectivity criteria, which are used to automatically identify the plaques. The locations and outlines of the major arteries are determined in a 3-D coordinate system and the specific coordinates of the detected plaques are displayed in a plaque map for follow-up exams or ease in plaque review and reporting the results. | 05-28-2009 |
| 20090136108 | METHOD FOR AUTOMATED DELINEATION OF CONTOURS OF TISSUE IN MEDICAL IMAGES - The present invention relates to a method for delineating the contour of an object in captured medical images by first transforming the shape of the object into a simple geometric shape that is more computationally tractable than the shape of the object. After the contour of the transformed shape is detected, the inverse of the transformation is applied to the contour such that it represents the contour of the object in the captured medical image. | 05-28-2009 |
| 20090136109 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSIS BY QUANTIFICATION OF MYOCARDIAL PERFORMANCE - An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is described which acquires 3D data sets of the heart including the myocardium. The epicardial myocardium in the data sets are identified by automated or A 3D image of the myocardium is produced from the defined surfaces. The 3D image illustrates the wall regions, with quantified measures made for each defined region. | 05-28-2009 |
| 20090141957 | SIDELOBE SUPPRESSION IN ULTRASOUND IMAGING USING DUAL APODIZATION WITH CROSS-CORRELATION - Sidelobe and clutter suppression techniques in ultrasound imaging are described and referred to as Dual Apodization with Cross-correlation or “DAX”. DAX dramatically improves the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) allowing for easier visualization of anechoic cysts and blood vessels. These techniques use dual apodization or weighting strategies that are effective in removing or minimizing clutter and efficient in terms of computational load and hardware/software needs. This dual apodization allows for determination of the amount of mainlobe versus clutter contribution in a signal by cross-correlating RF data acquired from two apodization functions. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090148018 | Image segmentation technique for displaying myocardial perfusion that does not show the microbubbles in the cardiac chambers - A method and a device for conducting perfusion studies on myocardial tissues with contrast agents is provided. In accordance with the method, ultrasound pulses are transmitted ( | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090148019 | Image Processing Method, Image Processing Program, and Image Processing Device - An image processing method is provided as one for creating a fused image automatically and with high overlapping accuracy. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090148020 | IMAGE DISPLAY APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - An image display apparatus includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of image data with respect to a scan area of a subject; an analysis processing unit that obtains a plurality of analysis results by performing a predetermined analysis processing on a plurality of image data stored in the storage unit; a display unit that displays image data stored in the storage unit along with analysis results obtained by the analysis processing unit; and an image-display control unit that performs control such that image data corresponding to a specified analysis result is to be displayed on the display unit, when at least one analysis result is specified from among the analysis results displayed by the display unit. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090148021 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a data acquisition unit, a correction unit, a sorting unit and n image reconstruction unit. The data acquires data for imaging and projection data. The correction unit performs motion correction of the data using the breath levels obtained based on the projection data. The data sorting unit sorts the data after the motion correction into a cardiac time phase order based on electrocardiographic information. The image reconstruction unit reconstructs three dimensional image data based on the sorted data after the motion correction. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090154783 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PLANNING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A diagnostic imaging system includes a magnetic resonance imaging scanner ( | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090154784 | BIOLOGICAL OBSERVATION APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING INFORMATION INDICATIVE OF INTERNAL STATE OF AN OBJECT USING SOUND WAVE AND LIGHT - A biological observation apparatus comprises a sound wave radiating unit that radiates a sound wave into an object, a control unit that controls radiation of the sound wave, a light radiating unit that radiates light into the object while successively changing a wavelength thereof, a light receiving unit that receives object light generated when the radiated light is reflected at an area inside the object, a light detector that obtains first interference light caused by interference between the radiated light and first object light received when the sound wave is not radiated and obtains second interference light caused by interference between the radiated light and second object light received when the sound wave is radiated, and a calculation unit that calculates information, indicative of a scattered state of the radiated light, of an area where the sound wave is radiated, based on the first and the second interference light. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090154785 | Method and system for dynamic pulmonary trunk modeling in computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging - A method and system for modeling the pulmonary trunk in 4D image data, such as 4D CT and MRI data, is disclosed. Bounding boxes are detected in frames of the 4D image data. Anatomic landmarks are detected in the frames of the 4D image data based on the bounding boxes. Ribs or centerlines of the pulmonary artery are detected in the frames of the 4D image data based on the anatomic landmarks, and a physiological pulmonary trunk model is fit the frames of the 4D image data based on the detected ribs and anatomic landmarks. The boundary of the pulmonary trunk is detected in order to refine the boundary of the pulmonary trunk model in the frames of the 4D image data, resulting in a dynamic model of the pulmonary trunk. The pulmonary trunk can be quantitatively evaluated using the dynamic model. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090154786 | Virtual Bone Biopsy (VBB) system - The present invention comprises a system and method for analyzing trabecular bone structure. A means for scanning the trabecular bone using a magnetic resonance image (MRI) scanner generates bone image data, which is then processed including correcting, deshading and reducing noise in the image data. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090161931 | IMAGE REGISTRATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method and system for registering two images is described. The method comprises synthesizing projections from two volumetric images to be registered, estimating a plurality of two dimensional (2D) deformable fields from the projections and generating a three dimensional (3D) deformable fields using a plurality of backprojections of the 2D deformable fields. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090161932 | Method For Prior Image Constrained Image Reconstruction - A method for reconstructing a high quality image from undersampled image data is provided. The image reconstruction method is applicable to a number of different imaging modalities. Specifically, the present invention provides an image reconstruction method that incorporates an appropriate prior image into the image reconstruction process. Thus, one aspect of the present invention is to provide an image reconstruction method that requires less number of data samples to reconstruct an accurate reconstruction of a desired image than previous methods, such as, compressed sensing. Another aspect of the invention is to provide an image reconstruction method that imparts the signal-to-noise ratio of a prior image to the desired image being reconstructed. Another aspect of the invention is to provide an image reconstruction method that, when practiced in the field of x-ray imaging, allows for exposing a subject to substantially less radiation dose than is required in conventional x-ray imaging techniques. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090161933 | METHOD FOR DYNAMIC PRIOR IMAGE CONSTRAINED IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION - A method for reconstructing a high quality image from undersampled image data is provided. The image reconstruction method is applicable to a number of different imaging modalities. Specifically, the present invention provides an image reconstruction method that incorporates an appropriate prior image into the image reconstruction process. Thus, one aspect of the present invention is to provide an image reconstruction method that requires less number of data samples to reconstruct an accurate reconstruction of a desired image than previous methods, such as, compressed sensing. Another aspect of the invention is to provide an image reconstruction method that produces a time series of desired images indicative of a higher temporal resolution than is ordinarily achievable with the imaging system. For example, cardiac phase images can be produced with high temporal resolution (e.g., 20 milliseconds) using a CT imaging system with a slow gantry rotation speed. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090161934 | AUTOMATIC GENERATION OF PROTOCOL FOR PCMR IMAGING - Methods and systems are described for optimizing particular protocol parameters used in phase contract magnetic resonance (PCMR) imaging. Optimal settings for PCMR protocol parameters such as coordinates, field of view (FOV), frequency/phase encoding lines, number of excitations (NEX), slice thickness, views per segment (VPS), and coil setting may be determined based upon the cut position/orientation of an image containing a vessel of interest, vessel size, length of the vessel segment, and heart rate. An optimal velocity encoding gradient (VENC) for PCMR may also be determined that both avoids aliasing and ensures an adequate signal-to-noise ratio. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090161935 | Method for improving the quality of computed tomography image series by image processing and CT system comprising a computational unit - A method, a computational unit and a CT system are disclosed for improving the quality of CT image series. In at least one embodiment, the method includes scanning an examination object over a period of time which permits the acquisition of at least two temporally offset projection data records of an identical recording region; generating at least two temporally offset tomographic image data records, each having a multiplicity of pixels, by reconstructing the projection data records; transforming the image data records into transformation data records of at least two spatial frequency ranges; calculating temporal fitted values of the transformation data records for some of the spatial frequency ranges, and replacing the values of the transformation data records which were fitted by the calculated fitted values; performing an inverse transform of the transformation data records with the fitted values to form new image data records; and displaying the new image data records. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090161936 | Rapid MRI dynamic imaging using mach - An MRI includes at least a singular imaging channel which uses a smoothly varying sampling pattern to sparsely sample k-space as a series of parallel lines over time to acquire data of an object. The MRI includes a computer in communication with the imaging channel that performs a signal processing routine to interpolate the data and fill in points of k-space which were not sampled by the imaging channels and produce an image of the object. A method for using an MRI includes the steps of acquiring data of an object with at least a singular imaging channel of the MRI which uses a smoothly varying sampling pattern to sparsely sample k-space as a series of parallel lines over time. There is the step of performing a signal processing routine with a computer in communication with the imaging channel to interpolate the data and fill in points of k-space which were not sampled by the imaging channels. There is the step of producing an image of the object. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090161937 | Robust Anatomy Detection Through Local Voting And Prediction - A method for performing a medical imaging study includes acquiring a preliminary scan. A set of local feature candidates is automatically detected from the preliminary scan. The accuracy of each local feature candidate is assessed using multiple combinations of the other local feature candidates and removing a local feature candidate that is assessed to have the lowest accuracy. The assessing and removing steps are repeated until only a predetermined number of local feature candidates remain. A region of interest (ROI) is located from within the preliminary scan based on the remaining predetermined number of local feature candidates. A medical imaging study is performed based on the location of the ROI within the preliminary scan. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090161938 | QUANTITATIVE REAL-TIME 4D STRESS TEST ANALYSIS - Stress test analysis is facilitated through the acquired and manipulated use of a sequence of volumetric data regarding the heart (and may particularly comprise the left ventricle) for the assessment of the health state of the heart. Several provided and illustrated examples specifically relate to ultrasound volumetric data, but the volumetric data may be obtained through the use of any imaging modality (e.g., CT, MRI, X-ray, PET, SPECT, etc.) or combination thereof, and may be used to compute one or more functional quantitative metrics (e.g., ejection fraction.) The volumetric data may also be used to render one or more views of the heart, and particularly of the left ventricle. This disclosure relates to these and other uses of such volumetric data, and to some various implementations thereof, such as methods, systems, and graphical user interfaces. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090169079 | IMAGE BASED DENSITY AND VOLUME CORRECTIONS FOR THIN OBJECTS IN COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY SYSTEMS - Image-based density and volume corrections for thin objects in computed tomography systems are provided. For example, in one embodiment a method is provide which computes an average computed tomography (“CT”) value and volume of voxels that are part of an object. Thereafter, a surface area and a surface density, a boundary area and a boundary density, and a corrected density and a corrected volume for the object are computed. Embodiments of the invention also include other methods, computer-readable mediums, apparatuses, and systems that contain features similar to the features in the above described method. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090169080 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SPATIALLY ENHANCING STRUCTURES IN NOISY IMAGES WITH BLIND DE-CONVOLUTION - A method for enhancing objects of interest in a sequence of noisy images ( | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090169081 | IMAGE BASED COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY NUMBER AND VOLUME CORRECTIONS FOR THIN OBJECTS IN COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY SYSTEMS - Methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media are provided for image based CT Number and volume corrections for thin objects in computed tomography systems. For example, in one embodiment a method is provide which computes an average computed tomography (“CT”) value and volume of voxels that are part of an object. Thereafter, a surface area and a surface CT Number, a boundary area and a boundary CT Number, and a corrected CT Number and a corrected volume for the object are computed. Embodiments of the invention also include other methods, computer-readable mediums, apparatuses, and systems that contain features similar to the features in the above described method. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090169082 | NUCLEAR MEDICINE DIAGNOSIS DEVICE, FORM TOMOGRAPHY DIAGNOSIS DEVICE, NUCLEAR MEDICINE DATA ARITHMETIC PROCESSING METHOD, AND FORM TOMOGRAM ARITHMETIC PROCESSING METHOD - In a state in which a subject is absent, blank data is collected by a self-radioactivity element typified by Lu-176 (S | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090169083 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DISTORTION CORRECTION IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - In a method and device for correcting distortion in MRI, k-space data are acquired in a number of data readout directions, the data are converted into a number of images, and a corresponding pixel shift map is generated for each image. The geometric distortion in the corresponding image is corrected according to the pixel shift map, and then all geometric distortion-corrected images are combined. Since movement distortion normally exists in the data readout direction, collecting the k-space data from a number of data readout directions can effectively correct movement distortion. Moreover, correcting the geometric distortion for the images converted from data acquired in a number of data readout directions according to the pixel shift map can reduce the geometric distortion of the final image generated from combination of images. The method and device correct not only movement distortion of MRI images, but also geometric distortion of MRI images. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090169084 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CORRECTING DISTORTION DURING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - In a method and apparatus for correcting distortion during magnetic resonance imaging k space data in a number of readout encoding directions, wherein the sampling points on the phase encoding lines are concentrated in low frequency regions and their number is less than that of full sampling points. A view angle tilting compensation gradient is superimposed on the axis of a layer selection gradient. The k space data acquired from the number of directions are then combined. Due to the fact that the superimposition of the view angle tilting compensation gradient on the axis of the slice selection gradient can effectively correct geometric distortions, and at the same time the resolution in phase encoding lines is relatively high, low resolution contents are provided only in readout encoding directions, so the degree of blurring in the final image is substantially reduced. Furthermore, by acquiring the k space data in a number of readout directions the sensitivity to motion artifacts can effectively be reduced. Not only can correction of the geometric distortion be performed during magnetic resonance imaging, but the degree of blurring and motion artifacts in the final image. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090169085 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION USING DATA DECOMPOSITION FOR ALL OR PORTIONS OF THE PROCESSING FLOW - A method and apparatus for processing raw image data to create processed images. Raw image data is acquired. The raw image data is decomposed by a data decomposer into N subsets of raw image data. The number N is based on a number of available image generation processors. The N subsets of raw image data are processed by at least one image generation processor to create processed image data. If more than one image generation processor is available, the image generation processors perform image processing on the raw image data in parallel with respect to each other. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090175524 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND SCANNING-CONDITION SETTING METHOD - In a console device that controls an Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) apparatus, a preset-information storage unit stores preset information including information about a plurality of scanning parameters that are grouped based on an instruction from an operator, and a scanning-condition setting unit sets scanning conditions based on parameter values of the scanning parameters that are grouped in the preset information stored by the preset-information storage unit. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090175525 | Systems and Methods for Measuring Surface Shape - A system for determining a surface shape of a test object includes a pattern having a plurality of first elements dispose about a central axis and defining an aperture containing the central axis. The first elements includes a plurality of common elements having a common form and a reference element having a reference form that is different than the common form. The system further comprises a detector array and an optical system. The optical system is adapted to provide an image of the first elements when light reflects off a surface of a test object, passes through the aperture, and is received by the detector array. The reference form may be configured to facilitate an association between the common elements and the spot images of the common elements. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090180677 | METHOD, APPARATUS, AND PROGRAM FOR MEASURING SIZES OF TUMOR REGIONS - A tumor region is determined within a three dimensional medical image. A long axis and a short axis of the determined tumor region are designated. The lengths of the designated long axis and the designated short axis are measured. The measured lengths of the long axis and the short axis are displayed. | 07-16-2009 |
| 20090185731 | METHOD FOR LUNG LESION LOCATION IDENTIFICATION - A method and a system are disclosed for labeling an anatomical point associated with a lesion in an organ such as a lung. The method includes: a segmentation of a vessel tree anatomical structure starting from an autonomously determined initial image point; labeling the vessel segments of the vessel tree segmentation with segment labels based on a priori anatomical knowledge, thereby creating an individualized anatomical model; receiving a user-specified image point having a location from a user and locating a nearby vessel structure; tracking along the vessel structure in a direction towards a root of a parent vessel tree until a prior labeled vessel segment is encountered in the anatomical model, and assigning the label of the encountered prior labeled vessel segment from the anatomical model as an anatomical location label of the user-specified image point. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090190814 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION - Disclosed is an imaging system including a source generating an x-ray beam, a detector array receiving the x-ray beam and generating projection data, a translatable table configured for disposal of an object thereon and operable to translate in relation to the source and the detector array, the source and the detector array rotating about the translatable table to scan the object, and an image reconstructor electrically coupled to the detector array and configured to reconstruct an image in response to the projection data via an iterative reconstruction technique configured to perform a targeted statistical reconstruction. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090190815 | Cartilage Curvature - A method for the analysis of three dimensional scan data representing an articular cartilage is provided to extract a quantitative parameter indicative of joint pathology. A measure of local curvature of the cartilage is determined within a region of interest. The value of the quantitative parameter of this joint derived from this measure is compared with the value of a similar quantitative parameter previously established in respect of healthy joints and/or joints characterised by a pathology. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090190816 | Systems and methods for rescaling image intensities with diffusion MRI to synthesize complex diffusive geometries - A method for scaling MR signal intensity after noise has been removed is disclosed. Because the signal in a DTI series varies with the apparent diffusivity in the direction of an applied gradient, one can multiply image data collected under actual clinical conditions with a spatially-dependent scaling function to synthesize different spatial diffusion distributions, after removal of noise. Recombination of the data with the removed noise preserves the bias in the system. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090190817 | Systems and methods for parametric mapping for correction of noise -based systematic bias of DTI metrics, using a DTI mapping phantom - A system and method for minimizing, if not completely eliminating, the systematic bias present in an MR system used for DTI is disclosed. A test object or “phantom” of the present invention is scanned with a desired DTI protocol. The eigenvalues measured with the phantom are compared to the actual values that should have been measured, and a parametric map that links measured eigenvalues to actual eigenvalues is calculated, which is applicable to the desired protocol. Future eigenvalue measurements using this protocol can be recalibrated to actual eigenvalues using this map. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090196477 | Process, System And Software Arrangement For A Chromatic Dispersion Compensation Using Reflective Layers In Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) Imaging - A system, process and software arrangement are provided to compensate for a dispersion in at least one portion of an image. In particular, information associated with the portion of the image is obtained. The portion of the image can be associated with an interference signal that includes a first electromagnetic radiation received from a sample and a second electromagnetic radiation received from a reference. The dispersion in the at least one portion of the image can be compensated by controlling a phase of at least one spectral component of the interference signal. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090196478 | AUTO CALIBRATION PARALLEL IMAGING RECONSTRUCTION METHOD FROM ARBITRARY K-SPACE SAMPLING - A method for obtaining an image by parallel acquisition magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is provided. Precessing nuclear spins are excited in a region of a subject. A plurality of response signals, representing magnetic resonance signals arising from the precessing nuclear spins, are simultaneously obtained from the region respectively with a plurality of RF reception coils, with each response signal representing a reduced data set of a totality of all of said response signals. Calibration data points are additionally obtained for each data set. A filter is synthesized using the calibration data points. The synthesizing filter is applied to the reduced data set to obtain a plurality of coupled simultaneous linear equations with a plurality of unknowns. The plurality of coupled simultaneously linear equations with the plurality of unknowns is solved to obtain a complete data set. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090202125 | RESTORATION OF THE NUCLEAR MEDICINE 2D PLANAR IMAGE BY ITERATIVE CONSTRAINED DECONVOLUTION - A medical imaging system ( | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090202126 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR HYBRID CONE BEAM IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION - A method for reconstructing an image using an imaging apparatus that includes a radiation source, a detector array, and a computer. The method includes performing a helical scan of an object at a selected helical pitch using the radiation source and detector array to obtain image data, and reconstructing an image of the object utilizing the computer programmed to perform a hybrid cone beam image reconstruction having ray-wise 3D weighting, wherein the weighting is dependent upon both helical pitch and z-distance. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090202127 | Method And System For Error Compensation - A method for generating a set of kernels for convolution error compensation of a projection image of a physical object recorded by an imaging system comprises calculating the set of kernels in such a way that for each pixel of the projection image an asymmetric scatter distribution for error compensation is calculated representing a X-ray scatter originating along a ray from an X-ray source to the pixel. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090208079 | METHOD FOR GENERATING A REGISTERED IMAGE RELATIVE TO A CARDIAC CYCLE AND A RESPIRATORY CYCLE OF A PERSON - A method for generating a registered image relative to a cardiac cycle and a respiratory cycle of a person is provided. The method includes generating a plurality of 2-D images of an anatomical region of the person. The method further includes generating a 3-D model of the anatomical region of the person. The 3-D model is associated with a predetermined phase of the cardiac cycle and a predetermined phase of the respiratory cycle. The method further includes selecting a first 2-D image from the plurality of 2-D images associated with the predetermined phase of the cardiac cycle and the predetermined phase of the respiratory cycle. The method further includes generating the registered image of the anatomical region utilizing the first 2-D image and the 3-D model. The method further includes storing the registered image in a memory device. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090208080 | Method and computer program for spatial compounding of images - A plurality of images of a common object acquired by ultrasound echo imaging, such as echocardiography, are combined. In respect of each image, a monogenic signal is derived and used to derive, in respect of each pixel, feature measures being measures of phase congruency feature, and alignment measures being measures of the degree of alignment between the normal to said phase congruency feature and the analysis beam. In respect of each pixel, there are derived relative weights for the plurality of images in correspondence with the feature measures for the plurality of images in respect of the corresponding pixel, taking into account the alignment measures for the plurality of images. A combined image is produced by combining the corresponding pixels of each image in accordance with the determined relative weights. By use of the image content, in particular the feature measures and the alignment measures, the images having a better definition of features in any given area predominate in the combined image so that the overall information content is improved. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090208081 | Apparatus and method for computing regional statistical distribution over a mean atomic space - The present invention is an apparatus and method for computing regional statistical distributions or characteristics of one or more quantitative measures over a mean anatomic space for one or more predefined populations and uses this statistical distributions/characteristics to study, research or understand the regional response of a disease or a treatment process and to regionally assess clinical status in patient data from an unknown population for diagnostic purposes. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090208082 | AUTOMATIC IMAGE SEGMENTATION METHODS AND APPARATUS - The invention provides methods and apparatus for image processing that perform image segmentation on data sets in two- and/or three-dimensions so as to resolve structures that have the same or similar grey values (and that would otherwise render with the same or similar intensity values) and that, thereby, facilitate visualization and processing of those data sets. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090208083 | METHOD AND DEVICE TO AUTOMATICALLY DETERMINE THE REST PHASE OF THE HEART - In a method and device to automatically determine a rest phase of the heart of an examination person in an imaging device, multiple images of the heart are acquired during a cardiac cycle and the rest phase of the heart is automatically determined by post-processing of the acquired images, and the determined rest phase is used for subsequent measurements. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090208084 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR QUANTITATIVE IMAGING OF CHEMICAL COMPOSITION TO DECOMPOSE MORE THAN TWO MATERIALS - A system and method for decomposing more than two materials in an imaging object includes performing a CT imaging acquisition of a portion of an imaging object using at least two energy levels to acquire imaging data associated with each of the at least two energy levels. A total mass attenuation of the imaging data is expressed as a weighted sum of constituent element mass attenuation coefficients and an effective atomic number and density of the constituent elements in the portion of the imaging object is determined by one of a number of methods. Accordingly, concentration of the constituent elements in imaged object is determined by solve the expression using known material attenuation coefficients and the measured CT data. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090208085 | METHOD FOR PROCESSING IMAGES OBTAINED BY TOMOSYNTHESIS AND ASSOCIATED DEVICE - A processing method for images obtained by tomosynthesis comprising acquisition of a plurality of 2D projection images of a region of interest of a patient; reconstruction of a 3D digital image from the acquired 2D projection images. An embodiment of the method is characterised in that it comprises: detection of an object in the reconstructed image; estimation of a thickness limit characteristic of a contrast default of the voxels for a diameter of the object; estimation of the thickness of the object; comparison of the thickness of the object to the thickness limit; and in that if the thickness of the object is less than the thickness limit, the method further comprises application at least to the voxels of the object in the reconstructed image of a multiplicative corrective factor equal to the ratio between the thickness limit and the thickness of the object. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090208086 | Compression and decompression of raw image data - A lossy compression method for raw image data with noise or error shaping is provided. The compression method reduces the low frequency components of the compression error. The noise shaping improves the quality of the image subsequently formed using the decompressed data. For each sample of raw image data to be compressed, the error from a previously compressed sample is added to form a modified sample. The modified sample is then compressed to form a compressed sample. The compressed sample is decompressed to form a decompressed sample. The error is calculated between the decompressed sample and the modified sample. For computed tomography (CT), the compressed samples are decompressed prior to image reconstruction. The applications include x-ray CT, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), positron emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, radiography, fluoroscopy, and angiography. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090214094 | Interface Device and Protocol - The invention is an interface device and system for establishing an operating interface between an injector device and diagnostic imaging equipment. In one embodiment, the interface device may permit an operator to concurrently operate and control the injector device and the imaging equipment. The interface device may permit the injector system and the imaging system to communicate information regarding their current and future operational status with each other. The interface device may be used to synchronize the operation of the imaging equipment and the injector device. In one embodiment, the injector device and the imaging equipment may be able to communicate with each other directly or through the interface device via a communications protocol comprising binary logic signals. The binary logic signals may comprise one or more of a low strength signal, a high strength signal, an oscillating signal that oscillates between low and high signal strength, and combinations thereof. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090214095 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO OBTAIN NOISE MITIGTED MONOCHROMATIC REPRESENTATION FOR VARYING ENERGY LEVEL - In dual energy CT, through basis material decomposition (BMD), a pair of density images can be reconstructed. The noises in this image pair are negatively correlated due to the BMD process. A technique is presented for obtaining the monochromatic images at desired energy levels with reduced correlation noise. The technique includes obtaining a plurality of optimum attenuation coefficients for an energy level, selecting a desired energy level, obtaining a plurality of desired attenuation coefficients for the desired energy level, computing a scaling factor for a corresponding noise component based on the optimum attenuation coefficients and the desired attenuation coefficients, and generating a monochromatic image based upon the scaling factor. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090214096 | Computer-Aided Cytogenetic Method Of Cancer Diagnosis - The present invention relates to noninvasive diagnostic systems for cancer detection comprising RGB-imaging of cancer cells, buccal epithelium cells and uses of the system for drug discovery. The present invention provides novel algorithms for the detection of malignancy associated changes of buccal epithelial cells based on RGB analysis. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090214097 | METHOD FOR GENERATING ANALYTICAL TOOL FOR ANALYZING ABNORMALITIES IN HUMAN ORGANS - A method for providing a tool for analyzing an abnormality affixed to a human organ. The method includes: obtaining an image of the organ with the abnormality; separating the image of the abnormality from the image of the organ with the abnormality; mapping a surface of the separated image of the abnormality onto a homeomorphic equivalent template, such template being topologically equivalent to the surface. In one embodiment, the mapping is a continuous, bijective, mapping having a continuous inverse mapping characteristic. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090214098 | Method for three-dimensional presentation of a moved structure using a tomographic method - The invention relates to a method for three-dimensional presentation of a moved structure using a tomographic method, in which a plurality of projection images are recorded from different imaging angles between a start angle with a start node point and an end angle with an end node point by an imaging unit during a number of rotation passes, with three-dimensional image data being able to be reconstructed from the projection images, with the projection images being spaced by a path or an edge. For determining the three-dimensional presentation for each angle of projection only those projection images are selected which minimize the sum of the paths or weighted edges between adjacent projection angles for a gating. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090220136 | Image Guidance System for Deep Brain Stimulation - This invention provides computerized image guidance systems for deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery and related methods that improve accuracy of positioning of electrodes in the brains of subjects. Image guidance systems in accordance with the present invention incorporate advanced features such as capability of displaying, in any desired plane of view, a digitized three-dimensional neuroanatomical brain map that can be form fitted to a patient's medical images, such as brain MR images, and capability of displaying on the patient's medical images both the contours of anatomic structures from a digitized brain map, and digitized electrode recording data obtained intra-operatively. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20090220137 | Automatic Multi-label Segmentation Of Abdominal Images Using Non-Rigid Registration - A method for segmenting an anatomical image, including: receiving a patient anatomical image; receiving a baseline anatomical image having pre-segmented labels, wherein the pre-segmented labels identify regions of interest in the baseline anatomical image; aligning the patient anatomical image with the baseline anatomical image to produce a transformation that when applied to the pre-segmented labels roughly identifies regions of interest in the patient anatomical image that correspond to the regions of interest in the baseline anatomical image; and updating the pre-segmented labels, which have been deformed by application of the transformation, with a new transformation that minimizes the likelihood of intensity distributions within the regions of interest of the patient anatomical image to produce a gradient image that better identifies the regions of interest of the patient anatomical image. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20090232372 | ADAPTIVE OVERLAPPING OF CARDIAC WEIGHTING VECTORS IN CARDIAC CT | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090232373 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING NOISE IN IMAGES - 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. | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090232374 | Diffusion Tensor Imaging Confidence Analysis - A system and method can increase confidence or other factors of a tract identified in a selected image data. The system can use various confidence determining factors to identify confidence in the identified tract. The identified tract can be used for various purposes, such as diagnosis or treatment. | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090232375 | ITERATIVE RECONSTRUCTION WITH ENHANCED NOISE CONTROL FILTERING - An imaging system ( | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090232376 | Breast tissue density measure - A method of processing a mammogram image to derive a value for a parameter useful in detecting differences in breast tissue in subsequent images of the same breast or relative to a control group of such images, said derived parameter being an aggregate probability score reflecting the probability of the image being a member of a predefined class of mammogram images, comprises computing for each of a multitude of pixels within a large region of interest within the image a pixel probability score assigned by a trained statistical classifier according to the probability of said pixel belonging to an image belonging to said class, said pixel probability being calculated on the basis of a selected plurality of features of said pixels, and computing said parameter by aggregating the pixel probability scores over said region of interest. Saud features may include the 3-jet of said pixels. | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090232377 | ITERATIVE METHODS FOR DOSE REDUCTION AND IMAGE ENHANCEMENT IN TOMOGRAPHY - A system and method for creating a three dimensional cross sectional image of an object by the reconstruction of its projections that have been iteratively refined through modification in object space and Fourier space is disclosed. The invention provides systems and methods for use with any tomographic imaging system that reconstructs an object from its projections. In one embodiment, the invention presents a method to eliminate interpolations present in conventional tomography. The method has been experimentally shown to provide higher resolution and improved image quality parameters over existing approaches. A primary benefit of the method is radiation dose reduction since the invention can produce an image of a desired quality with a fewer number projections than seen with conventional methods. | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090232378 | IMAGE ANALYSIS APPARATUS, IMAGE ANALYSIS METHOD, AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM STORING IMAGE ANALYSIS PROGRAM - Positional relationships are automatically determined with higher accuracy in a predetermined direction between three-dimensional images representing a subject including a periodic structure having periodicity in the predetermined direction, with respect to the periodic structure. A positional correspondence is provisionally determined in a predetermined direction between two three-dimensional images including a periodic structure having periodicity in the predetermined direction, based on a criterion wherein the periodic structure contributes less to the determination. The provisionally determined correspondence is then corrected so that a position in one of the three-dimensional images corresponding to a position of the other three-dimensional image in the predetermined direction can be corrected within a range near the position in the former three-dimensional image in the predetermined direction, according to a criterion wherein the periodic structure contributes more. | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090232379 | RECONSTRUCTION OF AN IMAGE OF A MOVING OBJECT FROM VOLUMETRIC DATA - In the CT imaging of non-homogeneously moving objects such as the heart or the coronary vessel tree, there is a problem that different parts of the objects are at rest at different points in time. Thus, a gated reconstruction with a globally selected time point does not yield a sharp image of such objects. According to the present invention, a motion of the object is estimated, describing the motion of selected regions of these objects. Then, on the basis of the estimated motion, time points are determined, where these areas have minimal motion. Then, an image is reconstructed, wherein the data from which the respective regions are reconstructed, correspond to the respective time points, where the regions have minimal motion. Due to this, an improved image quality may be provided. | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090238427 | Method and Apparatus for Correcting Multi-Modality Imaging Data - A method for correcting Positron Emission Tomography (PET) data includes adjusting a tube current generated by the CT imaging system to a second tube current value that is less than a first tube current value used to generate diagnostic quality CT images, and imaging the patient with the CT imaging system set at the second tube current value. The method also includes generating a plurality of computed tomography (CT) projection data from the CT imaging system and preprocessing the CT projection data to generate preprocessed CT projection data. The method further includes filtering the preprocessed CT projection data to reduce electronic noise to generate filtered CT projection data, and performing a minus logarithmic operation on the filtered CT projection data to generate the corrected PET data. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090238428 | Efficient Estimator Of Pharmacokinetic Parameters in Breast MRI - A method for performing pharmacokinetic analysis in magnetic resonance (MR) images includes administering a dose of contrast agent (CA) into a subject. A sequence of medical images is acquired of the subject at set temporal intervals. The time-based behavior of concentrations of CA is described within the subject for each voxel of each medical image of the sequence of medical images based on a reference voxel using a compartmental model for pharmacokinetic analysis that is based on a set of compartmental model parameters. The compartmental model is solved for each of the compartmental model parameters. The solution for the compartmental model parameters is used to estimate one or more parameters of physiological significance. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090238429 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE TOMOGRAPHY METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CORRECTING DRIFT OF THE B0 FIELD IN A TEMPERATURE MAP - In a method and device for correction of a B0 field drift in a temperature map acquisition by magnetic resonance tomography, a fluctuation measurement is calculated per pixel from a number of magnetic resonance tomography phase images of an examination subject or from temperature maps derived therefrom. Using this fluctuation measurement, pixels of the phase images or temperature maps with low fluctuation are determined, and corresponding pixels of a phase image to be corrected or of a temperature map to be corrected are selected using the pixels determined as having low fluctuation. The phase image to be corrected or the temperature map to be corrected is adjusted to a reference phase image or a reference temperature map such that the selected pixels of the phase image to be corrected or of the temperature map to be corrected are calibrated to corresponding pixels of the reference phase image or of the reference temperature map. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090238430 | MRI ACQUISITION USING SENSE AND HIGHLY UNDERSAMPLED FOURIER SPACE SAMPLING - An MRI system produces a three-dimensional image by acquiring NMR signals that fully sample a central region of k-space and partially sample peripheral region of k-space. Specifically, k-space is arranged as a three-dimensional (3D) Cartesian grid of points that is divided into a central region of k-space and a peripheral region of k-space. Points are selected in k-space within a plurality of radial vanes that extend radially outward from the central region of k-space through the peripheral region of k-space as viewed in a plane sampled by two phase encoding gradients to create a plurality of gaps between the radial vanes that is substantially a factor of N times greater in area than the radial vanes. Using an MRI system having arrays of RF receiver coils, NMR signals are acquired from a subject to fully sample the central region of the 3D k-space and undersample the peripheral region of k-space by only sampling k-space within the plurality of radial vanes. An image of the subject is reconstructed using the acquired NMR signals. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090238431 | CHARACTERISTIC PATH-BASED COLON SEGMENTATION - This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods for efficiently calculating a colon segmentation from one or more candidate virtual three-dimensional objects. A sequence of image scans are analyzed and candidate segments are identified. Landmark segments are identified from the candidate segments. A characteristic path is generated for each candidate segment. The paths are joined using a cost network and re-oriented to be consistent with a typical flythrough path. The connected path is then used to generate a continuous volumetric virtual object. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090245607 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND SCANNING-CONDITION SETTING METHOD - According to a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) apparatus, a scanning-parameter limit calculating unit creates examination information that represents scanning conditions for collection of magnetic resonance signal data based on scanning parameters set by an operator; a scanning-condition edit/scan positioning unit creates a time chart that indicates the type and a sequential execution order of an event to be executed when collecting magnetic resonance signal data based on the examination information created by the scanning-parameter limit calculating unit, and causes a time-chart display unit to display the created time chart. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090245608 | BONE NUMBER DETERMINATION APPARATUS AND RECORDING MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREIN PROGRAM - A body-of-sternum area representing the body of sternum of a subject is extracted from a three-dimensional image obtained by imaging the subject. Further, at least one rib area is extracted from the three-dimensional image. The rib number of each of the at least one rib area is determined based on a position of the body-of-sternum area, the position corresponding to a lower border of the body of sternum, and the position of each of the at least one rib area. Further, at least one vertebra area is extracted from the three-dimensional image. The vertebra number of the at least one vertebra area is determined based on the position of each of the at least one rib area, the rib number of each of the at least one rib area, and the position of the at least one vertebra area. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090245609 | ANATOMICAL ILLUSTRATION SELECTING METHOD, ANATOMICAL ILLUSTRATION SELECTING DEVICE, AND MEDICAL NETWORK SYSTEM - An image server has a medical image DB for storing plural medical images, an anatomical illustration DB for storing plural anatomical illustrations that are used for comparison with the medical images, and an attribute information DB. In the attribute information DB, a file name of each anatomical illustration and a site depicted in each anatomical illustration are associated with each other. Upon receipt of a transfer request of anatomical illustration from a client terminal, a CPU of the image server reads out a medical image corresponding to the file name included in the transfer request from the medical image DB. The CPU inputs the read out medical image to a site recognizing section and to recognize the site being shot. The CPU then reads out an anatomical image corresponding to the site recognized by the site recognizing section from the anatomical illustration DB and transfers it to the client terminal. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090252391 | Method for assisting in diagnosis of cerebral diseases and apparatus thereof - Input MRI brain images are positioned so as to correct a spatial deviation, gray matter tissues are extracted from these images to effect a first image smoothing, the thus-obtained images are subjected to anatomical standardization, a second image smoothing is effected, the gray level is corrected, brain images after correction are statistically compared with MRI brain images of normal cases, thereby providing the diagnosis result. In this instance, the brain images are automatically checked for input images regarding the resolution dot density and the like, the result of gray matter tissue extraction and the result of anatomical standardization, by which specifications of input images and the like can be confirmed objectively and automatically to make a diagnosis automatically by image processing. Further, an ROI-based analysis is made to provide the analysis result as the diagnosis result. | 10-08-2009 |
| 20090252392 | System and method for analyzing medical images - A system and method are provided for analyzing medical images and monitoring pregnancies for a plurality of animal patients. Medical images obtained from medical imaging devices are scanned, and extracted data are stored in a database. A color histogram is generating characterizing the image based on placental blood flow. | 10-08-2009 |
| 20090252393 | PROCESS AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY RECOGNISING PRENEOPLASTIC ABNORMALITIES IN ANATOMICAL STRUCTURES, AND CORRESPONDING COMPUTER PROGRAM - A process for the automatic recognition of abnormalities in anatomical structures is described together with a processing system and a computer program for implementing the aforesaid process, comprising the operations of:
| 10-08-2009 |
| 20090252394 | Computer Aided Detection of Pulmonary Embolism with Local Characteristic Features in CT Angiography - A method for computer aided detection of pulmonary emboli includes acquiring medical image data. A pulmonary embolism candidate comprising a cluster of voxels is identified. It is determined whether the candidate is a true pulmonary embolism or a false positive based on a spatial distribution of intensity values for the voxels of the cluster of voxels. The pulmonary embolism candidate is presented to a user when the candidate is determined to be a true pulmonary embolism. | 10-08-2009 |
| 20090252395 | System and Method of Identifying a Potential Lung Nodule - A computer assisted method of detecting and classifying lung nodules within a set of CT images to identify the regions of the CT images in which to search for potential lung nodules. The lungs are processed to identify a subregion of a lung on a CT image. The computer defines a nodule centroid for a nodule class of pixels and a background centroid for a background class of pixels within the subregion in the CT image; and determines a nodule distance between a pixel and the nodule centroid and a background distance between the pixel and the background centroid. Thereafter, the computer assigns the pixel to the nodule class or to the background class based on the first and second distances; stores the identification in a memory; and analyzes the nodule class to determine the likelihood of each pixel cluster being a true nodule. | 10-08-2009 |
| 20090257633 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COMPRESSING DATA - A method for compressing imaging data includes acquiring a stream of imaging data, and dividing the stream of imaging data into a plurality of interstices, each interstice including a plurality of detected events. The also includes classifying the detected events within each interstice based on a probability of occurrence of the detected event, and reordering the detected events within each interstice based on the probability of occurrence to compress the image data. The method further includes generating a ring pair identification number for each detected event in the plurality of interstices. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090257634 | RF pulse distortion correction - This document discloses, among other things, a method for removing a bullseye artifact from a radial image generated using magnetic resonance and using a swept frequency pulse. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090257635 | SYSTEM FOR DEFINING VOLUMES OF INTEREST WITH REFERENCE TO ANATOMICAL FEATURES - In a system and method for dividing a medical scan into regions to which features of interest may be assigned, region boundaries are defined with reference to anatomical landmarks and are presented to the physician along with the scan so that it is immediately apparent in which region a feature lies. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090257636 | METHOD OF EYE REGISTRATION FOR OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY - A method is disclosed for use in eye registrations and examinations, some embodiments of the method including acquiring scan pattern scans; forming images from the scans; registering the images; generating a feature map from the scan pattern scans; identifying features on the feature map; and recording positional information of features. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090262997 | METHOD, APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM FOR PRE-RECONSTRUCTION DECOMPOSITION AND CALIBRATION IN DUAL ENERGY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY - A method of obtaining a computed tomography image of an object includes determining linear terms and non-linear beam hardening terms in a pair of line integral equations for dual-energy projection data from inserting average and difference from average attenuation terms, obtaining an initial solution of the line integral equation by setting the non-linear beam hardening terms to zero, and iteratively solving the line integral equations to obtain one line integral equations for each basis material. Attenuation by the first basis material corresponds to a photoelectric attenuation process, and attenuation by the second basis material corresponds to a Compton attenuation process. The line integral equations can be inverted by an inverse Radon procedure such as filtered backprojection to give images of each basis material. The images of each basis material can then be optionally combined to give monochromatic images, density and effective atomic number images, or photoelectric and Compton processes images. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090262998 | Image Display Apparatus, Image Display Control Method, and Computer Readable Medium Having an Image Display Control Program Recorded Therein - Specification is received regarding which structure identifying information, each corresponding to an anatomical structure, is specified as display target structure identifying information to be displayed with a display target image when displaying the display target image, in which the positions of each pixel correspond to positions within an original image. The position of the anatomical structure identified by the structure identifying information is specified, based on structure information, in which structure identifying information that identifies anatomical structures and structure position information that represents the positions of the anatomical structures within the original image are correlated, and the correspondence of positions between the original image and the display target image. The display target structure identifying information is displayed with the display target image such that a user can recognize that the anatomical structure identified by the display target structure identifying information is displayed at the specified position. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090262999 | Efficient Features for Computer-Aided Detection - Described herein is a technology for facilitating computer-aided detection (CAD). In one implementation, the CAD technology includes receiving an enhancement pattern ( | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090263000 | Iterative Segmentation of Images for Computer-Aided Detection - Described herein is a method and system for facilitating computer-aided detection (CAD). In one implementation, image data is received ( | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090263001 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVED REAL-TIME CINE IMAGING - A cine imaging filter and method of use that includes a denoising image-filter based on the Karhunen-Loeve transform along the temporal direction to take advantage of the high temporal correlation among images. The cine imaging filter may further include the application of a simple formula describing the quantitative noise reduction capabilities of the KLT filter as a function of eigenimage cutoff. Additionally, the filter may validate its accuracy in numerical simulation and in in-vivo real time cine images. Furthermore, exemplary embodiments of the cine imaging filter may employ a technique to automatically select the optimal eigenimage cutoff to maximize noise reduction with minimal effect on image information. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090268956 | ANALYSIS OF ANATOMIC REGIONS DELINEATED FROM IMAGE DATA - Systems and methods for delineating anatomical boundaries from two- and three-dimensional image data are described. A template shape is used to examine new image element (e.g. pixel and/or voxel) locations and determine boundary intersection based on characteristics determined from the plurality of image elements contained within this template. The result is a polyline/surface delineation of the desired anatomy, which can be used for morphometric/shape analysis, patient specific output, and knowledge-based queries. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090274353 | BACKGROUND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - An imaging controller ( | 11-05-2009 |
| 20090274354 | DYNAMIC TOMOGRAPHIC IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION AND RENDERING ON-DEMAND - A method of dynamically reconstructing three dimensional (3D) tomographic images from a set of projection images is disclosed. The method includes the steps of loading a set of projection images into a memory device, determining a reconstruction method for the set of projection images, reconstructing a 3D tomographic image from the set of projection images to be displayed to a user; and performing any post reconstruction processing on the 3D tomographic image. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20090274355 | Method for Prior Image Constrained Progressive Image Reconstruction - A method for reconstructing a high quality image from undersampled image data is provided. The image reconstruction method is applicable to a number of different imaging modalities. Specifically, the present invention provides an image reconstruction method that incorporates an appropriate prior image into an iterative image reconstruction process as well as utilizing an image frame from a previous time frame to constrain the reconstruction of a current image frame. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20090274356 | TOEPLITZ RANDOM ENCODING FOR REDUCED ACQUISITION IN COMPRESSED SENSING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A method and a system for generating a magnetic resonance image of a subject. The method and system include generating a first pulse having first random data having a first amplitude and a first linear phase; applying the first pulse to the subject as an radio frequency pulse; collecting a first signal from the subject; generating a second pulse having second random data having a second amplitude and a second linear phase, wherein the second amplitude is substantially equal to the first amplitude, and wherein the second phase has a different slope from the first phase; applying the second pulse to the subject as an radio frequency pulse; collecting a second signal from the subject; and reconstructing an image of the subject. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20090274357 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND DEVICES FOR USING ULTRASONIC PROBE PRESSURE INFORMATION IN ASSESSING MUSCLE TISSUE QUALITY - Methods, systems and devices are implemented in connection with measuring characteristics of a portion of muscle tissue. Consistent with one such method an ultrasound probe is presented to the portion of muscle tissue. The probe produces a response-provoking signal in the muscle tissue, and the pressure applied between the probe and the portion of muscle tissue is sensed. A resulting signal is used to determine the muscle tissue characteristics based on the pressure being exerted between the probe and the portion. For example, the pressure data is associated with and used to filter the acquisition or use of ultrasound image data. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20090274358 | Method and tomography scanner for normalizing image data with respect to a contrast in the image data produced by a contrast agent - A method and a correspondingly configured tomography scanner are disclosed for normalizing image data with respect to a contrast in the image data produced by a contrast agent, the image data illustrating a tissue structure to be examined and at least part of a blood vessel system of an examination region connected to the tissue structure, which are at least in part permeated by the contrast agent. In an embodiment of the method, image data of the examination region is provided with the aid of the tomography scanner. At least one section of a reference vessel permeated by contrast agent is selected in the image data. The image data is normalized on the basis of image data from the section of the reference vessel such that the contrast in the image data as a result of the contrast agent is almost independent of patient-specific and examination-specific parameters in order to ensure that image data from different times can be compared. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20090279762 | BRAIN FUNCTION ANALYSIS APPARATUS - There is provided a method including, acquiring brain function data and diffusion tensor data (S | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090279763 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR COMBINED 4D PRESENTATION OF QUANTITATIVE REGIONAL MEASUREMENTS AND MORPHOLOGY - A method for combined 4D presentation of quantitative measurements and morphology of an object uses an apparatus that includes a computer or processor, memory, and a display. The method includes identifying a region of interest in volumetric image data. Then, the following steps are iterated to produce a 4D volume rendering. The iterated steps include tracking a wall of the object in the region of interest of the image data to produce a displacement field, applying the displacement field to display data to create enhanced rendering data, volume rendering the enhanced rendering data to produce an enhanced volume rendering, and displaying the enhanced volume rendering. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090285463 | Superresolution parallel magnetic resonance imaging - The present invention includes a method for parallel magnetic resonance imaging termed Superresolution Sensitivity Encoding (SURE-SENSE) and its application to functional and spectroscopic magnetic resonance imaging. SURE-SENSE acceleration is performed by acquiring only the central region of k-space instead of increasing the sampling distance over the complete k-space matrix and reconstruction is explicitly based on intra-voxel coil sensitivity variation. SURE-SENSE image reconstruction is formulated as a superresolution imaging problem where a collection of low resolution images acquired with multiple receiver coils are combined into a single image with higher spatial resolution using coil sensitivity maps acquired with high spatial resolution. The effective acceleration of conventional gradient encoding is given by the gain in spatial resolution Since SURE-SENSE is an ill-posed inverse problem, Tikhonov regularization is employed to control noise amplification. Unlike standard SENSE, SURE-SENSE allows acceleration along all encoding directions. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090285464 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - A system control unit causes a diagnosis monitor to display a plurality of sample images generated by changing one or more image processing parameters used in image processing of an X-ray image. When an operator designates a mixing ratio, at which the sample images are mixed, after the plurality of sample images are displayed on the diagnosis monitor, the system control unit sets one or more image processing parameters to be used when image processing of an X-ray image is performed based on the designated mixing ratio. An image processing unit performs image processing of an X-ray image input from an image input unit based on the set image processing parameter. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090285465 | JOINT RECONSTRUCTION PLANNING USING MODEL DATA - The invention relates to a computer-assisted planning method for reconstructing changes in shape on joint bones, comprising the following steps:
| 11-19-2009 |
| 20090285466 | Method, Computer Software, And System For Tracking, Stabilizing, And Reporting Motion Between - A method computer program for displaying relative movement between vertebrae or other medical objects is provided. The method generally includes acquiring at least two images of adjacent vertebrae, wherein the at least two images are acquired from a substantially similar acquisition position and illustrate the vertebrae in two different positions. The method further includes displaying a first image to a user on a screen, displaying a second image to the user overlaid onto the first image, translating, via user input, the first or second image to align a stationary feature present in both the first and second images, and alternately displaying the translated first and second images to display relative movement between the stationary feature and adjacent features. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090290773 | Apparatus and Method to Facilitate User-Modified Rendering of an Object Image - A user interface ( | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090290774 | DYNAMIC COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IMAGING - Projection data ( | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090290775 | Method and System for Selecting the Number of Gaussian Modes for the Segmentation of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (MR) Images - A method for automatically selecting a number of Gaussian modes for segmentation of a cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) image, including: identifying a left ventricle (LV) in a cardiac MR image slice; quantifying the LV blood pool; obtaining a mask for the LV blood pool; generating a ring mask for a myocardium of the LV from the LV blood pool mask; fitting three Gaussian modes to a histogram of the image slice to obtain a corresponding homogeneity image for the myocardium; computing a quality of fitting (QOF) measure for the three Gaussian modes based on the corresponding homogeneity image; repeating the fitting and computing steps for four and five Gaussian modes; and selecting the homogeneity image of the number of Gaussian modes with the largest QOF measure as the homogeneity image for processing. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090290776 | Automatic Determination Of Field Of View In Cardiac MRI - A method for automatically determining a field of view for performing a subsequent medical imaging study includes acquiring one or more preliminary images. A body mask is generated by thresholding the preliminary images and identifying a largest connected component. A boundary mask is obtained from the boundary of the generated body mask. A rectangular bounding box is fit to the obtained boundary mask. The rectangular bounding box is used as a field of view for performing a subsequent medical imaging study. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090290777 | AUTOMATIC LOCALIZATION OF THE LEFT VENTRICLE IN CARDIAC CINE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A method for automatically localizing left ventricle in medical image data includes acquiring a sequence of three-dimensional medical images spanning a cardiac cycle. Each of the images includes a plurality of two-dimensional image slices, one of which is defined as a template slice. The template slice of each medical image of the sequence is automatically cropped to include the heart and a margin around the heart based on temporal variations between pixels of the template slice throughout the sequence of medical images. The template slice of each medical image of the sequence is automatically contoured to determine the endo-cardial and epi-cardial boundaries for at least the end-diastolic and end-systolic phases. Localization information is generated for the left ventricle based on the determined endo-cardial and epi-cardial boundaries for at least the end-diastolic and end-systolic phases. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090290778 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING MR MYOCARDIAL PERFUSION MAPS WITHOUT USER INTERACTION - A method for automatically generating a myocardial perfusion map from a sequence of magnetic resonance (MR) images includes determining a region of interest (ROI) in a reference frame selected from a time series of myocardial perfusion MR image slices, registering each image slice in the time series of slices to the reference frame to obtain a series of registered ROIs, and using the series of registered ROIs to segment endo- and epi-cardial boundaries of a myocardium in the ROI. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090297006 | Diagnostic system for multimodality mammography - A method includes acquiring first imaging information of a region of interest, said first imaging information providing data correlated to three spatial dimensions of a reference frame including said region of interest; acquiring second projection imaging information of said region of interest, said second imaging information providing data correlated to said reference frame but is lacking information concerning at least one spatial dimension; and processing said first and second imaging information such that said first imaging information is registered with said second imaging information. An apparatus includes a first imaging system for acquiring imaging information of a region of interest, said first imaging information providing data correlated to three spatial dimensions of a reference frame including said region of interest; a second imaging system for acquiring second imaging information of said region of interest, said second imaging information providing data correlated to said reference frame but is lacking information concerning at least one spatial dimension; and a processor for processing said first and second imaging information such that said first imaging information is registered with said second imaging information. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090297007 | Automated Method and System for Nuclear Analysis of Biopsy Images - An automated method and system for analyzing a digital image of a biopsy to determine whether the biopsy is normal or abnormal, i.e., exhibits some type of disease such as, but not limited to, cancer. In the method and system, a classifier is trained to recognize well formed nuclei outlines from imperfect nuclei outlines in digital biopsy images. The trained classifier may then be used to filter nuclei outlines from one or more digital biopsy images to be analyzed, to obtain the well formed nuclei outlines. The well formed nuclei outlines may then be used to obtain statistics on the size or area of the nuclei for use in determining whether the biopsy is normal or abnormal. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090297008 | Method of perfusion imaging - The invention relates to a method of perfusion imaging, as well as to methods of post-imaging data manipulation and programs therefor. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090297009 | METHOD OF RECONSTRUCTING AN IMAGE FUNCTION FROM RADON DATA - A method of reconstructing an image function on the basis of a plurality of projection profiles corresponding to a plurality of projection directions through a region of investigation, each projection profile including a series of value positions, wherein measured projection values corresponding to projection lines parallel to the respective projection direction are assigned to respective value positions and a plurality of remaining value positions are empty, comprises the steps of (a) assigning first interpolation values to the empty value positions for constructing a plurality of interpolation profiles on the basis of the projection profiles, wherein the first interpolation values are obtained from a first interpolation within a group of measured projection values having the same value position in different projection profiles, and (b) determining the image function by applying a predetermined reconstruction algorithm on the interpolation profiles. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090297010 | Method and apparatus for visualizing tubular anatomical structures, in particular vessel structures, in medical 3D image records - A method and an apparatus are disclosed for visualizing tubular anatomical structures, in particular vessel structures, in medical 3D image records. The method according to at least one embodiment of the invention includes: providing 3D image data of the tubular anatomical structure; determining a centerline of the tubular anatomical structure in the 3D image data; selecting a point of the centerline; generating a 2D slice image assigned to the point, the 2D slice image representing a sectional plane in the 3D image data, which sectional plane is arranged relative to a section of the centerline, including the point and a prescribable section start point and section end point of the section, such that an orthogonal distance from the sectional plane for each centerline point of the section is less than or equal to a prescribed value R, the value R being selected to be greater than a value R | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090304248 | Structure-analysis system, method, software arrangement and computer-accessible medium for digital cleansing of computed tomography colonography images - A system, method, software arrangement and computer-accessible medium for performing electronic cleansing of CT colonography images are provided. In this system, method, software arrangement and computer-accessible medium, the digital bowel cleansing can be performed to remove tagged bowel contents from the images. The digital bowel cleansing can apply a local shape analysis throughout the images and use a shape-based speed function to detect the folds and polyps structures while removing the tagged bowel contents region. The system, method, software arrangement and computer-accessible medium can enable a medical examiner to perform an accurate virtual colonoscopy on a patient, without the need for thorough patient preparation. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090304249 | MATERIAL COMPOSITION DETECTION FROM EFFECTIVE ATOMIC NUMBER COMPUTATION - A technique is provided for computing an atomic number of materials forming an object imaged by a radiological modality. The method includes accessing a first monochromatic image and a second monochromatic image of the object, the first monochromatic image acquired at a first energy level and the second monochromatic image acquired at a second energy level. A ratio of the mass attenuation coefficients between the first monochromatic image and the second monochromatic image may be obtained. The atomic number for a material of the object may be computed based upon the ratio of mass attenuation coefficients. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090304250 | Animation for Conveying Spatial Relationships in Three-Dimensional Medical Imaging - Spatial relationships are conveyed in three-dimensional ultrasound imaging. To transition a volume rendering from one view to another view, the transition is animated, showing rotation. For example, the user examines one diagnostic view, but decides to examine another diagnostic view. Upon selection of the other diagnostic view, the volume rendered image appears to rotate. The rotation from one view to another shows the spatial relationship between the views. The user may then examine the static volume rendering at the desired view with an appreciation of the relationship with the previously examined static view. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090304251 | Method and System for Detecting 3D Anatomical Structures Using Constrained Marginal Space Learning - A method and apparatus for detecting 3D anatomical objects in medical images using constrained marginal space learning (MSL) is disclosed. A constrained search range is determined for an input medical image volume based on training data. A first trained classifier is used to detect position candidates in the constrained search range. Position-orientation hypotheses are generated from the position candidates using orientation examples in the training data. A second trained classifier is used to detect position-orientation candidates from the position-orientation hypotheses. Similarity transformation hypotheses are generated from the position-orientation candidates based on scale examples in the training data. A third trained classifier is used to detect similarity transformation candidates from the similarity transformation hypotheses, and the similarity transformation candidates define the position, translation, and scale of the 3D anatomic object in the medical image volume. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090304252 | Non-Rigid Registration Between CT Images And Ultrasound Images - There are disclosed embodiments for non-rigid image registration between 3-dimensional ultrasound and CT images by using intensity and gradient information of vessels and diaphragm. An ultrasound image forming unit transmits/receives ultrasound signals to/from a target object to thereby output electrical receive signals, and forms 3-dimensional ultrasound images based on the electrical receive signals. A CT image forming unit forms 3-dimensional CT images of the target object. A registration unit determines first and second objective functions associated with diaphragm and vessel regions of the target object, respectively, based on intensity and gradient information upon portions corresponding to the diaphragm and vessel regions in each of the 3-dimensional ultrasound and CT images. The registration unit performs non-rigid image registration between the 3-dimensional ultrasound images and the 3-dimensional CT images based on the first and second objective functions. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090304253 | METHOD OF PROCESSING RADIOLOGICAL IMAGES, AND, IN PARTICULAR, MAMMOGRAPHIC IMAGES - A method of processing a radiological image of an organ. The method may comprise generating a recombined image (R) from at least one previously acquired low energy image (L) and one high energy image (H) of a portion of the organ. The recombined image comprises a background and one or more areas corresponding to the presence of a contrast medium in the organ. The method may further comprise correcting the recombined image (R) by compensating (C) for the nonuniformities present in the background to obtain a compensated recombined image in which the background has a substantially uniform grey level. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090310840 | Method and apparatus for pretreatment planning of endovascular coil placement - The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for pretreatment planning endovascular coil placement, comprising steps of: a) analyzing three-dimensional data enabling visualization of a volume of interest containing at least a part of a blood vessel with an aneurysm; b) determining the centerline of the vessel; c) determining the aneurysm diameter; d) determining the aneurysm dome height; e) creating a three-dimensional surface model of the aneurysm in the vessel, using the results from the previous steps; f) estimating the volume expansion of one or more coils with the aid of said surface model; and g) visual simulating at least one according to the estimated virtual coil being to place inside the aneurysm. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090310841 | APPARATUS FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF PATIENTS WITH LIMBS, PARTICULARLY LOWER LIMBS, UNDER NATURAL STRESS - An apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging of patients with limbs, particularly lower limbs, under natural stress, which apparatus includes a magnet structure having an open or closed annular shape, and a predetermined axial extension, which structure delimits a cavity for receiving at least a part of the patient body, with at least two or three open sides, the open sides providing access to the cavity. The open or closed annular magnet structure being disposed with the axis of the open or closed annular shape oriented with at least one vertical directional component and devices being provided for vertical translation of the magnet structure or the patient relative to the magnet structure. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090310842 | MODEL-BASED DETERMINATION OF THE CONTRACTION STATUS OF A PERIODICALLY CONTRACTING OBJECT - It is described a model-based estimation of the current contraction status (S) of a periodically contracting object such as a beating heart. Thereby, a characteristic feature that is directly related to the contraction status (S) is extracted from a current image ( | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090310843 | IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE - An image display device that includes: a region-of-interest setting section that sets regions-of-interest respectively for multiple medical images representing a photographed subject; a difference image creating section that creates a difference image representing a difference between images of the regions-of-interest set by the region-of-interest setting section; and an image displaying section that displays the difference image as well as the images arranged side by side. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090310844 | TOMOGRAPHIC IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION METHOD AND APPARATUS USING FILTERED BACK PROJECTION - In a tomographical image reconstruction method and apparatus to generate an image of an examination subject from a number of digital projection data acquired at different projection angles, a first analytical filter kernel (formed by a first analytical function) is determined for a filtered back projection in the spatial frequency range, this first analytical filter kernel approximating, at least in a range of the spatial frequency, a discrete filter kernel iteratively determined for a model. Back projection is implemented with a second analytical filter kernel calculated from the analytical filter kernel and formed by a second analytical function. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090316968 | MAPPING OF LITERATURE ONTO REGIONS OF INTEREST ON NEUROLOGICAL IMAGES - A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for analyzing neurological images. A set of brain scans for a patient is compared to a set of baseline control scans to automatically identify regions of interest in the set of patient scans. A region of interest is an area in a scan that shows an indication of a potential abnormality. A set of electronic medical literature sources is searched for medical literature relevant to the regions of interest in the set of patient scans. The relevant medical literature is correlated to the medical literature describing the regions of interest in the set of patient scans to the regions of interest in the set of patient scans. A result is generated. The result comprises the regions of interest and a set of links to the correlated portions of the relevant medical literature are outputted. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090316969 | DETERMINING EFFICACY OF THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION IN NEUROSYCHIATRIC DISEASE - A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for determining the efficacy of neuropsychiatric therapy is provided. A neuroimage mapping manager automatically compares a first set of regions of interest in a first set of scans taken at a first time to a second set of regions of interest in a second set of scans generated at a second time and identifies a set of changes in the regions of interest occurring over time. The neuroimage mapping manager searches a set of electronic medical literature sources for medical literature relevant to the set of changes in the regions of interest and identifies portions of the relevant medical literature associated with the set of changes in the regions of interest. The neuroimage mapping manager generates results comprising the set of changes in the regions of interest and a set of links to the portions of the relevant medical literature. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090316970 | IDENTIFICATION OF REGIONS OF INTEREST AND EXTRACTION OF TIME VALUE CURVES IN IMAGING PROCEDURES - A method of extracting at least one time-value curve to determine a protocol in an imaging procedure using an imaging system, includes: determining a first N-dimensional data set of pixel values of a portion of a body of the patient at a first time using the imaging system, wherein N is an integer; determining at least a second N-dimensional data set of pixel values of the portion at a second time using the imaging system; computing a predetermined number of correlated segments of the imaged portion corresponding to a predetermined number of regions of interest of the patient by computing a similarity metric of a time series of pixel values; computing the at least one time-value curve for at least one of the regions of interest; and determining a protocol for a diagnostic scan using the image system based at least in part upon data from the time value curve. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090316971 | MOTION ARTIFACT COMPENSATION - A technique for correcting translational and rotational motion of an object, such as an object in a magnetic field, utilizes the k-space representation of the object. An initial region in the k-space representation is used as a motion-free reference region, indicative of the motion-free object. Motion-free data adjacent to the initial region are then estimated by extrapolating from the initial region, and the extrapolated data are subsequently used to estimate motion by correlating it with actual data. Segments adjacent to the initial region are then motion corrected and incorporated into an expanding base region. The expanded base region is used in subsequent correction steps. This process is continued until the entire k-space is motion-corrected. Two different extrapolation methods were used for the purpose of motion estimation: edge enhancement and finite-support solution. One technique is utilized near the k-space center and the other is utilized in the outer k-space regions. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090316972 | ENGINEERED PHANTOMS FOR PERFUSION IMAGING APPLICATIONS - In various embodiments, microengineered phantoms with microvascular networks serve as calibration standards for perfusion imaging systems. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090316973 | AUTOMATIC ISO-CENTERING FOR ROTATIONAL ANGIOGRAPHY - An automated and semi-automated determination of an optimal table position for rotational angiography is provided which is performed on the basis of the determination of a translation vector pointing from a point of gravity of the object of interest to an iso-centre of the examination apparatus. This may reduce the amount of X-ray and contrast agent dose for the iso-centring procedure and may not depend on the user's skills. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090316974 | DATA INPUT METHOD AND ULTRASONIC IMAGING APPARATUS - An ultrasonic imaging apparatus for processing ultrasonic raw data by a processor, includes a processor having a video processing front end, and a data input device for inputting the ultrasonic raw data to the video processing front end of the processor. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090316975 | ANATOMIC ORIENTATION IN MEDICAL IMAGES - A method of constructing a navigation table relating a set of images representative of a region of interest in a subject to a reference system with reference positions indicating known anatomic landmarks of a reference subject comprising providing reference positions for two or more images identified with two or more anatomic landmarks indicative of the region of interest with reference positions of known anatomic landmarks corresponding to the identified anatomic landmarks, and determining reference positions for the remaining images by interpolation. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090324039 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONVERTING SCAN DATA - An ultrasound device generates polar-coordinate image data divided up into an (N×M) array of polar-coordinate image data blocks; a first external memory configured to store the (N×M) array of data blocks; a second external memory configured to store x-y coordinate image data corresponding to the polar-coordinate image data; a video processing chip comprising an internal memory configured to store an (N×R) array of the polar-coordinate image data blocks; and a controller configured to perform a data conversion operation on the (N×R) array of data blocks to generate x-y coordinate image data, and to store the x-y coordinate image data to the second external memory. N, M, and R are integers greater than 1; R is less than M; and an internal access time for the internal memory element is shorter than an external access time for the first external memory element. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090324040 | Image Data Processing Systems - We describe a method of determining deformation data for an imaged object, the method comprising: inputting first and second sets of image data corresponding to different deformations of the imaged object, each comprising imaging signal data for an imaging signal, said imaging signal data including at least signal phase data; and determining, for at least one point in said first set of image data, a corresponding displacement for said point in said second set of image data; wherein the displacement determining comprises: initialising a value of displacement; determining an adjusted value for said displacement to provide said corresponding displacement, said determining of an adjusted value comprising: determining an average of differences in signal phase between corresponding positions in said first and second sets of image data, said corresponding positions being determined by a current value of said displacement; and using said average to determine said adjusted displacement value. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090324041 | APPARATUS FOR REAL-TIME 3D BIOPSY - A method and apparatus are disclosed for performing software guided prostate biopsy to extract cancerous tissue. The method significantly improves on the current system by accelerating all computations using a graphical processing unit (GPU) keeping the accuracy of biopsy target locations within tolerance. The result is the computation of target locations to guide biopsy using statistical priors of cancers from a large population, as well as based on previous biopsy locations for the same patient, and finally via mapping protocols with predefined needle configurations onto the patient's current ultrasound image. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090324042 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPROVED TOF PET RECONSTRUCTION - A time of flight positron emission tomography apparatus ( | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090324043 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC REGISTRATION OF 4D (3D PLUS TIME) RENAL PERFUSION MRI DATA - A method for registering digital renal perfusion images includes selecting a volume of interest (VOI) containing a kidney in a reference renal perfusion image, computing 3D intensity gradients for a plurality of points in the VOI of the reference renal perfusion image, computing 3D intensity gradients for a plurality of points in a search window of a current renal perfusion image, and maximizing a similarity measure between the reference image VOI and the current image search window, where the similarity measure is a function of the 3D intensity gradients computed for the reference image and the current image. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090324044 | Method for reconstructing CT image data - A method is disclosed for reconstructing CT image data. In at least one embodiment, the method includes provisioning CT projection data p. Secondly, it includes reconstruction of first image data f | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090324045 | Method of reconstructing CT image data - A method is disclosed for reconstructing CT image data. In at least one embodiment, the method includes providing measured CT projection data p based on the CT projection data p, reconstructing first CT image data f | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090324046 | METHOD FOR SEGMENTATION OF AN MRI IMAGE OF A TISSUE IN PRESENCE OF PARTIAL VOLUME EFFECTS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM IMPLEMENTING THE METHOD - A method and computer program for segmentation of an MRI image of tissue in presence of partial volume effects, include storing the MRI image in K-space representation as raw dataset, reconstructing N images, each represented by N sets of voxels and N sets of light intensity values, dividing each voxel into a fixed number of subvoxels equal in size, assigning the light intensity value of the voxel to its subvoxels, classifying each subvoxel according to light intensity value, identifying a totality of subvoxels classified with equal probability for a totality of tissue types, labeling the subvoxels as partial volume subvoxels, shifting N−1 images starting with the second image by one subvoxel relatively to the preceding image and gene-rating a new set of overlay subvoxels, determining a new set of probability values for the new set of overlay subvoxels and creating an overlay image of the new set of overlaid subvoxels. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090324047 | HIGH EFFICIENCY COMPUTER TOMOGRAPHY - A system comprising: one or more transmitters to transmit an excitation energy into an object under observation; one or more detectors to generate projection space data encoding an energy received by the one or more detectors in response to the transmitted excitation energy into the object under observation; a controller to control the one or more transmitters to transmit the excitation energy and the one or more detectors to generate the projection space data; and an image reconstructor to receive the projection space data and to process the projection space data by: computing a first quantity characterizing a difference between the projection space data and predicted projection data; computing a second quantity corresponding to at least one impulse response, each impulse response corresponding to a reference voxel of unit-intensity; computing an update value using the first quantity and an inverted function of the second quantity; and reconstructing an object space image representing the object under observation using the update value. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20100002924 | Versatile Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography And Imaging Methods Using The Same - Disclosed is a versatile single photon emission computerized tomograph capable of imaging a number of areas of the patient by the same system to obtain diagnostic nuclear medical images of excellent resolution and sensitivity, and imaging method using the same. The versatile single photon emission computerized tomograph includes a support means configured in a plate structure so that the patient can lie down and adapted to move in longitudinal and vertical directions while the patient is lying down; a gantry configured in an arc shape about an object to be imaged; a body for retaining and supporting an outer surface of the gantry while being able to slide and rotate; and at least one detector mounted so as to slide along the inner surface of the gantry and adapted to protract toward or retract from the center point of the gantry to image an organ of the patient. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100002925 | Fluid Dynamics Approach To Image Segmentation - A method for segmenting image data within a data processing system includes acquiring an image. One or more seed points are established within the image. An advection vector field is computed based on image influences and user input. A dye concentration is determined at each of a plurality of portions of the image that results from a diffusion of dye within the computed advection field. The image is segmented into one or more regions based on the determined dye concentration for the corresponding dye. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100002926 | DETERMINATION OF SUSCEPTIBILITY-INDUCED MAGNETIC FIELD GRADIENTS BY MAGNETIC RESONANCE - The invention relates to a device for magnetic resonance imaging of a body ( | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100008555 | Automatic Pathway And Waypoint Generation And Navigation Method - A navigation system for use in a luminal network of a patient, such as the airways, that is able to analyze a three-dimensional model of the luminal network and automatically determine a pathway from an entry point to a designated target. The system further automatically assigns waypoints along the determined pathway in order to assist a physician in navigating a probe to the designated target. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100008556 | VOICE DATA PROCESSING APPARATUS, VOICE DATA PROCESSING METHOD AND IMAGING APPARATUS - A voice data processing apparatus which converts voice data to voice playback data by an OLA method to correspond to a set magnification of playback velocity, including a voice data block setting device which partitions the voice data to set a plurality of voice data blocks, a segment setting device which sets voice data segments to the voice data to correspond to respective voice data blocks, a segment adjuster which adjusts positions and lengths on a time base, of the voice data segments set by the segment setting device, and a voice playback data generator which combines the respective voice data segments adjusted by the segment adjuster so as to overlap each other along the time base thereby generating the voice playback data. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100008557 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD - An image processing apparatus includes: a center line determination section which determines a center line of a tubular tissue based on volume data; a direction vector determination section which determines a direction vector; a curved surface determination section which determines a curved surface formed by a set of plural lines, each of the plural lines passing through a certain point on the center line and being parallel with the direction vector; a visualizing section which visualizes the tubular tissue based on the volume data on the curved surface; and a tangent vector determination section which determines a tangent vector of the center line at an attention point on the center line. The direction vector determination section rotates the direction vector such that an angle formed between the direction vector and the tangent vector is maintained, and the rotated direction vector will be a new curved surface. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100008558 | SPECTRALLY RESOLVING X-RAY IMAGING DEVICE - The invention relates to an X-ray imaging device ( | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100014728 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ESTIMATING RANDOMS IN IMAGING DATA - A method for estimating randoms in PET imaging data includes acquiring imaging data that includes a plurality of singles and a plurality of randoms, where the randoms exhibit a non-exponential decay, generating a randoms correction estimate based on the non-exponential decay, and applying the randoms correction estimate to the imaging data to generate corrected imaging data. The method further includes generating an image using the corrected image data. An imaging system and computer readable medium programmed to estimate randoms is also provided. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100014729 | MULTI-GRAYSCALE OVERLAY WINDOW - Embodiments of the present invention provides a method for separating diagnostic content of x-ray images from non-diagnostic content in order to achieve an optimum image reproduction and windowing. In particular, embodiments of the present invention provides a method for displaying a plurality of radiological density images in a single viewing window by overlaying gray scale images of each radiological density image in a single display window. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100014730 | Multimodal Image Reconstruction - Computer-implemented methods of reconstructing an image object for a measured object in object space from image data in data space include causing a computer to execute instructions for providing zonal information separating the object space into at least two zones, providing at least two zonal image objects, each zonal image object being associated with one of the at least two zones, reconstructing the image object using a data model derived from forward projecting the zonal image objects into data space, wherein the contribution of each zonal image object to the data model is weighted according to a zonal scaling factor, and outputting the image object. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100014731 | Functional Image Presentation - A computer-implemented method of presenting an image of an object includes causing a computer to execute instructions for providing a signal distribution of values N, generating a transformed distribution by calculating, for each value N, a transformed value X=√{square root over (N+3/8)}, and outputting the transformed distribution. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100014732 | Multimodal Image Reconstruction With Zonal Smoothing - Computer-implemented methods of reconstructing an image object for a measured object in object space from image data in data space cause a computer system to execute instructions for providing zonal information separating the object space into at least two zones, providing at least two zonal image objects, each zonal image object being associated with one of the at least two zones, performing a zonal smoothing operation on at least one of the zonal image objects, thereby generating at least one smoothed zonal image object, reconstructing the image object on the basis of the at least one smoothed zonal image object, and outputting the image object. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100014733 | DETERMINING A MULTIMODAL PIXON MAP FOR TOMOGRAPHIC-IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION - A computer-implemented method includes causing a computer system to execute instructions for providing a first data set and a second data set, each derived from a common object, providing a first tomographic image object associated with the first data set providing a second tomographic image object associated with the second data set, generating a multimodal pixon map for pixon smoothing on the basis of the first data set, the first tomographic image object, the second data set, and the second tomographic image object, and outputting the multimodal pixon map. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100014734 | Functional Image Quality Assessment - A computer-implemented method of assessing the quality of a functional image for an object includes causing a computer to execute instructions for providing a signal distribution of values N generating a transformed distribution by calculating, for each value N, a transformed value X=√{square root over (N+¼)}, reconstructing the functional image from the signal distribution, deriving an expected distribution of expected values A from the functional image, generating a residual distribution by calculating, for each value N, a residual values ΔX=X−√{square root over (λ)}, and outputting the residual distribution. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100014735 | Enhanced Contrast MR System Accommodating Vessel Dynamic Fluid Flow - A system enhances MR imaging contrast between vessels containing dynamically flowing blood and static tissue using an MR imaging system. The MR imaging system, in response to a heart rate synchronization signal, acquires an anatomical preparation data set representing a spatially non-localized preparation 3D volume in response to a first magnetization preparation pulse sequence. The MR imaging system acquires a spatially localized anatomical imaging data set representing a second imaging volume. The MR imaging system subtracts slice specific MR imaging data of the spatially localized anatomical imaging data set from spatially and temporally corresponding slice specific imaging data of the anatomical preparation data set to derive blood flow indicative imaging data. The temporally corresponding slice specific imaging data comprises data acquired at a substantially corresponding cycle point within a heart beat cycle determined in response to said heart rate synchronization signal. The MR imaging system iteratively repeats the subtraction step for multiple adjacent slices individually comprising a spatially localized anatomical imaging data set to provide a three-dimensional imaging data set. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100014736 | REDUCTION OF HEART MOTION ARTIFACTS IN THORACIC CT IMAGING - The invention relates to a system ( | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100014737 | Method for generating image data relating to a virtually prescribable x-ray tube voltage from first and second CT image data - A method for generating image data relating to a virtually prescribable X-ray tube voltage U | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100014738 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR BREAST CANCER SCREENING - The invention relates to a system for breast cancer screening and a corresponding method carried out with the system, the method comprising the following steps:
| 01-21-2010 |
| 20100014739 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SEGMENTATION OF MR FLOW DATA USING FLUID DYNAMICS AND TRACKING - Methods for vessel segmentation and tracking using 7D MRI flow image data incorporate information from the velocity field and the magnitude. A vessel tracking methods selects a time containing sufficient blood flow through a vessel, uses the magnitude image to determine the vessel boundary and uses the velocity image to define the vessel direction. A method for segmenting tubular and circular objects segments the objects into separate vessels and then uses the velocity data to reunite the objects, where touching components are evaluated by the velocity field where they are connected. If vectors point towards the other component, the two components are reconnected. An advection-diffusion method based on fluid dynamics performs a fluid dynamics simulation with image forces according to the Navier-Stokes equations. With the 7D data, the vector field is available from the flow data, from the time point at which maximal flow occurs in the vessel of interest. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100021032 | DIGITIZED MR SIGNAL DATA ENCODING WITH VARIABLE BIT RATE - A digital receiver circuit comprising an encoder ( | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100021033 | Method for differentiating and displaying moving and stationary heart regions of a patient in X-ray CT - A method is disclosed for differentiating and displaying moving and stationary heart regions of a patient in X-ray CT. In at least one embodiment, the method includes carrying-out circular or helical scanning of a patient in the region of his or her heart using an X-ray CT scanner including a detector with a multiplicity of detector elements, and storing at least one sinogram from a multiplicity of projection data from encircling projection directions; and reconstructing at least one tomographic display of the heart from the at least one sinogram and displaying the at least one reconstructed display of the heart. According to at least one embodiment of the invention, the projection data are Fourier transformed, filtered with respect to a predetermined frequency, inverse transformed, reconstructed, and output together with the tomographic display of the heart. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100021034 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE GENERATION OF ATTENUATION CORRECTION MAPS FROM MR IMAGES - A method for generating a positron emission tomography (PET) attenuation correction map from magnetic resonance (MR) images includes segmenting a 3-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance (MR) whole-body image of a patient into low-signal regions, fat regions, and soft tissue regions; classifying the low-signal regions as either lungs, bones, or air by identifying lungs, identifying an abdominal station, and identifying a lower body station; and generating an attenuation map from the segmentation result by replacing the segmentation labels with corresponding representative attenuation coefficients. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100021035 | METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING A PATHOLOGICAL REGION OF A SCAN, SUCH AS AN ISCHEMIC STROKE REGION OF AN MRI SCAN - A method for identifying a pathological region of a scan (such as a stroke region within a MRI DWI volume scan) is proposed. A region of the scan which is likely to contain pathological tissue (e.g. infracted tissue) is identified by obtaining a parameter which, for a given slice, or portion of a slice, characterises the distribution of the intensity of pixels, e.g. the relative proportion of high intensity pixels. In a first case, such a parameter is used to identify those slices of a volume scan which are likely to include infarction. In a second case, such a parameter (hemisphere parameter) is obtained for each of the left- and right-hemispheres of a brain, to estimate which hemisphere contains the stroke. In either case, the parameter may be calculated based on ranges, percentiles and functions of the percentiles of the intensity distribution. These ranges, percentiles and functions of the percentiles are not pre-defined but are selected to maximise sensitivity. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100027861 | SEGMENTATION OF REGIONS IN MEASUREMENTS OF A BODY BASED ON A DEFORMABLE MODEL - Techniques for segmenting data include receiving reference segmentation data and target data. The reference segmentation data defines a mesh indicating a boundary of a physical component in a reference body. The target data includes measured values at coordinates within a target body. Coordinates for vertices of the mesh are moved toward nearby edges in values of the target data. The adjustment also may be based on deviations from adjacent vertices or from a three dimensional generalized gradient vector field. The mesh may be initially transformed by a particular transformation that automatically maximizes a similarity measure between the target data and reference data. The reference data includes measured values within the reference body. The reference segmentation also may define a second mesh that indicates a second boundary in the reference body, and the adjustment is also based on an adjusted distance between the mesh and the second mesh. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100027862 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMAGE PROCESSING - The present invention relates to a system and a method for processing an initial image of coronary arteries. In accordance with the proposed method, a healthy region and a stenosed region of said arteries are first demarcated in the initial image. A first intermediate image is obtained by generating a contour of said healthy region of said arteries by segmentation of said healthy region using a level set function. A second intermediate image obtained by performing edge detection on said stenosed region. The first and second intermediate images are then combined to obtain a composite image of a single connected component represented by a plane curve on said composite image. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100027863 | Methods for detection and characterization of atypical vessels in cervical imagery - The present invention discloses a method for the detection of atypical vessels in digital cervical imagery. A pre-processing stage is applied to enhance the contrast of blood vessel features compared to the surrounding tissue. Next, a segmentation stage is applied to identify regions of interest for atypical vessels using texture and gradient information. Finally, a post-processing stage (1) identifies other clinically relevant features in the cervical imager, and removes these features from the region of interest; and (2) uses color, size, and shape information to further refine the region of interest to eliminate false positives and determine a final region of interest. This automated method of atypical vessel detection is especially useful for diagnostic purposes such as cervical cancer detection. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100027864 | Systems and Methods for Assessing Pulmonary Gas Transfer using Hyperpolarized 129XE MRI - Methods and systems for assessing pulmonary gas exchange and/or alveolar-capillary barrier status include using spin echo pulse techniques to generate at least one 3-D MRI image of | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100027865 | Method and System for Brain Tumor Segmentation in 3D Magnetic Resonance Images - A method and system for brain tumor segmentation in multi-spectral 3D MRI images is disclosed. A trained probabilistic boosting tree (PBT) classifier is used to determine, for each voxel in a multi-spectral 3D MR image sequence, a probability that the voxel is part of a brain tumor. The brain tumor is then segmented in the multi-spectral 3D MRI image sequence using graph cuts segmentation based on the probabilities determined using the trained PBT classifier and intensities of the voxels in the multi-spectral 3D MR image sequence. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100027866 | POSITRON CT APPARATUS - A positron CT apparatus of this invention includes a first detecting device and a first image processing device for acquiring a 3D image of a first site of interest. Further, a second detecting device and a second image processing device are provided for acquiring a real planar image of the first site of interest and a second site of interest. A calculated planar image calculating device calculates, based on the 3D image, data corresponding only to the first site of interest projected to the real planar image. A correcting device provides a corrected planar image corresponding only to the second site of interest by subtracting the calculated planar image from the real planar image. Thus, the 3D image corresponding to the first site of interest and the corrected planar image with a projection of the second site of interest can be acquired at the same time through one diagnosis. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100034447 | PARALLEL MRI INVOLVING DENSITY WEIGHTING OR ACQUISITION WEIGHTING - In a method for magnetic resonance imaging, k-space is sampled using density weighted data acquisition or acquisition weighted data acquisition, with at least one region of k-space being intentionally undersampled with respect to the Nyquist criterion. Reconstruction of the MR image is performed using a parallel imaging method, with the influence in the reconstructed image of the missing k-space data, as a result of the undersampling, being reduced. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100034448 | Method And Apparatus For Frame Interpolation Of Ultrasound Image In Ultrasound System - A method and apparatus for frame interpolation of an ultrasound image is provided. The frame interpolation method includes: calculating an optical flow using an ultrasound image of a first frame and an ultrasound image of a second frame; determining an interpolated frame between the first frame and the second frame; calculating an optical flow of the interpolated frame using the calculated optical flow; and creating an ultrasound image in the interpolated frame from the optical flow of the interpolated frame. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100034449 | Hybrid Registration Method - A registration method whereby a sensor-based approach is used to establish initial registration and whereby upon the commencement of navigating an endoscope, image-based registration methods are used in order to more accurately maintain the registration between the endoscope location and previously-acquired images. A six-degree-of-freedom location sensor is placed on the probe in order to reduce the number of previously-acquired images that must be compared to a real-time image obtained from the endoscope. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100034450 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PRODUCING A TOMOSYNTHETIC 3D X-RAY IMAGE - In a method and device for producing a tomosynthetic 3D x-ray image, a number of 2D projection images of an examination subject are acquired using a fixed x-ray source. The x-ray source has multiple, individually controllable emitters that respectively emit a single x-ray dose from various different directions. The tomosynthetic 3D image is reconstructed from the individual 2D projection images, and at least one 2D projection image is composed of multiple individual images. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100040270 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO PROCESS LEFT-VENTRICLE CARDIAC IMAGES - Example methods and apparatus to process left-ventricle cardiac images are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes identifying a first landmark point in a first cardiac image, identifying a first centroid of a left ventricle depicted in the first cardiac image, and performing a Cartesian-to-polar transformation to form a first rectangular representation of the left ventricle depicted in the first cardiac image based on the first landmark point and the first centroid. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100040271 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE SEGMENTATION - An apparatus for segmenting a cerebral hemorrhage site in a medical image of a head comprises a means for segmenting an internal region of a skull bone in the medical image of the head, a means for segmenting a possible region in which a cerebral hemorrhage site is contained, out of the region segmented by the means for segmenting the internal region of the skull bone, and a means for determining a cerebral hemorrhage site out of the region segmented by the means for segmenting the possible region in which the cerebral hemorrhage site is contained. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100040272 | Method and System for Left Ventricle Detection in 2D Magnetic Resonance Images - A method and system for left ventricle (LV) detection in 2D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images is disclosed. In order to detect the LV in a 2D MRI image, a plurality of LV candidates are detected, for example using marginal space learning (MSL) based detection. Candidates for distinctive anatomic landmarks associated with the LV are then detected in the 2D MRI image. In particular, apex candidates and base candidates are detected in the 2D MRI image. One of the LV candidates is selected as a final LV detection result using component-based voting based on the detected LV candidates, apex candidates, and base candidates. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100040273 | IMAGING RESOLUTION RECOVERY TECHNIQUES - One embodiment is a unique method employing an improved image resolution recovery technique. Another embodiment is a unique system implementing an improved image resolution recovery technique. A further embodiment is a method including obtaining a sinogram based upon a measurement of an imaging system, processing the sinogram using a smoothing or fitting technique, deconvolving a system response function of the imaging system from the sinogram to provide a deconvolved sinogram, and constructing an image based upon the deconvolved sinogram. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits shall become apparent from the following description and drawings. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100040274 | PROCESSING AND DISPLAYING BREAST ULTRASOUND INFORMATION - Displaying breast ultrasound information on an interactive user interface is described, the user interface being useful in adjunctive ultrasound mammography environments and/or ultrasound-only mammography environments. Bilateral comparison is facilitated by a pairwise display of thick-slice images corresponding to analogous slab-like subvolumes in the left and right breasts. Coronal thick-slice imaging and convenient navigation on and among coronal thick-slice images is described. In one preferred embodiment, a nipple marker is displayed the coronal thick-slice image representing a projection of a nipple location thereupon. A convenient breast icon is also displayed including a cursor position indicator variably disposed thereon in a manner that reflects a relative position between the cursor and the nipple marker. Preferably, the breast icon is configured to at least roughly resemble a clock face, the center of the clock face representing the nipple marker location. Bookmark-centric and CAD-marker-centric navigation within and among thick-slice images is also described. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100046817 | CARDIAC SPECT SYSTEM WITH TRAJECTORY OPTIMIZATION - In a disclosed imaging method, the instantaneous speed or data acquisition dwell times of a detector head ( | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100046818 | IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION METHOD FOR TOMOGRAPHY SCANNER, FAILURE DIAGNOSIS METHOD, TOMOGRAPHY SCANNER AND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM FOR SYSTEM MATRIX - In a case where an error is included in measurement data corresponding to one or a plurality of detecting elements in a tomography scanner, a system matrix to be calculated or referenced on image reconstruction calculation is corrected in accordance with the error. Thus, even when an error such as a defect or a fault occurs in a detector, influence of the error is eliminated, thereby reducing an artifact generated in an image. At that time, positional information of the detecting elements including the error and information on the degree of the error are stored in a storage device and referenced inside image reconstruction software, thus making it possible to correct the system matrix in accordance with the error. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100046819 | Method and image reconstruction device for generating computed tomography image data - A method is disclosed for generating computed tomography image data of a volume of interest from X-ray CT data sets generated by a computed tomography system during scanning of an examination subject on a helical path rotating around a longitudinal system axis in the infeed direction. In at least one embodiment, at least two volume-based reconstructions of the volume of interest are performed by way of differential back-projection over surfaces constituted by different groups of M-lines, followed in each case by an inverse Hilbert transformation, the groups of M-lines for the reconstructions being selected from different of the following M-line subsets:
| 02-25-2010 |
| 20100046820 | FRAMING OF POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY DATA TO ASSESS ACTIVITY PEAK - In a method and apparatus for determining a framing interval used when reconstructing medical scanning data such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans, peak activity in the Blood Input Function Time Activity Curve is identified by regions of maximum rate of change and the framing interval is selected to include the peak in a frame. Once the framing interval is established, reconstruction of the data is performed by conventional methods. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100046821 | MOTION CORRECTION IN TOMOGRAPHIC IMAGES - An imaging method comprises reconstructing gated emission tomography images for a region of interest, adjusting a mismatch between the gated emission tomography images and a computed tomography image of the region of interest, registering the gated emission tomography images, and combining the registered gated emission tomography images to generate motion corrected images. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100054561 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION - A tomographic imaging apparatus is provided for generating images. The tomographic apparatus includes a computer programmed to access a data sinogram representative of the image, reconstruct the image, divide the image into a plurality of sub-regions, define a region of interest including at least one sub-region, reprojecting a region of interest or a complement of the region of interest to generate a region of interest sinogram or a sinogram representative of the complement of the region of interest and reconstructing a resultant sinogram using iterative methods to generate an image. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100054562 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ADAPTIVE FILTERING - A system for obtaining an image includes a processor for receiving a projection image, processing the projection image to obtain a filtered image, applying a first factor for the projection image to obtain a first weighted image, applying a second factor for the filtered image to obtain a second weighted image, and obtaining a corrected image using the first and second weighted images, and a medium for storing the corrected image. A method of processing an image includes receiving a projection image, processing the projection image to obtain a filtered image, and determining a corrected image by applying a first factor for the projection image and applying a second factor for the filtered image. A method for obtaining an image includes determining a factor, using the factor to control a radiation source, and using the factor to reduce noise in an image generated using the radiation source. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100054563 | TISSUE CLASSIFICATION IN MEDICAL IMAGES - The present disclosure relates to the use of probabilistic models to classify elements of a medical image into different tissue types. The models may be based upon geometric abstractions of the different tissue types being classified. In addition, the present disclosure teaches the derivation and modification of models for tissue classification based upon the neighboring region of the voxels undergoing classification. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100054564 | Reconstructing a Tomographic Image - Tomographically reconstructing a 3D image object corresponding to a data set includes for each step in a series of iteration steps, determining an updated object by performing a combined operation, which includes performing an update operation for updating an input object and performing a pixon smoothing operation, and following a last iteration, outputting one of the updated objects as the 3D image object. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100054565 | PARALLEL BEAM LOCAL TOMOGRAPHY RECONSTRUCTION METHOD - A method to image objects from local three-dimensional parallel beam tomographic data (line integrals) over lines parallel an arbitrary curve of directions on a sphere. Such data are used in electron microscopy, SPECT (with weighted integrals), and synchrotron tomography. The algorithm is adaptable to a number of data sets including single-axis and double-axis tilt electron tomography and truly three-dimensional curves of directions. The method stably gives pictures of the internal structure of objects and does not add strong singularities or artefacts. It is less influenced by objects outside the region of interest than standard non-local methods. The algorithm is combined with an electron microscope and computer to provide computer readable files showing the pictures of small objects such as molecules. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100054566 | MEDICAL IMAGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - In a medical image management system, the network load can be reduced and the network resources can be effectively used. A console ( | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100054567 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INTERACTIVE CT RECONSTRUCTION - A method and an apparatus for interactive image reconstruction, in particular in computed tomography are disclosed. The method for interactive image reconstruction by calculating tomographic slice images from X-ray projection data is distinguished by the fact that only those grayscale images which the user wants visualized at a given time are calculated with the aid of a computer. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100054568 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTING A VOLUME OF INTEREST IN ONE OR MORE IMAGE DATA SETS - The invention relates to a method for selecting a volume of interest in one or more digitized images. A geometric structure in the digitized image for selecting a volume of interest is defined. A segmentation of the volume of interest in the digitized image is performed and visualized. The invention further relates to an apparatus, in particular a computer for performing the methods and a computer storage device comprising machine readable and executable program instructions which comprise steps of performing the methods. The invention can be applied for modern imaging developments, such as Computed Tomography, Angiography, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging which have made possible the acquisition of volumes where a volume of interest, e.g. the whole blood vessel tree, can be accurately visualized. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100054569 | Method for creating computed tomography recordings of a patient with metallic components - A method is disclosed for creating computed tomography recordings of a patient with metallic components. In at least one embodiment, the method includes scanning the patient by use of an x-ray tube detector system, with at least one sinogram being compiled; determining the detector signal data, which was attenuated by the metallic components in the patient; deleting the detector signal data, which was influenced by metallic components; determining the beam tracks in the sinogram at least of the volume elements, which are struck by beams which are attenuated by the metallic components and which cross the beam track of the deleted detector signal data in the sonogram; determining a minimal measurement value on each beam track respectively; adding together the minimal measurement values of the beam tracks to obtain the measurement points of the deleted detector signal data crossed by these beam tracks in the sonogram; and using this at least one sinogram determined in this manner to reconstruct computed tomography recordings of the patient without a metallic component, and displaying the reconstructed computed tomography recordings of the patient with metallic components. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100054570 | MOTION CORRECTED MULTINUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - The invention relates to a method for acquiring MR images ( | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100054571 | RADIOLOGICAL IMAGING APPARATUS - A radiological imaging apparatus of the present invention comprises an image pickup device and a medical examinee holding device that is provided with a bed. The image pickup device includes a large number of radiation detectors and radiation detector support plates. A large number of radiation detectors are mounted around the circumference of a through-hole and arranged in the axial direction of the through-hole. The radiation detectors are arranged in three layers formed radially with respect to the center of the through-hole and mounted on the lateral surfaces of the radiation detector support plates. Since the radiation detectors are not only arranged in the axial direction and circumferential direction of the through-hole but also arrayed in the radial direction, it is possible to obtain accurate information about a γ-ray arrival position in the radial direction of the through-hole (the positional information about a radiation detector from which a γ-ray image pickup signal is output). The use of accurate information about γ-ray arrival increases the tomogram accuracy. As a result, the present invention enhances the tomogram accuracy, that is, the PET examination accuracy. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100054572 | Fusion of Multiple Imaging Planes for Isotropic Imaging in MRI and Quantitative Image Analysis using Isotropic or Near-isotropic Imaging - In accordance with the present invention there is provided methods for generating an isotropic or near-isotropic three-dimensional images from two-dimensional images. In accordance with the present invention the method includes, obtaining a first image of a body part in a first plane, wherein the first image generates a first image data volume; obtaining a second image of the body part in a second plane, wherein the second image generates a second image data volume; and combining the first and second image data volumes to form a resultant image data volume, wherein the resultant image data volume is isotropic or near-isotropic. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100061609 | Quotient Appearance Manifold Mapping For Image Classification - Described herein is a technology for facilitating classification of an object. In one implementation, at least one quotient appearance manifold mapping is constructed from a sample image to untangle appearance fiber bundles. A feature characteristic of the sample image may then be extracted based on the quotient appearance manifold mapping. A classifier may further be trained based on the extracted feature, and adapted for associating the object with an object class. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100061610 | COMPUTER TOMOGRAPHY (CT) C-ARM SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EXAMINATION OF AN OBJECT - A Computer Tomography (CT) C-arm system and method for examination of an object is provided. The Computer Tomography (CT) C-arm system for examination of an object of interest, the CT-C-arm system comprises an X-ray tube adapted for generating X-rays, an X-ray detection unit to acquire a set of CT slices, wherein the X-ray tube, and the X-ray detection unit are adapted to be rotatable on a C-arm around a common axis around the object under examination and a processing unit by which the following steps are executable: acquiring a first 3D data volume of the CT slices using first scan parameters; adjusting the first data volume to a second data volume (segmented volume) such that voxel values of the first data volume of at least one predefined range of Hounsfield (H) are set to an at least one predefined H-value; generating a forward projection of the second data volume using the first scan parameters; reconstructing the projection to a third data volume; generating a fourth data volume (artefact-only volume) by subtracting the third volume with the second volume; generating a fifth volume by adding the first volume with the fourth volume. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100061611 | CO-REGISTRATION OF CORONARY ARTERY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY AND FLUOROSCOPIC SEQUENCE - A method for displaying real-time imagery of coronary arteries including a chronic total occlusion (CTO) includes acquiring three-dimensional image data of coronary arteries using a three-dimensional medical imaging device, wherein the three-dimensional image data includes imagery of the CTO. A radiocontrast agent is administered to a patient. Real-time image data of the coronary arteries are acquired using one or more fluoroscopes. The real-time image data does not include imagery of the CTO and down-stream vessel structure. The three-dimensional image data is co-registered with the real-time image data using an image processing device within a vicinity of the CTO. The co-registered image data are displayed in real-time using a display device to accurately illustrate the location of the CTO within the context of the real-time image data. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100061612 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ELASTIC COMPOSITION OF MEDICAL IMAGING VOLUMES - A method and system for improving the quality of composing image volumes using deformable registration, and a gradual elastic morphing to create a seamless whole body volume image from several component volumes from a 3D medical imager. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100067761 | AUTOMATIC INTERPRETATION OF 3-D MEDICINE IMAGES OF THE BRAIN AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING INTERMEDIATE RESULTS - Methods for fully automatic quantification and interpretation of three dimensional images of the brain or other organs. A system for Computer Aided Diagnosis (CAD) of diseases affecting cerebral cortex from SPECT images of the brain, where said images may represent cerebral blood flow (CBF). The methods include image processing, statistical shape models, a virtual brain atlas, reference databases and machine learning. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100067762 | Method for combining images and magnetic resonance scanner - A method is disclosed for combining a first image and a second image of an examination object, which images have an overlap region. A corresponding magnetic resonance scanner is also disclosed. In at least one embodiment, a superposed image is determined in the overlap region as a weighted superposition of the first image and the second image with a spatially variable weighting function. The first image and the second image are transformed on the basis of a comparison of the first image and/or the second image with the superposed image. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100067763 | Method for displaying image data of a large intestine of a patient on the basis of tomographic examination data - A method is disclosed for displaying image data of a large intestine of a patient on the basis of tomographic examination data. In at least one embodiment, the method includes scanning of the patient, after ingestion of a contrast agent, in at least two differently aligned positions using a tomography system and generating a tomographic image data record for each position; segmenting the large intestine in the tomographic data records; detecting and marking regions of the segmented large intestine with adjacent remaining stool in the intestine (covered regions); registering the segmented large intestine in the at least two tomographic image data records; displaying a tomographic display of the segmented large intestine including markings of the covered regions; and displaying a selection menu in which tomographic displays of the segmented large intestine in the at least two differently aligned positions of the patient, including a marking of the covered regions, can be selected alternatively. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100067764 | Method and System for Automatic Landmark Detection Using Discriminative Joint Context - A method and system for detecting anatomic landmarks in medical images is disclosed. In order to detect multiple related anatomic landmarks, a plurality of landmark candidates are first detected individually using trained landmark detectors. A joint context is then generated for each combination of the landmark candidates. The best combination of landmarks in then determined based on the joint context using a trained joint context detector. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100067765 | List Mode-Based Respiratory and Cardiac Gating in Positron Emission Tomography - According to a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a method for extracting internal organ motion from positron emission tomography (PET) coincidence data, the method comprising the following steps: generating a data stream of PET coincidence data using the list mode capability of a PET scanner; dividing the data stream into time frames of a given length; computing a histogram A(i, t) of an axial coincidence distribution for a set of time frames; computing the axial center of mass z(t) for each of the time frames in the set of time frames based on the histogram A(i, t); transforming z(t) into the frequency domain; determining either the frequency contribution caused by respiratory motion, given by f | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100067766 | EXTRACTING LOCATION INFORMATION USING DIFFERENCE IMAGES FROM A NON-PARALLEL HOLE COLLIMATOR - A method for tomographic nuclear imaging determines the distance between a non-parallel hole collimator surface and a region of interest (ROI) by obtaining difference images between images acquired at different view angles of the ROI. The distance may be used in a nuclear image reconstruction algorithm to more accurately reconstruct an image of the ROI. The method takes advantage of the non-stationary Point Spread Function of a non-parallel hole collimator to determine depth information of gamma events emitted from the ROI. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100067767 | X-RAY CT APPARATUS, MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An X-ray CT apparatus includes a perfusion data acquisition unit, a perfusion parameter calculating unit and a perfusion parameter display unit. The perfusion data acquisition unit generate perfusion data by exposing an X-ray to the object with injecting contrast medium. The perfusion parameter calculating unit calculates perfusion parameters corresponding to ROIs based on time variations in density of the contrast medium for the ROIs. The perfusion parameter display unit divides a period to be a calculation target of the time variations into plural time ranges and sequentially displays images each including the ROIs. The images correspond to the time ranges and mutually different time phases respectively and are masked so as to make only ROIs at which the perfusion parameters show values displayed. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100067768 | Method and System for Physiological Image Registration and Fusion - A method and system for physiological image registration and fusion is disclosed. A physiological model of a target anatomical structure in estimated each of a first image and a second image. The physiological model is estimated using database-guided discriminative machine learning-based estimation. A fused image is then generated by registering the first and second images based on correspondences between the physiological model estimated in each of the first and second images. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100074494 | Automated wall motion quantification in aortic dissections - A method of processing MRI images to determine one or more attributes of an anatomical feature. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100074495 | AC-PC SEGMENTATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A computer-implemented system and method of determining anterior commissure (AC) and posterior commissure (PC) points in a volumetric neuroradiological image. The method includes determining, by a computer, a mid-sagittal plane estimate to extract a mid-sagittal plane image from the volumetric neuroradiological image, and AC and PC point estimates in the mid-sagittal plane image. The method further includes determining, by the computer, a refined mid-sagittal plane estimate from the AC and PC point estimates to extract a refined mid-sagittal plane image, the AC point from the refined mid-sagittal plane image, and the PC point from the refined mid-sagittal plane image and the AC point. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100074496 | MULTI-DIMENSIONAL EMPIRICAL MODE DECOMPOSITION (EMD) METHOD FOR IMAGE TEXTURE ANALYSIS - A multi-dimensional empirical mode decomposition method is provided. The method can be applied in image texture analysis, such as medical image analysis. The method can adaptively decompose a three-dimensional image into a number of characteristic image layers and extract characteristic images showing more noticeable textures from the layers. The method uses the physical concept of field to perform the data mode decomposition to obtain envelope and tendency estimation of multi-dimensional data. The method can also be applied in time and frequency analysis of two-dimensional data or multi-channel data. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100074497 | STABILIZATION OF IMAGING METHODS IN MEDICAL DIAGNOSTICS - A method is provided for stabilizing imaging methods in medical diagnostics, in which a three-dimensional surface contour of a patient is acquired and is correlated with at least one imaging method. In addition, the present invention provides a corresponding medical diagnostic device. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100074498 | ON-LINE TOF-PET MASHED REBINNING FOR CONTINUOUS BED MOTION ACQUISITIONS - A patient bed drive mechanism, under control of a processor, is capable of continuously moving a patient bed through the a TOF-PET detector array having a stationary field of view (FOV) for a distance in excess of the physical extent of an axis of the array FOV. A direct memory access (DMA) rebinner card is coupled to the detector array to receive therefrom a stream of TOF-PET coincidence event data during the extent of movement of the bed. Image projection data are generated in real time from the acquired stream of TOF-PET coincidence event data via the DMA card. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100074499 | Method and System for Segmentation of Brain Structures in 3D Magnetic Resonance Images - A method and system for segmenting multiple brain structures in 3D magnetic resonance (MR) images is disclosed. After intensity standardization of a 3D MR image, a meta-structure including center positions of multiple brain structures is detected in the 3D MR image. The brain structures are then individually segmented using marginal space learning (MSL) constrained by the detected meta-structure. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100074500 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR 3D TIME OF FLIGHT PET FORWARD PROJECTION BASED ON AN EXACT AXIAL INVERSE REBINNING RELATION IN FOURIER SPACE - Methods and systems for reconstructing a nuclear medical image from time-of-flight (TOF) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging data are disclosed. Measured three-dimensional (3D) TOF-PET data, including direct two-dimensional (2D) projections and oblique 3D projection data, are acquired from a PET scanner. A model 3D image is preset, a modeled 2D TOF sinogram is generated from the model 3D image, and a modeled 3D TOF sinogram is generated from the 2D TOF sinogram based on an exact inverse rebinning relation in Fourier space. The model 3D image is corrected based on the 3D TOF sinogram and is provided as the reconstructed nuclear medical image. Techniques disclosed herein are useful for facilitating efficient medical imaging, e.g., for diagnosis of various bodily conditions. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100074501 | Co-Registering Attenuation Data and Emission Data in Combined Magnetic Resonance/Positron Emission Tomography (MR/PET) Imaging Apparatus - A method for co-registering attenuation data of MR coils in a MR/PET imaging system with PET emission data includes computing a likelihood of PET emission data on a grid in a parameter space based on an algorithm, wherein the algorithm defines L(λ, μbody, μcoils{p}) as a log-likelihood of measured PET data, where λ is an emitter distribution (image), μbody is a known linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) distribution of the body from MRI, μcoils is a linear attenuation coefficient map of MRI coils, and {p} is a set of parameters governing the position of each coil, wherein if μcoils is assumed, then λ can be reconstructed and forward projected and L can be computed. The method includes adjusting the estimated position of the MR coils to maximize the likelihood of emission data based on the computed L. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100074502 | Retrospective reconstruction of magnetic resonance images - A method, a system, a computer program product and a memory module are disclosed for computing images on the basis of raw data from an MR unit. In at least one embodiment, the raw data captured by the MR unit are buffered in a memory. When the raw data have been read from the buffer store, the parameters are captured by a computation unit, which computes an image from the raw data. In at least one embodiment, one and the same set of raw data can be used a plurality of times for differently parameterized computations by the computation unit without the need for fresh capture of the raw data. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100074503 | Method for generating computed tomography image data records of a patient in the heart CT scan during a perfusion control by applying contrast agent - A method is disclosed for generating computed tomography image data records of a patient in a heart CT scan during a perfusion control by applying contrast agent. In at least one embodiment, a plurality of temporally consecutive CT data records are recorded as an exposure series with a CT system and if necessary are reconstructed. These CT data records are improved for better visualization of the perfusion by way of electronic filtering and post-processing, with all projection and/or image data determined during a CT scan being used, however with the aid of frequency filtering only the data of a projection or of a reconstructed image for generating a final representation being used which does not fall within a predetermined local frequency range of a heart movement. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100080429 | ACCELERATED TEXTURE-BASED FUSION RENDERER - An exemplary method of combining two images to form a fused image is provided. A hierarchical structure for each of a plurality of volumes is built. All blocks in each of the hierarchical structures that intersect a slicing plane are found. Each of the plurality of volumes is divided into stacks of parallel slices, and the parallel slices are sorted by visibility order. A next slice in the sorted parallel slices is chosen. The next slice belongs to a current volume. Rendering parameters are changed if the current volume is different from a previous volume associated with the chosen slice in a previous iteration of the step of choosing the slice. Based on the rendering parameters, the next slice is rendered by intersecting the slicing plane with the blocks corresponding to the current volume. The steps of choosing the slice, changing the rendering parameters, and rendering the slice are repeated until all of the sorted parallel slices are rendered. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100080430 | NOISE SUPPRESSION IN DIAGNOSTIC IMAGES - A method for suppressing noise in a diagnostic image executes one or more iterations of segmenting the image to identify and label one or more regions in the image; and performing selective diffusion on at least one of the one or more labeled regions in the image. A homogeneity value is computed for the region. A diffusion conductance function is generated for the region according to an intensity gradient between adjacent digital image elements within the region. The diffusion process is applied to a plurality of digital image elements within the region. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100080431 | SMART PATIENT-MONITORING CHAIR - A patient carrier is hereby proposed for use in a radiation imaging suite, the patient carrier comprising at least one sensor configured to detect one or more parameters in a group of environmental parameters in the radiation imaging suite and physiological parameters of a patient positioned on the patient carrier, and an event initiator arranged to initiate an event in the radiation imaging suite based on the one or more detected parameters. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100080432 | TOOLS FOR AIDING IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100080433 | X-RAY COMPUTER TOMOGRAPHY APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - An X-ray computer tomography apparatus includes an X-ray tube, an X-ray detector, a rotating mechanism, a reconstruction unit which reconstructs multislice or volume image data based on the projection data detected by the X-ray detector, a profile generating unit which generates a CT value profile in the slice direction for each pixel by using image data, a profile portion extraction unit which extracts a profile portion exceeding a predetermined threshold from each of the CT value profiles, a scattered radiation distribution estimation unit which estimates a scattered radiation distribution centered on the profile portion based on the CT value integral and width of the profile portion, and a scattered radiation correction unit which corrects the image data based on the estimated scattered radiation distribution. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100080434 | Method and System for Hierarchical Parsing and Semantic Navigation of Full Body Computed Tomography Data - A method and apparatus for hierarchical parsing and semantic navigation of a full or partial body computed tomography CT scan is disclosed. In particular, organs are segmented and anatomic landmarks are detected in a full or partial body CT volume. One or more predetermined slices of the CT volume are detected. A plurality of anatomic landmarks and organ centers are then detected in the CT volume using a discriminative anatomical network, each detected in a portion of the CT volume constrained by at least one of the detected slices. A plurality of organs, such as heart, liver, kidneys, spleen, bladder, and prostate, are detected in a sense of a bounding box and segmented in the CT volume, detection of each organ bounding box constrained by the detected organ centers and anatomic landmarks. Organ segmentation is via a database-guided segmentation method. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100080435 | Method and apparatus for registering tomographic volume data records of the intestine - A method and an apparatus are disclosed for registering volume data records of the intestine which were recorded in different positions of a patient. In at least one embodiment of the method, an approximate registration is firstly performed on the basis of central lines. In a subsequent detailed registration, the approximate registration is refined on the basis of local anatomical features in the intestine, for example by using the profile of folds and/or the distance of intestinal sections from fixed points of the intestine. At least one embodiment of the method and/or the apparatus permit a more accurate registration of the at least two volume data records. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100086185 | Image creation, analysis, presentation and localization technology - Image processing, creation and analysis techniques include using computer technology to identify a plurality of structures of interest in an image, such as spinal discs in a medical diagnostic image. Such techniques can also be used to improve image creation through the use of localizers which can help identify portions of an image, and the use of computer programs to combine multiple images into a single image for review. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100086186 | Method and system for surgical planning - A method for surgical planning is disclosed. A set of related two-dimensional (2D) anatomical images or 3D images is displayed. A plurality of anatomical landmarks are identified on the set of anatomical images. A three-dimensional (3D) representation of a parent prosthesis is scaled to match a scale of the 2D anatomical images based at least in part on a relationship between the anatomical landmarks. A 2D representation of the scaled 3D parent prosthesis is displayed on at least one of the 2D anatomical images. A system for surgical planning is also disclosed. The system has a prosthesis knowledge-based information system, a patient anatomical-based information system, a user interface, and a controller. The controller has an anatomical landmark identifier. The controller also has a prosthesis-to-anatomical-feature relator. The controller is configured to display a set of related two-dimensional (2D) anatomical images from the patient anatomical-based information system on the user interface. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100086187 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FLEXIBLE RATE PROCESSING OF ULTRASOUND DATA - The invention is directed at a method and system for flexible rate processing of ultrasound data. In one embodiment, the method includes acquiring ultrasound data at a data acquisition rate; setting an inter-frameset data rate; selecting frames from acquired ultrasound data to form a plurality of framesets, where the framesets are spaced according to the inter-frameset data rate; and processing the data at the controlled data rates. In another embodiment, the system includes a data acquisition controller that collects ultrasound data at an acquisition rate; a memory that stores the ultrasound data; and a data processor that selects framesets at an inter-frameset data rate, wherein a frameset is a set of frames selected from memory, performs processing on a frameset, and outputs processed data at a product rate. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100086188 | Breast Tomosynthesis With Display Of Highlighted Suspected Calcifications - Systems and methods that facilitate the presentation and assessment of selected features in projection and/or reconstructed breast images, such as calcifications that meet selected criteria of size, shape, presence in selected slice images, distribution of pixels that could be indicative of calcification relative to other pixels or of other image features of clinical interest. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100092056 | Mri systems and realated methods - An MRI system is provided that includes a goal-oriented input interface and a result-oriented output interface. A method is provided for operating an apparatus for generating a magnetic resonance image. The method includes receiving goal-oriented input, acquiring volumetric magnetic resonance data based on the goal-oriented input, and providing result-oriented output of the acquired volumetric data. An apparatus is provided for generating a magnetic resonance image. The apparatus includes a plurality of RF receiving coils, a controller configured to receive signals from the RF receiving coils to acquire volumetric magnetic resonance data based on at least one goal-oriented input, and a user interface configured to receive goal-oriented input and provide result-oriented output indicative of the acquired volumetric data. The apparatus and methods provided can simplify the use of MRI systems via rapid comprehensive volumetric imaging. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100092057 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING A CONTAINMENT VESSEL - A method and system for identifying an object in an acquired image. The method includes detecting an object within the acquired image, and determining whether the detected object is a containment vessel. If the object is not a containment vessel, the method includes applying a first set of rules for classifying the object. If the object is a containment vessel, the method includes applying a second set of rules for classifying the object. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100092058 | METHOD FOR OBTAINING SPATIAL IMAGES THROUGH MRI AND PROCESSING THE RESULTING SPATIAL IMAGES AND PRODUCT - A method for recording a set of MRI images of a tissue pixel by pixel that evolve with time in a specific manner described by a function; processing the recorded MRI images by aggregating the pixels thereof according to a preselected aspect of time behavior; best fitting the aggregated pixels to a predetermined pixel function to obtain the parameters of the function; and presenting the parameters visually. A computer readable medium containing executable program instructions for carrying out the method. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100092059 | Creation Of Motion Compensated MRI M-Mode Images Of The Myocardial Wall - A method for displaying medical image data includes receiving medical image data including a myocardium. An endocardial contour is automatically segmented from the received medical image data. A center of mass of the automatically segmented endocardial contour is determined. A plurality of equiangular projections is defined beginning from the center of mass and projecting outwardly and cross the endocardial contour. A plurality of normal projections that correspond to the plurality of equiangular projections is defined. Each normal projection begins from an end of a corresponding equiangular projection and extends for a predetermined length, crossing the endocardial contour at a right angle. Dynamics of the myocardium along each normal projection are displayed as a function of time. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100092060 | X-Ray CT system and method for creating tomographic recordings with two x-ray energy spectra - An x-ray CT system and a method are disclosed for creating tomographic recordings with the aid of an x-ray CT system, with two emitter/detector arrangements operating with an angular offset on a gantry with at least two different x-ray energy spectra. In at least one embodiment, at least one first recording is reconstructed from detector data from two quarter rotations with different x-ray energy spectra and at least one second recording is created from detector data of a scan of at least one of the emitter/detector arrangements over a half rotation. According to at least one embodiment of the invention, the recordings are subjected to high-pass filtering or low-pass filtering in respect of their spatial frequencies and then the filtered recordings are combined to give a resulting recording. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100098309 | AUTOMATIC CLASSIFICATION OF INFORMATION IN IMAGES - A system and method of analyzing and using volumetric data of a patient is disclosed. Volumetric data characterizing a patient is obtained using an imaging modality such as a computerized tomographic device (CT), magnetic resonance imager (MR), or other tomographic modality. The volumetric data or image slices derived from the data is compared with anatomical image or model data from an anatomical atlas so as to associate the patient data with a body structure. The anatomical association is used as a search term in a data base to retrieve information which may be useful in diagnosis or treatment of the patient. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100098310 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING BODY WEIGHT AND FAT CONTENT USING COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY DATA - Methods and apparatus for determining body weight and fat content using computed tomography data are provided. One method includes acquiring a pre-scan image using a computed tomography imaging system and segmenting the pre-scan image into pixels representing imaged fat and pixels representing imaged tissue. The method further includes determining a lean body weight based on the segmented pixels representing imaged fat and imaged tissue. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100098311 | LIGHT DETECTION IN A PIXELATED PET DETECTOR - In nuclear imaging, solid state photo multipliers ( | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100098312 | EXACT AND APPROXIMATE REBINNING OF TIME-OF-FLIGHT PET POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY DATA - A technique for processing of data from time-of-flight (TOF) PET scanners. The size of TOF PET data may be reduced without significant loss of information through a process called rebinning. The rebinning may use the Fourier transform properties of the measured PET data, taken with respect to the time-of-flight variable, to perform data reduction. Through this rebinning process, TOF PET data may be converted to any of the following reduced representations: 2D TOF PET data, 3D non-TOF PET data, and 2D non-TOF PET data. Mappings may be exact or approximate. Approximate mappings may not require a Fourier transform in the axial direction which may have advantages when used with PET scanners of limited axial extent. Once TOF PET data is reduced in size using this rebinning, PET images may be reconstructed with hardware and/or software that is substantially less complex and that may run substantially faster in comparison to reconstruction from the original non-rebinned data. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100104157 | Magnetic resonance imager using cylindrical offset region of excitation, and method - A magnetic resonance imager performing images of a patient imager includes imaging coils. The imager includes receiver coils The imager includes a computer that causes the imaging coils to produce a first steady-state free precession excitation slab with respect to a first position regarding a target of the patient during a first repetition time, and a second steady-state free precession excitation slab with respect to a second position different from the first position regarding the target during a second repetition time; and forming a first 3-D dataset of the target associated with the first excitation slab and a second 3-D image dataset of the target associated with the second excitation slab from information received from the receiver coils. The first 3-D image dataset and the second 3-D image dataset, together defining a series of 3-D image datasets for each repetition time; and producing an image of the target from the series of 3-D image datasets. A method for analyzing a patient. A method to evaluate coronary arteries to assess their degree of stenosis. A computer program which, when executed by a computer of a Magnetic Resonance Imager, forms an image of a patient. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100104158 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MATCHING LOCAL SELF-SIMILARITIES - A method includes matching at least portions of first, second signals using local self-similarity descriptors of the signals. The matching includes computing a local self-similarity descriptor for each one of at least a portion of points in the first signal, forming a query ensemble of the descriptors for the first signal and seeking an ensemble of descriptors of the second signal which matches the query ensemble of descriptors. This matching can be used for image categorization, object classification, object recognition, image segmentation, image alignment, video categorization, action recognition, action classification, video segmentation, video alignment, signal alignment, multi-sensor signal alignment, multi-sensor signal matching, optical character recognition, image and video synthesis, correspondence estimation, signal registration and change detection. It may also be used to synthesize a new signal with elements similar to those of a guiding signal synthesized from portions of the reference signal. Apparatus is also included. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100104159 | X-RAY CT APPARATUS - An X-ray CT apparatus is configured capable of properly calculating a radiation dosed amount more approximating to an actually exposed radiation dose that includes scattering rays of an examined object from data measured at the scanning time. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100104160 | IMAGE VIEWING WINDOW - A method for visualizing a region of interest within a viewport includes presenting tomographic image data as an image in a viewport using a set of global image processing operations, presenting a viewing window in the main viewport; and using a second, different set of image processing operations that is local to the viewing window, wherein the second, different set of image processing operations reduces image artifact with respect to a desired structure of interest in the viewing window. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100104161 | PROJECTION SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING ATTENUATION COMPONENTS - The invention relates to a projection system for producing attenuation components of projection data of a region of interest. The projection system comprises a projection data providing unit ( | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100104162 | Systems And Methods For Ultrasound Simulation Using Depth Peeling - Systems and methods for ultrasound simulation using depth peeling are disclosed. In one disclosed embodiment, a method includes the steps of receiving a sensor signal including a position and an orientation of a simulated ultrasound device, the position and orientation associated with a virtual physical environment comprising a first virtual object; determining a first peel associated with the first virtual object; determining a second peel associated with the first virtual object; determining a first characteristic of a pixel located between the first peel and the second peel; generating a display signal based on the first characteristic, the display signal configured to cause a visual display of the virtual physical environment; and outputting the display signal to a display device. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100119135 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE FOR MATCHING IMAGES OF A SAME PORTION OF A BODY OBTAINED BY MAGNETIC RESONANCE AND ULTRASOUNDS - According to the invention, a device (D) is dedicated to the processing of data consisting of images of a portion or portions of a body, the device (D) includes processing means (MT) capable of, in the presence of first data representative of the elementary portions of an image obtained by magnetic resonance in a region of the body and of second data representative of the elementary portions of images obtained by ultrasounds in a portion of that region: i) generating first and second maps of the probability that the elementary portions belong to structures of interest of the portion of the region based at least on the intensities associated thereto and respectively defined by the first and second data; ii) estimating a conversion for shifting from one of the first and second maps to the other while maximising for each of their elementary portion the joined probability that it belongs to a same structure of interest; and iii) resetting the structures of interest of one of the first and second maps relative to those of the other by means of the conversion. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100119136 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGE CLASSIFICATION METHOD - A plurality of images obtained by multi-station imaging are classified. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100119137 | Method and System for Anatomic Landmark Detection Using Constrained Marginal Space Learning and Geometric Inference - A method and apparatus for detecting multiple anatomical landmarks in a 3D volume. A first anatomical landmark is detected in a 3D volume using marginal space learning (MSL). Locations of remaining anatomical landmarks are estimated in the 3D volume based on the detected first anatomical landmark using a learned geometric model relating the anatomical landmarks. Each of the remaining anatomical landmarks is then detected using MSL in a portion of the 3D volume constrained based on the estimated location of each remaining landmark. This method can be used to detect the anatomical landmarks of the crista galli (CG), tip of the occipital bone (OB), anterior of the corpus callosum (ACC), and posterior of the corpus callosum (PCC) in a brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) volume. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100119138 | MOTION COMPENSATION IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - In a method of compensating for the effects of motion of an image subject during magnetic resonance imaging using phase encoding in a magnetic resonance imaging system having a number of wireless local coils and a wireless microwave transceiver array, one or more phase encoding steps are implemented to derive one or more magnetic resonance signals in the wireless coils. The signals from the phase encoding steps are upconverted to generate upper and lower sidebands of the magnetic resonance signals; and the upconverted upper and lower sideband signals are transmitted to the microwave array. Signals are derived from the upper and lower sidebands; and a representative phase difference between the signals derived from the upper and lower sidebands is determined from one or more of the phase encoding steps; then the representative phase difference is applied to each pair of derived signals for every phase encoding step to produce phase compensated signal pairs; such that the pair of signals are moved more closely into phase. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100119139 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ERROR COMPENSATION - A method includes generating a plurality of scatter distributions based on geometric models having different object to detector distances, determining an imaged object to detector distance, and identifying a scatter distribution of the plurality of scatter distributions having a object to detector distance that corresponds to the imaged object to detector distance. The method also includes employing the identified scatter distribution to scatter correct projection data corresponding to the imaged object. Another method includes generating an estimate of wedge scatter by propagating a predetermined wedge scatter profile through an intermediate reconstruction of an object; and employing the estimate to wedge scatter correct the projection data. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100124366 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WIRELESS CONTROL OF MEDICAL DEVICES - A system and method for controlling a body-scanning device with a wireless footswitch is disclosed. The method includes polling a status of a plurality of switches on a wireless footswitch using a microprocessor. A pulsed signal is sent from the microprocessor to a watchdog timer. The pulsed signal is pulsed at a predetermined rate when the microprocessor is operating within selected operating parameters. The microprocessor is reset when the pulsed signal is pulsed at a rate less than the predetermined rate. The status of the plurality of switches on the wireless footswitch is transmitted to a receiver connected to the scanning device to enable the scanning device to be controlled by actuating at least one of the plurality of switches on the wireless footswitch. | 05-20-2010 |
| 20100128946 | SYSTEMS, APPARATUS AND PROCESSES FOR AUTOMATED MEDICAL IMAGE SEGMENTATION USING A STATISTICAL MODEL - A system and process for analyzing multidimensional data characterizing a least a portion of a subject is described. An input module accepts at least one multidimensional dataset which is derived from any of several types of data sources. A registration module accepts the dataset from the input module and registers the dataset from the input module to a selected anatomical model to provide a registered dataset. A processing module is coupled to the registration module and uses this in determining a core region and associated core region information, and computes threshold characteristics of the registered dataset. A segmentation module accepts the registered dataset and the core region information from the processing module, and segments the registered dataset to provide a segmented description of an organ from the registered dataset and core region information, where the segmented, registered dataset describes characteristics of the organ of the subject. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100128947 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING A CARDIAC AXIS - An apparatus, system and method to determine a coordinate system of a heart includes an imager and a computer. The computer is programmed to acquire a first set of initialization imaging data from an anatomical region of a free-breathing subject. A portion of the first set of initialization imaging data includes organ data, which includes cardiac data. The computer is further programmed to determine a location of a central region of a left ventricle of a heart, where the location is based on the organ data and a priori information. The computer is also programmed to determine a short axis of the left ventricle based on the determined location, acquire a first set of post-initialization imaging data from the free-breathing subject from an imaging plane orientation based on the determination of the short axis, and reconstruct at least one image from the first set of post-initialization imaging data. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100128948 | FORWARD PROJECTION FOR THE GENERATION OF COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IMAGES AT ARBITRARY SPECTRA - The present technology relates to the generation of a CT image under an arbitrary energy spectrum based on the results of a dual energy scan. In certain embodiments, a dual energy scan is conducted of an object and material basis decomposition is used to decompose the scanned object into two basis materials with known attenuation properties resulting in material density images. Along with knowledge of other imaging system information, forward projection is done under an arbitrary kV spectrum to generate an image as if the scanned object was scanned under this different kV spectrum. This prevents users from conducting unnecessary additional scans. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100128949 | COMPRESSION AND STORAGE OF PROJECTION DATA IN A COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY SYSTEM - A computed tomography system has a stationary part, a rotatable part mounted for rotation around an object to be examined and an interface between the stationary part and the rotatable part. The rotatable part includes an x-ray source, a sensor array for detecting x-rays passing through the object to produce projection data samples, a compressor that compresses the projection data samples and a storage device that stores the compressed samples. The storage device on the rotatable part can include one or more solid state drives. For image reconstruction, the compressed samples are retrieved from the storage device, transferred across the interface to the stationary part. A decompressor at the stationary part decompresses the received compressed samples and provides decompressed samples to the image reconstruction processor. This abstract does not limit the scope of the invention as described in the claims. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100128950 | Computer-Aided Detection of Regions of Interest in Tomographic Breast Imagery - Disclosed are methods, and associated systems comprising processors, input devices and output devices, of detecting regions of interest in a tomographic breast image. The methods may comprise: acquiring tomographic breast image data; deriving a plurality of synthetic sub-volumes from the tomographic breast image data; wherein each subvolume is defined by parallel planar top and bottom surfaces; wherein planar top and bottom surfaces of successive subvolumes are parallel to each other; and wherein a top planar surface of a sub-volume is offset from a top planar surface of a prior sub-volume, such that successive sub-volumes overlap; for each sub-volume, deriving a two-dimensional image; for each two-dimensional image, identifying regions of interest therein; deriving at least one region of interest of potential clinical interest from a plurality of identified regions of interest; and outputting information associated with at least one derived region of interest of potential clinical interest. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100128951 | Radiotherapeutic Apparatus and Methods - A treatment planning apparatus for radiation treatment is described, adapted to accept a treatment plan comprising (i) a prior image of a region to be treated and a plurality of dose locations within the prior image, and (ii) a current image of the region to be treated, the apparatus comprising an associating means arranged, for each dose location, to locate an anatomical structure in the prior image proximate that dose location; a comparator for comparing the prior image and the current image, locating in the current image at least those anatomical structures that are associated with a dose location, and determining a transformation between the prior image and the current image for each anatomical structure; and a processing means for determining a current dose location by applying to each dose location the transformation determined in respect of the associated anatomical structure. This is particularly useful for the neck region of a patient, where the likelihood and magnitude of movements are both high, but there are plenty of distinguishable anatomical features in the form of the vertebrae. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100128952 | CORRECTION OF ARTIFACTS IN TIME-OF-FLIGHT MR ANGIOGRAPHY - In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus for correction of artifacts in time-of-flight (TOF) MR angiography, MR signals are acquired in a target volume with the TOF MR angiography technique to generate multiple MR angiography images, pixels with background signal are identified in the angiography images by separation of these pixels from noise and vessel pixels, a signal profile of the pixels with background signal is determined across the target volume, and the MR signal of a predetermined set of pixels of the target volume is normalized with the signal profile of the pixels with background signal. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100128953 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REGISTERING A MEDICAL IMAGE - A method for registering a medical image with a model mapping a skeletal structure. The method comprises receiving a medical image depicting a plurality of bones, providing a statistical model mapping a reference skeletal structure having a plurality of reference anatomical elements, and registering medical image with the statistical model according to at least one constraint defined by the plurality of reference anatomical elements. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100128954 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SEGMENTING MEDICAL IMAGING DATA ACCORDING TO A SKELETAL ATLAS - A method for segmenting a medical image. The method comprises providing a registration of a medical image depicting a plurality of bones with a skeletal atlas mapping an exemplary skeletal structure having a plurality of exemplary bones, identifying at least one component having at least one anatomical characteristic indicative of a predefined organ in the medical image, each the at least one component depicting at least one of the plurality of bones, and segmenting at least one region of interest (ROI) around the at least one component within the medical image according to at least one respective the exemplary bone pertaining to the predefined organ. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100135556 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OUTLINING A REGION IN POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY STUDIES - In a method and system for outlining a region of interest in a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan study, a processor may, based on application of Masked Volume Wise Principal Component Analysis (MVW-PCA) to a plurality of scan images, generate a PC2 image showing kinetic behavior of a particular part of a subject, in particular, the grey matter of the cerebellar cortex of the subject, and may outline, in the PC2 image, a region of the PC2 image having highest pixel intensity values of the PC2 image or of a portion thereof as a region of interest, and, in particular, as a reference region. The processor may generate a PC3 image showing kinetic behavior of a different part of the subject, in particular, blood vessels of the subject, import the outline into the PC3 image to determine the correctness of the outline, and modify the outline if it is incorrect. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100135557 | SELECTION METHOD FOR TWO CONTRAST MEDIA FOR USE IN A DUAL-ENERGY CT EXAMINATION, CONTRAST MEDIA COMBINATION AND GENERATION OF CT IMAGES USING A CONTRAST MEDIA COMBINATION AND DIFFERENT ENERGY SPECTRA - A method is disclosed for selecting two contrast agents to be used in a dual energy CT examination of a patient. In at least one embodiment, the method includes determining the gradient of a connecting line between a first material or a first tissue type and a second material or second tissue type in an HU value diagram of the energy-specific HU values, selecting a first contrast agent with an enhancement gradient which is significantly greater than the determined base gradient, and selecting a second contrast agent, the enhancement of which lies in the significance region of the determined base gradient. A contrast agent combination selected in the fashion is also disclosed in at least one embodiment, as well as the generation of CT images using a contrast agent combination selected in the fashion and using different energy spectra. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100135558 | System and Method for Generating a 2D Image from a Tomosynthesis Data Set - 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. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100135559 | HYBRID MR/PET WITH CORRECTION FOR RADIATION ABSORPTION BY MR COIL - An imaging method comprises: acquiring magnetic resonance data of a subject using a magnetic resonance component ( | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100135560 | IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - A method for generating data indicating a degree of anatomical connectivity for each of a plurality of image elements, each image element representing a part of a body to be imaged. The method comprises for each of a plurality of image elements, that image element and others of said plurality of image elements; for each of said plurality of image elements, generating data indicating a degree of connectivity of that image element, said degree of connectivity being based upon said plurality of generated data sets. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100135561 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATED INTERPRETATION OF COMPUTER TOMOGRAPHY SCAN DATA - Disclosed is a method for interpreting image data that represents variations in density of matter inside a subject. For instance, a data processing system may receive image data from a scan of a subject. The data processing system automatically discerns one or more bones, one or more arteries, and one or more organs of the subject, based at least in part on the image data. The data processing system may also automatically identify one or more of the discerned bones, arteries, and organs. The data processing system may also produce output that depicts one or more of the identified bones, one or more of the identified arteries, and/or one or more of the identified organs, for use by a radiologist or other user. Other embodiments are described and claimed. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100135562 | COMPUTER-AIDED DETECTION WITH ENHANCED WORKFLOW - Described herein is a technology for supporting an efficient workflow. In one implementation, a computer system receives at least one image of a subject and at least one corresponding image finding ( | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100135563 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ESTABLISHING A POSITION OF A PHANTOM IN AN IMAGE QUALITY TEST - In a method and apparatus for establishing the position of one or more constituent elements of a phantom in an image quality test for a medical imaging apparatus, an image of the phantom is obtained, and a landmark pixel or region of the image determined. Values of a given variable at pixels or regions at a predetermined distance from the landmark pixel or region are determined. The landmark pixel or region and the values of the variable are then used to establish the position of one or more of the constituent elements of the phantom. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100135564 | APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF SELECTING MATERIAL TRIPLETS FOR A MULTI-MATERIAL DECOMPOSITION - An imaging system includes an x-ray source configured to emit a beam of x-rays toward an object to be imaged, a detector configured to receive x-rays that are attenuated by the object, a data acquisition system (DAS) operably coupled to the detector, and a computer operably coupled to the DAS. The computer is programmed to obtain scan data with two or more incident energy spectra, identify one or more material triplet combinations based on data obtained prior to obtaining the scan data, decompose the obtained scan data into three or more basis materials based on the identified one or more material triplet combinations, and generate an image using the decomposed scan data. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100142780 | OPTICAL IMAGE MEASURING DEVICE, OPTICAL IMAGE MEASURING PROGRAM, FUNDUS OBSERVATION DEVICE, AND FUNDUS OBSERVATION PROGRAM - An optical image measuring device which can form a highly reliable image even if an object moves during scanning of a signal light is provided. An optical image forming device | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100142781 | Systems and Method for Adaptive Beamforming for Image Reconstruction and/or Target/Source Localization - Methods, systems and computer readable media for reconstruction of target locations and amplitudes from signals received from one or more real targets in a space are provided, wherein the signals are at least one of signals received from the near-field and broadband signals. The space is modeled as a region of interest, and an array manifold matrix is calculated from signals received from hypothetical targets in the region of interest. One or more signal vectors received from the one or more real targets are reshaped into a data vector. A hypothetical target configuration is identified that, when applied to a signal model comprising the array manifold matrix, matches the data vector, a reconstruction vector is calculated. The reconstruction vector is reshaped into a reconstructed representation of the real targets in the space, and at least one of outputting the reconstructed representation for viewing by a user, and storing the reconstructed representation for later use are performed. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100142782 | PHOTODIODE ARRAY OUTPUT SIGNAL MULTIPLEXING - There is disclosed an imaging system comprising: a first integrated circuit including a photodiode array comprising a plurality of integrating photodiode elements formed in an array of rows and columns, the integrated circuit providing a plurality of output signals corresponding to an output of each photodiode; and a second integrated circuit for receiving as inputs the plurality of output signals from the first integrated circuit and including a plurality of multiplexers corresponding to the number of columns in the array, the outputs signals from a respective column forming inputs to a respective multiplexer, each multiplexer for selectively connecting one of the output signals to a multiplexer output, wherein each multiplexer is selectively switched between the plurality of output signals by a plurality of control lines, the number of control lines corresponding to the number of rows in the array. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100142783 | AXIAL CENTERLINE FOLLOWING DISPLAY OF CT COLONOGRAPHY IMAGES - A method for displaying colonography images includes presenting a series of axial images of the colon at sequential locations along the colon centerline. Each image is generally centered on the centerline and presents a field of view parallel to the axial plane. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100142784 | FAST TWO-POINT MAPPING OF THE BOUND POOL FRACTION AND CROSS-RELAXATION RATE CONSTANT FOR MRI - A two-point reconstruction technique provides an efficient clinical method for measuring parametric bound pool fraction and cross-relaxation rate constant spatial distributions in biological objects from two experimental measurements based on magnetization transfer effect obtained in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The method is based on linearization of an analytical pulsed magnetization transfer mathematical model so that spatial distribution maps of the bound pool fraction and cross-relaxation rate constant can be obtained in a time-efficient manner by using only two experimental magnetization transfer images of the bio-logical object in which water and macromolecules are present. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100142785 | POSITIVE CONTRAST MR SUSCEPTIBILITY IMAGING - A method for generating an image comprises: acquiring a magnetic resonance image (D | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100142786 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COMPUTER-AIDED DIAGNOSIS OF CANCER AND PRODUCT - Method and apparatus performing dynamic contrast-enhanced-magnetic resonance imaging on tissue to obtain a plurality of datasets of images. Principal component analysis is performed on each dataset to obtain a covariance matrix and its corresponding eigenvalues and eigenvectors and produce a common base of eigenvectors. The dominant eigenvectors that are not associated with instrumental and random noise, commonly the 2 | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100142787 | Method and System for Left Ventricle Detection in 2D Magnetic Resonance Images Using Ranking Based Multi-Detector Aggregation - A method and system for left ventricle (LV) detection in 2D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images is disclosed. In order to detect the LV in a 2D MRI image, a plurality of LV candidates are detected, for example using marginal space learning (MSL) based detection. Candidates for distinctive anatomic landmarks associated with the LV are then detected in the 2D MRI image. In particular, apex candidates and base candidates are detected in the 2D MRI image. One of the LV candidates is selected as a final LV detection result by ranking the LV candidates based on the LV candidates, the apex candidates, and the base candidates using a trained ranking model. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100142788 | MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD - There is provided a medical image processing apparatus for visualizing a tubular tissue contained in volume data. The apparatus includes: a central path determination section that determines a central path of the tubular tissue; a diameter determination section that determines a diameter of the tubular tissue at a certain point on the central path; a spacing determination section that determines at least two or more different projection spacings for projecting virtual rays along the central path, depending on the diameter of the tubular tissue; a cylindrical projection section that projects the virtual rays along the central path with the projection spacing that depends on the diameter of the tubular tissue; and an image generation section that generates a cylindrical projection image of the tubular tissue, based on information provided by projecting the virtual rays and the volume data. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100142789 | METHOD FOR CORRECTING MOTION ARTIFACTS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGES - For resonance image data of an imaged subject, a method that first detects and estimates the dominant motions of k-space data (i.e., the motion vectors) and then constructs a graphical model for each estimated motion vector. The segments of the k-space that are determined to be corrupted by motion are restored by minimizing the energy associated with the corresponding graphical model. Consequently, the MR image of the imaged subject becomes free of motion artifacts. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100150419 | METHOD OF MODIFYING A SEGMENTED VOLUME - A method of modifying a segmented volume is disclosed herein. The method includes generating a reduced-resolution segmentation mask including a segmented region. The method includes performing a morphological erosion on the segmented region to form an eroded region and performing a morphological dilation on the eroded region to form a dilated region. The method also included identifying a leakage region in the segmented volume based on the dilated region and removing the leakage region from the segmented region to form an updated segmented volume. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100150420 | METHOD FOR DETECTING GROUND GLASS OPACITY USING CHEST COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY - There is provided a method for detecting Ground Glass Opacity (GGO) using chest computed tomography. The method includes detecting a candidate cell having a brightness value within a detection range by sequentially scanning a three-dimensional image of a pulmonary region, and designating the candidate cell as a seed cell when surrounding cells of the candidate cell have brightness values within the detection range; when a plurality of seed cells are obtained by the designating of the candidate cell as a seed cell, grouping adjacent seed cells to obtain one or more candidate zones; and detecting one or more zones, which have a greater size than a GGO detection size and including therein more than the detection reference number of seed cells, out of the one or more candidate zones, and setting the detected one or more zones as one or more GGO candidates. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100150421 | X-RAY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY APPARATUS, MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, X-RAY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY METHOD, AND MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An X-ray computed tomography apparatus includes, an X-ray source which irradiates an object with X-rays spreading in a slice direction, an X-ray detector including a plurality of X-ray detection elements which are juxtaposed in the slice direction and detect X-rays transmitted through the object, a reconstruction unit which includes a back-projection unit which obtains back-projection data relating to each of a plurality of pixels defined in an imaging area by performing back projection of data acquired by the X-ray detector and an interpolation unit which interpolates the data, and performs reconstruction processing for an image, and a setting unit which sets central positions of a plurality of pixels in the imaging area in the reconstruction processing to positions offset from positions corresponding to centers of the X-ray detection elements in the slice direction. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100150422 | Systems and Methods for Extending Imaging Depth Range of Optical Coherence Tomography Through Optical Sub-Sampling - Exemplary embodiments of systems and methods can be provided which can generate data associated with at least one sample. For example, using at least one first arrangement, it is possible to forward at least one first radiation to the sample(s) so as to cause at least one second radiation to be provided from the sample(s) that can be based on the first radiation(s). In addition, using at least one second arrangement, it is possible to receive the second radiation from the sample(s), generate a plurality of distinct measurements regarding at least one portion of the sample(s) based the second radiation(s), and characterize the portion(s) over a plurality of continuous resolvable depth points thereof which are associated with the distinct measurements. Further, the characterization of the at least one portion can be resolved and distinctly characterized at a number of the depth points which is greater than a number of the distinct measurements. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100158333 | RESOLUTION IMPROVEMENT IN EMISSION OPTICAL PROJECTION TOMOGRAPHY - A method of reducing blur in an optical projection tomography (OPT) image comprises filtering the frequency space information of OPT image data to reduce the effects of out-of-focus data and defocused in-focus data and reconstructing the filtered OPT data. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100158334 | Non-invasive joint evaluation - Disclosed, in one general aspect, is a musculoskeletal imaging system that includes a source of feature data extracted from imaging data resulting from imaging acquisitions from joints of different individuals affected by different diseases, and this feature data includes disease characteristic categorization information for a plurality of disease categories. A comparison module is operative to compare patient imaging data resulting from an imaging acquisition from a joint of a patient with the feature data. The comparison module is also operative to provide at least one categorization indicator for the patient imaging data that indicates a correspondence between spatial information in the patient imaging data and the disease categories for which there is extracted categorization information in the feature data. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100158335 | METHOD AND APPARATUS OF CONE BEAM CT DYNAMIC IMAGING - A cone-beam scanning system scans along a half circle. The reconstruction uses a weighting function which decreases for rows farther from the scan plane to take the redundancy of the projection data into account. Another embodiment uses a circle plus sparse helical scan geometry. Image data can be taken in real time. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100158336 | IMAGE DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS AND IMAGE DIAGNOSIS METHOD - A detector detects gamma-rays emitted from inside an imaging region. An acquisition unit acquires a plurality of first projection data sets associated with a plurality of projection angles via the detector. An attenuation-correction unit attenuation-correct the plurality of first projection data sets based on a first CT image associated with the imaging region to generate a plurality of second projection data sets associated with the plurality of projection angles. An index calculation unit calculates an index based on the plurality of second projection data sets. The index is corresponding to a degree of positional offset between the imaging region at the time of acquisition of a plurality of third projection data sets associated with the first CT image and the imaging region at the time of acquisition of the plurality of first projection data sets. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100158337 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PERFORMING A COMPARISON BETWEEN A LEFT AND A RIGHT HALF OF THE BRAIN OF A PATIENT - In order to compare a left and a right half of the brain of a patient on the basis of medical 2D or 3D image data records for determining the perfusion, the brain of the patient is subdivided into brain regions, wherein the number of brain regions is an even number n, a number n/2 of the brain regions being arranged in the right half of the brain and a number n/2 of the brain regions being arranged in the left half of the brain, with each of the brain regions arranged in the right half of the brain being unambiguously assigned to a brain region arranged in the left half of the brain, and the brain being subdivided by planes standing perpendicularly on a median sagittal plane. In at least one embodiment, the image data records are segmented, wherein brain image data records are generated which only include those picture elements of the image data records which represent the brain of the patient. In at least one embodiment, n partial image data records are determined in each of the brain image data records, wherein an m-th partial image data record only include those picture elements of the respective brain image data record, which represent an m-th of the n brain regions, with m=1 . . . n. In at least one embodiment, one or more characteristic values are calculated per m-th brain region by evaluating all m-th partial image data records according to a prescribed evaluation method. Finally, in at least one embodiment, the characteristic values of brain regions unambiguously assigned to one another are evaluated according to predetermined criteria for comparing the right and left half of the brain. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100158338 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUISITION OF A MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE - In a method for image data acquisition with a magnetic resonance device that has a movable patient table, a localizer of the anatomy of a patient is acquired, suitable slice geometry information is automatically determined from the localizer for the diagnostic question, a patient table position is automatically determined under consideration of the slice geometry information, that causes a slice or slice group determined from the slice geometry information to be in or optimally close to the isocenter of the magnetic resonance device, the patient table is automatically driven into the patient table position, and the diagnostic image data are acquired. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100158339 | OPTICAL STRUCTURE OBSERVATION APPARATUS AND STRUCTURE INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD OF THE SAME - An optical structure observation apparatus which acquires a plurality of pieces of optical structure information of a measured object obtained by scanning a scan surface constituted of a first direction which is a depth direction of the measured object having a layer structure and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, by using a low coherence light, while shifting a position along a third direction which is a direction orthogonal to the scan surface, and constructs an optical stereoscopic structure image based on a plurality of pieces of the optical structure information which are acquired, comprising:
| 06-24-2010 |
| 20100158340 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMAGE SEGMENTATION WITH A MULTI-STAGE CLASSIFIER - The systems and methods described herein provide for fast and accurate image segmentation through the application of a multi-stage classifier to an image data set. An image processing system is provided having a processor configured to apply a multi-stage classifier to the image data set to identify a distinctive region. The, multi-stage classifier can include two or more component classifiers. The first component classifier can have a sensitivity level configured to identify one or more target regions in the image data set and the second component classifier can have a specificity level configured to confirm the presence of the distinctive region in any identified target regions. Also provided is a classification array having multiple multi-stage classifiers for identification and confirmation of more than one distinctive region or for the application of different classification configurations to the image data set to identify a specific distinctive region. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100166273 | Method and Device for Representing Multichannel Image Data - The invention relates to a method for display of multi-channel image data, characterized in that multi-channel image data of an object that are provided by multiple channels of an imaging device are received, an image synthesis is performed on the basis of the multi-channel image data, and a synthesized image data set is output on a display device, characterized in that the image synthesis is performed in a way that the single-channel image data are temporally shifted according to a given function and the parameters of the given function are controllable by a user during the output of the synthesized image data set on the display device. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for display of multi-channel image data with an appliance for receiving multi-channel image data of an object that are provided by multiple channels of an imaging device, a computation unit for the execution of an image synthesis which is performed on the basis of the multi-channel image data, and an output unit for the display of synthesized image data sets, characterized in that the computation unit is designed in a way that for the image synthesis the single-channel image data are temporally shifted according to a given function and parameters of the given function are controllable by a user during the output of the synthesized image data set on the display device. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100166274 | LOCAL MOTION COMPENSATION BASED ON LIST MODE DATA - Abstract: A method for locally correcting motion in an image reconstructed by a reconstruction system ( | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100166275 | MODEL-BASED METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMAGE SEGMENTATION AND MODELLING - A method is proposed for segmenting a 2- or 3-D space, spanned by a set of medical data comprising intensity values at locations within the space, to estimate the position of an object of medical significance. The method using a level set function having a level set which provides a model of boundary of the object. The level set function is iteratively updated by a force defined based on the medical data. For computational efficiency, only the force in the narrowband of the model boundary needs to be calculated. Minimisation of an energy function, related to the force, provides a termination condition for the iteration. High level knowledge can be incorporated in several ways, such as by an explicit force term which takes over from the force based on the medical data when prior knowledge of the object is about to be violated by the model. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100166276 | PROBABILISTIC SEGMENTATION IN COMPUTER-AIDED DETECTION - Described herein is a method and system for facilitating segmentation of images. A difference image is received and processed to extract at least one histogram ( | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100166277 | Method for noise reduction of CT images and image processing system - A method is disclosed for noise reduction of CT image data and an image processing system is disclosed. An object under examination is scanned and at least two CT image datasets are created, each being undertaken on the basis of a different x-ray generation process. Subsequently, the image datasets are split up into at least two split-up image datasets, with a lowest local frequency band and at least one high local frequency band. In at least one embodiment, this is followed by the determination of the noise in at least one of the image datasets for each x-ray spectrum and calculation of at least one new image dataset using an unchanged split-up image dataset in each case with the lowest frequency band and an image dataset created from a noise-minimized weighted combination of split-up image datasets, which originate from the scans with different x-ray energy spectrums. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100166278 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging For Diagnostic Mapping Of Tissues - Methods of, and systems for, magnetic resonance imaging of diagnostic mapping of tissues, where sodium mapping is performed individually, as well as in combination with other images of tissue, such as T1ρ, T2, and/or T1-weighted images. In one method embodiment, a sodium image of the tissue is acquired during the same scanning session. Maps are constructed of each of the first and sodium images individually, and in combination, and further facilitate viewing in combination with each other as a single, blended image of the tissue. Maps of the images may be displayed individually or in combination with each other. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100166279 | TRANSMITTER/RECEIVER ANTENNA FOR MR WITH IMPROVED DECOUPLING BETWEEN ANTENNA ELEMENTS - The invention relates to a magnetic resonance tomograph having a magnetic resonance system comprising at least two high-frequency transmitting/receiving units, each containing 1) a high-frequency transmitting/receiving coil ( | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100166280 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL SHAPE DATA PROCESSING APPARATUS AND THREE-DIMENSIONALSHAPE DATA PROCESSING METHOD - A three-dimensional shape data processing apparatus includes a data input unit configured to input data of a first tomographic image group including a plurality of tomographic images and data of a second tomographic image group including a plurality of tomographic images, wherein at least a part of an image capturing area of the second tomographic image group is overlapped with at least a part of an image taking area of the first tomographic image groups, and a combination unit configured to combine first three-dimensional shape data and second three-dimensional shape data into one piece of three-dimensional shape data according to an estimated accuracy estimated values of the first and second three-dimensional shape data at a plurality of positions. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100166281 | METHOD FOR DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN GRAY MATTER AND WHITE MATTER AND CT SYSTEM FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD - A method for distinguishing between gray matter and white matter starting from a time-dependent computed tomography image data record from a perfusion CT examination is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, a plurality of time-independent images are calculated from the time-dependent image data record, a plurality of threshold histogram analyses are performed in order to determine regions of the brain which can be assigned to one or more types of cerebral matter, and subsequently the region of gray matter is determined from the information obtained in respect of type and region of the cerebral matter using at least one logical combination and at least one exclusion method. A control and computational unit is also disclosed with a storage medium in which a computer program or program module is stored, which executes the described method during operation. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100166282 | OPTICAL APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING STRUCTURE INFORMATION AND ITS PROCESSING METHOD OF OPTICAL INTERFERENCE SIGNAL - An optical apparatus for acquiring structure information comprises an optical branching device which splits a light outputted from a wavelength-swept light source into a sampling light and a reference light; a scanning device which scans a subject having a layer structure with the sampling light; and an signal processing device which acquires optical structure information of the subject by processing an interference signal between a return light which is reflected or backscattered at the subject and the reference light which has propagated a predetermined optical path length; wherein the signal processing device includes: a layer information extraction device which extracts layer information of the subject based on the interference signal; a feature value calculation device which calculates a feature value of the layer information; and an enhanced layer-structure image construction device which constructs an enhanced layer-structure image in which the layer structure is enhanced based on the feature value. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100166283 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING A 2D CONTOUR OF A VESSEL STRUCTURE IMAGED IN 3D IMAGE DATA - A method is disclosed for determining a 2D contour of a vessel structure imaged in 3D image data for a first slice plane of the vessel structure, wherein the 3D image data was generated using a medical imaging system and has a multiplicity of image voxels which are all assigned a respective image value. In at least one embodiment, the method includes providing 3D image data; determining a multiplicity of first initial 2D contours of the vessel structure, wherein the first initial 2D contours in the 3D image data are determined for slice planes of the vessel structure, which planes are arranged orthogonally in respect of a central line of the vessel structure and spaced apart from one another along the central line; determining a first initial 3D contour from the first initial 2D contours; determining a smoothed second 3D contour by applying an active 3D contour model to the first initial 3D contour; determining a second initial 2D contour as a slice through the smoothed second 3D contour including the first slice plane; and determining the 2D contour by iteratively fitting the second initial 2D contour to that vessel structure imaged in the 3D image data which results for the first slice plane. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100166284 | QUANTITATIVE SINGLE IMAGE-BASED MAGNETIZATION TRANSFER WEIGHTED IMAGING USING AN INTER-SUBJECT NORMALIZATION REFERENCE WITHIN THE IMAGE - Disclosed is a system and method for generating quantitative imagery of demyelination in the spinal cord. The method includes acquiring a magnetization transfer weighted (MTw) MR image of the spinal column, identifying a reference region of interest within the image corresponding to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), averaging the signal intensity corresponding to the reference region of interest, and computing a ratio, on a voxel-by-voxel basis, of the signal intensity of each voxel by the averaged reference signal intensity. In doing so, normalized MTw images are obtained such that detrimental artifacts such as motion-induced errors, coil loading, and RF coil sensitivity variations are obviated. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100172558 | MEASUREMENT OF THIN-LAYERED STRUCTURES IN X-RAY COMPUTER TOMOGRAPHY - A method for reconstructing an image includes receiving tomographic data representative of an image signal; deriving, from the image signal, a plurality of components; identifying a spatial location associated with maximum phase congruency of the components; incorporating, into an image, an edge at the spatial location; and providing an output representative of the image. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100172559 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROSTATE BIOPSY - The invention presents tools to improve a 3-D image aided biopsy or treatment procedure for prostate gland by providing additional functionality and additional visual cues on an output image of the prostate, which may be generated substantially in real-time. The tools include i) the identification of various parts of prostate to classify as per regular classification in pathological reports, ii) Computing and displaying the insertion depth of needle with respect to a selected target point during the procedure, iii) Computing and displaying the distance from needle tip to prostate surface following a procedure and, iv) Calibration for misalignment of a 2-D imaging transducer when used under tracked motion for a procedure. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100172560 | METHOD AND DEVICE TO DETERMINE DISTORTION CORRECTION DATA - In a method and device to determine distortion correction data for distortion correction of magnetic resonance images acquired with a magnetic resonance system, a starting spherical function is calculated represents the magnetic field of a gradient coil of the magnetic resonance system on the basis of the conductor geometry of the gradient coil. A three-dimensional parameter map is determined that represents a magnetic field generated by the gradient coil using a defined measurement subject, with a defined gradient strength being set for the appertaining gradient coil. A deviation parameter map is generated on the basis of the parameter map and on the basis of a reference parameter map which was determined with deactivated gradient coil. Spherical function coefficients of the gradient magnetic field are determined by fitting a spherical function representing the magnetic field of the gradient coil to the deviation parameter map using the starting spherical function. The distortion correction data are determined on the basis of the spherical function coefficients of the fitted spherical function. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100172561 | EXAMINATION METHOD, EXAMINATION APPARATUS AND EXAMINATION PROGRAM - This invention provides an examination method, an examination apparatus, and an examination program capable of performing the examination corresponding to the type or the like of the site to be examined and capable of reducing the examination time when examining the substrate. The X-ray is output from an X-ray source, and the X-ray that transmitted the substrate to be examined is photographed as an X-ray perspective image in an FPD (Flat Panel Detector). The photographing for generating the reconstruction data by X-ray CT is performed at the positions on the virtual circle having the optical axis of the X-ray source as an axis, similar to the photographing for generating the reconstruction data by tomosynthesis. Thus, in generating the reconstruction data by X-ray CT, the data is converted so that each image rotates using affine conversion with the center of each X-ray perspective image as an axis according to the rotation position on the virtual circle as if the X-ray perspective images obtained at the respective positions are photographed at the positions, and then the filtering process is performed. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100172562 | MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND ULTRASONIC IMAGING APPARATUS - A tumor region setting section sets a liver tumor region for a plurality of ultrasonic image data along a time series acquired by ultrasonically capturing a subject to which a contrast agent has been administered. A TIC generator obtains a time change indicating a time change of the pixel values in the liver tumor region based on the plurality of ultrasonic image data along the time series. A peak-detection section specifies a peak point of the time change and obtains the time and pixel value of that peak point. A first determination section determines the degree of malignancy of the liver tumor based on the time and pixel value of the peak point. A display controller displays the degree of malignancy on a display section. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100172563 | X-RAY CT APPARATUS - An X-ray CT apparatus reconstructs a CT image (extended CT image) at each slice position lying outside a relative linear movement range at a helical scan or the like at low exposure and with high image quality. Scans each provided with a residence time are executed at relative linear movement start and end points (Zs and Zf). Projection data in a view range (F) corresponding to a predetermined view angle centering on a view (CVp | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100172564 | IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION METHOD AND X-RAY CT APPARATUS - An image reconstruction method includes a reconstruction algorithm of pixel data, weighting coefficients by which first projection data and second projection data at which a corresponding X-ray beam passes through a pixel lying on a reconstruction plane and which are opposite in view angle direction to each other, are to be multiplied, are calculated by equations each using a term of a distance between an X-ray generator and detector system and the reconstruction plane plus an offset distance at the acquisition of the projection data. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100172565 | PRECLINICAL TIME OF FLIGHT IMAGING - A preclinical positron emission tomography (PET) imaging method includes acquiring time-of-flight localized PET imaging data from one or more non-human animal subjects and reconstructing the acquired data to form an image. In an illustrative PET scanner includes: radiation detectors ( | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100172566 | MEDIAN PLANE DETERMINATION APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SYSTEM - A median plane determination apparatus determines a median plane based on volume data of a brain of a subject. The median plane is determined based on voxel values of voxels which intersect with a reference surface cutting across the brain. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100177943 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO INTEGRATE SYSTEMATIC DATA SCALING INTO GENETIC ALGORITHM-BASED FEATURE SUBSET SELECTION - Methods and apparatus for training a system for developing a process of data mining, false positive reduction, computer-aided detection, computer-aided diagnosis and artificial intelligence are provided. A method includes choosing a training set from a set of training cases using systematic data scaling and creating a classifier based on the training set using a classification method. The classifier yields fewer false positives. The method is suitable for use with a variety of data mining techniques including support vector machines, neural networks and decision trees. | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100177944 | COMBINED FEATURE ENSEMBLE MUTUAL INFORMATION IMAGE REGISTRATION - This invention relates to medical image registration. Specifically, the invention relates to a combined feature ensemble mutual information (COFEMI) for robust inter-modal, inter-protocol image registration. | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100177945 | Image processing method, image processing apparatus, and image processing program - An image processing apparatus includes: an image obtaining section for obtaining medical images (axial images), which are imaged in advance, that represent transverse cross sections of a subject; a center line calculating section, for calculating a center line that connects the centers of subject regions within the medical images; a pseudo three dimensional medical image generating section, for generating a planar exploded pseudo three dimensional medical image, by executing an intensity projection method on image data constituted by at least a plurality of the subject regions from the center line radially outward toward the surface of the subject's body such that thoracic bones in the front to back direction of the projection direction of the subject are not displayed in an overlapping manner; and a display section, for displaying at least one of the pseudo three dimensional medial image and the plurality of medical images. | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100183209 | HISTOGRAM-BASED COMPOUND OBJECT SEPARATION - Certain imaging systems, such as automatic explosives detection systems, employ techniques that utilize image processing, feature extraction and decision making steps to detect threats in images. Such techniques use segmentation as a first algorithmic step, which extracts data representing objects from image data. Some of the extracted objects are actually composed of multiple distinct physical objects. For these compound objects discrimination becomes difficult because computed object properties are less specific than properties computed for a single physical object. A technique is described which includes splitting such compound objects by separating the data of each component from the rest of the data and using properties of density histograms based on voxel distributions in both density and spatial domains. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100183210 | COMPUTER-ASSISTED ANALYSIS OF COLONIC POLYPS BY MORPHOLOGY IN MEDICAL IMAGES - The application discloses computer-based apparatus and methods for analysis of images of the colon to assist in the detection of colonic polyps. The apparatus and methods include the classification of anomalies which are suspected colonic polyps by morphological types, and the use of information about the morphological type to assist in the determination of whether the anomaly is a polyp. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100183211 | DETECTING HAEMORRHAGIC STROKE IN CT IMAGE DATA - The invention relates to a system ( | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100183212 | METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR IMAGING CARTILAGE AND BONE - The present invention relates in general to compositions, processes and apparatus for imaging, and in particular for improved preparation, collection and processing of images of specimens that include cartilage, particularly specimens of intact or disarticulated joints. Images of specimens according to the present invention include images obtained from X-ray microscopic computed tomography. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100183213 | OPPOSED VIEW AND DUAL HEAD DETECTOR APPARATUS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND BIOPSY WITH IMAGE PROCESSING METHODS - The invention relates generally to biopsy needle guidance which employs an x-ray/gamma image spatial co-registration methodology. A gamma camera is configured to mount on a biopsy needle gun platform to obtain a gamma image. More particular, the spatially co-registered x-ray and physiological images may be employed for needle guidance during biopsy. Moreover, functional images may be obtained from a gamma camera at various angles relative to a target site. Further, the invention also generally relates to a breast lesion localization method using opposed gamma camera images or dual opposed images. This dual head methodology may be used to compare the lesion signal in two opposed detector images and to calculate the Z coordinate (distance from one or both of the detectors) of the lesion. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100183214 | System and Method for Highly Attenuating Material Artifact Reduction in X-Ray Computed Tomography - The present invention is a method for reducing artifacts caused by highly attenuating materials in x-ray computed tomography (“CT”) images. The method includes combining projection views acquired at equivalent view angles to generate a projection plane data set, from which a reformatted projection is produced. The reformatted projection is then processed to detect and segment regions corresponding to objects composed of metals, metal alloys, or other highly attenuating materials. These segmented regions are then removed from the reformatted projection and the removed portions replaced by attenuation information interpolated from portions of the reformatted projection adjacent the removed portions. The interpolated reformatted projection is then mapped back to a projection plane data set, and an image of the subject is reconstructed from the projection views contained in that data set. The reconstructed image, therefore, is one in which artifacts caused by highly attenuating materials are substantially suppressed. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100189324 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING IMAGE ARTIFACTS - A method and apparatus are provided for reducing motion related imaging artifacts. The method includes obtaining an image data set of a region of interest in an object, obtaining a motion signal indicative of motion of the region of interest, and determining a displacement and a phase of at least a portion of the motion signal. The method also includes mapping the image data set into a matrix based on the displacement and phase of the motion signal, and generating an image of the region of interest from the matrix. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100189325 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING MEASUREMENT DATA OF AN ANOMALY IN A MEDICAL IMAGE - Many image processing problems are concerned with determining measurements of an anomalous area in an image. Most automated systems suffer from low specificity, which may reduce their acceptance. An example embodiment of the present invention relates to a method and corresponding apparatus for providing measurement data of a region of interest in an image in a graphical user interface environment. The example embodiment locates a pair of edges in multiple dimensions of a region of interest selected by a user, calculates a center position between respective edges, and iterates until a convergence or divergence is determined. Linear calculation may be employed for rapid results, allowing an advance in speed of image processing over current techniques. In a case of convergence, the measurement data is reported. In a case of divergence, a failure state is reported. By reporting divergence, the example embodiment achieves high specificity, thereby reducing the number of false positive reports. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100189326 | COMPUTER-AIDED DETECTION OF FOLDS IN MEDICAL IMAGERY OF THE COLON - The application discloses computer-based apparatus and methods for analysis of images of the colon to assist in the detection of colonic polyps. The apparatus and methods include the detection, classification and display of candidate colonic folds. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100189327 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE DEVICE AND METHOD - The invention relates to a device for MR imaging of a moving structure of a body ( | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100189328 | METHOD OF AUTOMATICALLY ACQUIRING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE DATA - The invention relates to a method of automatically acquiring magnetic resonance (MR) image data ( | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100189329 | Ultrasound Imaging System Parameter Optimization Via Fuzzy Logic - An ultrasound scanner is equipped with one or more fuzzy control units that can perform adaptive system parameter optimization anywhere in the system. In one embodiment, an ultrasound system comprises a plurality of ultrasound image generating subsystems configured to generate an ultrasound image, the plurality of ultrasound image generating subsystems including a transmitter subsystem, a receiver subsystem, and an image processing subsystem; and a fuzzy logic controller communicatively coupled with at least one of the plurality of ultrasound imaging generating subsystems. The fuzzy logic controller is configured to receive, from at least one of the plurality of ultrasound imaging generating subsystems, input data including at least one of pixel image data and data for generating pixel image data; to process the input data using a set of inference rules to produce fuzzy output; and to convert the fuzzy output into numerical values or system states for controlling at least one of the transmit subsystem and the receiver subsystem that generate the pixel image data. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100189330 | Radiographic tomography image generating apparatus - A radiographic tomography image generating apparatus includes a radiographic image acquiring assembly for moving a radiation applicator, which is disposed in confronting relation to a radiation detecting device, successively to a plurality of positions, controlling the radiation applicator to apply radiation to a subject disposed over the radiation detecting device in different directions while the radiation applicator moves successively to the plurality of positions, and storing a plurality of radiographic images output successively from the radiation detecting device in an image memory. The radiographic tomography image generating apparatus also includes an image reconstructor for processing the radiographic images stored in the image memory in order to reconstruct a diagnostic tomography image of the subject according to a reconstructing process, and a preview display unit for displaying preview images on a display monitor based on the radiographic images output successively from the radiation detecting device. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100189331 | APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING A HIGH DENSITY REGION IN AN IMAGE - The invention relates to an apparatus for determining a high density region in an image, wherein the apparatus comprises a provision unit ( | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100189332 | IMAGE DIAGNOSTIC SUPPORT APPARATUS - An image diagnostic support device, which is connected with image acquisition means to acquire a tomographic image including a lung region of an object to be examined and is provided with image display means to display the tomographic image acquired by the image acquisition means as an image, is comprised of measurement range setting means that sets up a measurement range to extract the chest wall from the image, chest wall extracting means that extracts the chest wall from the image in the set measurement range, thickened portion extracting means that extracts a thickened portion incidental to the chest wall in the measurement range, and thickened portion measuring means that measures the thickness of a thickened portion at each position in the measurement range. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100189333 | METHOD AND BRANCHING DETERMINATION DEVICE FOR DETERMINING A BRANCHING POINT WITHIN A HOLLOW ORGAN - A method is disclosed for determining a branching point within a hollow organ in image data representing the spatial structure thereof. In at least one embodiment, the method includes setting a start point within the hollow organ; determining at least one local threshold which corresponds to the presence of a wall of the hollow organ; carrying out a region growing method using the threshold; analyzing the connectivity of a number of outer growth layers; and localizing a branching on the basis of the connectivity analysis. Moreover, at least one embodiment of the invention relates to a correspondingly designed branching determination unit. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100189334 | FUNDUS OCULI OBSERVATION DEVICE, FUNDUS OCULI IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, AND FUNDUS OCULI OBSERVATION METHOD - A fundus oculi observation device | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100189335 | ULTRASOUND IMAGE ENHANCEMENT AND SPECKLE MITIGATION METHOD - A method for enhancing an ultrasound image is provided, wherein the ultrasound image is segmented into a feature region and a non-feature region, while sufficiently utilizing features contained in the ultrasound image, in particular including some inconspicuous features. the enhanced image according to present invention is not susceptive of the image segmentation and avoid dependence of the enhancement effect on the segmentation template, so as not to produce an evident artificial boundary between the feature region and the non-feature region but to highlight some special information in the image and to remove or mitigate invalid information. Thus the enhanced ultrasound image is particularly suitable for the visual system of the human beings. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100195881 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY IDENTIFYING IMAGE VIEWS IN A 3D DATASET - A method is provided for automatically identifying image views in a three-dimensional dataset comprises accessing with a processor a three-dimensional dataset comprising a plurality of image frames and fitting with the processor at least one deformable model to at least one structure within each of the image frames. The method further comprises identifying with the processor at least one feature point within each of the image frames based on the at least one deformable model and displaying on a display at least one image view based on the at least one feature point. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100195882 | Matching Geometry Generation And Display Of Mammograms And Tomosynthesis Images - A method and a system for using tomosynthesis projection images of a patient's breast to reconstruct slice tomosynthesis images such that anatomical structures that appear superimposed in a mammogram are at conforming locations in the reconstructed images. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100195883 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY GENERATING SAMPLE POINTS FROM A SERIES OF MEDICAL IMAGES AND IDENTIFYING A SIGNIFICANT REGION - A system and method for automatically generating sample points from a series of medical images and identifying a significant region are presented. An image acquisition system acquires the medical images of a region of interest (ROI) and an automated mask generator reviews the images to generate a parenchyma mask. Using the parenchyma mask, an automated sample point generator then detects portions of the medical images indicative of a material expected to be in a ROI and designates sample points therefrom. A target-tissue identification system uses the sample points to create a mathematical description of a target tissue and an enhanced target-tissue. A target-tissue change detection system then detects changes in the mathematical descriptions from those created using prior images. Finally, a significant region detector, which includes a training process to generate a quantitative definition of significance, automatically identifies a significant object in the series of medical images. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100195884 | Method for transforming a distortion-corrected magnetic resonance image, method for carrying out magnetic resonance measurements, and image transformation unit - A method for carrying out magnetic resonance measurements on an examination object in a magnetic resonance system is described. In at least one embodiment, a magnetic resonance image of the examination object previously acquired via the magnetic resonance system is used to determine spatial coordinates in order to control the magnetic resonance system for the magnetic resonance measurement to be carried out. In this case, in order to determine the spatial coordinates, use is made of a distortion-corrected magnetic resonance image generated on the basis of an original magnetic resonance measured image acquired by the magnetic resonance system and transformed in advance into an equivalent measured image on the basis of field inhomogeneity values of the magnetic resonance system. Also described are a method for, in at least one embodiment, transforming a distortion-corrected magnetic resonance image, generated on the basis of an original magnetic resonance measured image acquired by a magnetic resonance system into an equivalent measured image, and a suitable image transformation unit. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100195885 | METHODS OF EFFICIENT AND IMPROVED PHASE-SENSITIVE MRI - A single-point Dixon (“SPD”) technique that can provide chemical species separation using data from a single echo with a flexible relative phase angle between the species is provided. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100195886 | Method of Generating a Multiscale Contrast Enhanced Image - At least one approximation image is created of the image at one or multiple scales. Translation difference images are created by pixel-wise subtracting the values of an approximation image at scale s and the values of a translated version of the approximation image. A non-linear modification is applied to the values of the translation difference image (s) and at least one enhanced center difference image at a specific scale is computed by combining the modified translation difference images at that scale or a smaller scale with weights w | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100195887 | MEDICAL IMAGING APPARATUS, MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, ULTRASONIC IMAGING APPARATUS, ULTRASONIC IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF PROCESSING MEDICAL IMAGES - Based on medical image data acquired in each time phase included in a one-cycle interval, first tracking part tracks the position of a first region of interest set in a first time phase in each time phase and tracks the position of a second region of interest set in a second time phase in each time phase. Based on position information of the first region of interest and the second region of interest in each time phase, position correction part obtains position information of a region of interest in each time phase so that it passes through the position of the first region of interest in the first time phase and the position of the second region of interest in the second time phase. Motion-information calculator obtains motion information of a tissue based on the obtained position information. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100195888 | CT IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION OF A MOVING EXAMINATION OBJECT - At least one embodiment of the invention relates to a method for the scanning of a moving examination object with a CT system, in which during a rotational movement of a transmitter/receiver pair around the examination object, data is captured. Further, sectional images of the examination object are determined from the data by way of an iterative algorithm, where motion information relating to the movement of the examination object during the data acquisition is taken into account in the iterative algorithm. At least one embodiment of the invention further relates to a CT system and a computer program. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100195889 | CT IMAGE RECORDING OF A MOVING EXAMINATION OBJECT - A method is disclosed for scanning a moving examination object using a CT-System, with which data is captured during a circular movement of a transmitter/receiver pair through 360 degrees about the examination object, the data being assigned to the respective angular position. The 360 degrees are divided into n subsegments of equal size, where n is greater than 2, an even number and not divisible by 4. In at least one embodiment, the data assigned to the odd number subsegments forms a first data record and the data assigned to the even number subsegments forms a second data record. Differential information is determined between the first data record and the second data record. Motion information relating to the movement of the examination object is determined using the differential information. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100195890 | METHOD FOR COMPLETING A MEDICAL IMAGE DATA SET - The present invention relates to a method for generating a complete medical image data set from an incomplete image data set, comprising the method steps of: providing a first image data set which represents an image of a first region of a body, including at least a part of the surface of the body, at a first point in time; providing a second, incomplete image data set which represents an image of a second region of the body at a second point in time, wherein the first region and the second region overlap; providing a third data set which represents the contour of the body in the form of points on the surface of the body, substantially at the second point in time; adapting the first image data set to the second image data set by taking into account the third data set; and accepting the adapted first image data set as a complete image data set. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100202676 | MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGE CORRECTION METHOD - The CT image processor determines the position of the liver in the body of a subject based on CT image. The PET image processor determines the position of the liver in the body of a subject based on PET image. The CT image processor calculates the displacement in the positions of the liver determined by the CT and PET images. The CT image processor extracts the contour of the liver from a CT image. The CT image processor generates a correction CT image by modifying a CT image by moving a CT image to decrease the displacement of the extracted contour in the internal area. The PET image processor performs decrease correction based on the modified CT image. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100202677 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD FOR A TOMOGRAM OF AN EYE REGION - There is provided a technique for adaptively acquiring, from a tomogram of an eye region, diagnosis information data of the eye region which is used for the diagnosis of a plurality of kinds of diseases, without increasing load on a user. A layer acquisition unit ( | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100208963 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FUSING REAL-TIME ULTRASOUND IMAGES WITH PRE-ACQUIRED MEDICAL IMAGES - A method, apparatus and system for fusing real-time ultrasound images with pre-acquired medical images are described. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100208964 | METHOD FOR ELIMINATING SCATTER ARTEFACTS - A method, a computer program as well as a corresponding apparatus for eliminating scatter artefacts that corrupt an image of an object using computed tomography, wherein X-ray projections of the object are at least partially truncated, whereas the method comprises the steps of: reconstructing a truncated image of the object with a limited field of view from the projections; constructing a model of the object in an extended field of view using the truncated image of the object; deriving a scatter estimate by means of Monte-Carlo simulation using the model of object; correcting a projection of the object for X-ray scatter based on the scatter estimate; reconstructing a scatter-corrected image using the corrected projections. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100208965 | Method and Apparatus for Tomographic Imaging of Absolute Optical Absorption Coefficient in Turbid Media Using Combined Photoacoustic and Diffusing Light Measurements - Embodiments of the invention pertain to methods for imaging a light absorption coefficient distribution. Embodiments of the subject method can be implemented without knowing the strength of incident light in advance and without requiring careful calibrations in the non-scattering medium. Embodiments of the method can combine conventional photoacoustic tomography (PAT) with diffusing light measurements coupled with an optimization procedure based on the photon diffusion equation. Images of absorbing targets as small as 0.5 mm in diameter embedded in a 50 mm diameter background medium can be quantitatively recovered. Small targets with various optical contrast levels relative to the background can be detected well. Embodiments of the subject reconstruction method can include first obtaining the map of absorbed optical energy density. Embodiments can obtain the map of absorbed optical energy density through a model-based reconstruction algorithm that is based on a finite element solution to the photoacoustic wave equation in frequency domain subject to the radiation or absorbing boundary conditions (BCs). The distribution of optical fluence can then be obtained. Embodiments can obtain the distribution of optical fluence using the photon diffusion equation based optimization procedure. The distribution of optical absorption coefficient can then be recovered from the distribution of optical fluence and the absorbed energy density. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100208966 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING A TOMOGRAPHIC IMAGE - In a method for generating a tomographic image, at a first point in time, a first tomographic image is acquired of a layer of a patient and the region of cartilaginous tissue is determined in the first tomographic image. At a later second point in time a second tomographic image is acquired of the layer of the patient and the region of the cartilaginous tissue is determined in the second tomographic image. The tomographic image is generated from the first tomographic image and the second tomographic image, in which every pixel of the tomographic image is assigned a difference value between a corresponding pixel of the first tomographic image and a corresponding pixel of the second tomographic image. The validation number is determined by adding all the pixels in the region of the cartilaginous tissue in the tomographic image. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100208967 | MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC IMAGE CHANGE HIGHLIGHTER - Systems and methods are disclosed which enable more accurate examination of medical diagnostic images, for example x-ray, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images. The systems and methods highlight anomalies that have changed between the collection times of two or more diagnostic images, and can also provide objective scoring of the degree of change. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100208968 | Occlusion Reduction and Magnification for Multidimensional Data Presentations - A method in a computer system for generating a presentation of a region-of-interest in an original image for display on a display screen, the original image being a collection of polygons having polygons defined by three or more shared edges joined at vertex points, the method comprising: establishing a lens for the region-of-interest, the lens having a magnified focal region for the region-of-interest at least partially surrounded by a shoulder region across which the magnification decreases, the focal and shoulder regions having respective perimeters; subdividing polygons in the collection of polygons proximate to at least one of the perimeters, as projected with the polygons onto a base plane, by inserting one or more additional vertex points and additional edges into the polygons to be subdivided; and, applying the lens to the original image to produce the presentation by displacing the vertex points onto the lens and perspectively projecting the displacing onto a view plane in a direction aligned with a viewpoint for the region-of-interest. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100215232 | AUTOMATIC OUTCOME ANALYSIS USING RADIOLOGICAL IMAGES - Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system for analyzing a treatment of a patent including: an interactive image editor for allowing a user to interact with a first set image data corresponding to a pre-treatment radiological study of a patient, the first set of image data including an untreated clinical area of interest, such that the user is capable of interacting with the first set of image data to form a target outcome image for the clinical area of interest; a criterion determination module for allowing the user to determine a target outcome criterion; processing module for performing a comparison by comparing the first set of image data with a second set of image data corresponding to a post-treatment radiological study of the patient, the second set of image data including a treated clinical area of interest; and a criterion evaluation module for automatically evaluating the comparison to determine a post-treatment effect. In an embodiment, the criterion evaluation module is further for evaluating automatically a treatment effectiveness evaluation based on an extent to which the post-treatment effect satisfies the target outcome criterion. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100215233 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GENERATING A COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IMAGE - A method of generating a computed tomography image is disclosed herein. The method includes acquiring a first plurality of projections at a first energy level and acquiring a second plurality of projections at a second energy level. The method includes reconstructing an image from the first plurality of projections and generating a synthesized projection from the image that corresponds to one of the second plurality of projections. The method includes comparing the synthesized projection to the one of the second plurality of projections and modifying the image to form an updated image based on the comparing the synthesized projection to the one of the second plurality of projections. A computed tomography imaging system is also disclosed. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100215234 | CONTROL APPARATUS OF RADIOTHERAPY APPARATUS AND POSITION DETERMINING METHOD - In a control apparatus for a radiotherapy apparatus, each of a plurality of separation results indicates an objective portion template and a non-objective portion template. The separation result is calculated such that a difference between a first template production image and an image produced by superimposing an objective portion template in a position of a designated region on the non-objective portion template is small and a difference between the second template production image and an image produced by superimposing the objective portion template in a position of an assumption region, which is different from the designated region, on the non-objective portion template. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100215235 | METHOD FOR POPULATION-DRIVEN IDENTIFICATION OF BODY LANDMARKS - A new method for the identification of body landmarks from three-dimensional (3D) human body scans without human intervention is provided. The method is based on a population in whom landmarks were identified and from whom 3D geometries were obtained. An unmarked body (subject) is landmarked if there is a landmarked body in the population whose geometry is similar to that of the subject. The similarity between the surface geometry of the subject and that of each individual in the population can be determined. A search is performed using the mesh registration technique to find a part-mesh with the least registration error; the landmarks of the best-matched result are then used for the subject. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100215236 | METHOD OF RECONSTRUCTING IN THREE DIMENSIONS A SINGULAR OBJECT ON THE BASIS OF IMAGING IN SECTION (SCANNER, MRI) - A method of three-dimensionally reconstituting the shape of a singular body in a reference coordinate system and on the basis of initial imaging data acquired by an imaging system of the scanner or MRI type, wherein the method includes the steps of, constituting an approximate three-dimensional model of the singular body on the basis of a parameterizable generic model that is modified as a function of descriptive parameters derived from said initial data, and correcting the approximate model by comparing it ( | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100215237 | MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - A medical image processing apparatus is configured as follows. Namely the apparatus is provided with a first image generation unit which executes reconfiguration processing based on X-ray transmission data to generate a contrast blood vessel figure three-dimensional image data including a figure of a blood vessel in a subject having a contrast media injected thereto, a second image generation unit which executes reconfiguration processing based on the X-ray transmission data to generate a human anatomy figure three-dimensional image data including a figure of a human anatomy in the subject having no contrast media injected thereto, a black-and-white reverse processing unit which executes black-and-white reverse processing with respect to the contrast blood vessel figure three-dimensional image data to generate black-and-white reversed three-dimensional image data, and a combination processing unit which combines the human anatomy figure three-dimensional image data with the black-and-white reversed three-dimensional image data to generate combined image data. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100215238 | Method for Automatic Segmentation of Images - A method for automatic left ventricle segmentation of cine short-axis magnetic resonance (MR) images that does not require manually drawn initial contours, trained statistical shape models, or gray-level appearance models is provided. More specifically, the method employs a roundness metric to automatically locate the left ventricle. Epicardial contour segmentation is simplified by mapping the pixels from Cartesian to approximately polar coordinates. Furthermore, region growing is utilized by distributing seed points around the endocardial contour to find the LV myocardium and, thus, the epicardial contour. This is a robust technique for images where the epicardial edge has poor contrast. A fast Fourier transform (FFT) is utilized to smooth both the determined endocardial and epicardial contours. In addition to determining endocardial and epicardial contours, the method also determines the contours of papillary muscles and trabeculations. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100215239 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CHARACTERIZING CORTICAL STRUCTURES - A method of identifying brain structures is disclosed. The method comprises imaging the cortex of the brain via inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging, such that at least two areas are zeroed in terms of their longitudinal relaxation times, and associating the two areas with different brain structures, thereby identifying brain structures. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100215240 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF 3D IMAGE VOLUMES FROM PROJECTION IMAGES - The invention provides improvements in reconstructive imaging of the type in which a volume is reconstructed from a series of measured projection images (or other two-dimensional representations) by utilizing the capabilities of graphics processing units (GPUs). In one aspect, the invention configures a GPU to reconstruct a volume by initializing an estimated density distribution of that volume to arbitrary values in a three-dimensional voxel-based matrix and, then, determining the actual density distribution iteratively by, for each of the measured projections, (a) forward-projecting the estimated volume computationally and comparing the forward-projection with the measured projection, (b) generating a correction term for each pixel in the forward-projection based on that comparison, and (c) back-projecting the correction term for each pixel in the forward-projection onto all voxels of the volume that were mapped into that pixel in the forward-projection. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100215241 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER INSTRUCTIONS FOR AIDING IMAGE ANALYSIS - Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system, method and computer instructions for aiding analysis of an image used in a medical examination. For example, in an embodiment, an image analysis system used in a medical examination comprises: an input module configured to input an image; a search module configured to locate information regarding an image that is similar to the input image; and an output module configured to output a link to the located information, wherein the located information is displayed when the link is used. For example, in an embodiment, an image analysis system used in a medical examination further comprises a communication module, wherein the communication module is configured to output the input image and the located information, and wherein the communication module is configured to receive a responsive communication. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100220907 | Pathology indicating measure related to cartilage structure and automatic quantification thereof - A method for the analysis of three dimensional scan data representing an articular cartilage is provided to extract a quantitative parameter indicative of joint pathology. A measure representative of cartilage homogeneity is derived from this three dimensional image data. The measured value is compared with similar measured values previously established in respect of healthy joints and/or joints characterised by a pathology. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100220908 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING DATA SIGNALS - A signal processing method include steps initializing a residual data signal representative of an acquired data signal, determining a significant coefficient corresponding to the residual data signal, updating the residual data signal using the significant coefficient to generate updated residual data signal, iteratively determining significant coefficients to generate a plurality of significant coefficients using the updated residual data signal, updating the plurality of significant coefficients by using a successive approximation technique, to improve the numerical accuracy of the significant coefficients and reconstructing a data signal using the updated plurality of significant coefficients. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100220909 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING IMAGE ARTIFACTS - A method and apparatus are provided for reducing motion related imaging artifacts. The method includes determining an internal motion for of two regions of the object, each region having a different level of motion, scanning the first region using a first scan protocol based on the motion, scanning a second region using a second different scan protocol based on the motion, and generating an image of the object based on the first and second regions. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100220910 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATED X-RAY INSPECTION OF OBJECTS - An anomaly detection method and system for comparing a scanned object to an idealized object is provided. The anomaly detection method includes generating a three-dimensional reference model of the idealized object. The anomaly detection method further includes acquiring at least one two-dimensional inspection test image of the scanned object. The anamoly detection method also includes determining a two-dimensional reference image from the three-dimensional reference model using multiple pose parameters, wherein the two-dimensional reference image corresponds to the same view of the three-dimensional reference model of the idealized object as the view of the two-dimensional inspection test image of the scanned object. The anamoly detection method further includes identifying one or more defects in the inspection test image via automated defect recognition technique. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100220911 | Method of Generating a Multiscale Contrast Enhanced Image - At least one approximation image is created of the image at one or multiple scales. Translation difference images are created by pixel-wise subtracting the values of an approximation image at scale s and the values of a translated version of the approximation image. A non-linear modification is applied to the values of the translation difference image (s) and at least one enhanced center difference image at a specific scale is computed by combining the modified translation difference images at that scale or a smaller scale with weights W | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100220912 | METHOD FOR THE NOISE REDUCTION OF CT IMAGE DATA AND IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM - Method for the noise reduction of CT image data and an image processing system are disclosed, with a scanning of an examination object and generation of at least two CT image data records each taking place on the basis of a different x-ray energy spectrum. In at least one embodiment, a break-down of the data image records into at least two broken-down image data records takes place in each instance, with a lowest local frequency band (f | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100220913 | System and Method for Detection of Lesions in Three-Dimensional Digital Medical Image - A system and method for characterizing a point in a three-dimensional digital medical image includes determining third order derivatives of the three-dimensional digital medical image at one or more points in the three-dimensional digital medical image. At each of the one or more points, one or more invariant or semi-invariant features that characterize a local geometry at the point is determined using the third order derivatives of the three-dimensional digital medical image. The invariant or semi-invariant features are used for automatic detection of lesions, abnormalities, and other anatomical structures of interest in the three-dimensional digital medical image. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100220914 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - An image processing apparatus includes an image acquisition unit configured to acquire a tomographic image of an object, a layer detection unit configured to detect a layer that constitutes the object from the tomographic image acquired by the image acquisition unit, and a normal structure estimation unit configured to estimate a normal structure of the layer based on the layer detected by the layer detection unit and a feature that is modified by a lesion of the layer. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100220915 | APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING RADIATION TREATMENT - An apparatus is provided for determining and monitoring parameters of a radiation treatment. The apparatus produces a first image of a region of a patient body to be radiated using a medical imaging process, determines a parameter setting of a radiation system using the first image, and provides the radiation treatment to the body region to be radiated using the radiation system with the determined parameter setting. The apparatus further produces a second image of the body region radiated with the parameter setting, automatically comparing the first image and the second image, and generates a deviation signal when a difference between the first image and the second image exceeds a predetermined threshold value. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100226552 | IDENTIFICATION AND VISUALIZATION OF REGIONS OF INTEREST IN MEDICAL IMAGING - A system and method for displaying image data acquired in respect of, for example, a subject's brain. MRI image data is acquired ( | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100226553 | OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY METHOD AND OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY APPARATUS - An optical coherence tomography method according to the present invention comprises the steps of dividing an object to be measured into a plurality of measurement regions adjacent to one another in a direction of irradiation of a measurement light, and acquiring a measurement image for every measurement region based on a wavelength spectrum of a coherent light; correcting, for every measurement region, a contrast of the measurement image of the measurement region; and acquiring, for every measurement region, a tomographic image from the corrected measurement image. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100226554 | OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY METHOD AND OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY APPARATUS - An optical coherence tomography method according to the present invention comprising the steps of dividing an object to be measured into a plurality of measurement regions adjacent to one another in a direction of irradiation of a measurement light, and acquiring a measurement image for every measurement region based on a wavelength spectrum of a coherent light and acquiring a tomographic image for every measurement region by removing a mirror image of a tomographic image of an adjacent region being adjacent to the measurement region of the measurement image from the measurement image. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100226555 | COUNTERTOP ULTRASOUND IMAGING DEVICE AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME FOR PATHOLOGY SPECIMEN EVALUATION - A tissue specimen imaging device, comprising: a container having an upwardly facing surface, adapted to receive a tissue specimen and a liquid, an ultrasound imaging assembly, adapted to automatically form a three dimensional image of the tissue specimen interior. In one preferred embodiment the device includes a transducer head that is automatically moved relative to the specimen. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100226556 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Apparatus and Blood Vessel Imaging Method - Blood streams different in direction can be selectively depicted, and a blood vessel image (MRA image) which has an excellent blood vessel contrast and in which a background signal is suppressed is obtained. Therefore, the present invention sets a pre-saturation area (pre-saturation area) in an area containing at least a part of an imaging area and performs imaging in a blood vessel imaging operation using a pre-saturation pulse for pre-exciting spins. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100232662 | METHOD TO INDIVIDUALIZE KINETIC PARAMETER ESTIMATON FOR DYNAMIC MOLECULAR IMAGING PROCEDURES - A method within dynamic molecular imaging comprising dynamically estimating a first parameter (β(x)) and a second parameter (k(x)) of an activity function describing the bio distribution of an administered tracer, is disclosed. More specifically, the method comprises specifying a first target variance (σ | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100232663 | COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY RECONSTRUCTION FOR TWO TILTED CIRCLES - A computed tomography apparatus ( | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100232664 | PATTERN NOISE CORRECTION FOR PSEUDO PROJECTIONS - Correcting pattern noise projection images includes acquiring a set of projection images with an optical tomography system including a processor, where each of the set of projection images is acquired at a different angle of view. A threshold is applied to each projection image produce a set of threshold images. Each threshold image may optionally be dilated to produce a set of dilated images that are summed to form an ensemble image. Each of the dilated images is processed to produce a set of binary images. The set of binary images are summed to form an ensemble mask. The ensemble image is divided by the ensemble mask to yield a background pattern noise image. Each projection image is multiplied by a scaling factor and divided by the background pattern noise to produce a quotient image that is filtered to produce a noise corrected projection image. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100232665 | AUTOMATIC ANALYSIS OF CARDIAC M-MODE VIEWS - Automated analysis of M-Mode images are provided based on the separation of M-Mode images into tissue layers and motion curves by simultaneously aligning all layers and extracting the motion curves from the alignment. Also provided is the ability to search for similar M-Modes using a representation comprised of tissue layers and motion curves and a similarity measure thereof. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100232666 | MEDICAL IMAGE REGISTRATION BY MEANS OF OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY - The invention relates to a medical image registration method in which an actual part of a patient's body is locationally assigned to a stored image of the part of the body with computer assistance, wherein the part of the patient's body comprises a rigid structure and a soft-tissue structure above it, wherein the location of at least one reference point on the rigid structure is ascertained, through the closed soft-tissue structure, by means of optical coherence tomography (OCT), when detecting the actual spatial location of the part of the body. It also relates to a pointer unit of a medical image registration apparatus, which comprises an optical coherence tomography (OCT) scanner or its emitting unit. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100232667 | System for Detecting Malignant Lymph Nodes Using an MR Imaging Device - A system detects malignant lymph nodes using an MR imaging device, for, in the absence of a contrast agent, acquiring in a patient anatomical volume of interest including lymph nodes, (a) a first image using a variable flip angle, lymph node enhanced contrast, MR image acquisition process, (b) a second image using a susceptibility weighting imaging acquisition process and (c) a third image using a diffusion weighting imaging acquisition process. In the presence of a contrast agent absorbed by benign lymph nodes, MR imaging device acquires in the patient anatomical volume of interest, (d) a fourth image using a susceptibility weighting imaging acquisition process. A display processor processes data representing the first, second, third and fourth images for display of malignant and benign lymph nodes on a reproduction device. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100232668 | Method, Computer Program And Workstation For Removing Undesirable Objects From A Digital Medical Image - A method of removing undesirable objects such as bones from a digital medical image is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, the method comprises the steps of generating a symbolic representation of the medical image, wherein said symbolic representation comprises a directed graph comprising vertices and edges, wherein each pixel or voxel of the digital medical image is associated with an edge of the graph, and wherein the root of said directed graph is not located within said undesirable object; electing, by user input, a site located within said undesirable object; determining a path in the symbolic representation, said path including the edge associated with said elected site and propagating towards the root of said directed graph; visualizing the part of the image associated with said determined path; identifying within said visualized part of the image the transition between the undesired object and the remainder of the image; and removing the part of the image associated with the branch of the graph rooted at said transition between the undesired object and the remainder of the image. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100239141 | AUTOMATIC CARDIAC BAND DETECTION OF BREAST MRI - The invention relates to a method ( | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100239142 | B1 mapping in MRI system using k-space spatial frequency domain filtering - Frequency filtering of spatially modulated or “tagged” MRI data in the spatial frequency k-space domain with subsequent 2DFT to the spatial domain and pixel-by-pixel arithmetic calculations provide robust ratio values that can be subjected to inverse trigonometric functions to derive B1 maps for an MRI system. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100239143 | REDUCING ACQUISITION TIME - Systems, methods, apparatus, and other embodiments associated with reducing imaging acquisition time are described. One example method includes accessing an under-sampled data set and a library of previously acquired data sets. The method includes producing an approximation of the under-sampled data set by transforming data stored in the library. The method includes producing a sparsified data set from the approximation and the under-sampled data set and then reconstructing the sparsified data set into a sparse image using a reconstruction technique configured to reconstruct sparse data. The method includes producing a fully-sampled approximation of the under-sampled data set and producing a final reconstructed image from the sparse image and the fully sampled approximation. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100239144 | Marker Localization Using Intensity-Based Registration of Imaging Modalities - Provided are methods and systems for registering image data from two imaging modalities, to produce an image having features from both imaging technologies. In particular, the methods and systems relate to intensity-based registration of the image data. The imaging modalities may be, for example, ultrasound and x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging, or a pre-operative plan. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100239145 | RADIOGRAPHIC APPARATUS - A radiographic apparatus includes a radiation source for emitting radiation, a radiation detection device having radiation detecting elements arranged longitudinally and transversely for detecting the radiation, a radiation grid, and an object image correcting device. The object image correcting device generates a corrected image by deriving components of direct radiation in pixel values of an object image from a dark equation specifying that an average of radiation intensity in a dark pixel group formed of a dark pixel showing a shadow of one of absorbing foil strips and adjacent pixels transversely adjoining the dark pixel of each image is a sum of the components of direct radiation and components of indirect radiation, and light equations specifying that an average of radiation intensity in light pixels free of the shadows of the absorbing foil strips is a sum of the components of direct radiation and the components of indirect radiation. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100239146 | X-RAY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY SCANNER, DATA PROCESSING DEVICE, AND DATA PROCESSING METHOD - A rotation frame supports an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector to be rotatable about a rotation axis. A top plate support mechanism supports the top plate on which a sample is placed to be movable along the rotation axis. A scan controller drives the top plate support mechanism and the rotation frame so as to scan a plurality of scan areas either partially overlapping or being adjacent along the rotation axis with the X-rays. A reconstruction processor generates a plurality of volume data sets corresponding to the plurality of scan areas on the basis of the output from the X-ray detector. A boundary corrector corrects CT values of the plurality of volume data sets on the basis of CT value differences between the overlapping or adjacent portions of the plurality of volume data sets. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100239147 | Method and System for Dynamic Pulmonary Trunk Modeling and Intervention Planning - A method and system for modeling the pulmonary trunk in 4D image data, such as 4D CT data, and model-based percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation (PPVI) intervention is disclosed. A patient-specific dynamic pulmonary trunk data is generated from 4D image data of a patient. The patient is automatically classified as suitable for PPVI intervention or not suitable for PPVI intervention based on the generated patient-specific dynamic pulmonary trunk model. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100239148 | Method and System for Automatic Aorta Segmentation - A method and system for aorta segmentation in a 3D volume, such as a C-arm CT volume is disclosed. The aortic root is detected in the 3D volume using marginal space learning (MSL) based segmentation. The aortic arch is detected in the 3D volume using MSL based segmentation. The ascending aorta is tracked from the aortic root to the aortic arch in the 3D volume, and the descending aorta is tracked from the aortic arch in the 3D volume. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100239149 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPLEMENTING FAT-WATER SEPARATION IN A MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM - In a magnetic resonance (MR) method and apparatus for implementing fat-water separation, MR data acquired representing one in-phase image and two out-of-phase images, phase differences between the two out-of-phase images are calculated, and the phases caused by the inhomogeneity of a magnetic field in the two out-of-phase images are calculated by using the phase differences; correcting linear phase differences in the in-phase image caused by eddy currents, by using the two corrected out-of-phase images. Calculations are then made on the basis of the three corrected images to obtain water and fat images. This method and apparatus effectively eliminate the adverse effects caused by the eddy currents in the currently available implementing process of the three points Dixon method. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100239150 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS FOR REGISTRATING MEDICAL IMAGES, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD AND PROGRAM - An information processing apparatus to register an ultrasonic image and a three-dimensional medical image at high speed is disclosed. The information processing apparatus includes: a medical image acquisition unit which acquires a medical image captured by a medical imaging apparatus in which an imaging unit captures an image of an object at a non-contact position with respect to the object, an ultrasonic image acquisition unit which acquires an ultrasonic image captured by an ultrasonic imaging apparatus in which an ultrasonic probe captures an image of the object at a position in contact with a surface of the object, and a coordinate transformation unit which transforms coordinates of the medical image or ultrasonic image with reference to the contact position on the ultrasonic image, so that image information of the medical image matches that of the ultrasonic image. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100239151 | B1 and/or B0 mapping in MRI system using k-space spatial frequency domain filtering - Frequency filtering of spatially modulated or “tagged” MRI data in the spatial frequency k-space domain with subsequent 2DFT to the spatial domain and pixel-by-pixel arithmetic calculations provide robust data that can be used to derive B1 and/or B0 maps for an MRI system. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100246911 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DISPLAYING QUANTITATIVE SEGMENTAL DATA IN 4D RENDERING - A method and system for displaying quantitative segmental data in a 4D presentation along with local deformation is disclosed herewith. The method comprises: identifying a segment in a volumetric image data. Then, the following steps are iterated to produce a four-dimensional rendering. The iterated steps include: tracking the segment of the volumetric image data to produce a displacement field. Local deformation of the segment is identified using the displacement field. And the segment is rendered with reference to the displacement field and the local deformation. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100246912 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IDENTIFYING SUSPICIOUS ANOMALIES USING INFORMATION FROM A PLURALITY OF IMAGES OF AN ANATOMICAL COLON UNDER STUDY - Systems, computer-readable media, and methods are presented that identify suspicious anomalies in a colon with higher sensitivity and at a lower false positive rate. A plurality of images of an anatomical colon is acquired. Candidate suspicious anomalies are identified in each image. The candidate suspicious anomalies across images are then compared using registration and matching. Features of candidate suspicious anomalies across images may be jointly evaluated to perform classification. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100246913 | COMPUTER-AIDED DETECTION OF ANATOMICAL ABNORMALITIES IN X-RAY TOMOSYNTHESIS IMAGES - Methods, systems, and related computer program products for computer-aided detection (CAD) of anatomical abnormalities in a breast volume based on a plurality of two-dimensional x-ray tomosynthesis projection images thereof is described. Each projection image is processed according to at least one predetermined feature extraction algorithm to generate at least one projection feature array corresponding thereto. For each of the at least one predetermined features extracted, the plurality of corresponding projection feature arrays is backprojected according to a predetermined tomosynthesis reconstruction algorithm to form a plurality of two-dimensional tomosynthesis reconstructed feature arrays. Each pixel in the three-dimensional breast geometry is then individually classified as being either a pixel of interest, or not a pixel of interest, based upon the at least one tomosynthesis reconstructed feature array value corresponding to that pixel. CAD detections for the breast volume are then generated based on the identified pixels of interest. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100246914 | Enhanced Visualizations for Ultrasound Videos - A method estimates a pattern of change of a patient, specifically a change in the respiration pattern. An ultrasound video is segmented into groups of pictures (GOPs). Pixels from the first GOP are used to initialize a change model. Based on the change model, a change pattern for a next GOP is estimated, and the change model is changed to fit the change pattern. The estimating and the updating are repeated until a termination condition is reached. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100246915 | PATIENT REGISTRATION SYSTEM - There is provided a patient registration system according to the present invention, including: a CT data capturing device; an X-ray television imaging device; and an image processing device for generating a two-dimensional DRR image based on the captured CT data, and then calculating an amount of displacement between a first diseased site position when the CT data is captured and a second diseased site position when the X-ray television image is captured. The image processing device carries out processes of: three-dimensional analysis for extracting an amount of three-dimensional characteristic from the three-dimensional CT data; two-dimensional analysis for extracting an amount of two-dimensional characteristic from both of the DRR image and the X-ray television image; characteristic evaluation for evaluating the extracted characteristic amounts; area limitation for selecting an area where the evaluated characteristic amounts are present; and displacement estimation for estimating an amount of displacement between the first diseased site position and the second diseased site position within the selected area, whereby achieving quick and accurate registration of patient. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100246916 | Method and apparatus for generating a functional data set of a perfused region of the human or animal body - A method and apparatus for generating at least one functional data set of a perfused region of the human or animal body are proposed. A first image data set is supplied comprising at least two images of the perfused region recorded at different times before and after an injection of contrast agent into a first artery supplying the region. A second image data set is supplied comprising at least two images of the perfused region recorded at different times before and after an injection of contrast agent into a second artery supplying the region. A first functional data set is generated by pixel-based calculation of at least one perfusion parameter from the first image data set. A second functional data set is generated by pixel-based calculation of at least one perfusion parameter from the second image data set. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100246917 | CONTRAST-DEPENDENT REGULARIZATION STRENGTH IN THE ITERATIVE RECONSTRUCTION OF CT IMAGES - A method is disclosed for reconstructing image data of an examination object from measured data, the measured data being captured during a rotating movement of a radiation source of a computed tomography system around the examination object. In at least one embodiment, different iteration images of the examination object are determined successively from the measured data by way of an iterative algorithm, wherein with the iterative algorithm the current iteration image at any one time is high-pass-filtered and weighted as a function of contrast using a variable which contains contrast information relating to the current iteration image at that time. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100246918 | ITERATIVE EXTRA-FOCAL RADIATION CORRECTION IN THE RECONSTRUCTION OF CT IMAGES - A method is disclosed for reconstruction of image data of an object under examination from measurement data, with the measurement data having been recorded during a rotating movement of a radiation source of a computed tomography system around the object under examination. The radiation source emits focal and extra-focal radiation. In at least one embodiment of the method, the image data is determined from the measurement data by use of an iterative algorithm. A variable is used in the iterative algorithm which contains a distribution of the extra-focal radiation. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100246919 | RADIATION DETECTOR FOR COUNTING OR INTEGRATING SIGNALS - A radiation sensitive detector array ( | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100246920 | RECURSIVE SPARSE RECONSTRUCTION - A method for real-time reconstruction is provided. The method includes receiving a sparse signal sequence one at a time and performing compressed sensing on the sparse signal sequence in a manner which causally estimates a time sequence of spatially sparse signals and generates a real-time reconstructed signal. Recursive algorithms provide for causally reconstructing a time sequence of sparse signals from a greatly reduced number of linear projection measurements. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100254582 | System and Method for Detecting Landmarks in a Three-Dimensional Image Volume - A method and apparatus for detecting vascular landmarks in a 3D image volume, such as a CT volume, is disclosed. One or more guide slices are detected in a 3D image volume. A set of landmark candidates for multiple target vascular landmarks are then detected based on the guide slices. A node potential value for each landmark candidate is generated based on an error value determined using spatial histogram-based error regression, and edge potential values for pairs of landmark candidates are generated based on a bifurcation analysis of the image volume using vessel tracing. The optimal landmark candidate for each target landmark is then determined using a Markov random field model based on the node potential values and the edge potential values. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100254583 | SYSTEM FOR MULTIMODALITY FUSION OF IMAGING DATA BASED ON STATISTICAL MODELS OF ANATOMY - A ventricular epicardium registration method ( | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100254584 | AUTOMATED METHOD FOR ASSESSMENT OF TUMOR RESPONSE TO THERAPY WITH MULTI-PARAMETRIC MRI - A method for assessing a tumor's response to therapy, includes providing images of a first study of a patient and images of a second study of the patient, the second study occurring after the first study and after the patient undergoes therapy to treat a tumor, each study comprising first and second types of functional magnetic resonance (fMR) images, performing a first registration in which the images within each study are registered, performing a second registration in which reference images from both studies are co-registered, segmenting the tumor in an image of each of the second registered studies; and determining that first and second fMR measure differences exist between the segmented tumor's of the first and second studies, the first fMR measure difference being obtained from the first type of fMR images, the second fMR measure difference being obtained from the second type of fMR images. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100254585 | OVEREXPOSURE CORRECTION FOR LARGE VOLUME RECONSTRUCTION IN COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY APPARATUS - A method and system of processing medical images such as projection images of large volume structures obtained by two-pass scanning for generating three-dimensional images. Measured values of each image frame is calculated as an image line. Over-exposed portions of the image line are detected to at one end of the image line and then at the other end of the image line. A determination is made of the approximate center of the image line. A line integral of the image line is generated and then using an assumed shape the over-exposed portions are extrapolated. The processed image frames may then be combined to generate the three-dimensional image. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100254586 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR LOCATING FUNCTION-SUPPORTING TISSUE AREAS IN A TISSUE REGION - Functional tissue areas in a tissue region are located by illuminating the tissue by measurement illumination. Stimulation in the functional tissue areas leads to a change in at least one optical property of the reflected measurement illumination compared to the original measurement illumination. The functional tissue areas are located based on the change in the at least one optical property of the reflected measurement illumination by determining the difference between a stimulation image of the tissue region obtained during the stimulation and a comparison image of the tissue region obtained without stimulation. The difference may be formed from at least one image recorded with the measurement illumination and at least one image recorded without the measurement illumination to bring about an increase in contrast. An obtained image may be corrected on the basis of the determined topography of the tissue region to bring about an increase in contrast. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100254587 | METHOD FOR SEGMENTING AN INTERIOR REGION OF A HOLLOW STRUCTURE IN A TOMOGRAPHIC IMAGE AND TOMOGRAPHY SCANNER FOR PERFORMING SUCH SEGMENTATION - A multistage method, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, is disclosed for segmenting an interior region of a hollow structure in a tomographic image. In at least one embodiment of the method, portions of the image are segmented in each of at least two segmentation cycles, respectively, whilst using a substance-specific segmentation criterion. Using this procedure, the interior region of the hollow structure can be completely determined, even in the case where a plurality of substances with different imaging properties, e.g. with different attenuation properties, are present. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100260396 | INTEGRATED SEGMENTATION AND CLASSIFICATION APPROACH APPLIED TO MEDICAL APPLICATIONS ANALYSIS - A novel multiscale approach that combines segmentation with classification to detect abnormal brain structures in medical imagery, and demonstrate its utility in detecting multiple sclerosis lesions in 3D MRI data. The method uses segmentation to obtain a hierarchical decomposition of a multi-channel, anisotropic MRI scan. It then produces a rich set of features describing the segments in terms of intensity, shape, location, and neighborhood relations. These features are then fed into a decision tree-based classifier, trained with data labeled by experts, enabling the detection of lesions in all scales. Unlike common approaches that use voxel-by-voxel analysis, our system can utilize regional properties that are often important for characterizing abnormal brain structures. Experiments show successful detections of lesions in both simulated and real MR images. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100260397 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING WITH FAT SUPPRESSION - A three-dimensional projection reconstruction pulse sequence acquires two half echoes in a steady state free precession (SSFP) scan. A method for combining the two echoes to suppress either fat or water in the reconstructed image is described and includes shifting the phase of one echo and combining them in a regridding process used to transform the radial data to a Cartesian grid prior to image reconstruction. Images having either fat or water substantially suppressed are then produced by applying a phase difference mask to images reconstructed from the regridded data. These images are then further processed using information of the phase differences between the two half echoes. In this manner, more consistent and accurate suppression is achieved. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100260398 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ADAPTIVE VOLUME IMAGING - Systems and methods which provide volume imaging by implementing survey and target imaging modes are shown. According to embodiments, a survey imaging mode is implemented to provide a volume image of a relatively large survey area. A target of interest is preferably identified within the survey area for use in a target imaging mode. Embodiments implement a target imaging mode to provide a volume image of a relatively small target area corresponding to the identified target of interest. The target imaging mode preferably adapts the beamforming, volume field of view, and/or other signal and image processing algorithms to the target area. In operation according to embodiments, the target imaging mode provides a volume image of a target area with improved volume rate and image quality. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100260399 | SCANNER DATA COLLECTION - A scanning system comprises a scanner arranged to perform a scan of a subject to generate a scan data set; processing means arranged to receive the scan data set from the scanner, analyse the scan data set to determine whether it meets at least one criterion, and generate an output if it does not. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100260400 | METHOD AND DATA-PROCESSING SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING THE PROPORTION OF CALCIUM IN CORONARY ARTERIES - A method and a data-processing system are disclosed for determining the proportion of calcium in coronary arteries using image data from CT angiography. In at least one embodiment of the method, anatomical landmarks are detected in the image data in the region of the heart and coronary arteries are segmented taking into account the detected landmarks. Regions with an increased HU value compared to a contrast agent surroundings are segmented in the segmented coronary arteries. A proportion of calcium respectively is calculated from the segmented regions for one or more of the segmented coronary arteries. At least the last two steps are carried out fully automatically by a data-processing system. Weighting factors for the individual regions are used when calculating the proportion of calcium, which weighting factors depend on both the threshold for segmenting the respective region and the volume of said region. The method and the data-processing system of at least one embodiment allow the dose exposure of the patient to be reduced and reduce the time expenditure of the user for determining the proportion of calcium. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100260401 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PROCESSING COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY IMAGES - A method of processing a computerized tomography image is disclosed. The method comprises preprocessing the image using contrast enhancement weight function, thereby providing a preprocessed image having a first dynamic range; and applying a companding procedure to the preprocessed image, so as to reduce the first dynamic range. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100260402 | IMAGE ANALYSIS - Various embodiments of the invention relate to a system | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100260403 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - An image in which an area of interest on an image is optimally susceptibility-emphasized is obtained in susceptibility-emphasized imaging. A measuring order of plural echo signals is controlled in accordance with the size of a desired area of interest of an examinee. Preferably, a target frequency in a K space is determined in accordance with the size of the area of interest, and the measuring order of plural echo signals is controlled so that an echo signal corresponding to the target frequency is measured at a target echo signal or in the neighborhood of the target echo time. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100260404 | X-RAY DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS AND IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION PROCESSING APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, an X-ray diagnosis apparatus comprises a C-arm, a support mechanism rotatably supporting the C-arm, a rotation driving unit driving rotation of the C-shaped arm, an X-ray tube mounted on the C-arm, an X-ray detector mounted on the C-arm, a control unit controlling the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector, a storage unit storing two-dimensional images generated, a first reconstruction processing unit reconstructing first three-dimensional images respectively corresponding to a plurality of cardiac phases based on acquired two-dimensional images, a positional shift amount calculation unit calculating positional shift amounts respectively corresponding to cardiac phases based on the first three-dimensional images, and a second reconstruction processing unit reconstructing a single second three-dimensional image with a reduced positional shift based on the plurality of acquired two-dimensional images by using the calculated positional shift amounts. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100260405 | ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT MONITORING BASED ON REDUCED IMAGES - The present invention provides digitally driven methods to conveniently and efficiently monitor and evaluate the positions of a patient's teeth during the course of orthodontic treatment. In an exemplary embodiment, an initial set of 3D digital data representing a patient's dental structure is provided by means of an X-ray radiograph and/or an intraoral scan. Then during the course of treatment, a reduced image representing part of the dental structure may be quickly provided using a bite plate or a low resolution intraoral scan. A three-dimensional (3D) image of the full dental structure is subsequently rendered or ‘reconstructed’ by registering elements of the initial image with corresponding elements of the reduced image. By reconstructing the dental structure from the reduced image, the treating professional can provide a precise, manipulable 3D image of the patient's complete dental structure for diagnostic and treatment planning purposes. Other aspects include methods of using these data to compare actual and target teeth positions to evaluate the progress of treatment and suggest revisions to the specification of an orthodontic appliance. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100266178 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACCELERATION OF IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION - A method for reconstructing an image from emission data includes generating a compressed point-spread function matrix, generating an accumulated attenuation factor; and performing at least one image projection operation on an image matrix of the emission data using the compressed point-spread function matrix and the accumulated attenuation factor. The image projection operation can include rotating an image matrix and an exponential attenuation map to align with a selected viewing angle. An accumulated attenuation image is then generated from the rotated image matrix and rotated exponential attenuation map and a projection image is generated for each voxel by multiplying the accumulated attenuation image and point spread function matrix for each voxel. The rotating and multiplying operations can be performed on a graphics processing unit, which may be found in a commercially available video processing card, which are specifically designed to efficiently perform such operations. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100266179 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TEXTURE VISUALIZATION AND IMAGE ANALYSIS TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN MALIGNANT AND BENIGN LESIONS - A system and method for the analysis and visualization of normal and abnormal tissues, objects and structures in digital images generated by medical image sources is provided. The present invention utilizes principles of Iterative Transformational Divergence in which objects in images, when subjected to special transformations, will exhibit radically different responses based on the physical, chemical, or numerical properties of the object or its representation (such as images), combined with machine learning capabilities. Using the system and methods of the present invention, certain objects, such as cancerous growths, that appear indistinguishable from other objects to the eye or computer recognition systems, or are otherwise almost identical, generate radically different and statistically significant differences in the image describers (metrics) that can be easily measured. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100266180 | SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD AND APPARATUS - A signal processing method that includes inputting sample values of a signal and considering the signal to have a plurality of portions. For each portion, a predetermined function is fitted to the sample values of that portion of the signal by calculating values of coefficients for that predetermined function. At least one statistical information function is evaluated for the signal to determine statistical information about the signal and the calculated coefficient values are used so that the form of the statistical information function has been determined for the predetermined function used to fit the signal portion and further includes using the statistical information obtained about the signal to process the signal. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100266181 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A CT RECONSTRUCTION OF AN OBJECT COMPRISING A HIGH-RESOLUTION OBJECT REGION OF INTEREST - A CT reconstruction of an object including a high-resolution object region of interest may be produced in an artefact-free manner by producing a first projection data set of a first region of the object that encloses the object region of interest and includes at least one projection recording of a first resolution, and a second projection data set of the object region of interest including at least a second projection recording of a second, higher resolution. The first and second projection data sets may be combined, in accordance with a combination rule, so as to obtain a CT reconstruction of the first region of the object having the first resolution and of the object region of interest having the second, higher resolution. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100266182 | APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING A PARAMETER OF A MOVING OBJECT - The present invention relates to an apparatus for determining a parameter of a moving object, wherein the apparatus comprises an adaptive model providing unit ( | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100266183 | Method of Generating a Multiscale Contrast Enhanced IMage - A digital image signal is decomposed into a multi-scale representation comprising detail images and approximation images. Translation difference images are computed by subtracting an approximation image at scale s and a translated version of that approximation image. The values of the translation difference images are non-linearly modified. An amplification image is computed at least one scale as the ratio of a first image being computed by combining the modified translation difference images at the same or smaller scale and a second image created by combining unenhanced translation difference images at the same or smaller scale. Next, an enhanced multi-scale detail representation is computed by modifying at least one scale the detail image according to the amplification image at that scale. An enhanced image representation is computed by applying a reconstruction algorithm to the enhanced multi-scale detail representation. The non-linear modification of the values of the translation difference image is steered by the values of an orientation map which comprises for each pixel on a specific scale a local direction of interest. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100266184 | MEDICAL IMAGE MANAGEMENT APPARATUS AND METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - A medical-image management apparatus includes: an information obtainment means that obtains information representing a region of a subject represented in a three-dimensional image constructed based on a plurality of slice images captured by a medical-image imaging apparatus, the plurality of slice images being adjacent to each other in a predetermined direction; a reconstruction means that reconstructs, based on the information obtained by the information obtainment means, a plurality of slice images from the three-dimensional image, the plurality of slice images being adjacent to each other in a direction that has been correlated with the region in advance; a recording means that records the plurality of slice images reconstructed by the reconstruction means; and a distribution control means that sequentially distributes, in response to a distribution request for the three-dimensional image input from an external terminal, the plurality of reconstructed slice images from the recording means to the external terminal. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100266185 | MALIGNANT TISSUE RECOGNITION MODEL FOR THE PROSTATE - Techniques for automated classification of | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100266186 | Method for processing a distortion-corrected 2D or 3D reconstruction image recorded by a magnetic resonance device - In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for processing a 2D or 3D reconstruction image is disclosed which is recorded by a magnetic resonance device, including a gradient coil that generates a gradient field, and is distortion-corrected with regard to a given non-linearity—leading to an image distortion—of the gradient field using an algorithm that processes the measurement signals at different measurement points lying in the imaging volume, which algorithm, with respect to each signal processed by it, processes the first input value describing the real gradient field given at the real measurement point of the signal, in which method, for inverse transformation of the distortion-corrected reconstruction image into a distortion-uncorrected reconstruction image, use is made of the first algorithm or a second algorithm corresponding to the first algorithm, which, with respect to each signal processed by it, is given as second input value such a value which describes a fictitious gradient field at the respective distorted measurement point at which the processed signal appears, which is increased or decreased by the non-linear field component of the real gradient field compared with the linear ideal gradient field. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100272335 | IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION USING DATA ORDERING - Methods, systems and apparatuses for processing data associated with nuclear medical imaging techniques are provided. Data is ordered in LUT's and memory structures. Articles of manufacture are provided for causing computers to carry out aspects of the invention. Data elements are ordered into a plurality of ordered data groups according to a spatial index order, and fetched and processed in the spatial index order. The data elements include sensitivity matrix elements, PET annihilation event data, and system and image matrix elements, the data grouped in orders corresponding to their processing. In one aspect geometric symmetry of a PET scanner FOV is used in ordering the data and processing. In one aspect a system matrix LUT comprises total number of system matrix elements equal to a total number of image matrix elements divided by a total number of possible third index values. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100272336 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - In the continuous moving table imaging, an image is reconstructed with suppressed artifacts even in imaging under inhomogeneity of static magnetic field. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100272337 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - While removing signals unnecessary for measuring signals from a metabolite, data required for eddy current correction are obtained in a short period of time. Signals from an unnecessary substance which is not an object of the measurement are removed, and phase data for correcting spectral distortion caused by an eddy current are obtained by a single measurement. Two kinds of frequency-selective pulses of which intensities are adjusted so that the signals from the unnecessary substance should have the same absolute values of intensities and opposite polarities are applied with changing intensities for every phase encoding for at least one axis, and the obtained signals are arranged in a k-space. By removing aliasing of image data obtained from the k-space data, signals from an unnecessary substance are removed, and phase data for eddy current correction are calculated by using a part of the k-space data. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100272338 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CROSS-MODALITY CASE-BASED COMPUTER-AIDED DIAGNOSIS - A system and method for cross-modality case-based computer-aided diagnosis comprises storing a plurality of cases, each case including at least one image of one of a plurality of modalities and non-image information, mapping a feature relationship between a feature from images of a first modality to a feature from images of a second modality, and storing the relationship. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100272339 | Calibration of a Multi-Pinhole SPECT System Without Pre-Knowledge of Point Source Markers 3D Coordinates - A system and method is provided for reconstructing single photon emission computed tomography data acquired with a pinhole collimator without pre-knowledge of 3D coordinates of point source markers. The system and method include reiteratively applying a downhill simplex process to determine a first parameter and a second parameter, keeping a lowest vertex from a previous iteration, randomly resetting starting values for rest vertexes for a current iteration, wherein the lowest vertex is prevented from performing a last iteration, determining whether at least one of a first threshold and a second threshold has been reached, wherein the first threshold comprises a cost function value and the second threshold comprises a predetermined number of iterations of the downhill simplex process, acquiring projection data from the first parameter, determining locations of 2D data from the projection data of the first parameter; and estimating the second parameter by fitting the forward projected data locations to the measured data locations. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100272340 | NOISE REDUCTION OF IMAGES - A method of reducing noise in an image, comprising: a) for each pixel being examined in the image, selecting a set of search pixels; b) calculating a value of one or more features of a neighborhood of each search pixel, and a value of corresponding features of a neighborhood of the pixel being examined; and c) calculating a reduced noise grey value for each pixel being examined, based on raw or transformed grey values of its search pixels, with greater sensitivity to those with one or more feature values similar to those of the pixel being examined; wherein calculating the value of at least one feature comprises calculating a characteristic of a distribution of raw or transformed grey values of pixels in the neighborhood, other than a mean grey value of all pixels in the neighborhood. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100272341 | Method and Apparatus for Small Pulmonary Nodule Computer Aided Diagnosis from Computed Tomography Scans - The present invention is a multi-stage detection algorithm using a successive nodule candidate refinement approach. The detection algorithm involves four major steps. First, a lung region is segmented from a whole lung CT scan. This is followed by a hypothesis generation stage in which nodule candidate locations are identified from the lung region. In the third stage, nodule candidate sub-images or the lung region of the CT scan pass through a streaking artifact removal process. The nodule candidates are then successively refined using a sequence of filters of increasing complexity. A first filter uses attachment area information to remove vessels and large vessel bifurcation points from the nodule candidate list. A second filter removes small bifurcation points. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100272342 | Method Of Reconstructing Computed Tomography (CT) Volumes Suitable For Execution On Commodity Central Processing Units (CPUS) And Graphics Processors, And Apparatus Operating In Accord With Those Methods (Rotational X-Ray on GPUs) - The invention provides in one aspect methods and apparatus for use with C-arm and other CT systems, e.g., with non-rigid geometries. In such systems, by way of example, calibration can be performed to determine the exact position of the x-ray source and the exact orientation of the detector where each projection measurement is made. Next, a weighting coefficient can be determined for the voxels in each plane of a reconstruction volume at every possible projection. Finally, the order in which to process the voxels during image reconstruction can be determined. Following an actual CT scan procedure in which scans are obtained of a volume to be constructed, a system according to these and related aspects of the invention can use an optimal, pre-calculated processing method, while utilizing offsets and weighting coefficients determined during calibration, for performing backprojection image reconstruction. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100278405 | Scoring Method for Imaging-Based Detection of Vulnerable Patients - A new cardiac risk factors are disclosed along with method for deriving the components of the factors, for developing the factors and for using the factors. Methods for computing pericardial fat and abdominal fat are also disclosed as well as methods for motion compensation. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100278406 | RECONSTRUCTION OF AN EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY IMAGE - A method and an system are disclosed for reconstructing an emission tomography image in a combined MR (magnetic resonance) and emission tomography imaging system. In at least one embodiment, the method includes obtaining an MR image of a subject, the subject being clipped in the MR image; obtaining raw emission tomography scan data of the subject; determining a missing part of the subject clipped in the MR image; using information of the MR image and the determined missing part to obtain a final attenuation model of the subject; and reconstructing the emission tomography image using the raw data and the final attenuation model. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100278407 | Object Identification in Dual Energy Contrast-Enhanced CT Images - Contrast from dual energy CT images is removed without affecting other aspects of the image, including objects surrounded by contrast. Dual energy images are acquired during a study of a subject. First, a binary mask image (“Contrast localizer”) is produced to localize the contrast-enhanced areas and build sets of images with contrast-enhanced areas only (“Contrast images”) and complement images with contrast-enhanced areas removed (“Contrast complement images”) for both low and high x-ray beam energy image sets. Only the contrast images are used for dual energy contrast subtraction. Second binary mask image (“Subject localizer”) is produced to localize the objects under study. This mask image is used to reconstruct both low and high energy image sets with contrast selectively removed and subject present. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100278408 | VISUALIZATION OF VASCULARIZATION - An apparatus produces image space data ( | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100278409 | HARDWARE TUMOR PHANTOM FOR IMPROVED COMPUTER-AIDED DIAGNOSIS - An imaging system ( | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100278410 | DIAGNOSTIC X-RAY SYSTEM AND METHOD - A diagnostic x-ray system includes a CT-image projection unit obtains a third perfusive-flow image by projecting a second perfusive-flow image obtained by computed tomography in the same direction as a projection direction in which an X-ray is projected toward a test subject to obtain a first perfusive-flow image. A positioning unit obtains positioning information by performing positioning of the first perfusive-flow image and the third perfusive-flow image. A perfusive-flow index calculation unit calculates a first perfusive-flow index from the first perfusive-flow image, and calculates a second perfusive-flow index from the third perfusive-flow image. A comparative-index calculation unit calculates a comparative index based on the first perfusive-flow index and the second perfusive-flow index, by comparing the first perfusive-flow index with the second perfusive-flow index, based on the positioning information obtained by the positioning unit. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100278411 | CONTRAST INTENSIFICATION OF CT IMAGES BY WAY OF A MULTIBAND FILTER - A method is disclosed for processing an output image of an examination object, with the output image having been reconstructed from measuring data acquired during a relative rotational movement between a radiation source of a computed tomography system and the examination object. An image frequency division of an output image takes place in at least a first and a second image. In at least one embodiment, the first image is changed by way of a first function, with the first function effecting a contrast intensification within the first image, and the changed first image and the second image are merged together. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100278412 | MULTI-SEGMENT RECONSTRUCTION - A medical imaging system includes a view transformation component ( | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100278413 | HIGH EFFICIENCY COMPUTER TOMOGRAPHY WITH OPTIMIZED RECURSIONS - A system comprising: one or more transmitters to transmit an excitation energy into an object under observation; one or more detectors to generate projection space data encoding an energy received by the one or more detectors in response to the transmitted excitation energy into the object under observation; a controller to control the one or more transmitters to transmit the excitation energy and the one or more receivers to generate the projection space data; and an image reconstructor having at least one processor to receive the projection space data and to process the projection space data by: computing a first quantity characterizing a difference between the projection space data and predicted projection data, wherein the difference between the projection space data and predicted projection data is associated with a projection gain; recording, in a data storage device, a first data encoding the difference; computing a revised first quantity based on recorded first data from preceding iterations; computing an update value using the revised first quantity; and reconstructing an object space image representing the object under observation using the update value. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100284594 | Method and Device for 3d-Navigation On Layers of Images - The invention relates to a device and to a method for representing 2D-layers of images of internal structures. The invention enables the physical expansion of a tool to be represented in a 3D manner in 2D layers of images of internal structures and to represent modifications on said internal structures, in particular bone structures, by means of an operation tool for preparing, performing, displaying, reproducing, further processing or learning a surgical operation. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100284595 | AUTOMATED IMAGE ANALYSIS FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, comprising: a magnetic resonance imaging scanner configured to generate a plurality of signals for forming at least one magnetic resonance image of a soft tissue region from a subject under observation, wherein the at least one magnetic resonance image provides at least one integrating feature to facilitate automatic segmentation; a signal processing system in communication with the magnetic resonance imaging scanner to receive the plurality of signals; and a data storage unit in communication with the signal processing system, wherein the data storage unit contains at least one template corresponding to the soft tissue region, wherein the signal processing system is adapted to process the plurality of signals received from the magnetic resonance imaging scanner to automatically perform segmentation for the soft tissue region of the subject under observation by utilizing the at least one template and the at least one integrating feature. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100284596 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR FAST IMPLEMENTATION OF EQUALLY-SLOPED TOMOGRAPHY - A system and method for projection number and radiation dose reduction in tomographic imaging that creates a three dimensional cross sectional image of an object by the reconstruction of its projections. Images of a superior quality can be obtained with a fewer number projections than seen with conventional methods by reconstruction of projections that have been pre-processed and preferably placed in the Fourier domain with a Fractional Fourier Transform (FrFT) or forward Pseudo-polar Fast Fourier transform (PPFFT). The projections are iteratively refined through formulation of a constrained optimization problem with constraints in object space and Fourier space preferably solved with a gradient descent algorithm incorporating a Bregman iterative regularization or a continuative regularization. By using an exact Fourier-based iterative algorithm as well as physical and mathematical constraints, convergence to a lowest-possible noise state that is also strictly consistent with the measured data can be obtained. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100284597 | Ultrasound System And Method For Rendering Volume Data - There is disclosed an embodiment for volume data rendering. A first processor forms volume data by using a plurality of ultrasound data. A user interface coupled to the first processor receives region of interest (ROI) setting information including a size and a position of the ROI. A second processor coupled to the first processor sets a plurality of sampling start points along edges of the volume data, a plurality of sampling points and a ray-casting direction on the volume data based on the ROI setting information. The second processor is configured to move sampling start points positioned inside or outside the ROI to be positioned at the ROI to render the volume data. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100284598 | IMAGE REGISTRATION ALIGNMENT METRIC - A method includes obtaining a combined data set that includes first and second imaging data sets. The first and second imaging data sets correspond to different imaging modalities. The method further includes determining a metric indicative of an alignment between the first and second imaging data sets in the combined data set. The method further includes presenting the metric in a human readable format. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100284599 | IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AN APPARATUS THEREFOR AND A TOMOGRAPHIC APPARATUS - A tomographic apparatus of this invention includes a dividing unit for dividing a sectional image into a pixel group including artifacts and a pixel group not including artifacts by carrying out an independent component analysis (ICA) of the artifacts, and a pixel group processing unit for applying a smoothing filter as a predetermined process relating to correction only with respect to the above pixel group including the artifacts, whereby a correction process is carried out to remove the artifacts. Thus, the artifacts can be removed stably. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100284600 | POSITRON COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY DEVICE - In a positron CT device of this invention, a cross range calculation section determines a cross range of a coincidence LOR as a virtual line that connects two detectors for performing coincidence and a pixel, and a system matrix calculating section determines a system matrix by calculating elements in the system matrix within the cross range upon calculating of the system matrix. Thereafter, a reconstruction section creates a distribution image of positrons as an image based on the system matrix. Consequently, improvement in speed of image reconstruction may be realized. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100290681 | FUSED PERFUSION AND FUNCTIONAL 3D ROTATIONAL ANGIOGRAPHY RENDERING - A Method and system for visualising information by combining 3DRA with diagnostic data like regular CT or MR, and colourised physiologic data like perfusion or functional data to obtain a plurality of volumes obtained from the same patient. These volumes may be a 3DRA volume, a regular greyscale CT or MR volume and a colourised physiologic parameter like a perfusion CT, a perfusion MR or a functional MR volume. Then, an anatomic structure like a vessel is segmented from the 3DRA volume, a slab out of the regular CT or MR data is rendered through the segmented vessel, and a slice out of the colourised volume of the perfusion or functional data is rendered on top of the slab. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100290682 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Apparatus - An imaging pulse sequence includes; a tagging sequence for modulating nuclear magnetization of an object to be imaged; and an imaging sequence for non-measurement of a part of k-space data. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100290683 | MR-PET CYCLIC MOTION GATING AND CORRECTION - In preparation for acquiring PET image data, subject motion models are built based on physiologic signal monitoring and MR data is collected and used for improved PET imaging. The physiologic signal monitoring is also used during PET imaging, and the acquired MR data is used for prospective or retrospective gating of the PET image acquisition, or in the PET reconstruction for improved correction/imaging. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100290684 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING AN IMAGE FROM MEDICAL IMAGE DATA - In a methods and apparatus for generating an image for display from medical image data of a subject, image data is processed to reconstruct a pre-image data set, and a filter applied to the pre-image data set to produce a filtered image for display, while a value of a variable is obtained from the pre-image data set, for display with the filtered image. The value obtained from the pre-image data can be used for quantification of a feature of the medical image data. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100290685 | FUSION OF 3D VOLUMES WITH CT RECONSTRUCTION - A method for registration of ultrasound device in three dimensions to a C-arm scan, the method including acquiring a baseline volume, acquiring images in which the ultrasound device is disposed, locating the device within the images, registering the location of the device to the baseline volume, acquiring an ultrasound volume from the ultrasound device, registering the ultrasound volume to the baseline volume, and performing fusion imaging to display a view of the ultrasound device in the baseline volume. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100290686 | METHOD FOR PROCESSING MEASUREMENT DATA FROM PERFUSION COMPUTER TOMOGRAPHY - A method is disclosed for processing measurement data from perfusion computed tomography, in which both perfusion parameters, in order to calculate which arterial and venous TACs are generated, and dynamic CTA images are generated from the measurement data. In at least one embodiment of the proposed method, averaging is performed over the dynamic CTA images from a plurality of temporally successive time phases in order to obtain averaged CTA images, wherein the time phases over which averaging is performed are determined from the arterial or venous TAC(s). In some cases, the method can dispense with an additional static CTA and so the amount of the injected contrast agent and the radiation dose can be reduced. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100290687 | Apparatus And Methods For Displaying An Elastic Image Using An Ultrasound System - Disclosed is an apparatus for generating an elastic image that includes an interpolation unit configured to generate a first data set using ultrasound images obtained at a maximum pressure and at a minimum pressure; an image generating unit configured to generate a pyramid image using the first data set; a map generating unit configured to generate a motion map using the pyramid image; a displacement calculating unit configured to calculate a displacement based on the motion map; and a display unit configure to display an elastic image using the calculated displacement. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100290688 | SLICE DETERMINATION APPARATUS, MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SYSTEM, AND SLICE SETTING METHOD - A slice determination apparatus includes a feature point setting unit for setting a plurality of feature points to a subject, a reference axis determination unit for determining a reference axis, based on the feature points, and a slice setting unit for setting a plurality of slices, based on the reference axis. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100290689 | DISCRIMINATING INFARCTS FROM ARTIFACTS IN MRI SCAN DATA - An algorithm is proposed to eliminate from MRI images pixels which have been incorrectly identified as corresponding to infarct material. A first technique is to eliminate identified regions which are determined to be similar to the region of the scan which corresponds to the identified region reflected in the mid-sagittal plane (MSP) of the brain. A second technique is to eliminate regions which are determined not to have corresponding identified regions in one or more of the other scans. The combination of two techniques enhances the confidence in the decision of whether a hyperintense region is an infarct or artifact. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100296712 | IMAGE PREPROCESSING SYSTEM FOR 3D IMAGE DATABASE CONSTRUCTION - The present invention discloses an image preprocessing system, which includes a processing unit; an image preprocessing unit coupled to the processing unit to preprocess image slice data, wherein the image preprocessing unit includes an image fusion module to estimate missing values between different image slice data and an image stitching module to stitch different image slice data into stitched image data; and a database coupled to the processing unit to store the preprocessed image slice data. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100296713 | System and Method for Detecting Poor Quality in 3D Reconstructions - A system and method for detecting poor quality images in an optical tomography system includes an acquisition apparatus for acquiring a set of pseudo-projection images of an object having a center of mass, where each of the set of pseudo-projection images is acquired at a different angle of view. A reconstruction apparatus is coupled to receive the pseudo-projection images, for reconstruction of the pseudo-projection images into 3D reconstruction images. A quality apparatus is coupled to receive the 3D reconstruction images and operates to detect of selected features that characterize poor quality reconstructions. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100296714 | MULTIPARAMETER PERFUSION IMAGING WITH LEAKAGE CORRECTION - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methodology is provided for simultaneous measurement of dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) MRI and dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) MRI perfusion and permeability parameters using a combination of dual echo and spiral acquisition techniques with no contrast agent preload. T1 and T2/T2* leakage effects are eliminated, thereby permitting accurate measurement of blood volume, blood flow and vascular permeability which are used in evaluating tumor angiogenesis. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100296715 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND OPERATING METHOD THEREFOR, DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING SYSTEM, AND DIAGNOSIS METHOD - The present teaching aims to detect a lesion in tissue at a very early stage. The present teaching provides a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus including a transmission/reception module that receives a magnetic resonance signal from a subject after transmitting a high-frequency signal, a control module that controls the transmission/reception module such that scans are executed based on pulse sequences corresponding to a first imaging condition without application of an MT pulse and to a second imaging condition accompanied by the application of the MT pulse, a calculation module that calculates a lesion diagnostic rating index represented as a function of a signal intensity Mo of a first magnetic resonance signal received from the subject according to the first imaging condition and a signal intensity Ms of a second magnetic resonance signal received from the subject according to the second imaging condition, and a detection module that detects a lesion in living tissue or a presage thereof in the imaged region based on the lesion diagnostic rating index. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100296716 | TOMOGRAMS FOR IMPLANT PLANNING - Method for creating and presenting layer images that are generated from a set of volume data, whereby the volume data are recorded with a tomographic recording device, for example with a “cone beam CT” device, and show the jaw area of a patient, whereby planning data are assigned to the volume data, and said planning data describe the position of an implant that is to be inserted into the jaw and that has an implant axis, whereby a coordinate system that is adapted to a panoramic curve or a panoramic surface is defined that is formed by the vectors u, v, and w that are orthogonal to one another, whereby for the creation and presentation of a layer image, a representational plane is selected that intersects an implant that is described by the planning data, whereby in a first case, the v vector is orthogonal to the panoramic surface and/or the panoramic curve, and the implant axis intersects in a reference point, whereby the reference point is selected as the origin of the coordinate system, whereby the w-vector that runs through the reference point is tilted in such a way that the implant axis lies in the v, w-plane, whereby the v, w-plane forms a first base plane and whereby a representational plane that is parallel to the first base plane is selected, whereby in a second case, the u vector intersects the implant axis in a reference point and is parallel to the tangent on the panoramic curve in the perpendicular point of the reference point to the panoramic curve, whereby the w-vector of the coordinate system is tilted in such a way that the implant axis lies in the u, w-plane, whereby the u, w-plane forms a second base plane and whereby a representational plane that is parallel to the second base plane is selected. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100296717 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MULTI-CONTRAST ACQUIRING METHOD - The contrast of an image captured by imaging using a multi-echo sequence by radial sampling is improved. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100303318 | Method for Analysing an Image of the Brain of a Subject, Computer Program Product for Analysing Such Image and Apparatus for Implementing the Method - Method for analysing an image of the brain of a subject, comprising: collection of an image in at least three dimensions of the brain of a subject, parcellation of said image into regions of interest (ROIs) in a brain native reference frame characteristic of said brain, determination in an automated manner, for each ROI, of at least one discriminating value based on image data measured on the image, said image data being representative of an anatomical or functional feature of the brain, said discriminating value being relative with regard to the discriminating values of the other ROIs. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100303319 | PET LOCAL TOMOGRAPHY - A positron imaging apparatus ( | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100303320 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND MACHINE READABLE PROGRAMS FOR ENHANCED FAT/WATER SEPARATION IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - Methods, systems and machine readable programs are disclosed herein for providing improved magnetic resonance images, particularly with respect to fat and water separation. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100303321 | System and Method for Conducting Multiplexed Electrical Impedance Tomography - A method is provided for taking electrical impedance tomography measurements using multiple electrodes located at selected positions external to a volume of a subject body. Multiple orthogonal or near-orthogonal signals are introduced simultaneously by way of selected different electrodes and resultant predetermined responses (if any) at receiving electrodes are recorded or determined. The signals are encoded using the technique of code division multiplexing and received signals at each receiving electrode are cross-correlated with original signals to determine the contribution of each original signal to a composite received signal. The invention also relates to apparatus suitable for use in applying a method. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100303322 | METHOD FOR DETECTING FLAT POLYPS IN THE COLON - A method of formatting data for detecting flat polyps in a Computed Tomography Colonography, CTC, dataset comprising the steps of: extracting colon surface data, from the CTC dataset, within a sub-volume centred on a candidate polyp seed point; identifying individual sets of points corresponding to the candidate polyp's body and the candidate polyp's base within that sub-volume; projecting the set of points corresponding to the candidate polyp's body on to a tangent plane via a normal vector, wherein the normal vector is calculated from the best fitting plane to the set of points corresponding to the candidate polyp's base; isolating a new seed point for the candidate polyp from the projected data; locating the nearest surface point to the new seed in the extracted dataset above, and region-growing the surface ab initio from this point; identifying individual sets of points corresponding to the candidate polyp's body and the candidate polyp's base in the region-grown surface, and determining the normal vector from the best fitting plane to the set of points corresponding to the candidate polyp's base; using the normal vector determined in step vi) to slice the candidate structure in a number of different orientations; and generating a series of planes for each orientation, from which elliptical structures can be identified as representative of flat polyps. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100303323 | RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS, RADIATION IMAGING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - A radiation imaging apparatus comprising: a first and second radiation-generating units adapted to irradiate the object with first and second radiation from a first and second directions; a first radiation-detection unit adapted to detect the first radiation irradiated by the first radiation-generating unit and transmitted through the object; a second radiation-detection unit adapted to detect the second radiation irradiated by the second radiation-generating unit and transmitted through the object and the first radiation irradiated by the first radiation-generating unit and scattered by the object; a readout unit adapted to read out image information indicating a result of imaging of the object from the second radiation-detection unit; an image-analysis unit adapted to analyze the image information read out by the readout unit; and a radiation-control unit adapted to control an irradiation timing of the second radiation by the second radiation-generating unit based on an analysis result obtained by the image-analysis unit. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100303324 | Methods and Compositions for Articular Repair - Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for producing articular repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. In particular, methods for providing articular repair systems. Also provided are articular surface repair systems designed to replace a selected area cartilage, for example, and surgical tools for repairing articular surfaces. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100303325 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT TO PROCESS A SET OF TOMOSYNTHESIS SLICES - Method to process a set of tomosynthesis slices, comprising; acquiring images of an object of interest using a detector of a machine also comprising an X-ray emitter; reconstructing a set of tomosynthesis slices of the object using a calculator, in relation to the acquired images; displaying slices on a display monitor with a first display increment; selecting a region of interest in a slice of interest; and using a second display increment that is finer than the first display increment to display on the display monitor regions of interest belonging to slices in the set, the regions of interest corresponding to the selected region of interest. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100303326 | CT IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION OF A MOVING EXAMINATION OBJECT - A method is disclosed for reconstructing image data of a moving examination object from measured data, the measured data having been acquired during a rotating movement of a radiation source of a computed tomography system around the examination object. In at least one embodiment, first image data are determined from the measured data. Movement information is determined from the first image data by forming the difference between images. Time instants of little movement of the examination object are determined from the movement information, the determined time instants being dependent on the location or site within the examination object. Finally, second image data are reconstructed taking the determined time instants into account. These data can be output as result images. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100303327 | PRESENTATION AND MANIPULATION OF HIGH DEPTH IMAGES IN LOW DEPTH IMAGE DISPLAY SYSTEMS - High depth grayscale images, (e.g. <8 bits per pixel) are losslessly cross channel encoded to multi-channel image formats for transformation and display by display devices not capable of displaying high depth grayscale. DICOM and other images may be encoded and provided to web browser based client image viewers that leverage native code for handling multi-channel images. Transformations are applied to reconstitute the high depth grayscale images. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100303328 | AUTOMATIC 3-D SEGMENTATION OF THE SHORT-AXIS LATE-ENHANCEMENT CARDIAC MRI - The invention relates to a system ( | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100310141 | ESTIMATING RISK OF FUTURE BONE FRACTURE UTILIZING THREE-DIMENSIONAL BONE DENSITY MODEL - A novel approach for analyzing a patient's body part of interest to assess bone strength and/or risk of future fracture includes obtaining a priori information regarding the body part of interest, performing X-ray absorptiometric scans of the patient's body part of interest and collecting X-ray absorptiometry data from the scans, constructing a three-dimensional model of the patient's body part of interest, by utilizing the a priori information along with the X-ray absorptiometric data, and performing measurements of various geometric parameters on the three-dimensional model for determining geometric and structural properties. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100310142 | METHOD FOR REMOTE MONITORING OF THE IMAGE DATA QUALITY IN ACQUISITIONS WITH AT LEAST ONE MEDICAL IMAGE ACQUISITION DEVICE - In a method for remote monitoring of the image data quality in acquisitions with at least one medical image acquisition device that has a control and evaluation unit connected to a network, and workstation computers, connected to the network, with a display device (in particular at least one monitor), image data of a current patient associated with the image acquisition device for acquisition are transmitted over the network to the workstation computer immediately after the acquisition and possible post-processing. The image data are presented at the display device in parallel with data of an additional patient presently being assessed, with optical demarcation in a separate observation region. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100310143 | Filter Bank for Ultrasound Image Enhancement - Image enhancement is provided in ultrasound imaging. A filter bank is used to process the data. The data may be processed in parallel. Each filter outputs data representing a same location, but with a kernel path (e.g., line, curved line, area, curved surface, or volume) different than for the other filters. For example, three filters filter along respective orthogonal planes. The filters may use preselected or data independent paths. The output of the filter bank is determined from the outputs of the filters in the bank, such as by selecting the maximum value. This bank-based filtering may enhance data associated with anatomical surfaces or contours and/or may reduce speckle. The parallel operation of the filters may allow for more rapid processing and/or processing a greater amount of data as compared to using a single filter. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100310144 | Method for Dynamic Prior Image Constrained Image Reconstruction - A method for reconstructing a high quality image from undersampled image data is provided. The image reconstruction method is applicable to a number of different imaging modalities. Specifically, the present invention provides an image reconstruction method that incorporates an appropriate prior image into the image reconstruction process. One aspect of the invention is to provide an image reconstruction method that produces a time series of desired images indicative of a higher temporal resolution than is ordinarily achievable with the imaging system, while mitigating undesired image artifacts. This is generally achieved by incorporating a limited amount of additional image data into the data consistency condition imposed during a prior image constrained image reconstruction. For example, cardiac phase images can be produced with high temporal resolution using a state-of-the-art multi-detector CT system with either fast gantry rotation speed or CT imaging system with a slow gantry rotation speed. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100310145 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises an ultrasonic probe, a scanning unit, an image data generating unit, a slice specifying unit, an image generating unit and a display unit. The scanning unit repeats three-dimensional scanning on a three-dimensional region in an object with an ultrasonic wave via the ultrasonic probe. The image data generating unit repeatedly generates three-dimensional image data based on an output from the scanning unit. The slice specifying unit specifies at least one slice from the three-dimensional image data concurrently with the three-dimensional scanning. The image generating unit generates at least one slice image associated with the specified slice from the three-dimensional image data. The display unit displays the generated slice image. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100310146 | MEDICAL IMAGE REPORTING SYSTEM AND METHOD - This invention relates generally to medical imaging and, in particular, to a method and system for reconstructing a model path through a branched tubular organ. Novel methodologies and systems segment and define accurate endoluminal surfaces in airway trees, including small peripheral bronchi. An automatic algorithm is described that searches the entire lung volume for airway branches and poses airway-tree segmentation as a global graph-theoretic optimization problem. A suite of interactive segmentation tools for cleaning and extending critical areas of the automatically segmented result is disclosed. A model path is reconstructed through the airway tree. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100316275 | Method for image reconstruction of moving radionuclide source distribution - A method for image reconstruction of moving radionuclide distributions. Its particular embodiment is for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging of awake animals, though its techniques are general enough to be applied to other moving radionuclide distributions as well. The invention eliminates motion and blurring artifacts for image reconstructions of moving source distributions. This opens new avenues in the area of small animal brain imaging with radiotracers, which can now be performed without the perturbing influences of anesthesia or physical restraint on the biological system. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100316276 | Digital Medical Record Software - Disclosed herein is a method for graphically representing the condition of an anatomical structure that is the subject of a medical examination. The method includes displaying a background image representative of the anatomical structure, the image including a plurality of layers corresponding to different layers of the anatomical structure, selecting a layer of the background image, presenting a plurality of symbols, each corresponding to an anatomical pathological state and selected from a group associated with the selected layer, each symbol having a plurality of parameters which determine the rendering condition of a symbol on the background, selecting one of the presented symbols, selecting an X-Y position within the selected layer and displaying the symbol on the selected layer. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100316277 | Method, system, apparatus, and computer program product for interactive hepatic vascular and biliary system assessment - A procedure for image segmentation on three-dimensional (3D) medical images, and a system, apparatus, and computer program that operate in accordance with the procedure. The procedure includes generating a projection including an anatomic structure, tracing a curve corresponding to the anatomic structure, extracting a curved volume of interest based on the curve and the projection, and extracting a segmentation of the anatomic structure. Also provided is a procedure for aligning anatomic structures in images, and a system, apparatus, and computer program that operate in accordance with the procedure. The procedure includes determining part of a biliary system in a first image, determining part of a hepatic portal vein or a hepatic artery in a second image, determining a gallbladder in the images, determining a cost function, and aligning the biliary system and the hepatic portal vein or hepatic artery by maximizing the cost function. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100316278 | HIGH-RESOLUTION THREE-DIMENSIONAL MEDICAL IMAGING WITH DYNAMIC REAL-TIME INFORMATION - A computer-implemented method, a device, a system and a computer program are disclosed for three-dimensional displaying of medical body structures within the framework of a medical procedure, in particular cardiac surgery, wherein movement information is derived from a dynamic image of a body structure to be examined. In at least one embodiment, movement information is derived from vector analysis. After acquiring a static image of the respective body structure, vector analysis is applied to the static image to derive a modified static image with movement information of the body structure. The static image can then be displayed after it has moved. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100316279 | SCANNING METHOD AND SYSTEM - To improve the scanning effect, a scanning method is provided, which comprises the steps of performing at least one of an nCT scan and a CTA scan on an object so as to obtain a set of images; detecting characteristics of a region of interest based on the set of images; and performing a CTP scan on the region of interest by adopting the characteristics to obtain a CTP image. By deriving the characteristics of the region of interest, e.g. a lesion or an area covering the lesion, before performing the CTP scan, and by adapting the subsequent CTP scan based on the characteristics of the region of interest, the drawback introduced by a limited scan area of the CTP scanner is mitigated, or even overcome. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100322494 | Focal Plane Tracking for Optical Microtomography - An optical tomography system for imaging an object of interest including a light source for illuminating the object of interest with a plurality of radiation beams. The object of interest is held within an object containing tube such that it is illuminated by the plurality of radiation beams to produce emerging radiation from the object containing tube, a detector array is located to receive the emerging radiation and produce imaging data used by a mechanism for tracking the object of interest. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100322495 | MEDICAL IMAGING SYSTEM - The invention relates to a medical imaging system. First, a sequence of images of a part of a body (BO) is acquired. Second, a feature of interest is detected automatically. Third, at least one parameter characteristic of said feature of interest for each image acquired is computed. Finally, the parameter having the 5 greatest value among the computed parameters is displayed automatically. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100322496 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ANATOMY STRUCTURE SEGMENTATION AND MODELING IN AN IMAGE - A method is proposed for segmenting one or more ventricles in a three-dimensional brain scan image (e.g. MR or CT). The image is registered against a brain model, which ventricle models of each of the one or more ventricles. Respective regions of interest are defined based on the ventricle models. Object regions are first obtained by applying region growing procedure in the regions of interest, and then trimmed based on anatomical knowledge. A 3D surface model of one or more objects is constructed within a 3D space from the segmented structure. A 3D surface is edited and refined by a user selecting amendment points in the 3D space which are indicative of missing detail features. A region of the 3D surface near the selected points is then warped towards the amendment points smoothly, and the modified patch is combined with the rest of the 3D surface yields the accurate anatomy structure model. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100322497 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING TOMOGRAPHIC IMAGE ACQUISITION AND RECONSTRUCTION - Systems and methods for tomographic reconstruction of an image include systems and methods for producing images from k-space data. A k-space data set of an imaged object is acquired using know k-space data acquisition systems and methods. A portion of the k-space data set is sampled so as to collect some portion of the k-space data. An image is then reconstructed from the collected portion of the k-space data set according to a convex optimization model. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100322498 | MULTIPLE-SOURCE IMAGING SYSTEM WITH FLAT-PANEL DETECTOR - When performing nuclear (e.g., SPECT or PET) and CT scans on a patient, an imaging system ( | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100329527 | SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR FREQUENCY TRANSLATION OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE (MR) SIGNALS - An apparatus includes a first magnetic resonance (MR) coil element configured to output a first set of MR data at a first output frequency and a first mixer coupled to the first MR coil element. The first mixer is configured to receive the first set of MR data from the first MR coil element and frequency translate the first set of MR data to a first offset frequency different from the first output frequency by a first offset value. The apparatus also includes a digitizer coupled to the first mixer and configured to convert the frequency-translated first set of MR data into a set of digital data and a transmission line coupled to the first mixer and to the digitizer, the transmission line configured to transmit the frequency-translated first set of MR data from the MR coil element to the digitizer without a balun coupled to the transmission line. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100329528 | IMAGING OF MOVING OBJECTS - A method of generating an image data set, describing an object, as the object moves in a scanning space, comprises: a) performing a plurality of scans of the scanning space each scan being arranged to generate a set of samples, each sample including a sample value of at least one parameter associated with a respective point in the scanning space, the plurality of scans generating sample sets relating to a plurality of different parameters; b) determining a mapping for each of the samples from the scanning space into an object space which is fixed relative to the object; and c) determining object space values for each of the parameters at each of a plurality of points in the object space. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100329529 | COMPUTER ASSISTED DIAGNOSIS (CAD) OF CANCER USING MULTI-FUNCTIONAL, MULTI-MODAL IN-VIVO MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY (MRS) AND IMAGING (MRI) - This invention relates to computer-assisted diagnostics and classification of prostate cancer. Specifically, the invention relates to segmentation of the prostate boundary on MRI images, cancer detection using multimodal multi-protocol MR data; and their integration for a computer-aided diagnosis and classification system for prostate cancer. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100329530 | Patient Selectable Knee Joint Arthroplasty Devices - Disclosed herein are methods and devices for repairing articular surfaces in a knee joint. The articular surface repairs are customizable or highly selectable for each patient and geared toward providing optimal fit and function. Kits are also provided to enable customized repairs to be performed. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100329531 | METHOD FOR RECORDING AND PROCESSING MEASUREMENT DATA FROM A HYBRID IMAGING DEVICE AND HYBRID IMAGING DEVICE - A method is disclosed for recording and processing measurement data from a hybrid imaging device including a first partial device for a first imaging modality and a second partial device for emission tomography. In at least one embodiment, the method includes: performance of measurement data recording with the first partial device, wherein successive different table positions are approached during the measurement data recording; recording of emission tomography measurement data with the second partial device during the performance of the measurement data recording with the first partial device at the different table positions; assignment of the recorded emission tomography measurement data to the different table positions; changing of the emission tomography measurement data assigned to different table positions with respect to the data volume in such a way that the recording times corresponding to the changed data volumes are matched to each other at different table positions; and reconstruction of an emission tomography image from the changed emission tomography measurement data. At least one embodiment of the invention further relates to a hybrid imaging device designed to perform the method | 12-30-2010 |
| 20110002518 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING ULTRASOUND DATA - A method and system for processing ultrasound data is provided. The method includes acquiring ultrasound data and generating an image based on the ultrasound data. The method includes identifying an anatomical region of the image and automatically modifying the anatomical region for the purpose of reducing a clutter artifact. The method includes generating a modified image including at least a portion of the modified anatomical region and displaying the modified image. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110002519 | MAMMOGRAPHY APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - A mammography apparatus has a determination unit, a setting unit, a generating unit and a display unit. The determination unit determines whether a radiographic image of a breast contains an implant part based on a pixel value distribution in a predetermined region concerning data of the radiographic image. The setting unit changes a setting of a parameter for a tone conversion process based on a determination made by the determination unit. The generating unit generates a display image based on the radiographic image by application of the parameter. The display unit displays the display image. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110002520 | Method and System for Automatic Contrast Phase Classification - A method and system for classifying a contrast phase of a 3D medical image, such as a computed tomography (CT) image or a magnetic resonance (MR) image, is disclosed. A plurality of anatomic landmarks are detected in a 3D medical image. A local volume of interest is estimated at each of the plurality of anatomic landmarks, and features are extracted from each local volume of interest. The contrast phase of the 3D volume is determined based on the extracted features using a trained classifier. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110002521 | CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW QUANTIFICATION DEVICE, CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW QUANTIFICATION METHOD AND PROGRAM - A cerebral blood flow rate quantification device includes: a nuclear medicine image acquisition unit for acquiring a nuclear medicine image of the head of a subject administered with a radiopharmaceutical; a count calculation unit for calculating the number of counts obtained from a unit region; a cerebral blood flow rate calculation unit for calculating the value of a cerebral blood flow rate that makes the value of a function, which expresses the concentration of the radiopharmaceutical in brain tissue; and a cerebral blood flow map generation unit for generating a map showing cerebral blood flow based on the cerebral blood flow rate in each unit region. Consequently, the cerebral blood flow rate can be accurately quantified even at a relatively early stage after administration of a radiopharmaceutical. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110002522 | MEDICAL IMAGING PROCESSING DEVICE, MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - Provided is a medical image processing device including: medical image information acquisition means which acquires medical image information indicating a tomographic image of an object to be examined; evaluation region extraction means which extracts an evaluation region for each of the tissues contained in the acquired medical image information according to a pixel value, a concentration value, or a luminance value for each of the tissues; and evaluation region display means which displays the evaluation region on a display device. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110002523 | Method and System of Segmenting CT Scan Data - A method of segmenting CT scan data comprises transforming intensity data into transformed data values. In a first option, the method includes convolving the CT scan data with a mask to obtain energy data wherein the mask has band pass filter characteristics, generating a histogram of the energy data and segmenting the CT scan data based on energy values in the generated histogram. In a second option, the method includes transforming the intensity data into Hounsfield scale data, and segmenting the image based on predefined Hounsfield scale values. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110007956 | SINOGRAM PROCESSING TO REDUCE METAL ARTIFACTS IN COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY - A method is disclosed for reconstructing image data of an examination object from measurement data, wherein the measurement data was captured as projection data during a relative rotational movement between a radiation source of a computed tomography system and the examination object. In at least one embodiment, a first image is determined from the measurement data and pixel values of the first image are modified, by classifying the pixel values in at least three classes, a class pixel value being assigned to each class, and the pixels of the first image being allocated the respective class pixel value. Projection data is calculated from the thus modified first image. The calculated projection data is used to normalize the measured projection data. Values are modified in the normalized projection data and the thus modified normalized projection data is subjected to a processing that reverses normalization. Finally a second image is determined from the thus processed projection data. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110007957 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR - An imaging apparatus that captures a tomographic image of a subject includes: a first tomographic image acquisition unit to acquire a first tomographic image of the subject, a tomographic image analysis unit to analyze the first tomographic image, an image capturing parameter setting unit to set an image capturing parameter for capturing a second tomographic image of the subject according to a result of analysis by the tomographic image analysis unit, a second tomographic image acquisition unit to acquire the second tomographic image captured according to the image capturing parameter set by the image capturing parameter setting unit, and a correction unit to correct positional deviation of the first tomographic image by using the second tomographic image. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110007958 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GENERATION OF ATTENUATION MAP - A method of image reconstruction corrected for attenuation is provided for use with radioemission-based imaging, such as SPECT and PET. This method includes collecting measured emission projection data. The emission projection data, a reconstruction of the emission projection data, and a priori organ information are collectively analyzed to generate a body region estimate of the imaged subject. Each voxel of the body region estimate is then homogenously assigned an attenuation coefficient to generate an initial attenuation map estimate. An initial emission assumption is also generated based on a reconstruction of the emission projection data. The initial emission assumption and initial attenuation map estimate are then processed and refined to produce an image reconstruction. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110007959 | CT SURROGATE BY AUTO-SEGMENTATION OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGES - When modeling anatomical structures in a patient for diagnosis or therapeutic planning, an atlas ( | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110013817 | METHOD FOR SUPPRESSING STREAK ARTIFACTS IN IMAGES PRODUCED WITH AN X-RAY IMAGING SYSTEM - A method for reconstructing images from a set of acquired projection views weights the value backprojected into each image voxel depending on whether the backprojected raysum passes through a highly attenuating region in the subject of the image. If the raysum exceeds an attenuation threshold value, the backprojected values are weighted to substantially reduce the contribution of that raysum to the reconstructed image and to thereby reduce streak artifacts otherwise produced by high attenuation objects such as metal surgical clips. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110013818 | 3D Medical Image Segmentation - A treatment planning apparatus comprises a means for receiving a three dimensional representation of a patient, a means for displaying at least a part of the representation, a means for user-designation of sub-regions of the representation, and a computing means adapted to segment the representation into a region within an anatomical structure and a region outside the anatomical structure on the basis of the locations of the sub-regions, the degree of similarity of voxels to neighbouring voxels in the representation, and a dataset representing an a priori assumption of the correct segmentation. •The dataset preferably comprises a probability distribution of each pixel being within the segmentation, e.g. obtained from a segmentation of a previous image of the patient, for example by smoothing the previous segmentation. The at least part of the representation comprises one or more sections through the representation, such as axial, sagittal and/or coronal views of the patient. The computing means can segment the representation by minimising a function. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110019889 | System and method of applying anatomically-constrained deformation - System and method of generating a warp field to generate a deformed image. The system and method use segmentation in a new method of image deformation with the intent of improving the anatomical significance of the results. Instead of allowing each image voxel to move in any direction, only a few anatomical motions are permissible. The planning image and the daily image are both segmented automatically. These segmentations are then analyzed to define the values of the few anatomical parameters that govern the allowable motions. Given these model parameters, a deformation or warp field is generated directly without iteration. The warp field is applied to the planning image or the daily image to deform the image. The deformed image can be displayed to a user. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110019890 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - A processing is executed for identifying an image area which blocks an observation target, and removing the identified area. An image processing apparatus | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110019891 | MEDICAL IMAGING PROCESS FOR TRIPLE-ENERGY MODELING, AND DEVICE FOR IMPLEMENTING SUCH A PROCESS - A method for X-ray imaging of a body using an imaging device comprising an image sensor and an X-ray emitter which operates at different emission spectra, wherein the method includes: acquiring a first image resulting from the passage through the body of X-rays emitted by the X-ray emitter with a first emission spectrum; calculating characteristics of the body on the basis of the first image, and calculating a second and a third emission spectrum based on the characteristics of the body, wherein the first, second and third emission spectra are distinct from one another; acquiring a second and third image resulting from the passage through the body of X-rays emitted by the X-ray emitter with the second and third emission spectrum respectively; and modeling the body by generating thickness charts for different materials comprising the body on the basis of the three images. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110019892 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VISUALLY SUPPORTING AN ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL CATHETER APPLICATION - A method for visually supporting an electrophysiological catheter application is provided. An electroanatomical 3D mapping data of a region of interest in the heart is visualized. A 3D image data of the region of interest is captured before the catheter application. A 3D surface profile of objects in the region of interest is extracted from the 3D image data by segmentation. The electroanatomical 3D mapping data and 3D image data forming at least the 3D surface profile is assigned by registration and visualized superimposed on one another. Characteristic parameters are measured for catheter guidance during the catheter application. The characteristic parameters are compared with at least one predefined threshold value and regulation data for catheter guidance is generated as a function of the comparison result. The regulation data is integrally displayed and represented in the superimposed visualization. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110019893 | Method and Device for Controlling the Ablation Energy for Performing an Electrophysiological Catheter Application - A device and a method for controlling ablation energy for performing an electrophysiological catheter application are provided. Measured parameters that are characteristic for guidance of a catheter are received by a communication module. The characteristic parameter values are compared with at least one predefined threshold value by a control module. The control module generates control data for guidance of the catheter as a function of the result of the comparison. The control data is output to at least one control station by output interfaces for controlling the guidance of the catheter for the purpose of adjusting the ablation energy of the catheter. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110019894 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND CONTROL PROGRAM THEREOF - An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a physical quantity calculator for setting correlation windows to echo signals via ultrasound of a biological tissue and lying on the same sound rays which belong to frames different in time, and performing a correlation arithmetic operation between the correlation windows to calculate a physical quantity related to elasticity of the biological tissue, and an elastic image data generator for generating elastic image data of the biological tissue, based on the physical quantity. Upon setting each correlation window to the echo signal on one sound ray which belongs to either one of the frames, the physical quantity calculator sets the each correlation window using a correlation arithmetic operation on an immediately preceding correlation window adjacent to the correlation window on one sound ray and previously subjected to a correlation arithmetic operation, and a correlation arithmetic operation on another sound ray correlation window. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110019895 | TOMOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT, IMAGING SYSTEM PROVIDED THEREWITH, AND IMAGING DATA ACQUISITION METHOD - A cross-sectional area calculation section calculates a cross-sectional area of a subject as physical quantity with respect to a size of the subject, and an NEC calculation section calculates a noise equivalent count NEC as physical quantity for evaluating an image. The C-NEC calculation section calculates a noise equivalent count per unit area C-NEC as physical quantity for evaluating an image as per size of the subject in accordance with the cross-sectional area of the subject calculated in the cross-sectional area calculation section and the noise equivalent count NEC calculated in the NEC calculation section. Accordingly, the noise equivalent count per unit area C-NEC is calculated as noted above, whereby an index may be determined that is independent of the cross-sectional area of the subject in evaluating the image. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110026791 | SYSTEMS, COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIA, AND METHODS FOR CLASSIFYING AND DISPLAYING BREAST DENSITY - Systems, computer-readable media, methods, and a medical imaging system are presented that compute and output a density estimate of a breast. The density estimate may be computed using information from at least two digital images, wherein each image represents a view of at least a portion of the breast from a different specific angle. The density estimate may be computed using information from at least one digital breast image and at least one digital opposite breast image, wherein the at least one digital breast image represents a view of at least a portion of the breast from a specific angle and wherein the at least one digital opposite breast image represents a view of at least a portion of the opposite breast. The density estimate may be computed using computed parenchyma information, the parenchyma information being computed using texture information and density information derived from at least one digital image of at least a portion of the breast. The density estimate may be computed using computed parenchyma information, the parenchyma information being computed from at least one digital image using computed vessel line information, the computed vessel line information being computed from the at least one digital image. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110026792 | Method of Enhancing the Contrast of an Image - A method of generating a multiscale contrast enhanced image is described wherein the shape of edge transitions is preserved. Detail images are subjected to a conversion, the conversion function of at least one scale being adjusted for each detail pixel value according to the ratio between the combination of the enhanced center differences and the combination of the unenhanced center differences. Several adaptive enhancement measures are described. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110026793 | AUTOMATED CENTERLINE EXTRACTION METHOD AND GENERATION OF CORRESPONDING ANALYTICAL EXPRESSION AND USE THEREOF - A computer implemented method ( | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110026794 | Deformable 2D-3D Registration of Structure - A method for performing deformable non-rigid registration of 2D and 3D images of a vascular structure for assistance in surgical intervention includes acquiring 3D image data. An abdominal aorta is segmented from the 3D image data using graph-cut based segmentation to produce a segmentation mask. Centerlines are generated from the segmentation mask using a sequential topological thinning process. 3D graphs are generated from the centerlines. 2D image data is acquired. The 2D image data is segmented to produce a distance map. An energy function is defined based on the 3D graphs and the distance map. The energy function is minimized to perform non-rigid registration between the 3D image data and the 2D image data. The registration may be optimized. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110026795 | METHOD AND IMAGE-PROCESSING SYSTEM FOR GENERATING A VOLUME-VIEWING IMAGE OF THE INTERIOR OF A BODY - A method for generating a volume-viewing image on the basis of three-dimensional image data of the interior of a body generated by way of a medical imaging system is described. In at least one embodiment, a plurality of different functional structures of the body are first of all segmented in the three-dimensional image data. Moreover, structure selection data for fixing functional structures to be visualized is determined. Then, at least one volume-viewing image is generated from the three-dimensional image data on the basis of the segmented functional structures and the structure selection data and the image is output. Moreover, in at least one embodiment, an image-processing system to carry out at least one embodiment of the method is described. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110026796 | SENSOR COORDINATE CALIBRATION IN AN ULTRASOUND SYSTEM - There is disclosed an embodiment for performing a calibration of a sensor by using an image registration between a three-dimensional ultrasound image and computerized tomography (CT) image. An ultrasound image forming unit includes an ultrasound probe and forms a three-dimensional ultrasound image of a target object. A sensor is coupled to the ultrasound probe. A memory stores a three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) image of the target object and position information on a position between the three-dimensional ultrasound image and the sensor. A processor performs image registration between the three-dimensional CT image and the three-dimensional ultrasound image to form a first transformation function for transforming a position of the sensor to a corresponding position on the three-dimensional CT image and performs calibration of the sensor by applying the position information to the first transformation function. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110026797 | METHODS OF ANALYZING A SELECTED REGION OF INTEREST IN MEDICAL IMAGE DATA - In methods and an apparatus for analyzing a selected region of interest in medical image data of a subject, an initial image data set is obtained, and the initial image data set is filtered to generate a filtered data set. The filtering includes computing, for each voxel of the initial image data set, a value of intensity for a standardized volume of interest centered on that voxel. A user selection of a region of interest in the initial image data set is registered, and from the filtered image data set a value of intensity for the selected region of interest is computed. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110026798 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATED SEGMENTATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND CLASSIFICATION OF POSSIBLY MALIGNANT LESIONS AND STRATIFICATION OF MALIGNANT TUMORS - A method and apparatus for classifying possibly malignant lesions from sets of DCE-MRI images includes receiving a set of MRI slice images obtained at respectively different times, where each slice image includes voxels representative of at least one region of interest (ROI). The images are processed to determine the boundaries of the ROIs and the voxels within the identified boundaries in corresponding regions of the images from each time period are processed to extract kinetic texture features. The kinetic texture features are then used in a classification process which classifies the ROIs as malignant or benign. The malignant lesions are further classified to separate TN lesions from non-TN lesions. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110026799 | FLIP ANGLE IMAGING WITH IMPROVED B1 MAPPING FOR MULTI-RF TRANSMIT SYSTEMS - A magnetic resonance method includes performing a plurality of magnetic resonance excitation operations each using a different sub-set of a set of radio frequency transmit coils ( | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110026800 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS. - There is provided an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can classify an elasticity image by using elasticity data of the elasticity image and image information and objectively estimate a progress state of a disorder. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has an elasticity information calculator for calculating elasticity data of a biomedical tissue by using RF signal frame data from the inside of an object which is received by ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving means, an elasticity image constructing unit for generating an elasticity image on the basis of a distortion amount and/or an elasticity modulus calculated by an elasticity information calculator, an elasticity image estimating unit | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110026801 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS, RECEIVING COIL AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE COIL - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus is provided, characterized by: one pair of static magnetic field generating means disposed sandwiching a space in which a test object is placed; magnetic field generating means configured to apply a high-frequency magnetic field and a gradient magnetic field to the test object placed in the static magnetic field; and receiving means configured to receive a nuclear magnetic resonance signal generated from the test object, and characterized in that: the receiving means includes a receiving coil having a predetermined coil pattern and capable of being shaped into a cylinder; the receiving coil includes flexible parts and rigid parts alternately disposed along the circumference direction when shaped into the cylinder; and the flexible parts include a flexible substrate on which a portion of the predetermined coil pattern is mounted and a air-bubbles-containing resin section for covering the both surfaces of the flexible substrate. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110033095 | System and Method for Providing Localization of Radiological Information Utilizing Radiological Domain Ontology - The present invention is directed in general to a system and method that employs radiological localization ontology to localize specified and modeled radiological domain knowledge. A system and method are provided that allows for consulting the ontology in the context of the model the ontology fulfills. The result of consulting the ontology will be localized radiological information based on information provided in the consultation. Even further, such result is validated, identified and classified radiological information that is based on information provided in the consultation. By consulting the ontology the system is also able to translate designated radiological information from one localized representation to another and consult a language independent radiological domain knowledge. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110033096 | Ultrasound System and Method for Segmenting Vessels - There are disclosed embodiments for an ultrasound system for performing segmentation of vessels. The ultrasound system comprises: an ultrasound data acquisition unit configured to transmit an ultrasound signal to a target object including vessels, receive an ultrasound echo signal reflected from the target object and form ultrasound data corresponding to the target object; a volume data forming unit configured to form volume data based on the ultrasound data; and a processor configured to form a 3-dimensional ultrasound image based on the volume data, set a plurality of slices on the 3-dimensional ultrasound image and perform segmentation of the vessels based on a degree of registration between the respective vessels on the adjacent slices. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110033097 | CT IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION FOR IMPROVING TEMPORAL RESOLUTION IN CARDIO CT - A method is disclosed for reconstructing image data of a moving examination object from measurement data, wherein the measurement data was captured in the course of a relative rotational movement between a radiation source of a computed tomography system and the examination object. In at least one embodiment of the method, a first image of the examination object is calculated from a complete measurement data record of the measurement data for an image reconstruction and a second image of the examination object is calculated from an incomplete measurement data record of the measurement data for an image reconstruction. Frequency splitting of the first and second images takes place respectively in at least one low-frequency and one higher-frequency component and the image data of the second image is supplemented in the low-frequency component with image data of the low-frequency component of the first image. In a further processing step the second image thus supplemented is improved using the first image, in that errors due to the incompleteness of the measurement data record of the second image are reduced. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110033098 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR STABILIZING A SERIES OF INTRAVASCULAR ULTRASOUND IMAGES AND EXTRACTING VESSEL LUMEN FROM THE IMAGES - A method and system for generating stabilized intravascular ultrasonic images are provided. The system may include a probe instrument, such as a catheter, connected to a processor and a post-processor. The method of using the system to stabilize images and the method for stabilizing images involve the process by which the processor and post-processor stabilize the image. A computer readable medium containing executable instructions for controlling a computer containing the processor and post-processor to perform the method of stabilizing images is also provided. The probe instrument, which has a transmitter for transmitting ultrasonic signals and a receiver for receiving reflected ultrasonic signals that contain information about a tubular environment, such as a body lumen, preferably is a catheter. The processor and post-processor are capable of converting inputted signals into one or more, preferably a series of, images and the post-processor, which determines the center of the environment at each reflection position, detects the edges of the tubular environment and aligns the image center with the environment center thereby limiting the drift of images, which may occur due to movement of the environment, and stabilizing the images. The processor may also be programmed to filter images or series of images to improve the image stabilization and remove motion interference and/or may be programmed to extract the 3D shape of the environment. The method and device are of particular use where motion causes image drift, for example, the imaging a body lumen, in particular a vascular lumen, where image drift may occur due to heart beat or blood flow. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110033099 | MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, METHOD FOR PROCESSING MEDICAL IMAGE AND PROGRAM - There is provided a medical image processing device that enables high-precision identification of the type of a biomedical tissue and display of an identification degree with respect to medical image information in multi-energy imaging. The medical image processing device acquires tissue information (statistic amount information such as average CT value, standard deviation of CT values, etc., display color, etc.) of a biomedical tissue every energy intensity of the multi-energy imaging. The medical image processing device creates an identification map for identifying the type of the biomedical tissue on the basis of the statistic amount information, and further creates an identification probability map for determining the identification degree of the biomedical tissue on the basis of the statistic amount information and the identification map. The medical image processing device acquires imaging information based on the multi-energy imaging, identifies the type of the biomedical tissue on the basis of the identification map, determines the identification degree on the basis of the identification probability map and displays in accordance with the identification. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110038519 | MEDICAL X-RAY CT IMAGING APPARATUS, MEDICAL X-RAY CT IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE, AND MEDICAL X-RAY CT IMAGE DISPLAY METHOD - A medical X-ray CT imaging apparatus, a medical X-ray CT image display device, and a medical X-ray CT image display method which perform CT imaging of living organs symmetrically located with respect to a predetermined plane and display CT images thereof. This is a method of displaying a medical X-ray CT image, where a CT image obtained by X-ray CT imaging, using a cone beam (B), of a first living organ and a second living organ which are symmetrically located with respect to the predetermined plane. In the present invention, the CT image of the first living organ and that of the second living organ are displayed for comparison on one display screen of a display means. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110038520 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND CONTROLLING METHOD THEREOF - In a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment, the sequence execution control unit alternately executes an imaging sequence of collecting data for generating a diagnostic image and a navigator sequence of collecting data for generating a navigator image that is an image for motion detection. The slice position detecting unit analyzes the navigator image generated from the data collected in the navigator sequence each time the navigator sequence is executed, and thereby detects the position of a mark indicating a slice excited by the imaging sequence executed prior to the navigator sequence. The respiratory motion estimating unit estimates the motion of a portion due to the subject's respiration, based on the detected position of the mark. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110038521 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DUCTAL TUBE TRACKING IMAGING FOR BREAST CANCER DETECTION AND DIAGNOSIS, AND PRODUCT - A method apparatus and computer product for imaging a human breast to map the breast ductal tree is disclosed. First, a breast is diffusion tensor imaged with high spatial resolution. Then the breast ductal tree is tracked using a protocol for breast based on echo-planar imaging (EPI) diffusion designed for optimizing diffusion weightings (b values), number of non-collinear directions for tensor calculations, diffusion, echo and repetition times, spatial resolution, signal to noise, scanning time and a sequence for fat suppression. The diffusion tensor is calculated by a non-linear best fit algorithm and then diagonalized with principal component analysis to three eigen vectors and their corresponding eigen values. A vector field map is obtained for tracking of breast ducts of the ductal trees along the direction of the 1 | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110044520 | MEDICAL X-RAY CT IMAGING APPARATUS - A medical X-ray CT imaging apparatus is capable of performing efficient CT imaging of living organs symmetrically located with respect to a predetermined plane. The medical X-ray CT imaging apparatus comprises an X-ray source ( | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110044521 | TRACKING AND REPRESENTATION OF MULTI-DIMENSIONAL ORGANS - A method includes receiving data corresponding to a sequence of deformations of a surface of an object. The method also includes generating spherical harmonics expressions based on the data. The method includes identifying a subspace of the spherical harmonics expression corresponding to the surface. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110044522 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SEGMENTING M-MODE ULTRASOUND IMAGES SHOWING BLOOD VESSEL WALL MOTION OVER TIME - The present invention uses a microprocessor, a memory storage device, and a segmentation program comprising a plurality of program modules containing computer-readable instructions that cause the microprocessor to measure the spatial offsets between all pairs of scans in an m-mode image of a blood vessel with a cross-correlation function, convert the spatial offsets to a relative wall motion waveform through a global optimization procedure, and then translate the relative wall motion waveform to an absolute wall motion waveform by interpolation over the m-mode image. The resulting detailed absolute wall distension waveform may be beneficially rendered (e.g., superimposed) on the m-mode ultrasound image for display (e.g., on a printer and/or video monitor) and diagnostic purposes, and has enormous potential for enhancing existing techniques for identifying and studying vascular biomarkers, such as vessel wall strain and compliance. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110044523 | METHOD FOR SEGMENTING AN ORGAN IN VOLUME DATA RECORDS FROM MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A method is disclosed for segmenting an organ, more particularly the liver, in n-channel volume data records from magnetic resonance imaging. In at least one embodiment of the method, probability distributions are generated on the basis of segmentation results from n-channel training data records, which probability distributions specify probabilities of positions of voxels and intensity values, which have been reduced from n-dimensions to one dimension with the aid of discriminant reduction, of voxels in the training data records belonging to the organ. At least one 3D probability data record is then generated from the n-channel volume data records on the basis of the probability distributions, in which 3D probability data record each voxel is assigned a probability of belonging to the organ. A maximum value of the 3D probability data record is set as the start point for the segmentation, and the organ is subsequently segmented on the basis of the 3D probability data record using a region-growing technique. The method allows very reliable fully-automatic segmentation of the organ. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110044524 | TOOL FOR ACCURATE QUANTIFICATION IN MOLECULAR MRI - A method and apparatus is provided for magnetic source magnetic resonance imaging. The method includes collecting energy signals from an object, providing additional information of characteristics of the object, and generating the image of the object from the energy signals and from the additional information such that the image includes a representation of a quantitative estimation of the characteristics, e.g a quantitative estimation of magnetic susceptibility. The additional information may comprise predetermined characteristics of the object, a magnitude image generated from the object, or magnetic signals collected from different relative orientations between the object and the imaging system. The image is generated by an inversion operation based on the collected signals and the additional information. The inversion operation minimizes a cost function obtained by combining the data extracted from the collected signals and the additional information of the object. Additionally, the image is used to detect a number of diagnostic features including microbleeds, contract agents and the like. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110052021 | Precise image reconstruction of spiral CT images at optional pitch values - At least one embodiment of the invention relates to a method for the reconstruction of image data of an examined object from measuring data, wherein the measuring data were detected by a detector within and outside of its Tam-Danielsson window during a relative spiral movement between a radiation source of a computer tomography system and the examined object. As a result of the spiral movement, the measuring data outside of the Tam-Danielsson contain interruptions. A mathematically precise first reconstruction of first image data is realized in at least one embodiment based on the measuring data by using only measuring data from the Tam-Danielsson window. A mathematically precise second reconstruction is furthermore realized of second image data from the measuring data in at least one embodiment, using at least among other things measuring data from outside of the Tam-Danielsson window, wherein the interruption of the measuring data is compensated for by using existing measuring data and/or the first image data and/or other image data obtained from existing measuring data. Finally, the first image data and the second image data are combined. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110052022 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DATA INTERPOLATION IN FAST KVP SWITCHING DUAL ENERGY CT - A CT system includes a rotatable gantry having an opening for receiving an object to be scanned, an x-ray source coupled to the gantry and configured to project x-rays through the opening, a generator configured to energize the x-ray source to a first kVp and to a second kVp to generate the x-rays, and a detector having pixels therein, the detector attached to the gantry and positioned to receive the x-rays. The system includes a computer programmed to acquire a first view dataset and a second view dataset with the x-ray source energized to the first kVp, interpolate the first and second view datasets to generate interpolated pixels in an interpolated view dataset at the first kVp, using at least two pixels from each of the first and second view datasets to generate each interpolated pixel in the interpolated view dataset, and generate an image of the object using the interpolated view dataset. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110052023 | Reconstruction of Images Using Sparse Representation - A method for reconstructing an image includes steps of obtaining a measurement in a first domain, generating an estimate of the image in a second domain based at least in part on the measurement, generating a sparse representation in a third domain based at least in part on the estimate, and performing one or more iterations until the estimate is determined to satisfy one or more image quality criteria. A given iteration includes steps of generating a projection in the first domain based at least in part on the sparse representation, updating the sparse representation based at least in part on the projection, and updating the estimate based at least in part on the sparse representation. The method further includes a step of outputting the estimate determined to satisfy the one or more image quality criteria for use as the image. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110052024 | METHOD OF ANALYSING STROKE IMAGES - A plurality of brain atlases | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110052025 | SYSTEM FOR IMAGING PATHWAY VERIFICATION - The disclosure includes computer implemented methods and devices comprising processors for inputting images and medical history into an electronic medium and analyzing x-ray images of a subject's breasts to determine density. The disclosure further contemplates using these methods and devices to generate a numerical value. The disclosure further contemplates using the numerical value to determine whether the subject should have magnetic resonance imaging of the breasts. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110052026 | Method and Apparatus for Determining Angulation of C-Arm Image Acquisition System for Aortic Valve Implantation - A method and system for determining an angulation of a C-arm image acquisition system for aortic valve implantation is disclosed. One or more landmarks of the aortic root is detected in a 3D image. A plane representing an aortic annulus direction is defined in the 3D image based on the detected anatomic landmarks. A viewing angle is determined that is perpendicular to the defined plane. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110052027 | IMAGE RECONSTRUCTING APPARATUS, X-RAY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY APPARATUS, AND IMAGE RECONSTRUCTING METHOD - According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a reconstructing unit, a first control unit, a detecting unit, a generating unit, and a second control unit. The first control unit controls the reconstructing unit to reconstruct first images based on projection data collected in first periods. The detecting unit detects second periods which belong to pulsation cycles different from one another and in which an organ to be imaged is in the substantially same form, based on the first images. The generating unit generates data for reconstruction including projection data for the required angle range by combining projection data collected in third periods close to the second periods. The second control unit controls the reconstructing unit to reconstruct a second image based the data for reconstruction. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110052028 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF LIVER SEGMENTATION - A method for segmenting liver parenchyma in a medical image. The method comprises receiving a medical image depicting the liver parenchyma, separating the liver parenchyma from in the medical image, and segmenting the depicted liver parenchyma to functionally independent liver segments. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110052029 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GENERATING ACCENTED IMAGE DATA - A method and system for producing accented image data for an accented image is disclosed. The method includes decomposing each of a first and a second image into a gradient representation which comprises spectral and edge components. The first image comprises more spectral dimensions than the second image. The edge component from the first image is combined with the spectral component from the second image to form a combined gradient representation. Accented image data for the accented image is then generated from data including the combined gradient representation. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110052030 | ITERATIVE CT IMAGE FILTER FOR NOISE REDUCTION - A method is disclosed for reconstruction of image data of an examination object from measured data, wherein the measured data was captured during a relative rotational motion between a radiation source of a computed tomography system and the examination object. Image data of the examination object is determined from the measured data. In at least one embodiment, new image data is obtained by noise-reducing processing of the image data, in which weighted high-pass filtering of the image data is performed, the weighting taking account of differences between pixel values of different pixels such that increasing differences result in a weaker high-pass effect. A noise-reducing smoothing of the image data is performed using the weighted high-pass filtering. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110052031 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM TO CORRECT DISTORTIONS IN IMAGE DATA - In a method for correction of distortions in image data in a diffusion imaging, the image data are acquired with an imaging MRT measurement for a predetermined diffusion weighting and map a predetermined image segment. A diffusion model for the image segment is determined. Output image data are determined for the image segment such that the output image data are essentially free of distortions caused by diffusion weighting. Reference image data are estimated for the predetermined diffusion weighting for the image segment based on the output image data and the diffusion model. The acquired image data are compared with the reference image data and the acquired image data are corrected based on the comparison. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110052032 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING SIGNATURES FOR FEATURES OF INTEREST USING PREDETERMINED COLOR SPACES - A system and method for identifying objects of interest in image data is provided. The present invention utilizes principles of Iterative Transformational Divergence in which objects in images, when subjected to special transformations, will exhibit radically different responses based on the physical, chemical, or numerical properties of the object or its representation (such as images), combined with machine learning capabilities. Using the system and methods of the present invention, certain objects that appear indistinguishable from other objects to the eye or computer recognition systems, or are otherwise almost identical, generate radically different and statistically significant differences in the image describers (metrics) that can be easily measured. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110052033 | COMPOSITE IMAGES FOR MEDICAL PROCEDURES - Medical imaging often involves the collective use of information presented in multiple images of an individual, such as images generated through different imaging modalities (X-ray, CT, PET, etc.) The use of a composite of these images may involve image registration to adjust for the variable position and orientation discrepancies of the individual during imaging. However, registration may be complicated by soft tissue deformation between images, and implementations (particularly pure software implementations) of the mathematical models used in image registration may be computationally complex and may require up to several hours. Hardware architectures are presented that apply the mathematical techniques in an accelerated manner, thereby providing near-realtime image registration that may be of particular use for the short timeframe requirements of surgical environments. The composite image generated thereby may be used to target anatomic features of interest during various medical procedures, including surgical procedures. Moreover, such techniques may be applied to computationally difficult image processing techniques, such as the display of a composite image based at least in part on a PET image, which may otherwise be difficult to utilize in a time-sensitive manner such as a surgical setting. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110058719 | METHOD FOR COMPRESSED SENSING IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION USING A PRIORI KNOWLEDGE OF SPATIAL SUPPORT - A method for image reconstruction that utilizes the benefits of compressed sensing (“CS”) while incorporating a priori knowledge of object spatial support into the image reconstruction is provided. Image data is acquired from a subject, for example, with a medical imaging system, such as a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) system or a computed tomography (“CT”) system. An estimate of the spatial support of the subject is produced, for example, using a low resolution image of the subject, or an image reconstructed from undersampled image data in a traditional sense. An estimate image of the subject is also produced by using traditional image reconstruction methods on the acquired image data. An image of the subject is then reconstructed using the produced estimate image and produced spatial support estimate. This method allows for the reconstruction of quality images from undersampled image data in a computationally efficient manner. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110058720 | Systems and Methods for Automatic Vertebra Edge Detection, Segmentation and Identification in 3D Imaging - Systems and methods for automatic accurate and efficient segmentation and identification of one or more vertebra in digital medical images using a coarse-to-fine segmentation. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110058721 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PULMONARY VENTILATION IMAGING USING LOCAL VOLUME CHANGES - The invention provides a novel method of high-resolution quantifiable pulmonary regional ventilation imaging using a package of computer programs, including deformable image registration and local volume change calculation on 4-D or breath-hold CT images. High resolution 3D ventilation images have been generated using this technique with superior quality. The deformation matrices between different respiration phases are calculated using deformable image registration and applied to calculate local volume change ΔV between respiration phases. The invention provides less image-noise and mismatch sensitivity than other techniques based on CT images, and is less expensive than nuclear medicine imaging. Implemented clinically, the method can derive a patient's pulmonary ventilation information from the same set of 4-D CT images, providing a cheaper but more accurate method to generate clinical lung ventilation image. Such information can be utilized in treatment planning sparing functional lung volumes without additional procedure and cost for lung functional imaging. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110058722 | USING NON-ATTENUATION CORRECTED PET EMISSION IMAGES TO COMPENSATE FOR INCOMPLETE ANATOMIC IMAGES - When compensating for truncated patient scan data acquired by a multi-modal PET/CT or PET/MR imaging system ( | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110058723 | APPARATUS FOR GENERATING AN IMAGE OF MOVING OBJECT - The present invention relates to an apparatus for generating an image of a moving object, wherein a movement of the object comprises a multiple of moving phases. The apparatus comprises a measured detection data providing unit ( | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110064290 | METHODS, APPARATUS AND ARTICLES OF MANUFACTURE TO TRACK ENDOCARDIAL MOTION - Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to track endocardial motion are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes segmenting a plurality of cardiac images of a left ventricle to form respective ones of a plurality of segmented images, updating a plurality of models based on the plurality of segmented images to form respective ones of a plurality of motion estimates for the left ventricle, computing a plurality of probabilities for respective ones of the plurality of models, and computing a weighted sum of the plurality of motion estimates based on the plurality of probabilities, the weighted sum representing a predicted motion of the left ventricle. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110064291 | Method and System for Detection 3D Spinal Geometry Using Iterated Marginal Space Learning - A method and apparatus for automatic detection and labeling of 3D spinal geometry is disclosed. Cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine regions are detected in a 3D image. Intervertebral disk candidates are detected in each of the spine regions using iterative marginal space learning (MSL). Using a global probabilistic spine model, a separate one of the intervertebral disk candidates is selected for each of a plurality of labeled intervertebral disk locations. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110064292 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MULTI-IMAGE BASED VIRTUAL NON-CONTRAST IMAGE ENHANCEMENT FOR DUAL SOURCE CT - A method for enhancing a virtual non-contrast image, includes receiving a pair of dual scan CT images and calculating a virtual non-contrast image from the pair of CT images using known tissue attenuation coefficients. A conditional probability distribution is estimated for tissue at first and second points in each of the pair of CT images and the virtual non-contrast image as being the same type. A conditional probability distribution for tissue is estimated at the first and second points in each of the pair of CT images and the virtual non-contrast image as being of different types. An a posteriori probability of the tissue at the first and second points as being the same type is calculated from the conditional probability distributions, and an enhanced virtual non-contrast image is calculated using the a posteriori probability of the tissue at the first and second points as being the same type. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110064293 | RADIATION DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND IMAGE RECONSTRUCTING METHOD - According to one embodiment, a radiation diagnostic apparatus includes a photon-counting detector, a counting information storage unit, an image reconstituting unit, and a controlling unit. The detector performs counting on light derived from incident radiation. The counting information storage unit stores therein counting information based on the counting result of the detector. The image reconstituting unit reconstitutes a medical image by performing a back projection process on projection data that is generated by use of the counting information stored in the counting information storage unit. After the reconstitution of the medical image, the controlling unit performs control so that all or part of the counting information is maintained in the counting information storage unit. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110064294 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND BLOOD VESSEL IMAGE ACQUIRING METHOD - Plural blood vessels different in blood flow velocity are depicted with high image quality in blood vessel imaging using PC-MRA method. For this purpose, the present invention performs a measurement of an echo signal based on application of a positive-polarity flow encode pulse and a measurement of an echo signal based on application of a negative-polarity flow encode pulse on an examinee with each of plural phase encodes while varying the flow encode, and a blood vessel image of the examinee is reconstructed by using the plural echo signals having different flow encode absolute values. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110064295 | GEOMETRICAL TRANSFORMATIONS PRESERVING LIST-MODE FORMAT - A diagnostic imaging device includes detector elements ( | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110069875 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM - An image processing device includes: image reading means that reads a medical image; anisotropic area setting means that sets plural anisotropic areas continuous with a pixel-of-interest contained in the medical image with the pixel-of-interest being centered; statistical amount calculating means that calculates a statistical amount of pixel values of pixels constituting each anisotropic area with respect to each of the plural anisotropic areas; filter setting means that determines an anisotropic area having the minimum statistical amount out of the plural anisotropic areas and constructs an anisotropic shape filter in the same direction as the anisotropic area concerned, or determines an anisotropic area having the maximum statistical amount out of the plural anisotropic areas and constructs an anisotropic shape filter by clockwise or counterclockwise rotating the anisotropic area concerned around the pixel-of-interest by 90°, and sets any one of the former anisotropic shape filter and the latter anisotropic shape filter; and filter processing means that performs median filter processing or smoothing filter processing by using the anisotropic shape filter. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110075903 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR THE ANALYSIS OF PECULIARITIES IN FINGERPRINTS - The proposed method comprises determining for each point of the signal an environment comprising the first neighbours and calculating for each point of the signal a reconstructibility measurement, or singularity measurement, weighting the contributions of said local environment of the point. The value of the signal at each point is inferred from the values of the signal at the points of the local environment using a reconstruction formula. The singularity measurement includes the difference between the value of the signal at the point and the value estimated by its local environment. A logarithmic transformation is carried out on said singularity measurement with a view to obtaining an independent measurement of the amplitude of the sampled digital signal that varies in a controlled manner under changes in resolution. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110075904 | ULTRASONIC IMAGING APPARATUS - Provided is an ultrasonic imaging apparatus including: a time-gain controller (TGC) that compensates an amplitude fading occurring in the process of propagation inside a living body; a scan converter (SC) that constructs image data; a TIC measurement unit that measures a TIC of each pixel; an evaluation index input unit that inputs an index for evaluating hemodynamics on the basis of a TIC; a mapping parameter estimation unit that estimates a mapping parameter comparable to an evaluation index; a TIC image construction unit that constructs a two-dimensional image on the basis of the mapping parameter; and a pixel detection unit that extracts a region corresponding to a color map from a TIC image, and utilizing a TIC measured with each pixel so as to measure a difference in hemodynamics. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110075905 | X-RAY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - According to one embodiment, an X-ray computed tomography apparatus includes an X-ray generating unit and an area detector. The reconstruction processing unit reconstructs first and second volume data including an overlap region. The extraction unit extracts first and second slice images from the first and the second volume data respectively. The calculation unit calculates the difference value between a sum of pixel values in the first slice images and the sum of pixel values in the second slice images. The determination unit determines whether the difference value falls within a predetermined range. The combining unit combines the first and second volume data and sets a pixel value in the overlap region to a pixel value of the first volume data, a pixel value of the second volume data, or a value derived from pixel values of the first and second volume data. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110075906 | SCANNING OF A CYCLICALLY MOVED EXAMINATION OBJECT USING A CONTRAST AGENT WITHIN THE SCOPE OF A PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION BY MEANS OF A CT SCANNER - A method is disclosed for scanning a cyclically moved examination object using a contrast agent within the scope of a preliminary examination by way of a CT scanner, in which measurement data is recorded at a sequence of recording times, and in which a first image is reconstructed at every recording time from the measurement data, from which a time profile of a concentration of the contrast agent is established. In at least one embodiment, the recording times for respectively recording a certain phase of the motion are synchronized with a motion signal from the examination object, wherein a second image with a small time offset with respect to the first image is reconstructed from the measurement data at each recording time, and wherein a motion curve representing a time profile of an intensity of the cyclical motion is established by comparing the first image and the second image at each recording time. As such, motion information can also be obtained from the mandatory preliminary examination with a minimally increased dose. A corresponding CT scanner and a computer program are also disclosed. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110075907 | X-RAY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, An X-ray CT apparatus includes acquisition unit, intermediate image generating unit, weighting factor calculating unit, and resultant image generating unit. The intermediate image generating unit generates a first image based on a first projection data set and a second image based on a second projection data set. The first projection data set falls within a first view angle range of projection data acquired by the acquisition unit. The second projection data set falls within a second view angle range of the projection data. The second view angle range is narrower than the first view angle range. The weighting factor calculating unit calculates a weighting factor corresponding to a pixel value difference between the first image and the second image. The resultant image generating unit generates a resultant image associated with weighted addition of the first image and the second image based on the weighting factor. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110075908 | X-ray imaging system, X-ray imaging method, and computer-readable medium storing x-ray imaging program - An X-ray imaging system comprises: an imaging unit for irradiating a subject with X ray at different angles while moving an X-ray source in one direction in tomosynthesis imaging, detecting the X ray with which the subject has been irradiated with a flat panel detector to acquire projection data of X-ray images taken at different angles; and an image processor for reconstructing a first X-ray tomographic image using projection data acquired by the imaging unit, the image processor including: a correction decision unit for selecting, according to a given selection condition, one of previously provided different corrections to be performed on the projection data; a first image correction unit for performing correction based upon the correction selected by the correction decision unit on the projection data; and a first image reconstruction unit for reconstructing the first X-ray tomographic image using the corrected projection data. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110075909 | X-ray imaging system, imaging method and computer readable media including imaging program - The X-ray imaging system includes an imager in which projection data of X-ray images taken at different angles is acquired in tomosynthesis imaging, a first image reconstruction unit in which the acquired projection data of the X-ray images is used to reconstruct an X-ray tomographic image, an abnormal pixel data identification unit which refers to a defective pixel map in which information on defective pixels due to a flat panel detector and its peripheral circuit has been stored, to identify, from among pixel data of the reconstructed X-ray tomographic image, pixel data of abnormal pixels corresponding to the defective pixels, and a first image correction unit which corrects the identified pixel data of the abnormal pixels of the X-ray tomographic image to output a first X-ray tomographic image. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110075910 | X-ray imaging system, imaging method and computer readable media including imaging program - An X-ray imaging system includes an imager in which a subject is irradiated with X-ray at different angles while moving an X-ray source in one direction and the X-ray with which the subject has been irradiated is detected with a flat panel detector to acquire projection data of X-ray images taken at the different angles in tomosynthesis imaging, and an image processor in which an X-ray tomographic image is reconstructed not by using abnormal pixel data corresponding to defective pixels but by using only pixel data corresponding to normal pixels from among pixel data making up the projection data of the X-ray images acquired by the imager by reference to a defective pixel map in which information on the defective pixels due to the flat panel detector and its peripheral circuit has been stored. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110075911 | Accurate determination of the shape and localization of metallic object(s) in X-ray CT imaging - A binary image reconstruction method is provided to identify metal objects in a computer tomography (CT) image. The method includes providing a suitably programmed computer, providing a CT image, where the CT image includes intensity data, and the suitably programmed computer is used to determine a first range of attenuation coefficient values and a second range of attenuation coefficient values in the intensity data, where when a difference between the first range of attenuation coefficient values and the second range of attenuation coefficient values is less than a pre-determined gradient threshold value, a boundary of a metal object in the CT image is determined. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110081062 | Image segmentation method - An image segmentation method. An image is defined by voxels representing at least two different structure types A and B, by having corresponding different intensities that may be subject to intensity inhomogeneities. A basic method comprises (a) selecting a first voxel to be classified; (b) defining criteria by which a comparison of the intensity associated with the first voxel with an intensity associated with a second voxel is to be considered to indicate that the first voxel represents structure type B assuming the second voxel represents structure type A; (c) determining a path of voxels passing through the first voxel; (d) defining a maximum distance along the path; and (e) determining whether there is a second voxel on the path, within the maximum distance of the first voxel, such that the intensities associated with the first and second voxels together satisfy the criteria, for potentially classifying the first voxel as representing structure type B. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110081063 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMAGING AND LOCATING PUNCTURES UNDER PROSTATIC ECHOGRAPHY - The present disclosure relates to a prostatic imaging system including steps of recording and processing images acquired by the ultrasonographic head of a rectal probe equipped with an active puncture guide, characterised in that it includes steps of processing at least a part of the images acquired by the probe for calculating transformations to a “reference image” repository relative to the initial position of the prostate, at least a part of the images acquired during the successive punctures including the location of the various positions of the needle being recorded with a view to visualising representations thereof on a single image including at least a part of the prostate. The present disclosure also relates to a system for the prostatic imaging implementing said prostatic imaging method. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110081064 | IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION METHOD FOR DIFFUSE OPTICAL TOMOGRAPHY, DIFFUSE OPTICAL TOMOGRAPHY SYSTEM, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - An image reconstruction method for diffuse optical tomography is implemented using a diffuse optical tomography system, and includes the steps of: a) activating one of optical detecting units of the diffuse optical tomography system to emit a near-infrared ray to illuminate a target for outputting a received light signal corresponding to one of a plurality of sub-frames of the tomographic image of the target; b) obtaining a light intensity matrix based upon the received light signal; c) obtaining an absorption coefficient matrix corresponding to the one of the sub-frames based upon a product of the light intensity matrix and an inverse matrix of a weight matrix; d) repeating steps a) to c) with activating another one of the optical detecting units until the absorption coefficient matrices corresponding respectively to the sub-frames are obtained; and e) reconstructing the tomographic image of the target based upon the absorption coefficient matrices. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110081065 | CENTRALIZED IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION FOR TOMOGRAPHIC IMAGING TECHNIQUES IN MEDICAL ENGINEERING - At least one embodiment of the invention relates to a system for reconstructing image data of examination subjects from scan data. In at least one embodiment, the system includes at least a first and a second medical device for capturing scan data of examination subjects, and a computer for reconstructing image data from scan data, the computer being connected to the first and the second medical device. The computer has an input for receiving scan data from the medical devices and an output for transmitting reconstructed image data to the medical devices. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110081066 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CARDIAC SEGMENTATION IN MR-CINE DATA USING INVERSE CONSISTENT NON-RIGID REGISTRATION - A method for cardiac segmentation in magnetic resonance (MR) cine data, includes providing a time series of 3D cardiac MR images acquired at a plurality of phases over at least one cardiac cycle, in which each 3D image includes a plurality of 2D slices, and a heart and blood pool has been detected in each image. Gray scales of each image are analyzed to compute histograms of the blood pool and myocardium. Non-rigid registration deformation fields are calculated to register a selected image slice with corresponding slices in each phase. Endocardium and epicardium gradients are calculated for one phase of the selected image slice. Contours for the endocardium and epicardium are computed from the gradients in the one phase, and the endocardium and epicardium contours are recovered in all phases of the selected image slice. The recovered endocardium and epicardium contours segment the heart in the selected image slice. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110081067 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ATTENUATION CORRECTION - A method and apparatus of image reconstruction attenuation correction in PET or SPECT cardiac imaging is provided. A volumetric attenuation imaging scan by an X-ray source may be used to generate a gamma ray attenuation map. The volumetric attenuation imaging scan may be randomized, and may be performed while the imaged subject is breathing. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110085718 | METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR SELECTIVE RESOLUTION IMPROVEMENT IN COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY - A method and system for selective resolution improvement in computed tomography (CT) scanning. The method includes receiving scan data representative of a scanned object from a CT scanner and reconstructing the scan data using a first algorithm to create a first set of reconstructed data. A region of interest is identified within the first set of reconstructed data. A portion of the scan data corresponding to the region of interest is reconstructed using a second algorithm to create a second set of reconstructed data. The first set of reconstructed data and the second set of reconstructed data are combined to create combined reconstructed data. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110085719 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF IMAGE ARTIFACT REDUCTION IN FAST KVP SWITCHING CT - A CT system includes a generator configured to energize an x-ray source to a first kilovoltage (kVp) and to a second kVp, and a computer that is programmed to acquire a first view dataset with the x-ray source energized to the first kVp and a second view dataset with the x-ray source energized to the second kVp, generate a base correction image using the first view dataset and the second view dataset, and reconstruct a pair of base material images from the first view dataset and from the second view dataset. The computer is also programmed to estimate artifact correlation in the pair of base material images using the base correction image, generate a pair of final base material images and a final monochromatic image, and correct one of the pair of final base material images and the final monochromatic image at a keV value using the estimated artifact correlation. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110085720 | Automatic Registration Technique - Registration between a digital image of a branched structure and a real-time indicator representing a location of a sensor inside the branched structure is achieved by using the sensor to “paint” a digital picture of the inside of the structure. Once enough location data has been collected, registration is achieved. The registration is “automatic” in the sense that navigation through the branched structure necessarily results in the collection of additional location data and, as a result, registration is continually refined. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110085721 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DIFFUSE EXCITATION IN IMAGING - The invention concerns a coupling device for at least one optical fibre ( | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110085722 | CORRECTION OF DISTORTIONS IN DIFFUSION-WEIGHTED MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - In a method and magnetic resonance apparatus for correction of image distortions that occur in acquisition of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance images of an examination subject, a reference image is acquired without diffusion weighting, a first diffusion-weighted image is acquired for a diffusion direction, a second diffusion-weighted image is acquired for the same diffusion direction, with the acquisition of the second diffusion-weighted image taking place at least with a different diffusion weighting or a different diffusion gradient polarity than the acquisition of the first diffusion-weighted image. Distortion parameters for the correction of image distortions in the acquired diffusion-weighted images are acquired, and the first diffusion-weighted image is deskewed with a first set of deskewing parameters, and the second diffusion-weighted image is deskewed with a second set of deskewing parameters. The first set and second set of deskewing parameters are correlated, and the deskewing parameters are determined by simultaneous minimization of differences between the deskewed first image and the reference image and differentiation between the deskewed second image and the reference image. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110091085 | Modification and elimination of back projection weight during the CT image reconstruction - At least one embodiment of the invention relates to a method for the reconstruction of image data from an examined object, using measuring data, wherein the measuring data were first recorded during a relative movement between a radiation source on a computer tomography system and the examined object. In at least one embodiment, the image reconstruction is based on a back projection of the filtered measuring data. During the back projection, a back projection weight that depends on the respective image point is used and the power with which the back projection weight is used is selectable. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110091086 | ULTRASONIC VOLUME DATA PROCESSING DEVICE - An ultrasonic volume data processing device which forms a three-dimensional image of a target tissue in a living body is provided. A range in which a rendering process is applied is limited by a three-dimensional region of interest (3D-ROI). The three-dimensional region of interest has a clipping plane as a rendering start surface. A shape of the clipping plane can be deformed into a convex shape or a concave shape by a user operation, and the clipping plane may be freely inclined in two-dimensional directions. With this configuration, for example, the clipping plane can be suitably positioned in a gap between a face of a fetus and a placenta. When the curved clipping plane is used, a striped pattern noise tends to be formed in the three-dimensional image. In order to resolve or reduce the striped pattern noise, a special voxel calculation is applied to a final voxel of each ray in the voxel calculation for each ray. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110091087 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL ESOPHAGEAL RECONSTRUCTION - A method for three-dimensional esophageal reconstruction includes acquiring a first X-ray image from a first angle with respect to a subject using a first X-ray imager. At least a second X-ray image is acquired from a second angle, different than the first angle, with respect to the subject using a second X-ray imager. Additional X-ray images may be acquired from additional angle. A three-dimensional model of the esophagus is generated from the at least two X-ray images acquired at different angles. A set of fluoroscopic X-ray images is acquired using either the first X-ray imager or the second X-ray imager. The three-dimensional model of the esophagus is registered to the acquired set of fluoroscopic X-ray images. The three-dimensional model of the esophagus is displayed overlaying the set of fluoroscopic X-ray images. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110091088 | Imaging system - Systems, methods, media, and other embodiments associated with episcopic, histological, autoradiographic, and/or other imaging are described. One exemplary system includes a cryomicrotome, an episcopic imaging device and a histological imaging device, logic for registering episcopic images with histological images, and logic for manipulating images acquired from the episcopic imaging device and the histological imaging device. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110091089 | X-ray Image Processing Method and X-ray Image Processing System Using Open Curve Fourier Descriptors - 3D position and attitude can be estimated in a short calculation time based on 2D projection image of an object such as an artificial joint bone or a living tissue bone when a part of the contour of the object in the 2D projection image cannot be discriminated due to a deficient part of the contour or noise. An X-ray image processing method of estimating position and attitude of a measuring object by comparing the measuring object on an X-ray projection image with a parent database storing data of a plurality of candidate objects is provided. The 3D shape of the candidate object is known, and the parent database stores an element-contour group of a plurality of candidate objects projected on 2D plane from various angles. An element-contour corresponding to the contour of said measuring object and a candidate object corresponding to the measuring object are estimated by comparing coefficient of open curve Fourier descriptors of contour of the measuring object with coefficient of open curve Fourier descriptors of each element-contour of the element-contour group, and position and attitude of the measuring object are calculated based on the element-contour corresponding to the contour of the measuring object and the candidate object corresponding to the measuring object. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110091090 | IMPROVEMENT IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING RELATING TO CORRECTION OF CHEMICAL SHIFT ARTIFACT AND INTENSITY INHOMOGENEITY - Present invention discloses systems and methods for improvement of magnetic resonance images. Correction of a chemical shift artefact in an image acquired from a magnetic resonance imaging system is obtained by a system and a method involving iterative-compensation for the misregistration effect in an image domain. Correction of an intensity inhomogeneity in such images is obtained by a system and a method involving locating voxels corresponding to pure adipose tissue and estimating correction field from these points. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110096968 | EXTENSION OF THE FIELD OF VIEW OF A COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY SYSTEM IN THE PRESENCE OF INTERFERING OBJECTS - A method and system for generating a field of view extension of a CT scan and minimizing the effect of interfering objects is described. The system is configured and the method carries out the steps of generating a full sinogram based upon CT scan data of a scanned object and any interfering objects within the scanning field; determining the location of any interfering objects within the CT data based on physical and geometrical properties of the interfering objects; generating an ideal sinogram of any interfering objects based on their location and physical properties; subtracting the ideal sinogram from the full sinogram; extending a sinogram free of any interfering objects; and adding the ideal sinogram of interfering objects to the extended sinogram of the scanned object. Speeding up the computation of the extended sinogram by creating a look-up table of the tunable parameter of the extension function. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110096969 | Method and System for Shape-Constrained Aortic Valve Landmark Detection - A system and method for performing shape-constrained aortic valve landmark detection using 3D medical images is provided. A rigid global shape defining initial positions of a plurality of aortic valve landmarks is detected within a 3D image. Each of the plurality of aortic valve landmarks is detected based on the initial positions. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110096970 | Use of Multifocal Collimators in Both Organ-specific and Non-specific SPECT Acquisitions - A method for obtaining nuclear medical images of a patient in which one or more first images are obtained. The one or more first images can be used to identify one or more regions of interest for subsequent images that focus on the regions of interest. The process can occur iteratively until it is determined, either by a physician or a computer program that sufficient images have been obtained to identify lesions or other pathology within a reasonable level of confidence. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110096971 | IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION FOR TRUNCATED DETECTOR ARRAY - A reconstruction system reconstructs projection data generated by a detector array of an imaging system having at least one truncated row of detector modules. The reconstruction system includes a projection data generator that augments the projection data with projection data created for the at least one truncated row of detector modules. The reconstruction system further includes a convolver that convolves the augmented projection data. The reconstruction system further includes a back-projector back-projects the augmented projection data and generates volumetric image data indicative thereof. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110096972 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PERFORMING AN IMAGE-BASED GATING PROCEDURE DURING AN IVUS IMAGING PROCEDURE - A method for imaging a patient using an intravascular ultrasound imaging system includes inserting a catheter into a target imaging region within patient vasculature. The catheter includes at least one transducer coupled to a control module. A plurality of image frames is generated as the at least one transducer is moved within patient vasculature. The image frames are based on data obtained from a plurality of echo signals reflected from patient tissue in response to a plurality of acoustic signals output from the at least one transducer. Each image frame includes a motion-blur component. A motion-blur-intensity estimate is quantified for each image frame to form a motion-blur-estimation signal that varies over time and that includes periodic local motion blur minima. Temporal variations of the motion-blur components are filtered to reduce variation in the motion-blur-intensity estimate arising from vessel structure variation. Image frames are selected that contain local motion blur minima. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110096973 | Automatic Line Identification and Pairing for Nuclear Imaging Collimator Vector Map Characterization - A method for measuring a SPECT collimator's hole orientation angles includes obtaining a set of stepped radiation line images of a line radiation source by scanning/stepping the line radiation source across a first collimator in a first direction; obtaining a second set of stepped radiation line images of the line radiation source across the first collimator in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction; and obtaining two sets of stepped radiation line images for a second collimator, wherein one of the two collimators is a reference collimator and the other is a collimator being measured. Calculating the collimator hole orientation angles requires determining offset distances along the two directions for each pair of lines between the reference collimator's line images and the measured collimator's line images by identifying and pairing the lines from the reference collimator line images and the measured collimator line images. The method provides an automated way of identifying and pairing the lines. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110096974 | METHOD FOR FAT FRACTION QUANTIFICATION IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A method for determining a concentration of fat within a region of a subject includes acquiring at least three gradient echo images from at least two different flip angles. The first and third images occur at an in-phase time when resonance signals of fat and water are in-phase with one another. The second images occur at an opposed-phase time when the resonance signals of fat and water are 180° out of phase with one another. T2* and T1 relaxation time maps are approximated based on the acquired images. Fat and water signals are distinguished based on observed relative signal phase. The amplitude of the fat and water signals are modulated using the T2* and T1 relaxation time maps. A ratio between fat and water signals for one or more voxels of the images is calculated based on the amplitude modulated fat and water signal images. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110103663 | APPARATUS, METHOD AND COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUMS FOR DETECTING A REGION OF INTEREST IN A MEDICAL IMAGE - A method is provided that includes receiving a digital image, and detecting a region of interest of the digital image. Detecting a region of interest includes thresholding the digital image to create a corresponding binary image, and identifying one or more connected components in the binary image. The binary image includes a plurality of pixels each of which is one of only two possible colors, and each of the connected component(s) comprising a set of pixels of the first color such that any two pixels in the set are joined by a continuous path of pixels of the first color. Detecting a region of interest also includes identifying a largest connected component from the connected component(s), and determining, as the region of interest of the digital image, coordinates of an area of the digital image defining a smallest predetermined shape that contains the largest connected component. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110103664 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COMPENSATING FOR MOTION IN AN IMAGED OBJECT - A method and apparatus for compensating for motion in an imaged object are provided. The method includes obtaining nuclear medicine (NM) image data for an object acquired from an NM imaging system, wherein the NM image data includes single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) image data. The method further includes performing resolution recovery on the NM image data. The method also includes reconstructing the resolution recovered NM image data into a plurality of subsets and morphing the reconstructed NM image data in at least one of the plurality of subsets. The method additionally includes normalizing the NM image data based on a magnitude of the morphing and summing the NM image data to generate an NM image compensated for motion of the object. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110103665 | GENERATION OF MOVING VASCULAR MODELS AND BLOOD FLOW ANALYSIS FROM MOVING VASCULAR MODELS AND PHASE CONTRAST MRI - A method of deriving blood flow parameters from a moving three-dimensional (3D) model of a blood vessel includes determining a reference vascular cross-sectional plane through a location of a lumen in a moving 3D model of the blood vessel at one time within the model, determining a plurality of target vascular cross-sectional planes at multiple times via temporal tracking of the reference plane based on a displacement field, determining a plurality of contours based on an intersection of the target vascular cross-sectional planes with the moving 3D vessel model at multiple times within the model, and determining a blood flow parameter of the vessel from intersections of each contour of a given one of the times with a phase contrast magnetic resonance (PC-MRI) image of the blood vessel from the corresponding time. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110103666 | X-RAY IMAGING APPARATUS - In an X-ray imaging apparatus according to an embodiment, a three-dimensional blood-vessel image collecting unit collects a three-dimensional blood vessel image. An X-ray image collecting unit collects an X-ray image. A composite-image creating unit then creates a three-dimensional projection image projected based on a state of the X-ray imaging apparatus from the collected three-dimensional blood vessel image, and creates a composite image of the created three-dimensional projection image and the X-ray image. A displacement determining unit then determines a displacement between an aneurysm on the three-dimensional projection image and the aneurysm on the X-ray image. Subsequently, a registration unit registers the composite image by using the determined displacement, and displays the registered composite image onto a display unit. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110103667 | METHOD FOR HIGHLIGHTING LOCAL CHARACTERISTICS IN ANATOMICAL VOLUME RENDERINGS OF VESSEL STRUCTURES AND COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR CARRYING OUT THIS METHOD - A method is disclosed for highlighting local characteristics in anatomical volume renderings of vessel structures and a computer system is disclosed for carrying out this method. In at least one embodiment of the method, the method includes determining or receiving a volume of interest; generating or receiving at least one first tomographic volume data record in the volume of interest, having a rendered display of a vessel structure; generating or receiving at least one second volume data record, which is used as a mask for the first volume data record and has at least one characteristic vector with a minimum data width of 2 bit for each voxel; accepting at least one characteristic definition for at least one predefined position or predefined region of the mask or the first volume data record, which is at the same position, and encoding the at least one characteristic definition in at least one characteristic vector of the mask; and combined rendering of the first volume data record and the mask, wherein the mask translucently marks a defined surrounding area of the predefined position as a function of the characteristic vectors present there. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110103668 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - In an MRI apparatus according to the present embodiments, the collecting unit collects magnetic resonance signal data received individually by multiple element coils, for each channel assigned to each element coil at a positioning image taking time, and enters the collected magnetic resonance signal data for each channel into the storage unit. The reconstructing unit reconstructs an image from the magnetic resonance signal data stored in the storage unit, by referring the storage unit regarding the channel selected at the positioning image taking time. The display unit displays the image reconstructed by the reconstructing unit. The receiving unit receives channel selection change. When the receiving unit receives the change, the correcting unit corrects the image reconstructed by the reconstructing unit by use of the magnetic resonance signal data stored in the storage unit, by referring to the storage unit regarding the changed channel. The after-change display unit displays information regarding the image corrected by the correcting unit. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110103669 | Completion of Truncated Attenuation Maps Using MLAA - The present invention is a method of generating a best estimate of an image attenuation map derived from a truncated image attenuation map and PET emissions data for the object being imaged by a morphological imaging modality. The method involves a plurality of steps beginning with the recordation and processing of PET emissions data. Next, the morphological imaging modality records image data which is processed to determine an attenuation map. The attenuation map, for image modalities such as CT and MR scanning systems integrated with PET, is truncated, resulting in a truncated attenuation map image. Pixels for which attenuation data needs to be determined are identified and attenuation coefficients for these pixels are estimated and combined with the truncated attenuation map to generate a full initial attenuation map for the image, which is iteratively processed together with the PET emission data until the improvement change in the emission image reaches a defined threshold improvement level. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110103670 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING BLURRING ARTIFACTS IN MULTI-SPECTRAL MR IMAGING NEAR METAL - A system and method for reducing blurring artifacts in multi-spectral MR imaging near metal include an MRI system having a plurality of gradient coils positioned about a bore of a magnet and an RF transceiver system and an RF switch controlled by a pulse module to transmit RF signals to an RF coil assembly to acquire MR images. A computer is also included and programmed to acquire a plurality of three-dimensional (3D) MR data sets, each 3D MR data set acquired using a central transmit frequency and a central receive frequency set to an offset frequency value that is distinct for each 3D MR data set. The computer is also programmed to reconstruct a subimage for each of the plurality of 3D data sets, apply a de-blurring correction to each of the subimages, and generate a composite image based on the plurality of 3D MR data sets. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110103671 | PERFUSION IMAGING - A method includes determining a plausibility of one or more perfusion parameter maps generated based on perfusion image data and correcting at least one of the perfusion parameter maps when the plausibility for the at least one perfusion parameter map does not satisfy pre-set perfusion parameter plausibility criteria. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110103672 | ADVANCED COST FUNCTIONS FOR IMAGE REGISTRATION FOR AUTOMATED IMAGE ANALYSIS: MULTI-CHANNEL, HYPERTEMPLATE AND ATLAS WITH BUILT-IN VARIABILITY - A non-invasive imaging system, comprising: an imaging scanner; a signal processing system in communication with the imaging scanner to receive an imaging signal from the imaging scanner; and a data storage unit in communication with the signal processing system, wherein the data storage unit stores template data corresponding to a tissue region of a subject under observation, wherein the signal processing system is adapted to compute, using the imaging signal and the template data, refined template data corresponding to the tissue region, and wherein the refined template data incorporates subpopulation variability information associated with the tissue region such that the signal processing system provides an image of the tissue region in which a substructure is automatically identified taking into account the subpopulation variability information. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110110570 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING A PLANAR IMAGE - An apparatus and methods for synthesizing a planar image from a three-dimensional emission dataset. The method includes acquiring a three-dimensional (3D) emission dataset of an object of interest, acquiring a three-dimensional (3D) attenuation map of the object of interest, determining a line or response that extends from an emission point in the 3D emission dataset, through the 3D attenuation map, to a pixel to be reconstructed on a planar image, integrating along the line of response to generate an attenuation corrected value for the pixel, and reconstructing the planar image using the attenuation correction value. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110110571 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY REGISTERING IMAGES - Methods and apparatus for automatically registering an anatomical image with a perfusion image is provided. The method includes acquiring an anatomical image of a heart using a first imaging modality, acquiring a physiological image of the heart using a different second imaging modality, identifying a myocardium of a left ventricle using the physiological image, automatically scoring a plurality of pixels in the anatomical image that are within a predetermined range of the myocardium identified in the physiological image, and registering the anatomical image with the physiological image based on the score. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110110572 | System for Dynamically Improving Medical Image Acquisition Quality - A system dynamically improves quality of medical images using at least one processing device including an image analyzer, a correction processor and a message generator. The image analyzer automatically parses and analyzes data representing an image of a particular anatomical feature of a patient acquired by a medical image acquisition device to identify defects in the image by examining the data representing the image for predetermined patterns associated with image defects. The correction processor uses a predetermined information map associating image defects with corresponding corrective image acquisition parameters to determine corrected image acquisition parameters for use in re-acquiring an image using the image acquisition device in response to an identified defect. The message generator generates a message for presentation to a user indicating an identified defect and suggesting use of the corrected image acquisition parameters for re-acquiring an image. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110110573 | IMAGE GENERATION DEVICE WITH OPTIMIZED DOSE CONTROL - The present invention relates to an image generation device for generating an image from measured data, wherein image quality is optimized for a region of interest and to an imaging system comprising this image generation device. The image generation device comprises a noise determination unit for determining a distribution of noise in a projection domain of the region of interest, and a dose control unit ( | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110116695 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING MOTION-RELATED IMAGING ARTIFACTS - A method and apparatus are provided for reducing motion related imaging artifacts. The method includes obtaining an image data set of a region of interest in an object, obtaining a motion signal indicative of motion of the region of interest, determining at least one quiescent period of at least a portion of the motion signal, extracting image data from the image data set that is within the determined quiescent period to form an image data subset, and generating an image of the region of interest using the image data subset. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110116696 | DIPOLE MATCHED FILTER FOR MRI - A method includes receiving k-space data corresponding to magnetic resonance data for a subject and selecting a template for analysis. In addition, the method includes generating an image using the k-space data and using the template. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110116697 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CALIBRATING CT IMAGES - A method of correcting CT numbers in image data includes selecting at least one reference region in a CT image, wherein the selected region is a region associated with substantially same CT number when no artifacts are present in the CT image, estimating artifacts in at least one other region of the CT image based at least in part on detected CT numbers in the at least one reference region, and correcting CT numbers in the at least one other region of the CT image based on the estimated artifacts. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110116698 | Method and System for Segmentation of the Prostate in 3D Magnetic Resonance Images - A method and system for fully automatic segmentation the prostate in multi-spectral 3D magnetic resonance (MR) image data having one or more scalar intensity values per voxel is disclosed. After intensity standardization of multi-spectral 3D MR image data, a prostate boundary is detected in the multi-spectral 3D MR image data using marginal space learning (MSL). The detected prostate boundary is refined using one or more trained boundary detectors. The detected prostate boundary can be split into patches corresponding to anatomical regions of the prostate and the detected prostate boundary can be refined using trained boundary detectors corresponding to the patches. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110116699 | Medical Image Enhancement Technique Based on Image Transform Resonance - A method for medical image enhancement based on image transform resonance A novel method for Stochastic Resonance of medical image enhancement device based on the Integral Transform of the image, comprising: generating specific types of integral transforms like radon transform for CT, Fourier transform for MRI with image transform component; preparing stochastic perturbation waveform, with perturbator component performing the stochastic resonance on the image transform, with stochastic resonator component; characterizing the image enhancement factor of the SR-processed image with performance monitoring component; adjusting and controlling the bistability parameters of the double-well system that induces stochastic resonance with control component; arranging the provisional display of the array matrix of the SR-enhanced images, as the bistability parameters are varied with matrix display component; subjecting the final image to the step of display with final image display component. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110116700 | ADAPTIVE GRADIENT WEIGHTING TECHNIQUE FOR DETECTOR BAD CELL CORRECTION - An imaging system includes a two-dimensional detector having a plurality of cells wherein each cell is configured to detect energy or signal passing through an object. The imaging system includes a computer programmed to acquire imaging data for the plurality of cells, identify a cell to be corrected, based on the imaging data, interpolate I | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110116701 | AUTOMATIC PRE-ALIGNMENT FOR REGISTRATION OF MEDICAL IMAGES - In image registration, a similarity measure is computed of first and second images ( | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110116702 | INTERACTIVE METHOD OF LOCATING A MIRROR LINE FOR USE IN DETERMINING ASYMMETRY OF AN IMAGE - A method and apparatus are provided for locating a mirror line for conducting a mirror analysis of an image by reflecting extracted image content from a portion of the image on one side of the mirror line and overlaying this reflected image content onto the corresponding portion of the image on the opposing side of the mirror line. The extracted image content that is reflected onto the corresponding portion of the image on the opposite side of the mirror line is continuously updated in real-time as the user manipulates the location or orientation of the mirror line. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110123079 | MAMMOGRAPHY INFORMATION SYSTEM - A method and system for analyzing and retrieving breast tissue abnormality tracking data, providing a tool for a radiologist that includes a report summarizing the statistical frequency of diagnosed patients, both locally and nationally, with breast tissue region-of-interest classifications similar to the breast tissue images taken of the anatomy of an individual patient. In one embodiment, a computer aided diagnostic program can be tested or verified against the breast tissue images and the region-of-interest classifications that have been validated by definitive patient diagnosis. Another embodiment allows the efficient collection of all of the breast tissue abnormalities for a given medical facility in order to provide trending data or radiologist performance analysis. In yet another embodiment, the region-of-interest abnormalities in a single location in a patient's tissue are correlated across a variety of imaging modalities including X-rays, mammogram, CT, ultrasound, MRI, or other imaging technologies. In another embodiment, the region-of-interest feature descriptors based on a location of an abnormality can be correlated by features and images for a plurality of imaging modalities as well as the pathological outcome. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110123080 | METHOD FOR TRACKING X-RAY MARKERS IN SERIAL CT PROJECTION IMAGES - A method and system of rapidly detecting and mapping a plurality of marker points identified in a sequence of projection images to a physical marker placed on a patient or other scanned object. Embodiments of the invention allow a marker physical mapping module executable by an electronic processing unit to obtain a sequence of images based on image data generated by a scanner. Each image in the sequence of images represents an angle of rotation by the scanner and includes a plurality of marker points each having a U position and a V position. Expected U and V positions for the physical marker are calculated and a list of candidate marker points is created based on the expected positions. The images are processed and selected candidate marker points are added to a good point list. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110123081 | CORRECTING AND RECONSTRUCTING X-RAY IMAGES USING PATIENT MOTION VECTORS EXTRACTED FROM MARKER POSITIONS IN X-RAY IMAGES - A method and a system for correcting and reconstruing a plurality of projection images based on detected patient motion. The method includes obtaining a plurality of projection images generated by a scanner. Each of the plurality of projection images includes at least three markers. Each of the at least three markers has a measured three-dimensional position and measured positions on a detector panel of the scanner in a first dimension and a second dimension. The method further includes determining a position error vector for each of the plurality of projection images based on the at least three markers in each of the plurality of projection images, the position error vector defining patient motion in the projection image. The method finally includes combining each position error vector for each of the plurality of projection images with geometric parameters associated with the scanner to derive a projection matrix for each of the plurality of projection images, and generating reconstructed images corrected for patient motion from the plurality of projection images and the projection matrix for each of the plurality of projection images. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110123082 | SPECTRAL IMAGING - A system includes an image estimator ( | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110123083 | ATTENUATION CORRECTION FOR PET OR SPECT NUCLEAR IMAGING SYSTEMS USING MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPIC IMAGE DATA - When correcting for attenuation in a positron emission tomography (PET) image, a magnetic resonance (MR) image ( | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110129137 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DEFINING A VOI IN AN ULTRASOUND IMAGING SPACE - An ultrasound imaging system provides for defining a VOI in an ultrasound imaging space. The system defines an initial frame of the VOI in the ultrasound imaging space, receives a selection of at least one reference point at an arbitrary location in the ultrasound imaging space, creates at least one curved surface using at least one element of the initial frame and the at least one reference point, and then creates VOI based on the curved surface in the ultrasound imaging space. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110135179 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR GEOMETRIC CALIBRATION OF POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY SYSTEMS - Apparatus and methods for geometric calibration of positron emission tomography (PET) systems are provided. One method includes obtaining scan data for a uniform phantom and generating reference images based on the scan data for the uniform phantom. The method further includes reconstructing images of the uniform phantom using a PET imaging system and determining a geometric calibration for the PET imaging system based on a comparison of the reconstructed images and the reference images. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110135180 | Electronic Cleansing of Digital Data Sets - A method of processing a 3-dimensional Computed Tomography Colonography data set to remove tagged material is disclosed. The method involves the preliminary processing step of classifying voxels in the data set as corresponding to air, tagged material or colon tissue. Methods of overcoming erroneous classification of Partial Volume air/tagged material interface voxels are disclosed. The present invention also provides for methods of circumventing problems resulting from removal of tagged material from a CTC data set, which can result in the erosion of soft-tissue structures partially covered by tagged colonic fluid. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110135181 | POLYNOMIAL FITTING BASED SEGMENTATION ALGORITHM FOR PULMONARY NODULE IN CHEST RADIOGRAPH - The present invention has disclosed a segmentation algorithm for pulmonary nodule in chest radiograph, which comprises applying ray-casting approach on an image to get cast rays; fitting the intensity profile of each cast ray by using a polynomial curve; smoothing the polynomial curves; and searching two edge pixels in each smoothed curves. With this invention, possible edge of nodules in a chest radiograph can be identified robustly and efficiently. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110135182 | X-RAY CT IMAGE FORMING METHOD AND X-RAY CT APPARATUS USING THE SAME - In order to provide a CT image forming method that can reduce an artifact caused by an image reconstructing method, and an X-ray CT apparatus using the same, an X-ray CT image forming method according to the invention is characterized in that an artifact component caused by the image reconstructing method of the projection data is obtained by calculation; the determined artifact component is subtracted from the projection data to create corrected projection data containing an inverted artifact component, and image reconstruction is executed on the corrected projection data to obtain a reconstructed image from which the artifact is reduced. The inverted artifact component is obtained as differential between the projection data and re-projection data obtained by inversely projecting a reconstructed image which is obtained by reconstructing the projection data concerned. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110142311 | IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION - An apparatus for reconstructing an image from the derivative of a sinogram includes means ( | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110142312 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MITIGATING LOW SIGNAL DATA FOR DUAL ENERGY CT - A CT system includes a rotatable gantry having an opening for receiving an object to be scanned, and a controller configured to obtain kVp projection data at a first kVp, obtain kVp projection data at a second kVp, extract data from the kVp projection data obtained at the second kVp, add the extracted data to the kVp projection data obtained at the first kVp to generate mitigated projection data at the first kVp, and generate an image using the mitigated projection data at the first kVp and using the projection data obtained at the second kVp. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110142313 | METHOD FOR COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY MOTION ESTIMATION AND COMPENSATION - A method and system for motion estimation and compensation are disclosed. Initially, a set of one or more initial images is reconstructed using acquired imaging data. Further, one or more regions of interest are identified in this set of reconstructed initial images. At least a set of filters is applied to the identified regions of interest to generate a sequence of filtered images. Particularly, each of the filtered images in the generated sequence of filtered images includes data acquired near a different reference point. Subsequently, a motion path corresponding to each region of interest is determined based on one or more correspondences in the sequence of filtered images. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110142314 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF INCREASING TEMPORAL RESOLUTION OF AN X-RAY IMAGE - A system, method, and apparatus includes a computed tomography (CT) system having a rotatable gantry, an x-ray source, a generator, a detector having pixels and positioned to receive x-rays, and a computer. The computer is programmed to acquire CT data representative of an object, determine a first subset of the CT data, determine a second subset of the CT data, and determine a difference between the first and second subsets of the CT data to identify a motion region in the object. The computer is also programmed to update image data reconstructed from a first portion of the first subset of the CT data and corresponding to the region and reconstruct an image based on the updated image data and non-updated image data. The non-updated image data is reconstructed from a second portion the first subset of the CT data. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110142315 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TOMOGRAPHIC DATA ACQUISITION AND IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION - A tomographic system includes a gantry having an opening for receiving an object to be scanned, a radiation source, a detector positioned to receive radiation from the source that passes through the object, and a computer. The computer is programmed to acquire a plurality of projection datasets of the object, define a temporal subset of projection datasets from the plurality of projection datasets, reconstruct a working image of the object using the plurality of projection datasets, identify a region of motion in the working image, and minimize motion artifacts in the region of motion in the working image using the temporal subset of projection datasets. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110142316 | Tomography-Based and MRI-Based Imaging Systems - Tomography limitations in vivo due to incomplete, inconsistent and intricate measurements require solution of inverse problems. The new strategies disclosed in this application are capable of providing faster data acquisition, higher image quality, lower radiation dose, greater flexibility, and lower system cost. Such benefits can be used to advance research in cardiovascular diseases, regenerative medicine, inflammation, and nanotechnology. The present invention relates to the field of medical imaging. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to methods, systems, and devices for imaging, including tomography-based and MRI-based applications. For example, included in embodiments of the invention are compressive sampling based tomosynthesis methods, which have great potential to reduce the overall x-ray radiation dose for a patient. To name a few, compressive sensing based carbon nano-tube based interior tomosynthesis systems, tomography-based dynamic cardiac elastography systems, cardiac elastodynamic biomarkers from interior MR imaging, exact and stable interior ROI reconstructions for radial MRI, and interior reconstruction based ultrafast tomography systems are provided. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110142317 | METHOD TO PROCESS IMAGES OBTAINED BY TOMOGRAPHY OR FEW VIEW TOMOSYNTHESIS - The invention concerns a method for processing images obtained by tomography or tomosynthesis, the method comprising: acquiring a plurality of 2D projection images of an object using an imaging system, the acquiring being defined by Rf=s, wherein s is a vector of the acquired projections, R is a projection operator which models the imaging system and f is the 3D image of the object to be reconstructed with knowledge of R and s; and processing the acquired 2D projection images, wherein the processing comprises applying an iterative algorithm defined by its iteration, wherein at least one set of processed projection images is generated at each iteration, the iteration being defined so that at each iteration the 3D image of the object is a linear function of the processed 2D projection images according to the property f | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110142318 | STENT VIEWING USING A LEARNING BASED CLASSIFIER IN MEDICAL IMAGING - Stent viewing is provided in medical imaging. Stent images are provided with minimal or no user input of spatial locations. Images showing contrast agent are distinguished from other images in a sequence. After aligning non-contrast images, the images are compounded to enhance the stent. The contrast agent images are used to identify the vessel. A contrast agent image is aligned with the enhanced stent or other image to determine the relative vessel location. An indication of the vessel wall may be displayed in an image also showing the stent. A preview images may be output. A guide wire may be used to detect the center line for vessel identification. Various detections are performed using a machine-trained classifier or classifiers. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110142319 | PROVIDING MULTIPLE 3-DIMENSIONAL ULTRASOUND IMAGES IN AN ULTRASOUND IMAGE - Embodiments for providing a plurality of 3-dimensional ultrasound images in an ultrasound system are disclosed. The ultrasound system includes: an ultrasound data acquisition unit configured to acquire a first ultrasound frame data set from a target object; a processing unit configured to form a 2-dimensional ultrasound image based on the first ultrasound frame data set; and a user input unit for allowing a user to input user input information, wherein the processing unit is further configured to set a plurality of regions of interest (ROIS) in either a multiple ROI setting way or a single ROI setting way based on the user input information, wherein the ultrasound data acquisition unit is further configured to acquire a plurality of second ultrasound frame data sets according to the setting of ROIS, and wherein the processing unit is further configured to form multiple 3-dimensional ultrasound images corresponding to the respective ROIS. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110142320 | Systems and Methods for Computer Aided Diagnosis and Decision Support in Whole-Body Imaging - A system for providing automatic diagnosis and decision support includes: a medical image database; generative learning and modeling modules that build distributional appearance models and spatial relational models of organs or structures using images from the medical image database; a statistical whole-body atlas that includes one or more distributional appearance models and spatial relational models of organs or structure, in one or more whole-body imaging modalities, built by the generative learning and modeling modules; and discriminative learning and modeling modules that build two-class or multi-class classifiers for performing at least one of organ, structure or disease detection or segmentation. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110142321 | DYNAMIC TRANSFER OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL IMAGE DATA - A method for transferring volumetric image data from a server to at least one client comprising: transforming said volumetric images into a hierarchical representation comprising a plurality of coefficients, said hierarchical representation comprising a plurality of levels of essentially non-redundant data, wherein a level of said hierarchical representation comprises transform data sufficient to reconstruct said images at a resolution corresponding to said level; partitioning said coefficients into a plurality of voxels, each voxel comprising “n” coefficients in a horizontal direction, “m” coefficients in a vertical direction, and “P” coefficients in a depth direction; requesting, from a client to a server, transform data in the form of voxels from one or more levels of said hierarchical representation necessary to reconstruct at least a portion of said source volume; transferring, from a client to a server, a request for coefficients of at least a portion of said volumetric image; transferring, from said server to said client, at least one voxel in response to said request; and reconstructing, at said client, volumetric views of said volume images from said transferred at least one voxel. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110142322 | Apparatus For Determining a Modification of a Size of an Object - The present invention relates to an apparatus for determining a modification of a size of an object. The apparatus comprises a registration unit ( | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110150305 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CORRECTING ARTIFACTS IN IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION - Methods and systems are provided for correcting artifacts in iterative reconstruction processes. In certain embodiments, weighting schemes may be applied such that less than all of the available scan or projection data is utilized in the iterative reconstruction. In this manner, inconsistencies in the data undergoing reconstruction may be reduced. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110150306 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING A BOUNDARY OF AN OBJECT FOR POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY SCATTER CORRECTION - Apparatus and methods for determining a boundary of an object for positron emission tomography (PET) scatter correction are provided. One method includes obtaining positron emission tomography (PET) data and computed tomography (CT) data for an object. The PET data and CT data is acquired from an imaging system. The method further includes determining a PET data boundary of the object based on the PET data and determining a CT data boundary of the object based on the CT data. The method further includes determining a combined boundary for PET scatter correction. The combined boundary encompasses the PET data boundary and the CT data boundary. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110150307 | NOISE SUPPRESSION IN CONE BEAM CT PROJECTION DATA - A method for suppressing noise in a diagnostic 3-D image, executed at least in part on a logic processor, captures, at each of a number of projection angles, 2-D image projection data, wherein each 2-D image projection has a central pixel and arranges the 2-D image projection data to form a 3-D data set. Each of the 2-D image projections is processed by performing a diffusion filtering process that obtains a homogeneity value for the 3-D data set, generates a diffusion conductance function according to an intensity gradient between adjacent digital image elements, and applies the diffusion filtering process to digital image elements according to the obtained homogeneity value, the generated diffusion conductance function, and a weighting value that relates to the distance of each pixel in the projection from the central pixel. The diagnostic 3-D image is reconstructed from the processed 2-D image projections. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110150308 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ITERATIVE IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION FOR COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY - A system and method include acquisition of a set of image data corresponding to a time period of data acquisition, the set of image data corresponding to a plurality of voxels, wherein each of the plurality of voxels corresponds to a distinct acquisition time within the time period of data acquisition. The system and method further include the modeling of the plurality of voxels as a function of time based on a plurality of kinetic parameters associated therewith and reconstruction of an image from the set of image data based on the modeled plurality of voxels. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110150309 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING IMAGING DATA, AND ASSOCIATED DEVICES AND COMPOUNDS - Methods, systems, devices and compounds for managing imaging data, such as time series imaging data. The method may include selecting a set of representative voxels from a plurality of voxels in the imaging data, and associating each representative voxel with a voxel database for storing information. For each given voxel in the time series imaging data, at least one corresponding representative voxel may be determined from the set of representative voxels, and information from the given voxel may be aggregated in the voxel database of the determined corresponding representative voxel. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110150310 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An image processing apparatus includes a correlating unit configured to acquire correlation information that correlates a first three-dimensional image of a target object with a second three-dimensional image of the target object, and a corresponding cross-sectional image generation unit configured to generate a corresponding cross-sectional image of one of the first three-dimensional image and the second three-dimensional image, if a cross section is set on the other of the first three-dimensional image and the second three-dimensional image, based on the correlation information. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110150311 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING MEDICAL IMAGING DATA USING PHASE INFORMATION - In a method and apparatus for processing medical imaging data of a subject are disclosed, the data having a physiological or anatomical feature of interest, from a first set of the imaging data, an intensity projection line along a specified axis of an image volume of the data is generated. The projection line is converted to a monogenic signal and phase information extracted from the signal. A function of the phase information is calculated, and the thus processed phase information is used to locate the feature of interest in the first data set, or to register the feature of interest with a second data set. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110150312 | BIODATA MODEL PREPARATION METHOD AND APPARATUS, DATA STRUCTURE OF BIODATA MODEL AND DATA STORAGE DEVICE OF BIODATA MODEL, AND LOAD DISPERSION METHOD AND APPARATUS OF 3D DATA MODEL - Medical image data is utilized, physical values are assigned to body parts based on image information, and the target organs are separated from the image data to prepare a 3D biodata model to thereby realize a data model unique to a patient, having an internal structure, and enabling dynamic simulation of a live body. The same target part of a body is captured by CT and MRI to obtain medical images. Sets of pairs of CT images and MRI images are set, a plurality of features showing the same locations are selected and set from the sets of CT images and MRI images, a conversion coefficient between the CT images and MRI images is obtained, and this conversion coefficient is used to rearrange the MRI images by projection transforms and linear interpolation, combine them with the contours of the CT images, and correct their positions in the contours. Further, the images are used to prepare a 3D data model. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110158494 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IDENTIFYING BONE MARROW IN MEDICAL IMAGES - Systems and method for identifying bone marrow in medical images are provided. A method includes obtaining a three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) volume data set corresponding to an imaged volume and identifying voxels in the 3D CT volume data set having a Hounsfield Unit (HU) value below a bone threshold. The voxels are identified without using image continuity. The method further includes marking the identified voxels as non-bone voxels, determining definite tissue voxels based on the identified non-bone voxels and expanding a region defined by the definite tissue voxels. The method also includes segmenting the expanded region to identify bone voxels and bone marrow voxels and identifying bone marrow as voxels that are not the bone voxels. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110158495 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR AUTOMATED DETECTION OF THE CENTRAL LINE OF AT LEAST ONE PORTION OF A TUBULAR TISSUE STRUCTURE - A method and a device are disclosed for automated detection of at least one part of the central line of at least one portion of a tubular tissue structure. In at least one embodiment of the method, characteristic landmarks of the tubular tissue structure are detected in a 3D data record of the tubular tissue structure; the detected characteristic landmarks of the tubular tissue structure and landmarks of a model of landmarks, which model belongs to the tubular tissue structure and takes into account the position of the landmarks relative to one another, are related to one another such that at least one portion of the tubular tissue structure is identified in the 3D data record of the tubular tissue structure. The central line of the identified portion of the tubular tissue structure is determined at least in part on the basis of at least one detected characteristic landmark and/or at least one landmark of the model of landmarks. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110158496 | Segmentation of the Long-Axis Late-Enhancement Cardiac MRI - The invention relates to a system ( | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110158497 | METHOD FOR GENERATION OF ATTENUATION MAP IN PET-MR - A magnetic resonance (MR) image segmentation processor ( | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110164798 | APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PROGRAM FOR DETECTING THREE DIMENMSIONAL ABDOMINAL CAVITY REGIONS - An apparatus is provided with: a bone region extracting section for extracting bone regions representing bones of a subject within a plurality of axial tomographic images obtained from a three dimensional image representing a portion of the subject from the vicinity of the upper end of the liver to the vicinity of the pubic symphysis; a bone boundary point detecting section for detecting a plurality of bone boundary points representing the boundaries between the detected bone regions and regions positioned toward the interiors of the bone regions within the plurality of axial tomographic images; and an abdominal cavity region extracting section for estimating curved surfaces within the three dimensional image that substantially contact the interiors of the plurality of bone boundary points detected in each of the plurality of axial tomographic images, and for extracting a region surrounded by the curved surfaces as a three dimensional abdominal cavity region. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110164799 | INCORPORATION OF MATHEMATICAL CONSTRAINTS IN METHODS FOR DOSE REDUCTION AND IMAGE ENHANCEMENT IN TOMOGRAPHY - A system and method for creating a three dimensional cross sectional image of an object by the reconstruction of its projections that have been iteratively refined through mathematical transformations and modifications in object space and Fourier space is disclosed. A primary benefit of the method is radiation dose reduction since the invention can produce an image of a desired quality with a fewer number projections than seen with conventional methods. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110164800 | X-RAY CT APPARATUS - An X-ray CT apparatus that can efficiently set a scanning condition in a scanning operation of a periodically moving internal organ such as a heart or the like is provided. The X-ray CT apparatus collects electrocardiographic information by using a periodic motion measuring device | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110164801 | MR SEGMENTATION USING TRANSMISSION DATA IN HYBRID NUCLEAR/MR IMAGING - When correcting attenuation in a nuclear image (e.g., PET or SPECT), an MR-based attenuation correction (AC) map ( | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110170756 | METHOD FOR SAMPLING VOLUME DATA OF AN OBJECT IN AN IMAGING DEVICE - A method for sampling volume data of an object in an imaging device is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method includes creating a voxel dataset of a first volume associated with the object by way of a scanning device and saving the voxel dataset in a main memory; defining a grid of sampling positions by casting a plurality of rays through the first volume and choosing a number of points along the respective ray; choosing a sampling access pattern from a plurality of sampling access patterns defining a sequence of the sampling positions; selecting an interpolation scheme mapping the sampling access pattern to a voxel access pattern defining a sequence of the voxels of the voxel dataset; according to the voxel access pattern, successively loading memory lines of the main memory comprising the data associated with the respective voxel into a cache memory in case the respective memory line is not already present in the cache memory; and processing the data associated with the respective voxel, the cache memory access being optimized for increasing rendering time performance. To this end in at least one embodiment, during the choosing of sampling access, patterns a block of sampling positions having a non-vanishing intersection with the grid is defined wherein the group of sampling access patterns is restricted to the set of recursive subdivisions of the block. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110170757 | Imaging System - A method and apparatus for reconstruction of a region of interest for an object is provided. The reconstruction of the object may be based on chords which may fill a part, all, or more than all of the region of interest. Using chords for reconstruction may allow for reducing data acquired and/or processing for reconstructing a substantially exact image of the ROI. Moreover, various methodologies may be used in reconstructing the image, such as backprojection-filtration, and modified filtration backprojection. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110170758 | TOMOGRAPHIC IMAGE GENERATING APPARATUS, TOMOGRAPHIC IMAGE GENERATING METHOD, AND PROGRAM FOR GENERATING TOMOGRAPHIC IMAGES - A tomographic image generating apparatus includes a tomographic image acquirer for acquiring a plurality of first tomographic images perpendicular to a predetermined direction from a three-dimensional medical image including an organ having a predetermined linear structure, a first detector for detecting sectional shapes of the organ which are included respectively in the first tomographic images, a curve generator for generating a first curve as an approximate curve by interpolating respective positions of the detected sectional shapes of the organ, and a tomographic image generator for generating a plurality of second tomographic images perpendicular to the first curve from the three-dimensional medical image. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110170759 | VESSEL SEGMENTATION IN DCE MR IMAGING - The invention relates to segmenting blood vessels in perfusion MR images, more particularly, the invention relates to automated vessel removal in identified tumor regions prior to tumor grading. Pixels from a perfusion related map from dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE) MR images are clustered into arterial pixels and venous pixels by e.g. a k-means class cluster analysis. The analysis applies parameters representing the degree to which the tissue entirely consists of blood (such as relative blood volume (rBV), peak enhancement (ΔR | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110176714 | METHOD TO DETERMINE A BACKGROUND PHASE IN PHASE IMAGE DATA SETS - In a method to determine a background phase in phase values of a phase image data set that is acquired from an examination subject, wherein the background phase is determined in a partial region of the phase image data set, the phase image data set of the examination subject is acquired, and a substantially closed, planar contour is established in the phase image data set around the partial region, the planar contour having a contour area with a width of at least one pixel of the phase image data set. The phase values in the partial region are determined with the assumption that the spatial curve of the background phase is a harmonic or quasi-harmonic function, the phase values of the pixels in the partial region being determined based on the phase values in the planar contour. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110176715 | FOUR-DIMENSIONAL VOLUME IMAGING SYSTEM - A method for obtaining a 3-D image. An initial volume image is obtained of a subject wherein the subject is stationary and in a first pose. One or more 2-D images of the subject are obtained as the subject is moving between the first pose and a second pose. An endpoint volume image of the subject with the subject stationary and in the second pose is obtained. At least the initial volume image is modified according to the one or more obtained 2-D images to form at least one intermediate volume image that is representative of the subject's position between the first and second pose. The at least one intermediate volume image can be displayed. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110176716 | ESTABLISHING COMPATIBILITY BETWEEN TWO- AND THREE-DIMENSIONAL OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY SCANS - Advances in optical coherence tomography (OCT) have prompted a transition from time domain OCT, providing 2D OCT images, to spectral domain OCT, which has a 3D imaging capability. Yet conventional technology offers little toward the goal of inter-device compatibility between extant 2D OCT images and newer 3D OCT images for the same or comparable subjects, as in the context of ongoing monitoring the quantitative status of a patient's eyes. The inventive methodology is particularly useful to identify the scan location of tissue in a 2D OCT image within the 3D volumetric data, thereby allowing clinicians to image a patient via 3D OCT, based on available 2D OCT images, with minimal inter-device variation. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110176717 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR X-RAY COMPUTER TOMOGRAPHY - A method, device and software for performing tomographic imaging with several offset values in such a way that the first imaging phase is performed by scanning at least a part of the object to be imaged by following the first arc of the first rotating movement to produce the first image information, —the offset of the imaging is changed between imaging phases during imaging, —at least one other imaging phase is performed with at least one changed offset to produce second image information of at least part of the object, —the said image information produced by different offsets is combined into three-dimensional image information. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110182491 | Shift-Varing Line Projection using graphics hardware - Line segments are classified according to orientation to improve list mode reconstruction of tomography data using graphics processing units (GPUs). The new approach addresses challenges which include compute thread divergence and random memory access by exploiting GPU capabilities such as shared memory and atomic operations. The benefits of the GPU implementation are compared with a reference CPU-based code. When applied to positron emission tomography (PET) image reconstruction, the GPU implementation is 43× faster, and images are virtually identical. In particular, the deviation between the GPU and the CPU implementation is less than 0.08% (RMS) after five iterations of the reconstruction algorithm, which is of negligible consequence in typical clinical applications. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110182492 | ANGIOGRAPHIC IMAGE ACQUISITION SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH AUTOMATIC SHUTTER ADAPTATION FOR YIELDING A REDUCED FIELD OF VIEW COVERING A SEGMENTED TARGET STRUCTURE OR LESION FOR DECREASING X-RADIATION DOSE IN MINIMALLY INVASIVE X-RAY-GUIDED INTERVENTIONS - The present invention refers to an angiographic image acquisition system and method which can beneficially be used in the scope of minimally invasive image-guided interventions. In particular, the present invention relates to a system and method for graphically visualizing a pre-interventionally virtual 3D representation of a patient's coronary artery tree's vessel segments in a region of interest of a patient's cardiovascular system to be three-dimensionally reconstructed. Optionally, this 3D representation can then be fused with an intraoperatively acquired fluoroscopic 2D live image of an interventional tool. According to the present invention, said method comprises the steps of subjecting the image data set of the 3D representation associated with the precalculated optimal viewing angle to a 3D segmentation algorithm (S | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110188720 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATED VOLUME OF INTEREST SEGMENTATION - Methods and systems and computer program products for automatically segmenting the volume of interest from intensity images are provided. The method for segmenting a volume of interest in an intensity image receives the intensity image and the scanner acquisition parameters used to acquire the intensity image. The method then scales the contrast of the intensity image based, at least in part, on the scanner acquisition parameters. The method segments the intensity image based, at least in part, on image data of the intensity image and the scanner acquisition parameters, to obtain the volume of interest. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110188721 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE DEVICE TO DETERMINE A BACKGROUND PHASE CURVE - In a magnetic resonance (MR) device and method to determine a background phase curve in MR image data, in first MR image data and in second MR image data that respectively represent different segments (for example different slices) of an examination subject, first and second pixels are identified that represent essentially stationary tissue, and the associated phase values are determined. Phase correction values for the first MR image data are determined depending on the phase values determined for the first and second pixels that represent essentially stationary tissue. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110188722 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DIFFERENTIATING BENIGN FROM MALIGNANT CONTRAST-ENHANCED LESIONS - Methods for assessing contrast-enhanced lesions using a dynamic contrast-enhancing magnetic resonance imaging system are provided. A boundary of a contrast-enhanced lesion is objectively and automatically determined. The kinetic behavior of voxels is quantitatively examined. The wash-out volume fraction relative to the lesion volume is used as a biomarker to characterize the lesion as malignant or benign. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110188723 | CT Image Reconstruction In The Extended Field Of View - A method is disclosed for reconstructing image data of an examination subject from measured data, wherein the measured data was acquired in the course of a relative rotational movement between a radiation source of a computed tomography system and the examination subject. A limited area between the radiation source and a detector represents a field of view in respect of which measured data can be acquired, and parts of the examination subject were located at least temporarily outside the field of view in the course of the measured data acquisition. In at least one embodiment, first image data is reconstructed from the measured data, and a boundary of the examination subject is determined with the aid of the first image data. The first image data is subsequently modified using the determined boundary, and projection data is calculated from the modified first image data. The measured data is modified using the projection data, and finally second image data is reconstructed from the modified measured data. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110188724 | CT MEASUREMENT WITH MULTIPLE X-RAY SOURCES - A method is disclosed for reconstructing image data of an examination object from measurement data of a computed tomography system, the examination object having been irradiated simultaneously by a number of X-ray sources while the measurement data was being acquired so that different projections of the examination object associated with the number of X-ray sources were acquired simultaneously for each detector element. In at least one embodiment, different iteration images of the examination object are determined one after the other from the measurement data by way of an iterative algorithm, a computation operation being employed with the iterative algorithm, which is applied to the iteration images and takes the presence of the number of X-ray sources into account. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110188725 | METHOD FOR RECONSTRUCTION IN DUAL ENERGY, DUAL SOURCE HELICAL COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY - A system and method for the accurate quantitative evaluation of dual-energy computed tomography (CT) projection data that is acquired in a dual-source helical scan includes employing a dual-source z-axis helical interpolation method. The method includes transforming the two helical projection data sets, where corresponding projections of high- and low-energy data sets are shifted with respect to one another by 90 degrees or another angle, into corresponding non-helical projection data sets. A dual-source helical interpolation algorithm allows for projection space dual-energy processing by realigning the high- and low-energy datasets based on the z-axis interpolation. This algorithm may be implemented using a variety of interpolation schemes and can be extended from single slice to multi-slice data acquisitions. Subsequent to the registration of the non-helical projection data sets, projection space processing allows for accurate material quantification and virtual monochromatic images in which beam hardening artifacts have been substantially suppressed. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110194743 | Gradient Search Integrated with Local Imaging in Laser Surgical Systems - Techniques and systems for gradient search are provided based on sensing or measuring at selected locations of a target object without performing full-field sensing or measuring over the entire field of the target object. Search methods are provided to include determining a coordinate of a boundary of a region in relation to a loop in a proximity of a first location, determining a direction of a gradient of the coordinate corresponding to the first location, and selecting a second location based on the determined direction. A search system can be implemented to include an imaging system to determine a coordinate of a feature of an object on a loop in a proximity of a first location, and a controller, coupled to the imaging system, to determine a direction of a gradient of the coordinate corresponding to the first location, and to select a second location based on the determined direction. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110194744 | MEDICAL IMAGE DISPLAY APPARATUS, MEDICAL IMAGE DISPLAY METHOD AND PROGRAM - A medical image display apparatus includes an image database for recording a three-dimensional standard image of a model subject, a three-dimensional anatomical image corresponding to the three-dimensional standard image, and anatomical information on living tissue names, an image acquirer for acquiring a three-dimensional medical image of an examinee, a medical tomographic image identifier for identifying a medical tomographic image in the three-dimensional medical image based on a user's instruction, a standard tomographic image identifier for identifying a standard tomographic image in the three-dimensional standard image, which corresponds to the medical tomographic image, an anatomical tomographic image identifier for identifying an anatomical tomographic image in the three-dimensional anatomical image, which corresponds to the standard tomographic image, and a display controller for displaying the medical tomographic image and the anatomical tomographic image on a display unit, while displaying the living tissue names over the anatomical tomographic image based on the anatomical information. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110194745 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TRACKING FEATURE'S POSITION IN HUMAN BODY - A method for tracking position of a feature in a subject is provided comprising operating a CT scanner to generate and display CT images of a volume within the subject and operating the CT scanner to generate projection X-Ray images of the volume. The X-Ray images are responsive to X-Ray emitted by two X-Ray sources displaced from each other. The method further comprises generating and displaying stereoscopic images from said projection X-Ray images, wherein the stereoscopic images are spatially registered to the CT images. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110194746 | Method for Time-of-Arrival Mapping in Magnetic Resonance Imaging - A method for producing an image indicative of the time-of-arrival of contrast agent in a tissue of interest is provided. More specifically, a time-of-arrival is calculated for each voxel location in a time series of magnetic resonance (MR) images. The accuracy of the time-of-arrival presentation is enhanced when the underlying MR image acquisition is consistent, is done with compact sampling of the k-space center, has minimal temporal footprint for each image, and has a negligible anticipation artifact. The time-of-arrival presentation can be further enhanced by the suppression of signals from background tissue by using, for example, thresholding or by conversion of the time-of-arrival information into a color scale. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110194747 | HIGH CONTRAST IMAGING AND FAST IMAGING RECONSTRUCTION - When reconstructing low-collimation nuclear scan data ( | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110194748 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND ULTRASONIC IMAGE DISPLAY METHOD - In order to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an ultrasonic image display method for recognizing a region (boundary portion) having elasticity information of interest, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having an elasticity information calculating unit | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110200241 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PULMONARY EMBOLI DETECTION FOR COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY - A system and method includes acquisition of a set of image data comprising a plurality of image voxels and isolation of a set of pulmonary emboli candidates from the plurality of image voxels. The system and method also includes application of a non-linear contrast enhancement to the set of pulmonary emboli candidates, filtration of the enhanced set of pulmonary emboli candidates, output of a final set of pulmonary emboli candidates, and creation of an image comprising the final set of pulmonary emboli candidates. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110200242 | OPHTHALMOLOGIC IMAGE DISPLAY APPARATUS, OPHTHALMOLOGIC IMAGE DISPLAY METHOD, PROGRAM, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An ophthalmologic image display apparatus for displaying information about an eye includes an input unit configured to input a tomographic image of the eye, an acquisition unit configured to acquire diagnostic supporting information associated with positional information about the tomographic image of the eye, a processing unit configured to perform processing for assigning a voxel value to volume data constituting the tomographic image based on a reflection intensity value indicating the tomographic image and the diagnostic supporting information, and a display control unit configured to cause a display unit to display an image processed by the processing unit. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110200243 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD - Disclosed is a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising static magnetic field generation means, gradient magnetic field generation means, high-frequency magnetic field generation means, reception means, signal processing means, and control means which controls the gradient magnetic field generation means, the high-frequency magnetic field generation means, the reception means, and the signal processing means, wherein said apparatus comprises: approximation means that approximates the output error of the gradient magnetic field using a combination of multiple parameter values with respect to each direction of the gradient magnetic field; evaluation means that evaluates the combinations of multiple parameter values based on the image quality of a magnetic resonance image that is reconstructed while taking into account the output error of the gradient magnetic field that has been approximated by the approximation means; and determination means that, based on the result of the evaluation by the evaluation means, determines a desired combination among the combinations of multiple parameter values. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110200244 | METHOD, APPARATUS AND PHANTOM FOR MEASURING AND CORRECTING TOMOGRAM ERRORS - A tomogram taken on an imaging path of a tomograph is corrected by using sets of tomogram correction data for neighbouring positions on that path, in an interpolative process. An error map of a tomograph is built up by comparing tomograms of a phantom with the expected appearance of the phantom at the tomogram positions. Also provided is a phantom having a body with one or more imaging fluid receptacles formed therein. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110206258 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONE BEAM COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY HIGH DENSITY OBJECT ARTIFACT REDUCTION - A method of providing a corrected reconstructed computed tomography image accesses image data for computed tomography images of a subject, identifying a subset of the computed tomography images that contain high density features. At least one high density feature is detected in each of the identified subset. The high density feature is classified and a compensation image is formed by distributing pixels representative of tissue over the classified high density feature. A difference sinogram is generated for each image in the identified subset of images by subtracting a first sinogram of the high density feature from a second sinogram of the original image. A resultant sinogram is generated for each image in the identified subset by adding a third sinogram generated according to the compensation image to the difference sinogram. The corrected reconstructed computed tomography image is formed according to the resultant sinogram generated for each image in the identified subset of images. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110206259 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FILTRATION REDUCED EQUALIZED EXPOSURE COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY - A method is disclosed for producing a computed tomographic image of a subject, the method including: using a radiation source and detector, obtaining radiation transmission information relating to a region of interest in the subject; using the source and detector; obtaining a series of projection images of the region of interest. Each projection image is obtained by: directing an imaging beam of radiation from the source through the region of interest onto the detector along a respective direction; the detector having a detection area. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110206260 | AUTOMATED SEQUENTIAL PLANNING OF MR SCANS - A method of acquiring at least one clinical MRI image of a subject comprising the following steps: acquiring a first survey image with a first field of view, the first survey image having a first spatial resolution,—locating a first region of interest and at least one anatomical landmarks in the first survey image, determining the position and the orientation of the first region of interest using the anatomical landmarks, the position and the orientation of the first region being used for—planning a second survey image,—acquiring the second survey image with a second field of view, the second survey image having a second spatial resolution, the second spatial resolution being higher than the first spatial resolution, generating a geometry planning for the anatomical region of interest using the second survey image,—acquiring a diagnostic image of the anatomical region of interest using the geometry planning. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110211743 | Change Assessment Method - This invention relates to a method of assessing the change in size of cancerous lesions in humans utilizing CT scans through the application of a boundary detection algorithm capable of detecting subtle changes in CT images. The change assessment method may include the steps for defining boundary regions on a CT scan image, analyzing said boundaries utilizing a computational program containing statistical analysis techniques, and producing a medically useful output showing any change in lesion size. The change assessment method may also be interfaced with other medical diagnostic techniques or devices that are known in the art. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110211744 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MR IMAGE SCAN AND ANALYSIS - A system and method for an MRI apparatus includes an MRI system having a computer programmed to initiate a first scan procedure to acquire MR data and locate a feature of interest of the object, initiate a second scan procedure when a feature of interest of the object is located, and determine if an anomaly of the feature of interest exists. The computer is programmed to initiate a third scan procedure to scan the anomaly and reconstruct an image of the located anomaly if the anomaly exists. The first scan procedure includes a scan table motion and scan data acquisition commands. The second scan procedure includes scan table motion and scan data acquisition commands to acquire MR data from the feature of interest. The third scan procedure includes scan table motion and scan data acquisition commands to acquire MR data from the located anomaly. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110216954 | HIERARCHICAL ATLAS-BASED SEGMENTATION - A method for segmenting an image includes registering an annotated template image to an acquired reference image using only rigid transformations to define a transformation function relating the annotated template image to the acquired reference image. The defined transformation function is refined by registering the annotated template image to the acquired reference image using only affine transformations. The refined transformation function is further refined by registering the annotated template image to the acquired reference image using only multi-affine transformations. The twice refined transformation function is further refined by registering the annotated template image to the acquired reference image using deformation transformations. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110216955 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - In an MRI apparatus, an executing unit executes an image taking sequence according to a parallel imaging method so as to collect MR signals by using a plurality of RF coils; a reconstructing unit reconstructs an MR image from the MR signals; an unfolding processing unit performs an unfolding process to unfold aliasing that has occurred in the MR image, by using sensitivity distribution data indicating a spatial sensitivity distribution of the RF coils; a judging unit judges whether the unfolded image includes one or more pixels of which the pixel values are abnormal; and when the judgment result is in the affirmative, a correcting unit corrects the sensitivity distribution data so that the pixel values of the pixels become closer to a normal value. After the sensitivity distribution data has been corrected, the unfolding processing unit performs the unfolding process again by using the corrected sensitivity distribution data. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110216956 | Methods, Systems and Computer Program Products for Collapsing Volume Data to Lower Dimensional Representations Thereof - Methods of collapsing volume data to a lower dimensional representation of the volume data are provided. The methods include collapsing volume data to a lower dimensional representation of the volume data using histogram projection. Related systems and computer program products are also provided. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110216957 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RECONSTRUCTING AN IMAGE WITH REDUCED MOTION ARTIFACTS - A computer readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon and representing a set of instructions that when executed by a computer causes the computer to calculate a mapping function that provides a location of each sub-volume of an imaging volume as a function of time from ultrasound data and determine a respective acquisition window for each sub-volume of the imaging volume from the mapping function. The instructions also cause the computer to reconstruct an image of the imaging volume substantially free of motion artifacts from imaging data acquired from the imaging volume. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110216958 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, PROGRAM, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - 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. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110222750 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GUIDING TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE IMPLANTATIONS BASED ON INTERVENTIONAL C-ARM CT IMAGING - A method for guiding transcatheter aortic valve implantations includes receiving an interventional 3D image of an aortic root reconstructed from a sequence of 2D images acquired from a C-arm computed tomography (CT) system being rotated about a patient through a predetermined number of degrees, segmenting the aortic root and detecting aortic root landmarks in the 3D image, where the aortic root landmarks include three lowest points of aortic root cusps, two coronary artery ostia, and three commissures points where the cusps meet, cropping an area inside the segmented aortic root out of the 3D volume for volume rendering, centering the 3D image on an intersection of two orthogonal planes, each containing the two detected coronary ostia, that are orthogonal to a plane spanned by three lowest points of the aortic root cusps, and volume rendering the 3D cropped aortic root image together with the detected landmarks onto a 2D image. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110222751 | Method and System for Automatic Detection and Segmentation of Axillary Lymph Nodes - A method and system for automatically detecting and segmenting lymph nodes in a 3D medical image, such as a CT image, is disclosed. A plurality of lymph node center point candidates are detected in the 3D medical image. A lymph node candidate is segmented for each of the detected lymph node center point candidates. Lymph nodes are detected from the segmented lymph node candidates by verifying the segmented lymph node candidates using a trained lymph node classifier. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110228997 | Medical Image Rendering - Medical image rendering is described. In an embodiment a medical image visualization engine receives results from an organ recognition system which provide estimated organ centers, bounding boxes and organ classification labels for a given medical image. In examples the visualization engine uses the organ recognition system results to select appropriate transfer functions, bounding regions, clipping planes and camera locations in order to optimally view an organ. For example, a rendering engine uses the selections to render a two-dimensional image of medical diagnostic quality with minimal user input. In an embodiment a graphical user interface populates a list of organs detected in a medical image and a clinician is able to select one organ and immediately be presented with the optimal view of that organ. In an example opacity of background regions of the medical image may be adjusted to provide context for organs presented in a foreground region. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110228998 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC COMPUTATION OF MR IMAGING SCAN PARAMETERS - A system and method for automatic computation of MR imaging scan parameters include a computer programmed to acquire a first set of MR data from an imaging subject, the first set of MR data comprising a plurality of slices acquired at a first field-of-view. The computer is also programmed to reconstruct the plurality of slices into a plurality of localizer images and identify a 3D object based on the plurality of localizer images. The computer is further programmed to prescribe a scan, execute the prescribed scan to acquire a second set of MR data, and reconstruct the second set of MR data into an image. The prescribed scan includes one of a reduced field-of-view based on a boundary of the 3D object and a shim region based on the boundary of the 3D object. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110228999 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION USING A TEMPORAL SUBSET OF SPARSIFIED IMAGE DATA - A tomographic system includes a gantry having an opening for receiving an object to be scanned, a radiation source, a detector positioned to receive radiation from the source that passes through the object, and a computer. The computer is programmed to acquire a scan dataset of the object, define a temporal subset of the acquired scan dataset for image reconstruction, reconstruct a prior image using the acquired scan imaging dataset, and reconstruct a refined image using the defined subset of scan data and the prior image. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110229000 | METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY EXTRACTING THE INPUT FUNCTION AND PHARMACOKINETIC PARAMETERS OF AN ACTIVE INGREDIENT - This extraction method in a structure of a living organism from a measurement image of the kinetics of the active ingredient comprising a plurality of regions of interest inside each of which the kinetics of the active ingredient are measured, comprises the following steps:
| 09-22-2011 |
| 20110229001 | METHOD OF AND SYSTEM FOR BLIND EXTRACTION OF MORE PURE COMPONENTS THAN MIXTURES IN 1D AND 2D NMR SPECTROSCOPY AND MASS SPECTROMETRY COMBINING SPARSE COMPONENT ANALYSIS AND SINGLE COMPONENT POINTS - A computer-implemented data processing system for blind extraction of more pure components than mixtures recorded in 1D or 2D NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Sparse component analysis is combined with single component points (SCPs) to blind decomposition of mixtures data X into pure components S and concentration matrix A, whereas the number of pure components S is greater than number of mixtures X. NMR mixtures are transformed into wavelet domain, where pure components are sparser than in time domain and where SCPs are detected. Mass spectrometry (MS) mixtures are extended to analytical continuation in order to detect SCPs. SCPs are used to estimate number of pure components and concentration matrix. Pure components are estimated in frequency domain (NMR data) or m/z domain (MS data) by means of constrained convex programming methods. Estimated pure components are ranked using negentropy-based criterion. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110229002 | Automatic Detection and Quantification of Plaque in the Coronary Arteries of Subjects from CT Scans - A method automatically detects and quantifies arterial plaque (hard plaque, soft plaque or both) in the coronary arteries of the heart from CT images. The method uses plaque definitions based on subject specific in vivo blood/muscle and fat density measurements, subject specific voxel statistical parameters and 2-D and 3-D voxel connectivity criteria to automatically identify the plaques. The locations of the major arteries are determined in a 3-D coordinate system; and the specific coordinates of the detected plaques are displayed in a plaque map for follow-up exams or ease in plaque review, editing and reporting the results. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110229003 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MAPPING TISSUE STATUS OF ACUTE STROKE - The current invention provides a method of identifying a ischemic lesion. The method includes loading perfusion imaging data into an electronic memory element and deriving perfusion maps from the perfusion imaging data, where the perfusion maps include a cerebral blood volume (CBV) map and an arterial delay time (DT) map, which utilize arterial delay and dispersion effects. Ischemic pixels are determined from the perfusion imaging data, where the DT is greater than a predetermined first threshold value and the CBV is below a second threshold value and the infarct portion of the ischemic lesion is determined, where DT is greater than a predetermined third threshold value and/or the CBV is below a forth threshold value. A cluster analysis is applied to all of the determined ischemic lesion and infarct pixels and the penumbra is then determined, where mismatch regions between the ischemic lesion and the infarct core define the penumbra. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110229004 | SYNOPSIS OF MULTIPLE SEGMENTATION RESULTS FOR BREAST LESION CHARACTERIZATION - When characterizing a tumor or lesion as malignant or benign, a system ( | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110229005 | METHOD, APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR ACQUIRING MEDICAL IMAGE DATA - A method of acquiring medical image data with at least one region of interest with a predefined freely shaped geometry comprising the following steps: acquiring a first set of medical image data, identifying at least one anatomical landmark in the first set of image data, determining the at least one region of interest with a trained pattern recognition module using the at least one anatomical landmark. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110235882 | METHODS, SYSTEM AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR DETECTING A PROTRUSION - Method for detecting a protrusion of at least a part of a surface of an internal part of a human or animal body from three dimensional digital data representing said surface or said part thereof, comprising the steps of: detecting a surface region from the three dimensional digital data, wherein the surface region has at least one point at which a first and second normal curvature intersect that both have an original curvature value that is larger than zero or both have an original curvature value that is smaller than zero, wherein the second normal curvature has a curvature value that is closer to zero than the curvature value of the first normal curvature; digitally modifying the second normal curvature such that it has a modified curvature value that is closer to zero than its original curvature value, by which modification the surface region is digitally deformed such that a deformed surface region is formed, wherein the extent of deformation of the deformed surface region as compared to the detected surface region is related to an amount of protrusion. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110235883 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL TEMPLATE TRANSFORMATION METHOD AND APPARATUS - A method includes: obtaining designated 3D template for a designated part in a heart; generating 3D annulus data representing an annulus of a heart valve identified as a reference of transformation, from a cross-section image in a plane passing through an axis within the annulus of the identified heart valve in 3D volume data generated from tomographic images; identifying a first point on the annulus of the identified heart valve in the designated 3D template and a second point on the annulus represented by the 3D annulus data; arranging n starting points from the first point on the annulus of the identified heart valve in the designated 3D template and n target points from the second point on the annulus represented by the 3D annulus data; and calculating movement destination coordinates of vertices of polygons relating to the designated 3D template to transform the designated 3D template. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110235884 | Atlas-Assisted Synthetic Computed Tomography Using Deformable Image Registration - Disclosed are systems for and methods of creating a synthetic image by registering a reference or atlas image to a clinical image using both rigid and deformable image registration algorithms. In some embodiments, a synthetic computed tomography (CT) image may be created by registering an atlas CT image to a clinical image such as an MR scan. Rigid registration in some embodiments may be followed by a smoothing B-spline transform algorithm with a mutual information similarity metric and an optimizer; followed then by an image signal intensity algorithm with displacement vectors at each voxel and diffeomorphic transformations. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110235885 | System for Providing Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) Medical Images - A method generates a two dimensional (2D) medical image through a three dimensional (3D) imaged volume of patient anatomy at a desired position, by storing 3D image data representing a 3D imaging volume including vessels in the presence of a contrast agent. The 3D image data comprises, data identifying multiple voxels representing multiple individual volume image element luminance values and luminance distribution data for individual voxels of a vessel in the 3D image data. For multiple individual voxels of a 2D image, the method determines composite luminance distribution data of an individual voxel in the 2D image by combining luminance distribution data of the 3D image data of multiple identified voxels substantially lying on a projection line from a source point to the individual voxel and generating data representing the 2D image using the determined composite luminance distribution data of the multiple individual voxels. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110243412 | CORONARY ARTERY SELECTIVE CALCIUM ASSIGNMENT USING LOW DOSE CALCIUM SCORING SCANS - It is described a method for coronary artery selective calcium assignment by computed tomography, wherein the method comprising the steps of performing a low x-ray dose cardiac calcium scoring scan, obtaining a data set of said cardiac calcium scoring scan, generating reconstructed images from the data set of said cardiac calcium scoring scan, analyzing the reconstructed images for segmented calcium deposits, deriving a data set of calcification from the analysis, wherein a cardiac model is adapted to the reconstructed image such that segmented calcium deposits can be assigned to specific areas of the heart. Further a device ( | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110243413 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMAGE DATA ACQUISITION - A technique for acquiring desired image data in an imaging system comprising at least one radiation source and a detector is described. Initially, preliminary image data corresponding to an object may be acquired. Further, at least one parameter associated with the radiation source and corresponding to a particular view angle of the radiation source may be determined based on the preliminary image data and a priori information. Similarly, at least one parameter associated with the detector and corresponding to the particular view angle may be determined based on a priori information and the preliminary image data. Efficient operating modes of the radiation source and the detector corresponding to the particular view angle may be selected based on the determined parameters to achieve a desired system performance. Subsequently, the final image data may be acquired using the selected operating modes of the radiation source and the detector. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110243414 | OPTICAL TOMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION GENERATING DEVICE, LIGHT INTENSITY DISTRIBUTION COMPUTING METHOD, AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM - An optical tomographic information generating device which generates optical tomographic information of a subject by using an updated value has: a Jacobian matrix computing unit that computes a Jacobian matrix that expresses a proportion of change in a light intensity distribution with respect to change in an optical characteristic value of the subject; a singular value decomposing unit that acquires a diagonal matrix of the Jacobian matrix; a unit diagonal matrix acquiring unit that acquires a unit diagonal matrix in which diagonal components that are less than or equal to a threshold value are replaced by 0; and a successive approximation unit that carries out approximation by carrying out substitution, that uses the unit diagonal matrix, with respect to a difference between an actually measured value and the computed value that appears in a successive approximation formula of ART (Algebraic Reconstruction Technique), and acquires the updated value. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110243415 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD THEREOF, AND PROGRAM - An image processing apparatus including a storage unit configured to store tomographic images in relation to fundus of an examined eye; a detection unit configured to detect a boundary of retinal pigment epithelium and an inner limiting membrane from each of the images and to detect a part where the boundary is discontinuous; a determination unit configured to determine a surface of a sclera model for each of the images by use of the boundary and the inner limiting membrane; a generation unit configured to generate a sclera model including an optic papilla periphery by use of the surface of the sclera model and the part where the boundary is discontinuous; a combining unit configured to combine each of the images and the sclera model to generate a combined image; and a display unit configured to display the combined image generated by the combining unit, is provided. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110243416 | MORPHOMETRY OF THE HUMAN HIP JOINT AND PREDICTION OF OSTEOARTHRITIS - Apparatus and method for analysing the morphometry of a human hip joint. The apparatus comprises:—
| 10-06-2011 |
| 20110243417 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACCURATE AND RAPID IDENTIFICATION OF DISEASED REGIONS ON BIOLOGICAL IMAGES WITH APPLICATIONS TO DISEASE DIAGNOSIS AND PROGNOSIS - The present invention relates to a method and system for detecting biologically relevant structures in a hierarchical fashion, beginning at a low-resolution and proceeding to higher levels of resolution. The present invention also provides probabilistic pairwise Markov models (PPMMs) to classify these relevant structures. The invention is directed to a novel classification approach which weighs the importance of these structures. The present invention also provides a fast, efficient computer-aided detection/diagnosis (CAD) system capable of rapidly processing medical images (i.e. high throughput). The computer-aided detection/diagnosis (CAD) system of the present invention allows for rapid analysis of medical images the improving the ability to effectively detect, diagnose, and treat certain diseases. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110243418 | MRI mammography with facilitated comparison to other mammography images - An image processing method generates two-dimensional images, each of which are respectively in accordance with left and right breasts of a subject using three-dimensional image data of the left and right breasts. A comparison two-dimensional combined image is generated, wherein the left and right breast images are disposed symmetrically. The comparison two-dimensional combined image is displayed on a display unit. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110243419 | Multisegment Picture Reconstruction For Cardio CT Pictures - A method for reconstructing picture data of a cyclically-moving object from measurement data is disclosed, with the measurement data being detected beforehand for a relative rotational movement between a radiation source of a computed tomography system and the object under examination during a plurality of movement cycles of the object under examination. In at least one embodiment, a first picture and a second picture are determined from the measurement data, with measurement data of different movement cycles being combined for reconstruction of the second picture into a measurement dataset to be used as the basis for the picture reconstruction. Difference information is computed by comparing the first picture with the second picture. Using the difference information, a result picture is computed from the first picture and the second picture. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110243420 | CORRECTION OF CHANGING LOCAL TRANSMIT PHASES DURING PARALLEL TRANSMISSION - The present embodiments relate to a device and a method for data postprocessing of K-space data acquired using a magnetic resonance tomography device. Each part of a K-space matrix is generated with one recording using a magnetic resonance tomography device in a plurality of recordings with the aid of a plurality of transmitting transmit channels of the magnetic resonance tomography device using excitation signals of one amplitude and phase. A field generated in total by the plurality of transmitting transmit channels is determined through addition of the spatial distribution of field distribution datasets representing a field generated by at least one transmit channel of the plurality of channels. A spatially dependent phase correction of the data is performed for data acquired in one recording using phases resulting from the added field distribution datasets. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110249878 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENHANCED IMAGING OF OBJECTS WITHIN AN IMAGE - Systems and methods which implement a plurality of different imaging signatures in generating an image frame are shown. A first imaging signature may be configured for providing relatively high quality images with respect to subsurface regions of living tissue, for example, whereas a second imaging signature may be configured for providing relatively high quality images with respect to interventional instruments inserted into living tissue at a steep angle. Image sub-frames generated using each such different imaging signature are blended to form a frame of the final image providing a relatively high quality image of various objects within the volume being imaged. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110249879 | CT SPECTRAL CALIBRATION - The present disclosure relates to the performing spectral calibration of a CT imaging system. In accordance with certain embodiments, spectral calibration phantoms are scanned while positioned on a table in the imaging volume of the CT imaging system. The scans of the calibration phantoms, in conjunction with air sans performed on the CT imaging system, are used to derive information about the deviation of the measured phantom scans from an ideal. The deviation information is in turn used to derive spectral calibration vectors that may be used with the CT imaging system. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110249880 | MOTION COMPENSATION FOR MEDICAL IMAGING AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Medical imaging and localization methods and systems for producing a motion-compensated image of a planning target volume (PTV) of a patient. In one embodiment, an imaging and localization system includes sensors that are positioned to receive an electromagnetic location signal from one or more active markers affixed to or adjacent a PTV. A signal processing component can produce real-time localization data corresponding to the location signal, and a system interface can receive such localization data. The system interface can also receive raw image data from an imaging subsystem and process the raw image data based on the localization data. For example, the imaging subsystem can include a computed tomography (CT) imaging system and image slices or frames can be binned based on the localization data. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110249881 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF COMPENSATION FOR READOUT GRADIENT MAGNETIC FIELD ERROR - In nonlinear measurement in which a dephasing readout gradient magnetic field is not used, a positional shift of the k space data, which is caused by a difference between a readout gradient magnetic field actually applied and the calculated value, and a deterioration in the image quality resulting therefrom are reduced. In order to do so, in the invention, when executing an imaging pulse sequence including a nonlinear measurement which does not use a dephasing gradient magnetic field, a prescan sequence is executed and a correction value for correcting the shift of the readout gradient magnetic field from the set value is calculated from the data acquired in the prescan. When gridding the data acquired in the imaging pulse sequence, a parameter value of the gridding is corrected using the correction value to perform the gridding. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110255761 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING LUNG TUMORS AND NODULES - A method and system for detecting tumors and nodules in a lung tissue are provided. The method includes the steps of (a) providing a plurality of asymmetric templates of at least one 3D appearance model of a nodule; (b) providing a 3D imaging data set of the entire area of a tissue; (c) matching the 3D imaging data set of the entire area of the tissue with each of the plurality of asymmetric templates to search for 3D objects in the tissue that match the at least one 3D appearance model; (d) determining the volume of the 3D objects found in the tissue; and (e) providing an output representing 3D objects that match the 3D appearance model. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110255762 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING A REGION OF INTEREST IN ULTRASOUND DATA - Methods and systems for determining a region of interest in ultrasound data are provided. One method includes defining an ROI within an acquired ultrasound data set and identifying a plurality of different image planes within the acquired ultrasound data set. The method further includes determining a significant edge from at least one border of the ROI based on the plurality of image planes and adjusting the ROI based on the determined significant edge. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110255763 | Enhanced Visualization of Medical Image Data - Described herein is a technology for enhanced visualization of medical image data. In one implementation, a region of interest is identified in a first set of images along at least one viewing direction. Based on the first set of images, a second set of images is reconstructed to include at least one selectively enhanced rendering of the region of interest. The selectively enhanced rendering may include a three-dimensional rendering or any other type of enhanced rendering to facilitate detection of abnormalities. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110255764 | ORIENTATING AN OBLIQUE PLANE IN A 3D REPRESENTATION - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate orientation of a plane with respect to a three-dimensional representation. A device is presented utilizing at least one of an accelerometer, gyroscope, or combination thereof, enabling determination of a current position and/or orientation of the device. Outputs from the accelerometer, gyroscope, etc., are captured and orientation of a plane displayed with regard to the three-dimensional representation is accordingly adjusted to correspond with the position of the device. Imaging information relating to the three-dimensional representation and the plane can be captured facilitating analysis of the respective slice of the three-dimensional representation associated with the plane. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110255765 | REDUCTION AND REMOVAL OF ARTIFACTS FROM A THREE-DIMENSIONAL DENTAL X-RAY DATA SET USING SURFACE SCAN INFORMATION - A system for removing artifacts caused by x-ray reflective materials from an x-ray image of a patient's teeth. The system includes an x-ray source, an x-ray detector that captures several x-ray images, and a surface scanner that captures a surface scan of the patient's teeth. An image processor generates three-dimensional models from the optical surface data and the CT volumetric data. The models are resized and oriented to be of the same scale and orientation and then overlaid to create a combined data set. Data points that extend beyond the surface of the patient's teeth in the surface model are identified and may be removed if it is determined that they are artifacts. An artifact-reduced CT model is then displayed. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110262016 | COMPOSITE IMAGES FOR MEDICAL PROCEDURES - Medical imaging often involves the collective use of information presented in multiple images of an individual, such as images generated through different imaging modalities (X-ray, CT, PET, etc.) The use of a composite of these images may involve image registration to adjust for the variable position and orientation discrepancies of the individual during imaging. However, registration may be complicated by soft tissue deformation between images, and implementations (particularly pure software implementations) of the mathematical models used in image registration may be computationally complex and may require up to several hours. Hardware architectures are presented that apply the mathematical techniques in an accelerated manner, thereby providing near-realtime image registration that may be of particular use for the short timeframe requirements of surgical environments. The composite image generated thereby may be used to target anatomic features of interest during various medical procedures, including surgical procedures. Moreover, such techniques may be applied to computationally difficult image processing techniques, such as the display of a composite image based at least in part on a PET image, which may otherwise be difficult to utilize in a time-sensitive manner such as a surgical setting. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110262017 | Method of Generating Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Images Using Susceptibility Weighted Imaging and Susceptibility Mapping (SWIM) - A method of generating a susceptibility map of an object utilizes a regularizing inverse function, oversampling k-space, removing external phase noise and rapid phase change effects, accounting for the known geometry of the object, and using modified SWI phase data to generate reasonable susceptibility maps and digital images therefrom, such as SWI images. The inventors refers to the inventive methods set forth herein as Susceptibility Weighted Imaging and Mapping (SWIM). | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110262018 | Automatic Cardiac Functional Assessment Using Ultrasonic Cardiac Images - A computer implemented method and system for fully-automatic cardiac functional assessment are provided. Automatic segmentation of a series of ultrasonic cardiac images is performed for delineating an endocardium boundary and an epicardium boundary, in each of the ultrasonic cardiac images using a segmentation algorithm. Multiple acoustic markers are identified on the endocardium boundary on the ultrasonic cardiac images. The acoustic markers are tracked across the ultrasonic cardiac images over multiple cardiac cycles using a tracking algorithm. Multiple cardiac parameters are calculated using the tracked acoustic markers on drift compensated ultrasonic cardiac images. The computer implemented method and system for cardiac functional assessment is fully-automatic without requiring user intervention or inputs. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110262019 | System for Enhancing Comparative Grayscalized and Colorized Medical Images - The present invention relates to a system for enhancing comparative and colorized medical images, comprising: a device for importing images, transmits grayscale images from scanners, X-ray film or files; and a device for processing images, transforms grayscale images into compared color images. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110262020 | Method And Computer System For Automatic Vectorization Of A Vessel Tree - A method and a computer system are disclosed for automatic vectorization of the profile of a vessel tree and at least one of its properties on the basis of tomographic images of an examined patient. In at least one embodiment, using previously established location probabilities of landmarks in the vessel tree, there is an automatic determination of a plurality of distinctive landmarks in the current tomographic image data record of the patient, a registration of the current tomographic image data record to the statistical vessel model, an automatic determination of previously unidentified landmarks in the registered tomographic image data record using characteristic identification features of the previously unidentified landmarks from the statistical vessel model and the statistical location probability thereof, and a determination of at least one current vessel model using the identified landmarks and at least one vessel property at and/or between the identified landmarks. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110262021 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SUSCEPTIBILITY TENSOR IMAGING - The present disclosure provides a method and system for quantifying and making images of tissue anisotropy property based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The systems and methods provided herein utilize orientation distribution of magnetic susceptibility to characterize magnetic susceptibility anisotropy (MSA) inside biological tissues. This MSA may be intrinsic property of the tissue or may be induced by the presence of external agents. In certain embodiments, the MSA is displayed as an orientation distribution function of susceptibility and/or may be described by mathematical quantities such as tensors (e.g., symmetric or asymmetric second order or higher order tensors) and spherical harmonics. In other embodiments, the MSA is characterized using a second order tensor named apparent susceptibility tensor (AST). | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110262022 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING IMAGES - A method of processing a plurality of time separated images comprises selecting a plurality of imaging units in each image; measuring a temporal difference in each imaging unit; and selecting temporal differences above a threshold limit. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110262023 | METHOD OF FILTERING AN IMAGE DATASET - A method of filtering an image dataset and an apparatus, a data carrier, and a computer program product, the method having the following steps: providing an N-dimensional input image dataset; applying a filtering algorithm to the input image dataset, wherein the filtering algorithm is essentially unvarying over the dataset, to thereby obtain a filtered image dataset; providing a spatially varying weighting function between the input and the filtered image datasets; computing a weighted sum of the input image dataset and the filtered image dataset, thereby using the spatially varying weighting function, in order to obtain an output image dataset. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110268330 | Systems and Methods for Contouring a Set of Medical Images - In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for contouring a set of medical images. An example system may include an image database, an image deformation engine and a contour transformation engine. The image database may be used to store a set of medical images. The image deformation engine may be configured to receive a source image and a target image from the set of medical images in the image database, and further configured to use a deformation algorithm with the source image and the target image to generate deformation field data that is indicative of changes between one or more objects from the source image to the target image. The contour transformation engine may be configured to receive source contour data that identifies the one or more objects within the source image, and further configured to use the deformation field data and the source contour data to generate automatic target contour data that identifies the one or more objects within the target image. The image deformation engine and the contour transformation engine may comprise software instructions stored in one or more memory devices and executable by one or more processors. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110268331 | Image-based patient profiles - A system for generating image-based patient profiles acquires digital images from tissue samples and CT and MRI scans. The system detects objects within the images, measures values related to the detected objects, and displays the measured values in patient profile lists that indicate the normal ranges for measured values. The system indicates which measured values fall outside the normal ranges and navigates the user to the objects in the images associated with the abnormal values when the user selects a measured value in the patient profile. Various risks of the existence of different diseases and the probability of success of specific treatments are displayed on a graphical user interface. The system searches for patterns in the patient data and profile lists that reflect those specific risks and success probabilities. A high probability of disease risk or of the success of a specific treatment is indicated on the graphical user interface. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110268332 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE (NMR) TEMPERATURE MONITORING - The invention provides a method for a multi-echo acquisition technique capable of obtaining separate water only and fat only images in anatomies having large time-varying phase disturbances. This multi-echo technique is also useful in anatomies where magnetic field inhomogeneity is significant. Also provided is a system, which is capable of producing a reconstructed complex water image whose phase component maintains the temperature dependent phase information. Similarly, the reconstructed fat image maintains the phase information pertaining to the time-varying phase disturbances. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110268333 | Imaging method for enhanced visualization of vessels in an examination region of a patient and medical system for performing the method - An imaging method for enhanced visualization of vessels in an examination region of a patient, in particular during an intervention, is proposed. A 3D reconstruction image of the examination region is generated using a preoperatively recorded 3D image dataset of the examination region. At least one current 2D fluorescence image of the examination region is recorded by a fluorescence angiography. The vessels are identified. The 3D image dataset with the image dataset of the 2D fluorescence or ultrasound image is registered based on the result of the identification. The 3D reconstruction image and the 2D image are overplayed. The overlaid images are 3D played back. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110268334 | Apparatus for Improving Image Resolution and Apparatus for Super-Resolution Photography Using Wobble Motion and Point Spread Function (PSF), in Positron Emission Tomography - Provided are an apparatus and method for improving image resolution in a positron emission tomography (PET), which may reconstruct a high-resolution image in a PET system using a motion of an entire detector or a bed motion and may maintain a characteristic of a sinograms using a positive number in a sinogram computing, by applying a super-resolution algorithm that may be based on a maximum likelihood expectation maximization (MLEM) algorithm. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110268335 | Increased Temporal Resolution In The Case Of CT Images By Means Of Iterative View Reconstruction With Limiting Conditions - A method is disclosed for the reconstruction of image data of a moving object to be examined from measurement data, wherein the measurement data has previously been established in a relative rotational movement between a radiation source of a computed tomography system and the object to be examined. In at least one embodiment, first image data is reconstructed from an incomplete measurement data record by way of an iterative algorithm, wherein in the iterative reconstruction a dimension is used which contains probability information relating to pixel values of the image data to be reconstructed. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110268336 | SYSTEM FOR MONITORING MEDICAL ABNORMALITIES AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF - A medical imaging system and method, the system including at least one controller which is configured to receive or receives first image information corresponding with one or more images acquired at a first time; receives second image information corresponding with one or more images acquired at another time; determines whether first coordinate information corresponding to one or more locations in the first image information has changed relative to second coordinate information corresponding to one or more locations in the second image information; and highlights the first image information based upon the result of the determination. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110268337 | Methods For Fat Quantification With Correction For Noise Bias - Methods are disclosed for calculating a fat fraction corrected for noise bias of one or more voxels of interest using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. A plurality of image data sets are obtained each corresponding to NMR k-space data acquired using a pulse sequence with an individual associated echo time t | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110268338 | Method and System of Computer-Aided Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis of Medical Images - A system and method of computer aided analysis of medical images and detection of malignant lesions is described. Medical images obtained from multiple modalities are analyzed. Morphological features as well as temporal, i.e., kinetics features, are combined to compute a consolidated assessment of a possible lesion detected in the medical images. The system includes at least one kinetics module, which is capable of extracting kinetics features from a time sequence of MRI images or MRS data taken after administering a contrast enhancement agent to a patient. The consolidated assessment is presented to a user for confirmation or modification. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110274329 | PROCESSING OF MEDICAL IMAGE DATA - An anti-aliasing filter comprised by a first filter kernel is applied to the medical image data so as to obtain filtered image data. The filtered image data is downsampled so as to obtain decimated image data, and pixel resolution of the decimated image data is approximately one half of pixel resolution of the image data for the medical image. The decimated image data is upsampled and an interpolation filter is applied so as to obtain interpolated image data. The interpolation filter is comprised by a second filter kernel, and the size of the first kernel is smaller than the size of the second filter kernel. Pixel resolution of the interpolated image data is approximately equal to pixel resolution of the medical image data. Difference image data between the interpolated image data and the medical image data for the medical image is obtained, and the difference image data is displayed. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110274330 | AUTOMATED CHARACTERIZATION OF TIME-DEPENDENT TISSUE CHANGE - A non-invasive medical imaging system includes: an imaging scanner capable of generating an imaging signal from a subject under observation inside the imaging scanner; a signal processing system in communication with the imaging scanner, and a data storage unit in communication with the signal processing system, wherein the data storage unit is suitable for storing a first image corresponding to a tissue region of the subject, wherein the signal processing system is capable of generating a second image encoding the tissue region of the subject by performing a reconstruction based on the imaging signal, the imaging signal acquired at a later time than the first image; wherein the signal processing system is constructed to receive the imaging signal from the imaging scanner and the first image from the data storage unit respectively, wherein the signal processing system is adapted to provide a registered first image by registering the first image to the second image via a transformation in a space of diffeomorphism, wherein the signal processing system is further adapted to compute a difference image between the second image and the registered first image; and wherein the signal processing system is further adapted to output the difference image. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110274331 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD FOR ACHIEVING WATER-FAT SEPARATION - A magnetic resonance imaging method for achieving water-fat separation; the method includes utilizing BLADE trajectories to collect the original data of one in-phase image and the original data of two out-of-phase images; reconstructing the in-phase image on the basis of the original data of the in-phase image, and utilizing the original data of the in-phase image to perform phase correction on the original data of the out-of-phase images, and reconstructing the out-of-phase images; and calculating the images of water and fat on the basis of the in-phase image and the out-of-phase images. Since the BLADE trajectory is used to acquire the k-space data, it provides the advantages that the BLADE trajectories are insensitive to the motion and pulsation of a rigid body, reduce the degree of sensitivity to motion artifacts, and also improve the images' signal-to-noise ratio. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110280456 | METHOD OF SYNTHETIC IMAGE GENERATION FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A method, system and user interface for synthetic image generation for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is described. A plurality of MR imaging data sets is received, each data set being acquired at a different value for a MR acquisition parameter. A response value for a particular property of tissues is determined, based on a calculated fit of each pixel to a property response model. A synthetic image is generated for a selected value of the MR acquisition parameter, based on the determined response value. An option is provided to dynamically change the selected value of the MR acquisition parameter and the synthetic image is re-generated for the changed value. An option may be provided to dynamically change the value. Another option may be provided to calculate a reliability measure for the synthetic image. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110280457 | CLASSIFICATION OF MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC IMAGES - The invention provides methods for automated classification of a medical diagnostic image of a lung according to its deduced probability of relating to a lung of a patient who is suffering from a diffuse parenchymal lung disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, or severe asthma, or to a class of patients characterised by the severity of such a condition, or to a class of patients characterised by a prognostic likelihood of developing such a condition or severity of condition. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110280458 | Method For The Reduction Of Image Artifacts, In Particular Of Metal Artifacts, In CT Image Data - A method is disclosed for the reduction of image artifacts, in particular metal artifacts, during the generation of computed tomography image data of an object. In at least one embodiment of the method, two CT image data sets are generated with different medium x-ray energies. By way of a weighted combination of the two CT image data sets, a new image data set is calculated. The weighting factor employed in the weighted combination is here selected in such a way that the image artifacts in the new CT image data set are significantly reduced compared with the image artifacts in the two original CT image data sets. In this way it is possible in a simple manner significantly to reduce in particular metal artifacts in CT images. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110280459 | X-RAY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, an X-ray computed tomography apparatus includes an X-ray tube, an X-ray detector, and a rotating unit. The first reconstruction processing reconstructs a clinical image based on projection data detected by the X-ray detector. The second reconstruction processing reconstructs a noise image based on noise data. The clinical image is combined with the noise image. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110280460 | IRON QUANTIFICATION OF BRAIN MICROBLEEDS - A method to quantify iron content or effective diameter of a localized iron source in an anatomical region of a subject is provided herein. The first step is to obtain a phase image from a magnetic resonance scan of the anatomical region of the subject. The next step is identifying a dipole pattern in the phase image corresponding to a localized iron source in the anatomical region. One or more than one image parameter of the dipole pattern is then measured and related to the iron content of the localized iron source. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110280461 | GROUP-WISE IMAGE REGISTRATION BASED ON MOTION MODEL - A method includes generating a set of group-wise registered images from a time sequence of images based on a region of interest of a subject or object identified in at least one of the images, the image sequence, and a motion model indicative of an estimate of a motion of the subject or object during which the image sequence is acquired. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110280462 | AUTOMATIC AORTIC DETECTION AND SEGMENTATION IN THREE-DIMENSIONAL IMAGE DATA - A method including searching image data corresponding to a series of axial image slices with a processor, searching axial image slices from a starting image slice and calculating a confidence score that an image slice includes a cross-section image of an aorta, identifying an image slice containing at least one seed disk, including an ascending aorta seed disk, from candidate image slices identified according to the confidence score, and growing a 3D segmentation of the ascending aorta by stacking ascending aorta image disks included in consecutive image slices beginning from the ascending aorta seed disk. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110286646 | Method For Radiation Dose Reduction Using Prior Image Constrained Image Reconstruction - A method for reconstructing an image of a subject with a medical imaging system is provided. Image data is acquired with the medical imaging system, typically in an undersampled manner. A prior image constrained compressed sensing (PICCS) image reconstruction method is then implemented to reconstruct images of the subject being imaged. The prior image used in such a method is produced from so-called averaged image data. The averaged image data is produced by effectively averaging signal information associated with a plurality of different slice locations along a direction orthogonal to the plane parallel to the slice locations. Weightings are calculated from images reconstructed in a conventional manner from the acquired image data, and these weightings are employed to produce the averaged image data. By producing a prior image in this manner, a higher signal-to-noise ratio is achievable, allowing trade-offs with factors such as radiation dose in x-ray imaging. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110286647 | Image Browsing and Navigating User Interface - Techniques for image browsing, navigating and user interface operation are described herein. An image cube, having three axes representing a medical patient's body parts, imaging technology and image date, may be displayed on a visual display. Image piles of icons or thumbnail images may be positioned within the image cube, according to the three axes. By fixing the body parts axis on a specific body part, an image plane may be selected from the image cube. The selected image plane replaces the image cube in the visual display, including only image piles of the selected body part, organized according to axes indicating imaging technology and image date. An image pile may be selected from the image plane, to replace the image plane on the visual display. Image pile operations allow the user to select from the image pile a desired image(s) for display. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110286648 | AUTO-CALIBRATING PARALLEL MRI TECHNIQUE WITH DISTORTION-OPTIMAL IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION - The invention is a new computational method for the formation of magnetic resonance (MR) images. The method utilizes the data acquired by the multiple receiver channels available as parallel imaging hardware on standard MRI scanners to: (i) automatically identify a set of multi-input multi-output (MIMO) systems (e.g., MIMO filter banks) that act as interpolation kernels for acquired MR data sets (that can be subsampled with respect to the Nyquist criterion) without requiring a separate calibration scan; and (ii) use the identified MIMO systems to synthesize MR data sets that can in turn be used to produce high quality images, thereby enabling high quality imaging with fewer data samples than current methods (or equivalently provide higher image quality with the same number of data samples). A unique feature of the present invention is its ability to account for aliasing effects and minimize the associated image distortion by optimally adapting the said MIMO interpolation (image reconstruction) kernels. This ability to image with a reduced number of data samples accelerates the imaging process; hence, overcoming the main shortcoming of MRI compared to other medical imaging modalities. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110286649 | GENERATING PSEUDO-CT IMAGE VOLUMES FROM ULTRA-SHORT ECHO TIME MR - A method for generating a pseudo-computed tomography (CT) image volume includes acquiring a first magnetic resonance (MR) image volume (UTE | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110286650 | READY AUTOMATED SCREENING, DIAGNOSIS & CLASSIFICATION TECHNIQUE FOR ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE USING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SIGNAL FROM VENTRICULAR ZONE CONTOUR OF BRAIN - The invention relates to a fully automated screening, diagnosis and classification technique for Alzheimer's disease using magnetic resonance imaging signals from the ventricular zone contour of the brain to get a fundamental index of brain deterioration comprising the steps: —obtaining a gray scale MRI image of the brain region; —applying a contour edge-detecting algorithm to the image; —employing a grid covering method for calculating a first order metric index of ventricular zone contour; —superimposing metric square grids of increasing edge length to the binary contour image and counting the metric grid squares; —plotting the logs of metric grid squares against the logs of edge lengths, wherein the gradient of the plot is the linear topological metric index. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110286651 | Projection-Space Denoising with Bilateral Filtering in Computed Tomography - Projection data acquired with an x-ray CT system is filtered using a bilateral filter to reduce image noise and enable the acquisition at lower x-ray dose without the loss of image diagnostic quality. The bilateral filtering is performed before image reconstruction by producing a noise equivalent data set from the acquired projection data and then converting the bilateral filtered values back to a projection data set suitable for image reconstruction. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110286652 | SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING LUNG VENTILATION INFORMATION - A system for displaying lung ventilation information, the system comprising an input ( | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110293155 | AUTOMATIC MOTION MAP GENERATION IN HELICAL CT - As an illustration of generating a motion map, although the cardiac CT is described for selecting an optimal phase, the disclosure is not limited to the cardiac CT. For the cardiac CT, the cardiac phase map is efficiently generated based upon helical scan data, and the optimal phase is selected within a reasonable time. At the same time, the optimal phase is accurately determined based upon complementary rays as indexes for minimal movement so as to select the projection data for minimizing artifacts in reconstructed cardiac images. The helically scanned data reflect motion within the same cardiac cycle or over the continuous cardiac cycles. The application of the complementary ray technique to the helically scanned data is accomplished by three-dimensionally determining a pair of the complementary rays in order to take into account motion within the same cardiac cycle or over the continuous cardiac cycles. The absolute sum of the differences for the top ray and or the bottom ray is determined in order to determine the amount of cardiac motion. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110293156 | METHOD AND COMPUTER FOR AIDING DETERMINATION OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA - A computer for aiding determination of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) includes a storage device storing with a medical image and a central processing unit (CPU). The CPU executes a method for aiding determination of OSA. The method for aiding determination of OSA includes the following steps. The medical image is obtained. An upper airway model is established. A narrowest cross-section and a nasopharyngeal boundary cross-section are defined in the airway model. A cross-sectional area of the narrowest cross-section and a cross-sectional area of the nasopharyngeal boundary cross-section are calculated. A stenosis rate is calculated according to the cross-sectional area of the narrowest cross-section and the cross-sectional area of the nasopharyngeal boundary cross-section. The stenosis rate is provided. In addition, in the method for aiding determination of OSA, a respiratory flow field simulation may be further performed to obtain and provide a flow field pressure distribution of the upper airway model. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110293157 | Medical Image Segmentation - A segmentation method comprises clustering spatial, intensity and volumetric shape index to automatically segment a medical lesion. The algorithm has the following steps: (1) calculating volumetric shape index (SI) for each voxel in the image; (2) combining the SI features with the intensity range and the spatial position (x, y, z) to form a 5-dimensional feature vector set; (3) grouping the 5-dimensional feature vector set into clusters; (4) employing a modified expectation-maximization algorithm (EM) considering not only spatial but also shape features on an intensity mode map from the clustering algorithm to merge the neighbouring regions or modes. The joint spatial-intensity-shape feature provides rich information for the segmentation of the anatomic structures of interest, such as lesions or tumours. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110293158 | Method And Image-Reconstruction Apparatus For Reconstructing Image Data - A method and an image-reconstruction apparatus are disclosed for reconstructing image data on the basis of measurement data from an imaging system. In at least one embodiment of the process, initial image data, initially reconstructed from the measurement data, is optimized in an iterative optimization method utilizing a substantially edge-maintaining noise regularization term and an additional sparsity regularization term. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110293159 | ITERATIVE CT IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION WITH A FOUR-DIMENSIONAL NOISE FILTER - A method is disclosed for reconstruction of image data of an object under examination from measurement data, with the measurement data having been captured during a relative rotational movement between a radiation source of a computed tomography system and the object under examination. In at least one embodiment, first image data is computed by the measurement data being modified to obtain a specific gray value characteristic of the first image data to be reconstructed and the first image data is computed by way of an iterative algorithm using the modified measurement data. Second image data is also computed by a series of chronologically-consecutive images being reconstructed and processing being carried out on the series of images to reduce temporal noise. Finally a combination of the first and the second image data is carried out. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110293160 | Iterative Reconstruction Of CT Images Without A Regularization Term - A method is disclosed for reconstructing image data of an examination object from measured data, wherein the measured data was captured previously during a relative rotary motion between a radiation source of a computed tomography system and the examination object. In at least one embodiment, the measured data is modified to achieve a particular grayscale characteristic of the image data to be reconstructed. The image data is calculated by way of an iterative algorithm using the modified measured data, wherein no arithmetic step for reducing noise is employed in the iterations. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110293161 | Techniques for Tomographic Image by Background Subtraction - Techniques for background subtraction in computed tomography include determining voxels in a slice of interest in a three dimensional computed tomography scan of the interior of a body based on a first set of measurements of radiation transmitted through the body. Based on the first set of measurements, a first background image for radiation transmitted through the body in a first direction is determined without the effects of the voxels in the slice of interest. A current image is determined based on a different current measurement of radiation transmitted through the body in the first direction. A first difference is determined between the current image and the first background image. The result is a high contrast image in the slice of interest even from a single current projection image. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110299750 | 3D TISSUE MODEL FORMATION FROM NON-PARALLEL 2D IMAGES - Biopsy of the prostate using 2D transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guidance is the current gold standard for diagnosis of prostate cancer; however, the current procedure is limited by using 2D biopsy tools to target 3D biopsy locations. We have discovered a technique for patient-specific 3D prostate model reconstruction from a sparse collection of non-parallel 2D TRUS biopsy images. Our method can be easily integrated with current TRUS biopsy equipment and could be incorporated into current clinical biopsy procedures for needle guidance without the need for expensive hardware additions. We have demonstrated the model reconstruction technique using simulated biopsy images from 3D TRUS prostate images of 10 biopsy patients. This technique of model reconstruction is not limited to the prostate, but can be applied to the reconstruction of any tissue acquired with non-parallel 2-dimensional ultrasound images. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110299751 | Method and Apparatus to Facilitate Development of Therapeutic Treatment Plans - A digital image processing apparatus acquires first information comprising a first multi-dimensional high-energy study of a given treatment volume for a given person. This apparatus then combines this first information with second information that comprises a second multi-dimensional high-energy study of a given volume for a person that includes, but also exceeds, the given treatment volume. This second multi-dimensional high-energy study precedes in time the first multi-dimensional high-energy study. This combination yields resultant multi-dimensional high-energy image information for the given treatment volume that includes imaging information beyond the given treatment volume. The apparatus then uses this resultant information to facilitate development of a treatment plan for the given person without requiring a projection of the multi-dimensional high-energy image information into sinogram space. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110299752 | METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING DEPTH DECONVOLUTION ALGORITHM FOR ENHANCED THERMAL TOMOGRAPHY 3D IMAGING - A computer-implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product implement enhanced thermal tomography three-dimensional (3D) thermal effusivity imaging. Experimental thermal imaging data is acquired. A response function is derived and a convolution formulation is constructed from the experimental thermal imaging data. A deconvolution solution procedure is implemented that includes constructing a matrix solution equation with a damping parameter, and solving the matrix solution equation with a selected number of iterations to construct a plurality of effusivity images. Using the novel depth deconvolution algorithm with experimental data acquired from a one-sided pulsed thermal-imaging system provides greater sensitivity for internal sample features substantially eliminating degradation in depth resolution. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110299753 | MULTI-RESOLUTION EDGE FLOW APPROACH TO VASCULAR ULTRASOUND FOR INTIMA-MEDIA THICKNESS (IMT) MEASUREMENT - A computer-implemented system and method for fast, reliable, and automated embodiments for using a multi-resolution edge flow approach to vascular ultrasound for intima-media thickness (IMT) measurement. Various embodiments include receiving biomedical imaging data and patient demographic data corresponding to a current scan of a patient; checking the biomedical imaging data in real-time to determine if an artery of the patient has a calcium deposit in a proximal wall of the artery; acquiring arterial data of the patient as a combination of longitudinal B-mode and transverse B-mode data; using a data processor to automatically recognize the artery; using the data processor to calibrate a region of interest around the automatically recognized artery; automatically computing the weak or missing edges of intima-media and media-adventitia walls using edge flow, labeling and connectivity; and determining the intima-media thickness (IMT) of an arterial wall of the automatically recognized artery. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110299754 | VALIDATION EMBEDDED SEGMENTATION METHOD FOR VASCULAR ULTRASOUND IMAGES - A computer-implemented system and method for intima-media thickness (IMT) measurements using a validation embedded segmentation method. Various embodiments include receiving biomedical imaging data and patient demographic data corresponding to a current scan of a patient; checking the biomedical imaging data in real-time to determine if an artery of the patient has a calcium deposit in a proximal wall of the artery; acquiring arterial data of the patient as a combination of longitudinal B-mode and transverse B-mode data; using a data processor to automatically recognize the artery by embedding anatomic information; using the data processor to calibrate a region of interest around the automatically recognized artery; automatically computing the weak or missing edges of intima-media and media-adventitia walls using edge flow, labeling and connectivity; and determining the intima-media thickness (IMT) of an arterial wall of the automatically recognized artery. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110299755 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR EXTENDED ULTRASOUND IMAGING - An ultrasound imaging system and method provides for extended imaging. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110305379 | DEFORMABLE ARTICULATING TEMPLATE (formerly: CUSTOMIZED ORTHOPAEDIC IMPLANTS & RELATED METHODS) - A method of designing a prosthetic implant. Exemplary methods may include developing a three-dimensional model of an anatomic feature from one or more two-dimensional images. The three-dimensional model may include a plurality of radii of curvature representing the shape of respective portions of a contact surface. In some exemplary embodiments, three-dimensional models associated with a large number members of a population may be utilized to create templates for prosthetic implants. A three-dimensional model of an anatomic feature of a patient may be compared to the available templates, and a suitable template may be tested by virtually implanting the template on the three-dimensional model of the patient's anatomical feature. In some embodiments, a patient's three-dimensional model for which a suitable pre-made template is not available may be used to customize a pre-made template to design a suitable implant. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110311120 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR IMAGE PROCESSING, NOTABLY TO PROCESS MEDICAL IMAGES - A method to transmit a label between two images, characterized in that the method includes the following steps:
| 12-22-2011 |
| 20110311121 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING AND CORRECTING REGISTRATION MISALIGNMENT OF MR PERFUSION IMAGES - A method for correcting registration misalignment in magnetic resonance perfusion images includes receiving a time series of magnetic resonance images of an anatomical organ, each image comprising a plurality of intensities defined on an N-dimensional domain of points, performing a first group-wise registration of all images in the time series of images using a pair-wise registration as an initialization, detecting a misaligned image from the group-wise registration by analyzing a total variation of intensity differences between consecutive images, and correcting the misaligned image by optimizing a second group-wise energy function over registration parameters of the misaligned image. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110317894 | PROJECTION TRUNCATION PROCESSING FOR CBCT - A method for 3-D volume image reconstruction of a subject. 2-D projection images are obtained over a range of scan angles, and one or more truncated images are identified from the obtained images. From each of the one or more truncated images, a corrected truncated image is formed by a repeated process of identifying a row of image data values in the one or more truncated images, assigning an extension length to one or both ends of the row according to the row location in the truncated image, and extending the truncated image data for the row of image data values by applying a row-dependent cosine function to each value in the extension length. A 3-D volume image is reconstructed using one or more of the corrected truncated images. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110317895 | Radiotherapy system - A radiotherapy system is disclosed, comprising a support for supporting a patient undergoing radiotherapy treatment, a gantry that is rotatable about an axis, a source of radiation mounted on the gantry and producing a beam of radiation directed towards a target region of the patient, a collimator coupled to said radiation source for collimating said radiation beam, the collimator comprising a plurality of beam-limiting elements, each movable to collectively define a shaped aperture through which the radiation beam passes, a portal imager mounted on the gantry opposite the radiation source for detecting the radiation after it has passed through the patient and generating corresponding images, and associated circuitry for controlling at least the gantry, the source, the collimator, and the portal imager, collating detected data comprising a plurality of images acquired from the imager including images at a plurality of angles of rotation of said gantry and images at a plurality of collimator shapes, and generating a three-dimensional image of the target region based thereon. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110317896 | MECHANISM FOR ADVANCED STRUCTURE GENERATION AND EDITING - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and a mechanism for manipulating images generated by radiotherapy machines used in radiation diagnostic and treatment applications. In one embodiment, a method is provided for intelligent automatic propagation of manual or automatic contouring across linked (e.g., registered) images and image data sets by acquiring one or more images of one or more image data sets; determining the correlation between the images with respect to identified structures; and generating a deformation map that establishes a correspondence for each point in the source image with a point in the target image. Subsequently, the intelligent propagation mechanism applies this deformation map individually to each structure of the source image and propagates the deformed structure to the target image. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110317897 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATED LOCALIZATION OF A MOVING STRUCTURE - A method and apparatus for automated localization of at least one moving structure internal to a body is disclosed. The method in one example comprises acquiring a sequence of images of a region of the body, the region the body including the at least one moving structure, computing a motion map of a current frame of the sequence of the images, identifying a plurality of candidate pixels comprising the motion map, clustering the plurality of candidate pixels into at least one cluster, the at least one cluster corresponding to the at least one moving structure and computing a representative point of each of the at least one cluster. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110317898 | Registration of 3D tomography images - Disclosed are methods and apparatus for analyzing medical image change, particularly bone changes, either bone gain or loss. Disclosed also are methods and apparatus for bone registration of computed tomography (CT) images. These new methods and apparatus significantly improve the efficiency of current matching procedure. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110317899 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR NAVIGATION IN A MULTI-DIMENSIONAL IMAGE DATA SET - A device and to a method for navigation in a multi-dimensional image data set of an object, obtained by a medical imaging method, including depicting a randomly selectable first visual plane through the image data set as the first sectional image, in which a user can navigate and designate a point by means of an input device, and depicting, in addition to the first sectional image, a further, second sectional image, including another point, designated by the user in the first sectional image, in a second visual plane which intersects the image data set at that angle that corresponds to the perspective obtained during the recording of the image data set at the designated point. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110317900 | ATTENUATION CORRECTION OF MR COILS IN A HYBRID PET/MR SYSTEM - Nuclear image data generated by a multimodal imaging device, such as a combined position emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance (MR) scanner ( | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110317901 | Temporal Resolution In Cardio CT - A method is disclosed for the reconstruction of picture data of a moving object under examination from measurement, with the measurement data having been recorded beforehand for a relative rotational movement between a radiation source of a computed tomography system and the object under examination. In at least one embodiment, first picture data is computed from a complete measurement dataset of the measurement data for a picture reconstruction, and second picture data is computed from an incomplete measurement dataset for a computed tomography picture reconstruction. The first picture data and the second picture data are combined into third picture data, with the combination being computed using location-dependent movement information of the object under examination. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110317902 | METHOD AND APPARATUS OF IMAGE PROCESSING TO DETECT EDGES - An edge detection filter comprising an array of filter coefficients having an odd number of rows and columns, a first set of zero coefficients extending along a direction traversing the array through a center position to form a first and second side, a second set of positive coefficients extending away from the direction on the first side, and a third set of negative coefficients extending away from the direction on the second side. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20120002854 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING DATA SIGNALS - A signal processing method is presented. The method includes acquiring undersampled data corresponding to an object, initializing a first image solution and a second image solution, determining a linear combination solution based upon the first image solution and the second image solution, generating a plurality of selected coefficients by iteratively updating the first image solution, the second image solution and the linear combination solution and adaptively thresholding one or more transform coefficients utilizing the undersampled data, an updated first image solution, an updated second image solution and an updated linear combination solution, and reconstructing a data signal using the plurality of selected coefficients. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120002855 | STENT LOCALIZATION IN 3D CARDIAC IMAGES - Systems and methods are described for automatically identifying coronary stents within a 3D cardiac image. Based on feature analysis on a cardiac image, coronary stents can be detected by filtering the cardiac images for stent candidates, applying a score based on factors related to coronary stents and applying a threshold. Once coronary stents are identified, in-stent restenosis and stent fractures can be further detected. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120002856 | METHOD FOR PERFORMING MICRO-PERIMETRY EXAMS BASED ON A RETINAL VOLUME IMAGE AND A WELL REGISTERED FUNDUS IMAGE - A method of performing a retinal examination is described wherein perimetry points are selected in three dimensional imaging data of the retinal tissue. The corresponding points in register with these perimetry points are mapped to an en-face image. These corresponding points are used as stimulus locations for a micro-perimetry examination. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120002857 | HYBRID DUAL-MODALITY IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM AND METHOD - Hybrid dual-modality image processing systems and methods are disclosed. For example, an image processing system includes a computer for processing SPECT tomographic projection data and a CT volume image. The computer derives a SPECT transverse volume image from the projection data and registers the SPECT transverse volume image with the CT volume image to obtain an attenuation map and registration information. The computer uses the attenuation map and the registration information to derive a SPECT transverse volume image with attenuation correction. The computer uses the registration information to derive a SPECT transverse volume image without attenuation correction. The SPECT transverse volume images, with and without attenuation correction, are derived at or near the same time, using the same registration information. The registration information is stored in, carried by, or otherwise communicated through the attenuation map for subsequent processing of the SPECT transverse volume images. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120002858 | MOTION DETECTION AND CORRECTION IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FOR RIGID, NONRIGID, TRANSLATIONAL, ROTATIONAL, AND THROUGH-PLANE MOTION - A magnetic resonance (MR) image reconstruction method comprises: compensating an MR imaging data set ( | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120002859 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE PARTIALLY PARALLEL IMAGING (PPI) WITH MOTION CORRECTED COIL SENSITIVITIES - Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging performed in cooperation with an MR scanner ( | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120008841 | SIMULTANEOUS DUAL WINDOW/LEVEL SETTINGS FOR DISPLAY OF CT COLONOGRAPHY IMAGES - A method for processing and displaying colonography image data. First distance tissue pixels representative of tissue within a first distance of gas pixels representative of gas are processed with a first window/level setting to generate a first setting set of image pixels. Second distance tissue pixels representative of tissue within a second distance of the gas pixels are processed with a second window/level setting to generate a second setting set of image pixels. The second distance is a distance greater than the first distance. A colonography image including both the first and second setting sets of image pixels is then displayed. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120008842 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF IMAGE ARTIFACT REDUCTION USING SELF-NAVIGATED REAL-TIME PHASE CORRECTION IN ECHO PLANAR IMAGING - An apparatus and method include a computer programmed to implement a scan sequence configured to elicit scan data, wherein the scan sequence comprises an echo planar imaging (EPI) sequence configured to elicit the image data and to acquire the scan data. The computer is also programmed to manipulate the scan data to determine a first plurality of phase errors in the image data responsible for a Nyquist ghost, wherein the manipulated scan data is free of navigator echo data, remove the first plurality of phase errors from the image data, and reconstruct an image based on the image data having the first plurality of phase errors removed therefrom. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120008843 | Method for reconstruction of magnetic resonance images - A method for constructing an image includes acquiring image data in a sensing domain, transforming the acquired image data into a sparse domain, approximating sparse coefficients based on the transformed acquired image data, performing a Bayes Least Squares estimation on the sparse coefficients based on Gaussian Scale Mixtures Model to generate weights, approximating updated sparse coefficients by using the weights and acquired image, constructing an image based on the updated sparse coefficients, and displaying the constructed image. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120008844 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MOTION-COMPENSATED COMPRESSED SENSING FOR DYNAMIC IMAGING - A method for reconstructing a digital image from a set of measurements includes providing a previous image frame in a time series of measurements of an image signal and a current image frame in the time series, calculating an estimated motion vector for a spatial point and current time point between the previous and current image frames, calculating a motion compensated current image frame from the previous image frame, estimating a known support set of a sparse signal estimate of the motion compensated current image frame where the support set comprises indices of non-zero elements of the sparse signal estimate, calculating a sparse signal corresponding to the current image frame whose support contains a smallest number of new additions to the known support set while satisfying a data consistency constraint, and correcting the motion compensated current image frame image frame from the sparse signal. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120008845 | Method and apparatus for 3d metal and high-density artifact correction for cone-beam and fan-beam ct imaging - A 3D metal artifacts correction technique corrects the streaking artifacts generated by titanium implants or other similar objects. A cone-beam computed tomography system is utilized to provide 3D images. A priori information (such as the shape information and the CT value) of high density sub-objects is acquired and used for later artifacts correction. An optimization process with iterations is applied to minimize the error and result in accurate reconstruction images of the object. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120008846 | PERFUSION IMAGING - A method includes executing, via a data analyzer ( | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120008847 | TWO-POINT DIXON TECHNIQUE WITH FLEXIBLE CHOICE OF ECHO TIMES - When distinguishing between fat and water in acquired MR data, a modified Dixon technique includes acquiring first and second signals Ii and I | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120014577 | Method and System for Indicating a Feeding Vessel of a Malformation - A method for indicating a feeding vessel of a malformation is presented. The method includes accessing a medical image with the malformation and segmenting the malformation in the medical image. Further, the method includes detecting the feeding vessel of the malformation and acquiring a live image, thereafter the method involves displaying the live image overlaid with the medical image as a displayed image and indicating the feeding vessel in the displayed image. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120014578 | Computer Aided Detection Of Abnormalities In Volumetric Breast Ultrasound Scans And User Interface - Methods and related systems are described for detection of breast cancer in 3D ultrasound imaging data. Volumetric ultrasound images are obtained by an automated breast ultrasound scanning (ABUS) device. In ABUS images breast cancers appear as dark lesions. When viewed in transversal and sagittal planes, lesions and normal tissue appear similar as in traditional 2D ultrasound. However, architectural distortion and spiculation are frequently seen in the coronal views, and these are strong indicators of the presence of cancer. The described computerized detection (CAD) system combines a dark lesion detector operating in 3D with a detector for spiculation and architectural distortion operating on 2D coronal slices. In this way a sensitive detection method is obtained. Techniques are also described for correlating regions of interest in ultrasound images from different scans such in different scans of the same breast, scans of a patient's right versus left breast, and scans taken at different times. Techniques are also described for correlating regions of interest in ultrasound images and mammography images. Interactive user interfaces are also described for displaying CAD results and for displaying corresponding locations on different images. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120014579 | CT DEVICE AND METHOD BASED ON MOTION COMPENSATION - A CT device and method based on motion compensation are proposed. The present invention obtains motion parameters of a target object by using a stereo-vision-based motion measurement system, and then implements motion compensation through the technology based on reconstructed image matrix transformation, thereby obtaining a clear 2D/3D CT image while eliminating motion artifacts. The present invention can effectively eliminate motion artifacts caused by the scanned object's own motions in the CT scanning, and can be easily embedded into the existing CT scanning equipments. The present invention can improve quality of the CT images, and is especially important for CT imaging of some special groups of people that can not control their own motions, such as Parkinson's patients, infants, living mouse and so on. It can also improve ultra-high-resolution imaging of human body. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120014580 | PROGRAMMING INTERFACE FOR SPINAL CORD NEUROMODULATION - A tool for assisting in the planning or performing of electrical neuromodulation of a patient's spinal cord. The tool may have various functions and capabilities, including calculating a volume of activation, registering an electrode(s) shown in a radiologic image, constructing functional images of the patient's spinal anatomy, targeting of neuromodulation, finding a functional midline between multiple electrodes, determining the three-dimensional position of multiple electrodes, and/or accommodating for electrode migration. In certain embodiments, the tool can be embodied as computer software or a computer system. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120014581 | Distortion compensated imaging - Certain aspects can relate to responsive to the at least some input compensating information, imaging the at least the portion of the individual in a manner to limit at least some distorting effects of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature associated with the at least the portion of the individual at least partially by modifying a non-optical electromagnetic output from an imaging modality as applied to the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature associated with the at least the portion of the individual. Certain aspects can relate to creating at least one conformal absence of a non-optical electromagnetic output to limit distortion to an imaging of an at least a portion of an individual resulting at least partially from at least one distorting feature associated with the at least the portion of the individual. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120014582 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION - A method and apparatus are provided to reconstruct projection data obtained from CT imaging devices with offset detector geometries. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided to reconstruct projection data obtained from CT imaging devices with offset detector geometries that includes the following steps: (i) matching projection data measured at opposing sides of the acquisition trajectory and splicing them together to generate a full, non-truncated projection data set; (ii) differentiation of the projection data; (iii) filtering the differentiated projection data with a filter, such as for example a Hilbert filter; (iv) applying redundancy weighting to the filtered projection data; and (v) back-projecting the redundancy weighted projection data to generate image data. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120020538 | Automated neuroaxis (brain and spine) imaging with iterative scan prescriptions, analysis, reconstructions, labeling, surface localization and guided intervention - Automated spine localizing, numbering and autoprescription system enhances correct location or diseased or injured tissue, even allow multi-spectral diagnosis. Externally located this tissue is facilitated by an integrated self adhesive spatial reference and skin marking system that is designed for a variety of modalities to include MRI, CT, SPECT, PET, planar nuclear imaging, radiography, XRT, thermography, optical imaging and 3D space tracking. The device ranges from a point localizer to a more multifunctional and complex grid/phantom system. The specially designed spatial reference(s) is affixed to an adhesive strip with corresponding markings so that after applying the unit to the skin/surface and imaging, the reference can be removed leaving the skin appropriately marked. The localizer itself can also directly adhere to the skin after being detached from the underlying strip. A spine autoprescription process performs image analysis that is able to identify vertebrae and discs even in the presence of abnormalities. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120020539 | Method and System for Analyzing Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) Results using Color Reflectivity Discretization Analysis - A method of analyzing an OCT image. An OCT image has many differently colored dots. The system detects the number of differently colored dots, quantifies them and performs statistical analyses to determine a likelihood of disease. The different colored dots correspond to different retina cell types and structures. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120027278 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIA FOR MAPPING REGIONS IN A MODEL OF AN OBJECT COMPRISING AN ANATOMICAL STRUCTURE FROM ONE IMAGE DATA SET TO IMAGES USED IN A DIAGNOSTIC OR THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION - Methods, systems, and computer readable media for mapping a model of an object comprising an anatomical structure in a planning image and an intervention target region within it to intervention-guiding image data are disclosed. According to one method, an initial medial representation object model (m-rep) of an object comprising an anatomical structure is created based on image data of at least a first instance of the object. A patient-specific m-rep is created by deforming the initial m-rep based on planning image data of at least a second instance of the object, wherein the at least second instance of the object is associated with the patient. An intervention target region within the m-rep is identified in an image registered with the planning image. The patient-specific m-rep is correlated to the intervention-guiding image data of the at least second instance of the object, deformed from the planning image. The intervention target region is transferred to the intervention-guiding image according to the transformation between the m-rep in the planning image and the m-rep in the intervention-guiding image. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027279 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CORRECTING INHOMOGENEITY OF SPATIAL INTENSITY IN 3D MR IMAGE DATA - A system and method for correcting inhomogeneity of spatial intensity in 3D MR image data includes application of a 3D filter to the 3D MR image to generate a first set of data and a second set of data. The first set of data includes a high frequency component and a weak edge component, and the second set of data includes a low frequency component and a strong edge component. The system and method also include derivation of an inhomogeneity correction from the second set of data, application the inhomogeneity correction to the second set of data, and addition of the first set of data to the inhomogeneity corrected second set of data to create a corrected 3D MR image. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027280 | Apparatus, System, and Method for Non-Convex Prior Image Constrained Compressed Sensing - Methods, systems, and apparatuses for non-convex prior image constrained compressed sensing are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is provided for iterative image reconstruction for medical imaging applications which employ a prior image to constrain the reconstruction process allowing the use of fewer high SNR samples or complete but lower SNR samples. The objective function made use of non-convex compressed sensing methods during the iterative reconstruction process. Applications include, but are not limited to radiation dose reduction and fast image acquisition. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027281 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING IMAGE, AND MEDICAL IMAGE SYSTEM EMPLOYING THE APPARATUS - A method of processing an image is provided. The method includes generating a first intermediate reconstructed image by applying a first iterated reconstruction algorithm to a tomographic image of a predetermined subject; generating a second intermediate reconstructed image by applying a second iterated reconstruction algorithm to a difference image between the first intermediate reconstructed image and the tomographic image; and generating an ultimately reconstructed image by composing the first and second intermediate reconstructed images. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027282 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONSTRUCTING DISTRIBUTION IMAGE OF BLOOD FLOW DYNAMIC STATE - An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is provided for displaying a color map on which a difference in blood flow dynamics is reflected. Setting a test subject who is administered a contrast agent is assumed as an imaging target, and a probe transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from the target for contrast imaging. Image data is constructed based on signals received by the probe and a time-intensity curve is generated from intensity values of the image data. According to the time-intensity curve, a value of a predetermined parameter is calculated for producing a distribution image of blood flow dynamics. The distribution image (color map) of the blood flow dynamics is produced from the parameter value. The color map is a two-dimensional or a three-dimensional image being color-coded according to the parameter value. At least one of the followings may be used as the parameter; a contrast agent inflow start time, a balanced intensity arrival time, a contrast agent disappearance start time, a contrast agent duration, a preset threshold arrival time, an intensity increase rate, an intensity decrease rate, intensity of balanced state, and a total flow amount. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120033868 | DETECTING AND QUANTIFYING PATIENT MOTION DURING TOMOSYNTHESIS SCANS - The effects of patient motion in tomosynthesis scan images are automatically detected and quantified. In at least one embodiment an indication of detection of the effects of patient motion in tomosynthesis scan images is provided shortly after the scan, e.g., before the patient is discharged or before the breast is decompressed. A patient motion score may be calculated as part of motion quantification. The score may be stored for subsequent retrieval. Images may be presented with reference features to help a technician confirm of the effects of motion in images. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120033869 | PLAUSIBLE REFERENCE CURVES FOR DYNAMIC, CONTRAST-ENHANCED IMAGING STUDIES - A comprehensive strategy is used to determine valid reference time-concentration curves (TCCs) from image data. The image data corresponds to a series of image scans acquired over time for an area of interest of a patient to which a contrast agent was previously administered. The image scans are initially registered to a common coordinate system. Then, observed potential reference TCCs in the image scans are compared to modeled reference TCCs to determine if the potential reference TCCs are plausible reference TCCs. Thereafter, any plausible reference TCCs are evaluated to determine if they contain residual, isolated motion artifacts. If a plausible reference TCC does not include any motion artifacts, the plausible reference TCC is considered a valid reference TCC. If a plausible reference TCC is determined to include motion artifacts, the plausible reference TCC is modified to a valid reference TCC by removing the motion artifacts, or otherwise the plausible reference TCC is rejected. The valid reference TCCs can be used to improve the effectiveness of dynamic, contrast-enhanced imaging studies. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120039518 | METHOD, COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM AND SYSTEM FOR ITERATIVE IMAGE FILTERING WITH ANISOTROPIC NOISE MODEL FOR A CT IMAGE - The method includes a weighted highpass filtering of the image data takes place here, with the weighting taking account, image element by image element, of an image noise on the respective image element in different directions such that increasing noise results in a stronger highpass effect. A noise-reducing smoothing of the image data takes place using the weighted highpass filtering. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120039519 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING IMAGES FOR IDENTIFYING DISEASES - A method is provided that comprises receiving a first digital radiography (DR) image of at least a portion of a body of a patient, receiving a second DR image of the at least a portion of a body of a patient, the first DR image being captured at a different energy level than the second DR image, and determining common control point locations for both the first and second DR images. The method further comprises generating an optimized DR image by moving portions of a selected one of the first and second DR images with its associated control points to locations that correspond to similar portions of the other of the first and second DR images, applying deformable transformation to one of the first and second DR images and performing a log subtraction on the first and second DR image to generate a dual-energy digital radiography (DEDR) image. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120045104 | QUANTIFICATION OF THE IMAGE QUALITY FOR THE MOTION-SYNCHRONIZED CAPTURE OF A CROSS-SECTIONAL TOMOGRAPHIC PICTURE OF AN OBJECT - The invention relates to a method for the quantification of the image quality of at least one tomographic picture of an object, wherein at least one tomographic cross-sectional image is produced using a cross-sectional imaging method, in particular a magnetic resonance tomography method. As a measure of the image quality in a cross-sectional image, an image detail is measured, in particular the width of a boundary between two adjacent areas is determined, in particular with the signal intensity remaining constant in each such area, in particular said signal intensity remaining constant at least within predetermined/predeterminable boundaries. The invention further relates to a method for the motion-synchronized capture of at least one tomographic picture of an object, wherein at least one tomographic cross-sectional image is produced using a cross-sectional imaging method, in particular a magnetic resonance tomography method, wherein for a plurality of cross-sectional images of the same layer that are produced in a time-dependent manner, a measure of a detail, in particular the width of the boundary between two areas in at least one viewed direction is determined in a time-dependent manner. From the determined time-dependent measure, at least one time is determined for synchronizing and/or triggering a cross-sectional image capture device on a living organ, in particular the heart. The invention further relates to a cross-sectional image capture device designed to execute such a method. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120045105 | METHOD AND DEVICE TO PROVIDE QUALITY INFORMATION FOR AN X-RAY IMAGING PROCEDURE - In a method and device spatially resolved quality information is provided for an x-ray imaging procedure in which a data field representing the examination subject is reconstructed from a number of exposures of an examination subject. Quality information that indicates the reliability of the reconstructed data field for the corresponding element is determined for a number of elements of the data field. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120045106 | IMAGE ANALYIS METHOD AND SYSTEM - The invention relates to a system and method for enhancing image data obtained from a positron emission tomography (PET) scan. In various embodiments, the method comprises transforming an original image data set to provide a first modified image data set by performing a masked volume-wise principal component analysis (MVW-PCA) on the original image data set. The first modified image data set is then transformed to provide a second modified image data set by performing a masked volume-wise independent component analysis (MVW-ICA) on the first modified image data set, the second modified image data set thereby comprising enhanced image data. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120045107 | METHOD OF ANALYZING MOTION OF IMAGING TARGET BY MEANS OF TAGGED MR IMAGES, AND MRI DEVICE - A method for analyzing motion of an imaging target by means of tagged MR images includes performing, on the same motion of an imaging target, N | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120045108 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING A TOMOGRAPHIC RECONSTRUCTION FILTER - A system for generating a reconstruction filter for an imaging scanner comprises a model bank ( | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120045109 | PERFUSION IMAGING - A method includes decomposing, with a decomposer ( | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120063658 | IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION BASED ON ACCELERATED METHOD USING POLAR SYMMETRIES - An image reconstruction system and method based on image projection data collected by an imaging system having N tubes of response (TORs) having N | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120063659 | EXACT LOCAL COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY BASED ON COMPRESSIVE SAMPLING - A system and method for tomographic image reconstruction using truncated projection data that allows exact interior reconstruction (interior tomography) of a region of interest (ROI) based on the known sparsity models of the ROI, thereby improving image quality while reducing radiation dosage. In addition, the method includes parallel interior tomography using multiple sources beamed at multiple angles through an ROI and that enables higher temporal resolution. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120063660 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD THEREOF, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - The present invention an image processing apparatus, which processes an image of a tomogram obtained by capturing an image of an eye to be examined by a tomography apparatus, comprises, layer candidate detection means for detecting layer candidates of a retina of the eye to be examined from the tomogram, artifact region determination means for determining an artifact region in the tomogram based on image features obtained using the layer candidates, and image correction means for correcting intensities in the artifact region based on a determination result of the artifact region determination means and image features in the region. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120063661 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE - An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is provided in which overlap of a displayed ultrasonic image and displayed diagnostic data can be avoided without imposing the burden of complicated operations on the operator. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120070050 | Time of Flight Scatter Distribution Estimation in Positron Emission Tomography - Estimating time-of-flight (TOF) scatter distribution in a positron emission tomography (PET) system. Obtaining PET TOF projection data: PET random coincidence data and PET TOF prompt coincidence events data. Reducing measured TOF projection data to non-TOF projection data. Reconstructing, unbiased, the non-TOF projection date. Forward projecting unbiased reconstructed non-TOF projection data to estimate TOF trues distribution. Subtracting: The estimated TOF trues distribution and the measured random coincidence, from measured TOF prompt coincidence events. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120070051 | Ultrasound Browser - The invention relates to a method for processing image data, comprising the steps of: receiving a first set of ultrasound image data representing a given volume, said set being organized into first planes sharing a common segment; and, on the basis of the first data set, reconstructing a second set of image data representing at least partially the given volume, said second set being organized into second planes parallel to each other. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120070052 | METHODS FOR SEGMENTING IMAGES AND DETECTING SPECIFIC STRUCTURES - It relates to a method for segmenting images, to a method for detecting specific structures, and to a related computer device. The method for segmenting a three-dimensional image of a subject includes dividing the image into a plurality of regions, and then hierarchically merging the regions resulting from the division in order to obtain a three-dimensional image partitioned into regions of interest. The hierarchical merging includes a merging step using shape and size criteria of the regions so as to avoid merging small regions. The method for detecting specific structures in an image, for example tumors, includes a step of segmenting an image into regions of interest. The method further includes calculating, for each region of interest, a plurality of criteria, including a shape criterion, of the regions of interest in order to discriminate the specific structures to be detected from the regions of interest of the segmented image. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120070053 | Method and System for Vascular Landmark Detection - The present invention provides a method and system for vascular landmark detection in CT volumes. A CT volume is received and an initial position of a plurality of vascular landmarks is detected. The initial position of each of the plurality of vascular landmarks is then adjusted in order to position each vascular landmark inside a vessel lumen. A new position of each of the plurality of vascular landmarks representing the adjusted initial positions is output. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120070054 | CT ATLAS OF THE BRISBANE 2000 SYSTEM OF LIVER ANATOMY FOR RADIATION ONCOLOGISTS - The method includes the steps of obtaining atlas data in an atlas coordinate set from a computer-readable atlas of hepatic anatomical information including three orders of division. The three orders of division include a first order separating the liver into two (right and left) hemi-livers, a second order transverse to the first order and dividing the liver into (anterior, posterior and medial) sections, and a third order (segments) transverse to the second order and approximately parallel to the first order and dividing the liver into segments. The first order of division approximately correlates to Cantlie's Line. The second order of division is approximately correlated to the portal vein. The third order of division is approximately correlated to the hepatic vein. In total, these three orders of division divide the liver into 7 segments, with the left hemiliver divided into three segments and the right hemiliver is divided into 4 segments. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120070055 | Method and System for Liver Lesion Detection - A method and system for automatically detecting liver lesions in medical image data, such as 3D CT images, is disclosed. A liver region is segmented in a 3D image. Liver lesion center candidates are detected in the segmented liver region. Lesion candidates are segmented corresponding to the liver lesion center candidates, and lesions are detected from the segmented lesion candidates using learning based verification. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120070056 | INTERVENTIONAL MR IMAGING WITH MOTION COMPENSATION - The invention relates to a method of MR imaging of a moving portion ( | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120070057 | TIME-OF-FLIGHT POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY RECONSTRUCTION USING IMAGE CONTENT GENERATED EVENT-BY-EVENT BASED ON TIME-OF-FLIGHT INFORMATION - A method of processing a positron emission tomography (PET) imaging data set ( | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120070058 | MR IMAGING GUIDED THERAPY - The invention relates to a therapeutic system comprising: a MR imaging unit arranged to acquire MR signals from a body ( | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120070059 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - An image processing apparatus comprising, boundary extraction means for detecting boundaries of retina layers from a tomogram of an eye to be examined, exudate extraction means for extracting an exudate region from a fundus image of the eye to be examined, registration means for performing registration between the tomogram and the fundus image, and calculating a spatial correspondence between the tomogram and the fundus image, specifying means for specifying a region where an exudate exists in the tomogram using the boundaries of the retina layers, the exudate region, and the spatial correspondence, likelihood calculation means for calculating likelihoods of existence of the exudate in association with the specified region, and tomogram exudate extraction means for extracting an exudate region in the tomogram from the specified region using the likelihoods. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120076377 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BLOOD VESSEL STENOSIS VISUALIZATION AND QUANTIFICATION USING SPECTRAL CT ANALYSIS - A system and method for dual energy CT spectral imaging that provides for accurate blood vessel stenosis visualization and quantification is disclosed. The CT system includes an x-ray source configured to project x-rays toward a region-of-interest of a patient that includes a blood vessel in a stenosed condition and having a plaque material therein. The CT system also includes an x-ray detector to receive x-rays emitted by the x-ray source and attenuated by the region-of-interest, a data acquisition system (DAS) operably connected to the x-ray detector, and a computer programmed to obtain a first set of CT image data for the region-of-interest at a first chromatic energy level, obtain a second set of CT image data for the region-of-interest at a second chromatic energy level that is higher than the first chromatic energy level, and identify plaque material in the region-of-interest by analyzing the second set of CT image data. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120076378 | METHOD AND ASSEMBLY FOR CORRECTING A RELAXATION MAP FOR MEDICAL IMAGING APPLICATIONS - A method for correcting a relaxation map of an object scanned with a magnetic resonance imaging modality the object having a plurality of structure and/or tissue types. The method includes deriving a first relaxation map of a scanned object from at least two three-dimensional scans of the object acquired using a sequence of ultrashort echo time pulses adapted for distinguishing between the various types of a plurality of structure and/or tissue types of the object. Information is obtained on the type of structure and/or tissue type present in voxels in the first relaxation map and binarizing the obtained information. A corrected relaxation map is generated by combining the binarized information with the first relaxation map. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120076379 | CORRECTION OF SATURATION BANDING ARTIFACTS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - Systems and methods for correcting saturation banding artifacts in magnetic resonance imaging in which artifact and reference calibration scans are used to create one dimensional or two dimensional correction profiles, which are subsequently applied to actual diagnostic imaging scans to correct the saturation banding artifacts. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120076380 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BACKGROUND PHASE CORRECTION FOR PHASE CONTRAST FLOW IMAGES - A method for correcting the background phase in magnetic resonance phase contrast flow images includes providing a time series of velocity encoded magnetic resonance images of a patient, where the time series of velocity encoded images comprises for each time point a phase contrast image where a pixel intensity is proportional to a flow velocity, measuring a change of intensity for each pixel over the time series of phase contrast images, identifying pixels with a low measure of temporal change as stationary pixels, and calculating a correction field for the stationary pixels, where the correction field represents a background phase to be subtracted from the phase contrast image. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120076381 | MEDICAL SYSTEM - A medical system comprising a selection unit configured to select at least one of layers in a three-dimensional tomographic image of a retina, and a generation unit configured to generate an opacity function indicating an opacity of each of a plurality of voxels constituting the selected layer, based on a frequency distribution of luminance values of the plurality of voxels. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120076382 | MOTION TRACKING FOR CLINICAL PARAMETER DERIVATION AND ADAPTIVE FLOW ACQUISITION IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A method for clinical parameter derivation and adaptive flow acquisition within a sequence of magnetic resonance images includes commencing an acquisition of a sequence of images. One or more landmarks are automatically detected from within one or more images of the sequence of images. The detected one or more landmarks are propagated across subsequent images of the sequence of images. A plane is fitted to the propagation of landmarks. The positions of landmarks or alternatively the position of the fitted plane within the sequence of images is used for derivation of clinical parameters such as tissue velocities and/or performing adaptive flow acquisitions to measure blood flow properties. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120076383 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD TO AUTOMATICALLY GENERATE A SELECTIVE MR IMAGE - In a magnetic resonance method and system for automatic generation of a selective MR image from a first MR image (corresponding to raw data acquired at a first echo time after excitation pulses) and a second MR image (corresponding to raw data acquired at a second echo time after the same excitation pulses), for each image point of the MR images, a time constant is calculated for tissue to be imaged at the respective image point depending on the intensity values of the corresponding image points of the first and second MR images. The calculated time constant is compared with at least one threshold in order to associate a weighting factor with that image point. The selective MR image is generated by processing the intensity values of the image points of the first and/or second MR image with the associated weighting factors. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120076384 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND SYSTEM TO AUTOMATICALLY GENERATE A SELECTIVE MR IMAGE - In a magnetic resonance method and system for automatic generation of a selective MR image from a first MR image (corresponding to raw data acquired at a first echo time after excitation pulses) and a second MR image (corresponding to raw data acquired at a second echo time after the same excitation pulses), wherein at least one raw data measurement point was measured in the absence of gradient fields, a time constant prevailing in the depicted imaging space is calculated from the measurement data measured during readout of the raw data measurement point measured in the absence of gradient fields. Weighting factors for the first and/or the second MR image are determined depending on this time constant. The selective MR image is generated by weighting the first and/or second MR image with the calculated weighting factors and subtraction of the weighted MR images from one another. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120076385 | OPTIMAL ENERGY WINDOWING OF SCATTERED EVENTS IN RADIONUCLIDE IMAGING - An imaging system includes storage ( | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120076386 | SINGLE SCAN MULTI-PROCEDURE IMAGING - A method includes receiving imaging data generated by an imaging system ( | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120076387 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OBTAINING BRAIN CHARACTERISTIC PARAMETERS, THROMBOLYSIS DECISION GUIDELINE SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF - Method and system for obtaining brain characteristic parameters, thrombolysis decision guideline system and method thereof, provide middle of reference data for early diagnosis and treatment of acute ischemic brain death, and provide effective reference data for thrombolytic therapy. The present invention uses diffusion-weighted imaging, comparing to the clinical programs of diffusion-weighted imaging and perfusion weighted imaging, perfusion weighted imaging can omitted and the degree of functional characterization of perfusion abnormalities is reflected without the perfusion weighted imaging, to provide middle data of brain tissue can be saved and the risk of thrombolytic therapy. The present invention based on ADC low signal constraint and DWI high signal constraint DWI binarization processing to obtain the core area and transition area, that is more accurate. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120082355 | Intrinsic Detection of Motion in Segmented Sequences - A self-navigating technique designed to detect motion in segmented sequences is disclosed. Certain embodiments compare a plurality of segments containing adjacent sets of k-space lines and produce an aliased error function which corresponds to a correlation of the segments. A global shift of the aliased error function may indicate the presence of in-plane rigid-body translation while other types of motion are evident in the dispersion or breadth of the error function. Some embodiments may then replace motion corrupted data with reacquired data. Further, some embodiments may correct or remove corrupted data retrospectively. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120082356 | IMAGE DATA COMPRESSION AND DECOMPRESSION - A method of processing image data includes obtaining an image set that includes at least a first image and a second image, determining a deformation registration using the first and second images, wherein the act of determining the deformation registration is performed using a processor, performing image compression on at least a portion of the image set using the determined deformation registration to obtain compressed image data, and storing the compressed image data. A method of processing image data includes obtaining compressed image data, obtaining a deformation registration previously used to create the compressed image data, performing image decompression on the compressed image data using the deformation registration to obtain decompressed image data, wherein the act of performing the image decompression is performed using a processor, and storing the decompressed image data. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120082357 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MODELING GRADIENT COIL OPERATION INDUCED MAGNETIC FIELD DRIFT - A system and method for modeling gradient coil operation induced magnetic field drift include a computer programmed to acquire a pulse sequence to be applied during an MR scan and determine a power spectrum of a plurality of gradient pulses of the pulse sequence. The computer is also programmed to calculate a drift of the magnetic field attributable to application of the plurality of gradient pulses by the plurality of gradient coils during application of the pulse sequence and apply the pulse sequence during the MR scan. The computer is further programmed to acquire MR data based on application of the pulse sequence, correct the acquired MR data based on the calculated drift of the magnetic field, and reconstruct an image based on the corrected MR data. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120082358 | Method for Visualization of Airway Anatomical Changes | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120082359 | AUTO-SCALING OF PARAMETRIC IMAGES - An embodiment is proposed for analyzing a body-part. A corresponding embodiment of a data-processing method includes the steps of providing a parametric map including a plurality of parameter values each one characterizing a corresponding location of the body-part, and determining at least one statistical indicator of at least one distribution of a plurality of analysis parameter values corresponding to selected analysis locations, each statistical indicator being indicative of a condition of an analysis region of the body-part defined by the analysis locations. In an embodiment, the step of determining at least one statistical indicator includes, for each distribution of the analysis parameter values, determining a saturation value partitioning an ordered sequence of processing parameter values, corresponding to selected processing locations at least including the analysis locations, into a first subset and a second subset consisting of a number of the processing parameter values being determined according to a predefined auto-scaling percentage, generating an auto-scaled map including, for each processing location, an auto-scaled value being equal to the corresponding processing parameter value if included in the second subset, or the saturation value if the corresponding processing parameter value is included in the first subset, and determining the at least one statistical indicator from the auto-scaled values corresponding to the analysis locations. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120087559 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CEREBRAL LOCATION ASSISTANCE - The invention relates to a device and to a method for cerebral location assistance. The device includes first and second memories. The first one is adapted for storing a generic mapping of the brain according to a first space location mode, as well as designation data corresponding to a target area in said mapping. The second one can receive and store, according to a second pace location mode, an operation image of the brain of an analysed subject acquired by medical imaging. The device also includes a non-rigid resetting tool adapted for establishing a conversion of the generic three-dimensional mapping towards the operation image, and a resampling tool for establishing a converted mapping with the converted designation data. A user's interface defines a visualization image that matches the operation image and the converted mapping while indicating an area that corresponds to the converted designation data. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120087560 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TRANSFER OF IMAGE DATA FILES - A system and method is provided which allows for the transfer of an image data file such as a medical image data file. Device scan slices of an object are acquired per time point. A portion of the device scan slices of the object, e.g., live body organ, per time point which illustrate a change in the object from a previous time point is selected. At least one optical temporal image in spiral fashion per time interval is formed from the selected portion. The at least one optical temporal image is transmittable as an image data file to a location. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120087561 | INTERACTION METHOD FOR REGIONS OF-INTEREST IN TIME SERIES IMAGES - 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. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120087562 | Imaging System and Method for Surgical and Interventional Medical Procedures - A system and method for displaying images of internal anatomy includes an image processing device configured to provide high resolution images of the surgical field from low resolution scans during the procedure. The image processing device digitally manipulates a previously-obtained high resolution baseline image to produce many representative images based on permutations of movement of the baseline image. During the procedure a representative image is selected having an acceptable degree of correlation to the new low resolution image. The selected representative image and the new image are merged to provide a higher resolution image of the surgical field. The image processing device is also configured to provide interactive movement of the displayed image based on movement of the imaging device, and to permit placement of annotations on the displayed image to facilitate communication between the radiology technician and the surgeon. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120087563 | Method and System for Intraoperative Guidance Using Physiological Image Fusion - A method and system for intraoperative guidance in an off-pump mitral valve repair procedure is disclosed. A plurality of patient-specific models of the mitral valve are generated, each from pre-operative image data obtained using a separate imaging modality. The pre-operative image data from the separate imaging modalities are fused into a common coordinate system by registering the plurality of patient-specific models. A model of the mitral valve is estimated in real-time in intraoperative image data using a fused physiological prior resulting from the registering of the plurality of patient-specific models. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120087564 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS, ULTRASONIC IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, ULTRASONIC IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM, AND ULTRASONIC IMAGE GENERATION METHOD - In order to generate a three-dimensional tomographic image in which the visibility of specific tissue that an examiner wants is enhanced, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120093379 | DETECTING AND DARKENING METHOD OF OBJECTS IN GREY-ACALE RASTER IMAGES - Wire tips and balloon/stent markers are the main landmarks used by cardiologists for navigation and precise stent placement under X-Ray fluoroscopy surveillance. These intra-coronary devices are semi radio-opaque. In some situations, their visibility can be extremely low. The claimed may help the cardiologists by detecting the objects and darkening them on the live X-Ray image to increase their visibility. The darkening processing takes into account the image properties around the objects or detection information in order to obtain a better contrast enhancement. This technique also avoids the introduction of disturbing artefacts when the object detection fails. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120093380 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEASURING AND COMPENSATING FOR PATIENT PALLET DEFLECTION - A PET imaging system includes a measurement subsystem, a data acquisition subsystem, and a reconstruction subsystem. The measurement subsystem detects deflection in a patient pallet, and generates deflection information based on the detected deflection. The data acquisition subsystem receives the deflection information from the measurement subsystem and PET measurement data corresponding to a plurality of coincidence events from a PET scanner, and communicates the received deflection information and PET measurement data to the reconstruction subsystem. The reconstruction subsystem includes a processor that reconstructs a PET scan image using the deflection information and the PET measurement data communicated by the data acquisition subsystem. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120093381 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR BRAIN TUMOR SEGMENTATION IN MULTI-PARAMETER 3D MR IMAGES VIA ROBUST STATISTIC INFORMATION PROPAGATION - A method for brain tumor segmentation in multi-parametric 3D MR images. The method comprises: pre-processing an input multi-parametric 3D MR image; classifying each voxel in the pre-processed multi-parametric 3D MR image, determining the probability that the voxel is part of a brain tumor, and obtaining an initial label information for the image segmentation based on the classification probability; constructing a graph based representation for the pre-processed image to be segmented; and generating the segmented brain tumor image using the initial label information and graph based representation. This method tries to exploit the local and global consistency of the image to be segmented for the tumor segmentation and can alleviate partially the performance degradation caused by the inter-subject image variability and insufficient statistical information from training. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120093382 | METHOD FOR GENERATING A TOMOGRAPHIC TEMPERATURE MAP IN A PATIENT BY WAY OF A CT DEVICE, CONTROL AND COMPUTING UNIT AND CT SYSTEM - A method for generating a tomographic temperature map in a patient by use of a CT device, a computing unit and CT system with computing unit are disclosed. In at least one embodiment of the method, the local distribution of density and mean atomic number is determined on the basis of tomographic image data from different X-ray energy regions, and a local temperature distribution in the tissue of the patient is ascertained from previously experimentally determined or theoretically calculated relations between Z values, density and temperature. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120093383 | SEQUENTIAL IMAGE ACQUISITION METHOD - A method is provided that receives existing input image data of an object where the input image includes one or more regions of interest. Reference image data of the object is acquired by an imaging system and the scanning coordinates corresponding to the reference image data are registered with the scanning coordinates of the input image. Subsequent image data of the object is acquired by the imaging system based on the one or more regions of interest. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120093384 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING SLICE DETERMINATION METHOD - In order to provide a technique for accurately realizing an examination, which is for acquiring a plurality of images of the same examination section, without a complicated operation and an extension of an examination time, body movement information of a subject is acquired immediately before each imaging in an examination, and it is determined whether or not there is a change in the position of the subject by comparing it with body movement information immediately before reference imaging. Only when there is a change in the position of the subject, an imaging slice setting image is acquired again. Then, a recommended imaging slice is calculated using the newest imaging slice setting image. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120093385 | MEDICAL IMAGING APPARATUS - There is provided a technique for, in a medical imaging apparatus enabling imaging of an arbitrary plane in a three-dimensional space, enabling automatic calculation of a slice position and automatic calculation of an extracting slice in MPR, without prolonging examination time. Two-dimensional scout scan similar to that used for manual setting of a slice position is performed, and the obtained scout images are processed to calculate a recommended slice position. Algorithms for the processing and various image processing procedures used for the processing are stored beforehand for every type of imaging region and every type of examination. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120099771 | COMPUTER AIDED DETECTION OF ARCHITECTURAL DISTORTION IN MAMMOGRAPHY - A method for detecting architectural distortion within mammographic image data. The method identifies breast tissue within the image data, generates an orientation field and a corresponding magnitude field within the identified breast tissue and generates a feature map by processing the orientation field with a phase portrait model at one or more image scales. The method identifies one or more architectural distortion features according to the generated feature map and displays the one or more identified architectural distortion features. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120099772 | Gated Image Acquisition and Patient Model Construction - A method and system is disclosed for acquiring image data of a subject. The image data can be collected with an imaging system with at least two different power characteristics. A volumetric model of multiple phases can be reconstructed using dynamic or enhanced reconstruction techniques. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120099773 | Method to Achieve Frame Rate or Resolution in Diagnostic Ultrasound - Systems and methods for toggling between a high frame rate setting and a high resolution setting while acquiring image data are provided. A method can include: receiving an indication that a high frame rate setting or a high resolution setting should be used to acquire image data, retrieving scan parameters that are associated with the indicated setting from real-time accessible and rewriteable memory, and using the scan parameters to acquire image data using an image acquisition device. An indication to toggle between settings can be triggered manually by an operator of the image acquisition device or automatically based on acquired image data. When successive sets of image data indicate image data is changing at least a minimum amount, a high frame rate setting can be automatically selected. When successive image frames indicate image data is not changing at least a minimum amount, a high resolution setting can be automatically selected. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120099774 | Method For Image Reconstruction Using Low-Dimensional-Structure Self-Learning and Thresholding - A method for reconstructing an image of a subject from undersampled image data that is acquired with an imaging system, such as a magnetic resonance imaging system or computed tomography system, is provided. From the acquired undersampled image data, an image of the subject is reconstructed and used to guide further image reconstruction. For example, a low resolution image is reconstructed from a portion of the undersampled image data, such as from a portion corresponding to the center of k-space when MRI is used. From this image, a number of similarity clusters are produced and processed. The processing may be by hard thresholding, Wiener filtering, principal component pursuit, or other similar techniques. These processed similarity clusters are then used to reconstruct a final, target image of the subject using, for example, a weighted average combination of the similarity clusters. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120099775 | Methods and Apparatus to Analyze Computed Tomography Scan Data - Methods and apparatus to analyze healthcare images are disclosed. An example method includes performing a threshold procedure and a watershed procedure on data obtained via a scan of a brain to generate a plurality of segments based on blood volumes associated with the segments; generating one or more statistics related to the each of the segments; and integrating the statistics into image data associated with the scan such that a first one of the statistics corresponding a first one of the segments is to be displayed to a user of the image data in response to receiving an input from the user in connection with the first one of the segments. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120099776 | MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - It is a subject to reduce the number of processing steps and shorten the processing time when specifying a branch position in a tubular structure, mainly the bronchus or blood vessel. A apparatus includes a storage unit which stores volume data concerning a 3D region of a subject as a target. A tomogram generation unit generates the data of slice images respectively corresponding to slices almost perpendicular to a predetermined reference axis from volume data files. A region extraction unit extracts regions associated with a target site from the plurality of slice images by using threshold processing. A position specifying unit specifies a position on the reference axis, wherein the number of extracted regions changes at the position. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120099777 | COMPOUND OBJECT SEPARATION - Representations of an object ( | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120106814 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING MOTION CORRECTED TOMOGRAPHIC IMAGES - A method and related system for generating motion corrected tomographic images includes the steps of illuminating a region of interest (ROI) to be imaged being part of an unrestrained live subject and having at least three spaced apart optical markers thereon. Simultaneous images are acquired from a first and a second camera of the markers from different angles. Motion data comprising 3D position and orientation of the markers relative to an initial reference position is then calculated. Motion corrected tomographic data obtained from the ROI using the motion data is then obtained, where motion corrected tomographic images obtained therefrom. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120106815 | DENOISING METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PRESERVING CLINICALLY SIGNIFICANT STRUCTURES IN RECONSTRUCTED IMAGES USING ADAPTIVELY WEIGHTED ANISOTROPIC DIFFUSION FILTER - Embodiments and processes of computer tomography perform tasks associated with denoising a reconstructed image using an anistropic diffusion filter and adaptively weighting an iterative instance of the diffused image based upon the product of a weight value and a difference between the iterative instance of the diffused image and the original image. In general, the adaptive weighting is a negative feedback in the iterative steps. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120106816 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MATERIAL DECOMPOSITION OPTIMIZATION IN IMAGE DOMAIN - A system and method for material decomposition optimization in the image domain include a non-transitory computer readable medium has stored thereon a sequence of instructions which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to access a reconstructed basis material image. For a first voxel of the reconstructed basis material image, the instructions also cause the computer to optimize a concentration of a pair of materials (a,b) in the first voxel exclusively in the image domain and based on a first probability based on random perturbations and a second probability based on random perturbations. The optimization is further based on a third probability based on known materials and a fourth probability based on concentrations of the pair of materials in a pair of voxels neighboring the first voxel. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120106817 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RADIATION DOSE REPORTING - Systems and method can be employed to automatically extract radiation dose information from medical images, particularly a plurality of heterogeneous CT images including those from legacy CT scanners. A report including the extracted radiation dose information can be generated, and alerts can be sent to reduce the possibility of overexposures. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120106818 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION AND CT SYSTEM - A method for image reconstruction using projection data obtained by an asymmetric detector includes dividing the projection data into Regions | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120114205 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING ISCHEMIC STROKE - A method for assisting diagnosis of stroke by image analysis, the method comprising obtaining a scanned brain image of a patient, transforming the scanned brain image into a digitized brain image, removing bone and other artifacts from the digitized brain image, generating at least one circular adaptive region of interest on one side of the brain image, generating a binary mask of the circular adaptive region of interest, calculating the percentage of zeros from the binary mask within the circular adaptive region of interest, locating at least one corresponding circular adaptive region of interest on the other side of the brain image, and comparing the circular adaptive region of interest with the corresponding circular adaptive region on interest of the other side of the brain based on a plurality of texture attributes. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120114206 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ANALYZING AND VISUALIZING SPECTRAL CT DATA - A system and method for analyzing and visualizing spectral CT data includes access of a set of image data acquired from a patient comprising spectral CT data, identification of a plurality of target regions of interest (TROIs) and a reference region of interest (RROI) from the set of image data, extraction of a plurality of target spectral Hounsfield unit (HU) curves from image data representing the plurality of TROIs, extraction of a reference spectral HU curve from image data representing the RROI, normalization of the plurality of target spectral HU curves with respect to the reference spectral HU curve, and display of the plurality of normalized target spectral HU curves. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120114207 | TOMOGRAPHIC RECONSTRUCTION OF A MOVING OBJECT - A method is provided for processing a sequence of sets of 2D projection images of a moving object, wherein the sequence of sets of 2D projection images is obtained by a medical imaging system that is in motion along a trajectory. The method comprises determining a sequence of images which minimize a function dependant on a set of 3D images, a term of fidelity of the sequence of images, a function of spatial and temporal compression of the sequence of images, a compressibility parameter, and a sequence of operators for an approximate modelling of motion. The sequence of operators leads to a compression constraint augmented by partial knowledge of the motion and the minimization comprises defining a decreasing sequence of degrees of compressibility for which an estimation is determined from an initial sequence. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120114208 | IMAGE MATCHING DEVICE AND PATIENT POSITIONING DEVICE USING THE SAME - An image matching device in which, in automatic positioning calculation using an ICP method, a solution is converged to an optimal solution while avoiding reaching a local solution, and a patient positioning device using this matching device. The device includes a CT image data reading unit reading first and second CT image data, a point group data generation unit generating first and second point group data in a three-dimensional space by binarization processing and edge-extraction processing on sliced images of the first and second CT image data, respectively, a point group data resolution conversion unit thinning-out point group data so as to extend a point-group-data array pitch, and an ICP calculation unit obtaining, using an ICP method, a conversion amount for the second point group data so that an error function of the first point group data and the second point group data outputted from the point group data resolution conversion unit is minimized. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120114209 | ENHANCING QUALITY OF ULTRASOUND SPATIAL COMPOUND IMAGE BASED ON BEAM PROFILE IN ULTRASOUND SYSTEM - There are provided embodiments for enhancing the quality of an ultrasound spatial compound image based on a beam profile in an ultrasound system. In one embodiment, an ultrasound system comprises: an ultrasound data acquisition unit configured to acquire ultrasound data for obtaining a plurality of ultrasound images corresponding to a plurality of steering angles; a storage unit for storing at least one beam profile indicating a spreading degree of an ultrasound beam according to depth based on at least one focusing point; and a processing unit configured to set an amount of blurring corresponding to spreading of the ultrasound beam according to the depth based on the at least one beam profile, and perform a filtering process for compensating the blurring by the spreading of the ultrasound beam based on the ultrasound data and the amount of blurring to form an ultrasound spatial compound image. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120114210 | ENHANCING QUALITY OF ULTRASOUND IMAGE IN ULTRASOUND SYSTEM - There are provided embodiments for enhancing the quality of an ultrasound image are disclosed. In one embodiment, by way of non-limiting example, an ultrasound system comprises: an ultrasound data acquisition unit configured to acquire ultrasound data corresponding to at least one ultrasound image; a storage unit for storing at least one beam profile indicating a spreading degree of an ultrasound beam according to depth based on at least one focusing point; and a processing unit configured to set an amount of blurring corresponding to spreading of the ultrasound beam according to the depth based on the at least one beam profile, and perform a filtering process for compensating the blurring by the spreading of the ultrasound beam based on the ultrasound data and the amount of blurring to enhance quality of the at least one ultrasound image. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120114211 | Systems and Methods for Generating an Osteoarthritis Progression Predictor and Systems and Methods for Using the Predictor - Example systems and methods of generating an indicator of osteoarthritis (OA) progression are described. Fractal dimension curves are generated for horizontal and vertical trabecular components associated with a region of interest of a joint image. A statistical model is used to model shapes of the fractal dimension curves and a predictor of OA progression is calculated based on shape parameters of the statistical model. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120114212 | IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION INCLUDING SHIFT-VARIANT BLUR COMPENSATION - An image reconstruction method comprises reconstructing an image using an iterative reconstruction method and computing a projection used in the reconstructing by summing ray increments between neighboring planes (P | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120114213 | MULTI-MODALITY BREAST IMAGING - A system for multi-modality breast imaging comprises a first shape model constructing sub-system ( | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120121147 | Method for Generating Bone Mask - The present invention discloses a method for generating a bone mask. The method comprises the following steps: performing a noncontrast computed tomography scan on a subject in axial mode to get a first data set; after the subject injected with a contrast medium, performing a postcontrast computer tomography angiography scanning on the subject in helical mode to get a second data set; reconstructing the two mentioned data set to acquire a first reconstruction image and a second reconstruction image respectively; resampling the first reconstruction image based on the second reconstruction image by using a computer to get a third reconstruction image; and thresholding values of data which are greater than or equal to a scheduled Hounsfield unit in the third reconstruction image to get a bone mask. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120121148 | METHOD FOR REDUCTION OF THE RADIATION DOSE USED WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF AN X-RAY IMAGING EXAMINATION AND CT SYSTEM - A method and an X-ray system are disclosed for reduction of the radiation dose used within the framework of an imaging X-ray examination. In at least one embodiment, for each pixel of a recorded image, structure information of a structure which may be present at a distance around the examined pixel is determined and a direction-dependent lowpass filter is applied to the pixel examined in each case, which filter's spatial coverage is less than the distance and which takes into account the morphological information of a structure which may be present with a direction-dependent weighting of the lowpass filter. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120121149 | ULTRASONIC IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - There is provided an ultrasound image processing apparatus which displays an ultrasonic image with a higher resolution. For each pixel of interest on a previous frame, a pattern matching process is applied between the previous frame and a current frame, to calculate, for each pixel of interest, a mapping address to the current frame as a movement destination or a two-dimensional movement vector. The mapping address includes an integer value and a fractional value. The current frame is re-constructed into a high-density frame including a plurality of interpolation lines based on an original group of pixels of the current frame and an additional group of pixels defined by a pixel value and the mapping address of each pixel of interest on the previous frame. In generation of the mapping address, a sub-pixel process is applied. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120121150 | ULTRASONIC IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - There is provided an ultrasound image processing apparatus which displays an ultrasonic image with a higher resolution. In a received frame, a first pixel array, a second pixel array, and a third pixel array are defined in depths different from each other. For each pixel of interest on the first pixel array, a pattern matching process is applied between the first pixel array and the second pixel array, to calculate a mapping address on the second pixel array for the pixel of interest. In addition, for each pixel of interest on the third pixel array, a pattern matching process is applied between the third pixel array and the second pixel array, to calculate a mapping address on the second pixel array for each pixel of interest. The second pixel array is re-constructed into a high-density pixel array using pixel values and mapping addresses of a plurality of pixels of interest. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120121151 | Device And Computed Tomography Scanner For Determining And Visualizing The Perfusion Of The Myocardial Muscle - A device is disclosed for determining and visualizing the perfusion of the myocardial muscle with the aid of static CCTA images. In at least one embodiment, the device includes a segmentation unit for segmenting the coronary blood vessels and the left myocardial muscle from a CCTA image of the heart; a first simulation unit for simulating the blood flow through the coronary blood vessels; and a second simulation unit by which the local perfusion of the myocardial muscle is determined on the basis of the ascertained blood flow into different regions of the myocardial muscle. The perfusion of the different regions of the myocardial muscle is visualized in a schematized image on a visualization unit. By virtue of the proposed device it is possible to dispense with further imaging examinations after the performance of a CCTA scan, thereby relieving the pressure both on the part of the physician and on the part of the patient. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120121152 | Method and System for Automatic View Planning for Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging acquisition - A method and system for automated view planning for cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquisition is disclosed. The method and system automatically generate a full scan prescription using a single 3D MRI volume. The left ventricle (LV) is segmented in the 3D MRI volume. Cardiac landmarks are detected in the automatically prescribed slices. A full scan prescription, including a short axis stack and 2-chamber, 3-chamber, and 4-chamber views, is automatically generated based on cardiac anchors provided by the segmented left ventricle and the detected cardiac landmarks in the 3D MRI volume. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120121153 | Method and System for Retrospective Image Combination Under Minimal Total Deformation Constrain for Free-Breathing Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging With Motion Correction - A method and system for retrospective image combination for free-breathing magnetic resonance (MR) images is disclose. A free-breathing cardiac MR image acquisition including a plurality of frames is received. A key frame is selected of the plurality of frames. A deformation field for each frame to register each frame with the key frame. A weight is determined for each pixel in each frame based on the deformation field for each frame under a minimum total deformation constraint. A combination image is then generated as a weighted average of the frames using the weight determined for each pixel in each frame. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120121154 | Method and System for Propagation of Myocardial Infarction from Delayed Enhanced Cardiac Imaging to Cine Magnetic Resonance Imaging Using Hybrid Image Registration - A method and system for propagation of myocardial infarction from delayed enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DE-MRI) to cine MRI is disclosed. A reference frame is selected in a cine MRI sequence. Deformation fields are calculated within the cine MRI sequence to register the frames of the cine MRI sequence to the reference frame. A DE-MRI image having an infarction region is registered to the reference frame of the cine MRI sequence. The DE-MRI image may be registered to the infarction region using a hybrid registration algorithm that unifies both intensity and feature points into a single cost function. Infarction information in the DE-MRI image is then propagated cardiac phases of the frames in the cine MRI sequence based on the registration of the DE-MRI image to the reference frame and the plurality of deformation fields calculated within the cine MRI sequence. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120121155 | BREAST TOMOSYNTHESIS WITH DISPLAY OF HIGHLIGHTED SUSPECTED CALCIFICATIONS - Systems and methods that facilitate the presentation and assessment of selected features in projection and/or reconstructed breast images, such as calcifications that meet selected criteria of size, shape, presence in selected slice images, distribution of pixels that could be indicative of calcification relative to other pixels or of other image features of clinical interest. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120121156 | METHOD FOR ACQUIRING A THREE-DIMENSIONAL IMAGE OF A SET OF TEETH - The present invention relates to a method for acquiring a 3-Dimensional (3D) image of a set of teeth, and, in particular, to a method for acquiring a 3D image of a set of teeth which can continuously acquire a plurality of 3D images of a set of teeth which show the change of dentition of a patient using only a single Computed Tomography (CT) scan. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120121157 | X-RAY CT DEVICE - A view image of high time resolution acquired in an imaging process of X-ray CT is displayed. In this display, by subtracting a background image obtained by forward projection calculation of a CT image from the view image, background is removed from the view image, and only a focused site is imaged. A transmission image of the focused site showing high display contrast and not easily influenced by a motion artifact can be thereby obtained. Thereby, in an X-ray CT device for diagnostic imaging, degradation of diagnostic ability due to motion artifacts can be prevented. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120121158 | OPHTHALMIC OBSERVATION APPARATUS - An ophthalmic observation apparatus | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120128221 | Depth-Based Information Layering in Medical Diagnostic Ultrasound - Information layering is provided in medical imaging. Two or more types of information are provided in one image. A three-dimensional surface is formed for two-dimensional scanning and/or imaging. The depth or third dimension is mapped to one type of data. Variation in values of this type of data causes variation in the surface away from flat. Data of another type is mapped to the surface, such that each location having a color or gray scale value based on the other type and a depth based on the one type. The surface is rendered using three-dimensional rendering to show the depth information even though both types of data represent a scanned plane. Stereoscopic viewing may allow the user to better visualize the depth information. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120128222 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING MOTION OF A SUBJECT USING A SERIES OF PARTIAL IMAGES FROM AN IMAGING SYSTEM - A line scan imager is used to determine the motion of a subject. Each line of image data from the line scan imager is compared with a reference image. The location of a matching line in the reference image reveals the displacement of the subject. The current subject displacement can be determined based on each line of image data. The resulting displacement information can be used to correctly place other optical beams on the subject. The method can be applied to tracking the human eye to facilitate measurement, imaging, or treatment with a beam of optical radiation. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120128223 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING ULTRASOUND DATA - A method of processing ultrasound data includes receiving ultrasound data for a first ultrasound image, the first ultrasound image being represented as a first set of discrete pixels corresponding to positions of a region of interest; receiving ultrasound data for a second ultrasound image, the second ultrasound image being represented as a second set of discrete pixels corresponding to positions of the region of interest; generating a displacement map by minimizing a cost function using a dynamic programming procedure that identifies each of the first set of discrete pixels with a corresponding one of the second set of discrete pixels; refining the displacement map to obtain intermediate displacement values corresponding to positions between the discrete pixels based on minimizing a local approximation to the cost function; and calculating a physical property of the region of interest based on the displacement map. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120128224 | METHOD OF SEGMENTING LESIONS IN IMAGES - The method of segmenting a lesion in an image according to the present invention includes the steps of: obtaining an image of a region of interest from an image of a lesion; adjusting the contrast of the obtained image of the region of interest such that the contrast changes according to the distance from the center of the region of interest; removing noise from the image whose contrast is adjusted; and separating the region of the lesion from the noise-removed image. In the step of adjusting the contrast, the image is adjusted such that the contrast is increased as it goes away from the center of the region of interest, and thus it is possible to segment the lesion while maintaining the original shape of the lesion, thereby reliably segmenting the lesion even in the case where the inside of the lesion is not uniform. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120128225 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND NON-TRANSITORY STORAGE MEDIUM - An image processing apparatus which processes an image obtained by tomosynthesis shooting by using a radiation source and a two-dimensional detector. The image processing apparatus includes an obtaining unit configured to obtain a plurality of projection data output from the two-dimensional detector upon tomosynthesis shooting; and a reconstruction unit configured to perform analytical reconstruction processing of a tomogram of a subject from the plurality of projection data obtained by tomosynthesis shooting without transforming the projection data into virtual projection data on a virtual CT detection plane virtually set to be perpendicular to a radiation center direction of the radiation source. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120134560 | Method and system for visualization of volume dataset - A machine-implemented display method that, with respect to a volume dataset being rendered, enables a user to navigate to any position in space and look in any direction. Preferably, the volume dataset is derived from a computer tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (RMI) scan. With the described approach, the user can see details within the dataset that are not available using conventional visualization approaches. The freedom-of-motion capability allows the user to go to places (positions) within the volume rendering that are not otherwise possible using conventional “orbit” and “zoom” display techniques. Thus, for example, using the described approach, the display image enables a user to travel inside physical structures (e.g., a patient's heart, brain, arteries, and the like). | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120134561 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CORRELATED NOISE SUPPRESSION IN DUAL ENERGY IMAGING - Methods and systems for correlated noise suppression are presented. The present correlated noise suppression technique estimates a correlation direction between noise values in a first and a second MD image corresponding to a first and a second basis material, respectively. The two MD images are diffused using the estimated correlation direction to generate a first and a second diffused image. Further, first and second noise masks are generated by subtracting the diffused image from the corresponding MD image. Edges in the first and the second MD images are processed with the first and second noise masks, respectively to generate a final first noise mask and a final second noise mask. The first MD image is then processed with the final second noise mask to generate a final first MD image and the second MD image is processed with the final first noise mask to generate a final second MD image. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120134562 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR REGISTERING MEDICAL IMAGE DATA - The present embodiments relate to a method for registering medical image data. The method includes providing a registration parameter set for each of a plurality of different application cases, each of the plurality of different application cases being defined by at least one feature. Each registration parameter set contains registration parameters predefined for the associated application case. The method also includes providing first image data and second image data, which are to be registered onto one another. In response to the specification of an application case for the first image data and the second image data to be registered, a registration parameter set is automatically selected from the provided registration parameter sets in accordance with the specified application case. The method includes automatically performing a registration of the first image data onto the second image data using the selected registration parameter set. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120134563 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD - An image processing apparatus which processes a plurality of tomograms obtained by acquiring, along a direction crossing at a right angle a section along the thickness direction of a retina, a plurality of tomograms each including the section, detects a layer structure in the retina from image information of respective lines of the tomograms along the thickness direction, and appends structure information to the respective lines based on the layer structures detected for the respective lines. The image processing apparatus maps the structure information of the respective lines of the plurality of tomograms onto a plane crossing the thickness direction at a right angle, thereby generating a two-dimensional image based on the structure information. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120134564 | Method and System for Heart Isolation in Cardiac Computed Tomography Volumes for Patients with Coronary Artery Bypasses - A method and system for isolating the heart in a 3D volume, such as a cardiac CT volume, for patients with coronary artery bypasses is disclosed. An initial heart isolation mask is extracted from a 3D volume, such as a cardiac CT volume. The aortic root and ascending aorta are segmented in the 3D volume, resulting in an aorta mesh. The aorta mesh is expanded to include bypass coronary arteries. An expanded heart isolation mask is generated by combining the initial heart isolation mask with an expanded aorta mask defined by the expanded aorta mesh. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120134565 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM TO DETERMINE SYSTEM-DEPENDENT PHASE INFORMATION - In a method to determine an MR system-dependent phase information of a phase value in an MR phase image data set, initial variances are associated with image points of a first phase image data set, and for an additional phase image data set, a phase value and a variance of the phase value for the image points of the additional phase image data set are estimated by a linear transformation of the first phase image data set. The additional image data set is calculated by weighted addition of the phase values of the first phase image data set with the estimated phase values, with the weighting of the two phase values taking place in the addition dependent on the variance belonging to the respective phase value. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120134566 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS FOR DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING AND METHOD THEREOF - An image processing apparatus for diagnostic imaging,which allows easy verification of a spatial position on an arbitrary cross section is provided. An image processing apparatus | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120141001 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRIANGULAR INTERPOLATION IN IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION FOR PET - A method of interpolating positron emission tomography (PET) data for reconstructing a PET image, including acquiring PET event data, which was obtained by scanning an object using a PET scanner; generating a two-dimensional line-of-response (LOR) sinogram from the acquired PET event data; determining a plurality of triangles connecting sampling points within the LOR sinogram, wherein adjacent sampling points are connected horizontally row-by-row within the LOR sinogram to determine the plurality of triangles; and determining a uniformly sampled sinogram from the LOR sinogram using the determined plurality of triangles. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20120141002 | Ultrasound Image Performance Determination - Embodiments contemplate methods and systems for determining an image performance measurement in an ultrasound system. Embodiments contemplate that data may be received from a remote unit of an ultrasound imaging system. One or more determinations of the measure of performance of an image may be made, where the image may be derivable from at least part of the data. The measure of image performance may be displayed on a main unit of the ultrasound imaging system. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20120141003 | BACKGROUND FIELD REMOVAL METHOD FOR MRI USING PROJECTION ONTO DIPOLE FIELDS - For optimal image quality in susceptibility-weighted imaging and accurate quantification of susceptibility, it is necessary to isolate the local field generated by local magnetic sources (such as iron) from the background field that arises from imperfect shimming and variations in magnetic susceptibility of surrounding tissues (including air). We present a nonparametric background field removal method based on projection onto dipole fields in which the background field inside an ROI is decomposed into a field originating from dipoles outside the ROI using the projection theorem in Hilbert space. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20120141004 | IMAGE DIAGNOSTIC PROCESSING DEVICE AND IMAGE DIAGNOSTIC PROCESSING PROGRAM - An image diagnostic processing device includes peripheral region specifying means which specifies a peripheral region connecting to an abnormal candidate region included in an image representing the inside of a subject, and judging means which judges whether the abnormal candidate region is an anatomic abnormal region or not, based on a first feature quantity of the abnormal candidate region and a second feature quantity of the peripheral region. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20120141005 | METHOD FOR ESTIMATING HAEOMODYNAMIC PARAMETERS BY JOINT ESTIMATION OF THE PARAMETERS OF A GLOBAL PERFUSION MODEL - The invention relates to a method for estimating haemodynamic perfusion parameters of an elementary volume—termed a voxel—of an organ, from perfusion signals by jointly estimating the parameters of an optionally limited comprehensive perfusion model. The invention moreover relates to a processing unit of a perfusion imaging analysis system, adapted for carrying out such a method and for delivering the estimated parameters according to an appropriate format to a human-machine interface able to represent said estimated parameters for a user. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20120141006 | RECONSTRUCTION OF A REGION-OF-INTEREST IMAGE - A method and system to perform region-of-interest (ROI) reconstruction is provided, even if the original projection data are truncated. The reconstruction is performed on a superset of the ROI, including the ROI as well as other areas which are outside the scan field-of-view of the imaging system but still within the imaging bore. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20120141007 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND SYNCHRONOUS MEASUREMENT METHOD - An image with a desired contrast is obtained while suppressing body motion artifacts caused by both random motion and periodic motion of an object. In order to do so, an imaging sequence using a non-Cartesian sampling method is executed so as to synchronize with a biological signal only at the start time and a repetition time (TR), which is an execution interval between shots within the imaging sequence, is maintained. In addition, a time difference between a delay time and a start time of each shot is calculated, and a shot with a predetermined time difference or more is executed again after the TR time. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20120141008 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PROCESSING 3-D IMAGE DATA OF A SKULL - The invention relates to a method and a device for processing 3-D image date of a skull (S), wherein image date are selected or calculated for the 3-D image data and are presented as 2-D image data in a plane. For fast, overview-like inspection of the skull (S), the skull surface (O) is determined from the 3-D image data, and the corresponding image data at a defined distance (d) from the skull surface (O) are determined and presented as 2-D image data in a plane. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20120148128 | UNIFYING RECONSTRUCTION AND MOTION ESTIMATION IN FIRST PASS CARDIAC PERFUSION IMAGING - Methods and a system to unify reconstruction and motion estimation steps in first pass cardiac perfusion MRI include a global objective function that meets data consistency, spatial smoothness, motion and contrast dynamics constraints. The global objective decomposed into simpler sub-problems which include low pass filtering of a deformed object, TV shrinkage, analytical Fourier replacement and an l | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120148129 | Prior Enhanced Compressed Sensing (PRINCE-CS) Reconstruction for Dynamic 2D-Radial Cardiac MRI - A reconstructed image is rendered from a set of MRI data by first estimating an image with an area which does not contain artifacts or has an artifact with a relative small magnitude. Corresponding data elements in the estimated image and a trial image are processed, for instance by multiplication, to generate an intermediate data set. The intermediate data set is transformed and minimized iteratively to generate a reconstructed image that is free or substantially free of artifacts. In one embodiment a Karhunen-Loeve Transform (KLT) is used. A sparsifying transformation may be applied to generate the reconstructed image. The sparsifying transformation may be also not be applied. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120148130 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING TOMOGRAPHIC IMAGE OF SUBJECT'S EYE, IMAGING SYSTEM, METHOD FOR PROCESSING IMAGE, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - An image processing apparatus includes a detection unit configured to detect layers on the retina based on tomographic images of the retina, an acquisition unit configured to acquire a region having a larger curvature of the boundary surface between the retina and the corpus vitreum than a threshold value, and a determination unit configured to determine an optic disc of the retina based on the optical disc including a region where a specific layer is not detected by the detection unit and the region acquired by the acquisition unit. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120148131 | GENERATING A SUITABLE MODEL FOR ESTIMATING PATIENT RADIATION DOSE RESULTING FROM MEDICAL IMAGING SCANS - Techniques are disclosed for estimating patient radiation exposure during computerized tomography (CT) scans. More specifically, embodiments of the invention provide efficient approaches for generating a suitable patient model used to make such an estimate, to approaches for estimating patient dose by interpolating the results of multiple simulations, and to approaches for a service provider to host a dose estimation service made available to multiple CT scan providers. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120148132 | GENERATING AN ESTIMATE OF PATIENT RADIATION DOSE FROM MEDICAL IMAGING SCANS - Techniques are disclosed for estimating patient radiation exposure during computerized tomography (CT) scans. More specifically, embodiments of the invention provide efficient approaches for generating a suitable patient model used to make such an estimate, to approaches for estimating patient dose by interpolating the results of multiple simulations, and to approaches for a service provider to host a dose estimation service made available to multiple CT scan providers. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120148133 | Dual-Energy Material Identification Method and Apparatus with Undersampling - A dual-energy material identification method and system with under-sampling is disclosed. A CT image of the object is obtained by using the CT image reconstruction method, while the dual-energy projections are under-sampled to obtain a few samples. Photoelectric coefficient integral and Compton coefficient integral are computed from these dual-energy projection data. The CT image is segmented into regions with image processing technique, and the regions are labeled. The length by which a few dual-energy rays crosses each labeled region is computed, and an equation system is established with dual-energy preprocessing dual-effect decomposition reconstruction method to compute Photoelectric coefficient and Compton coefficient, and then atomic number and electron density of material in each region are computed. The material of the object can be identified with the atomic number. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120148134 | Medical Imaging Machine and Methods of Use - A system for medical imaging is provided and includes at least one neutron generator having a neutron generator fuel material and at least one neutron moderator material, a gantry for stationing an imaging subject, a neutron collimator attached to the neutron generator, the collimator disposed between the neutron moderator and the imaging subject, at least one gamma ray camera electrically connected to a processor-based data acquisition system, and software executing on the processor-based data acquisition system from a non-transitory physical medium, the software providing a first function for producing at least one gamma ray spectrum or image, a second function for applying correction factors to the gamma ray spectra or images, and a third function for analyzing the corrected gamma ray spectra or images to process one or more clinically relevant images of one or more targeted or general areas of the imaging subject. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120148135 | GENERATING OBJECT DATA - The invention relates to the generation of a 3D vessel model of a region of interest of an object. The invention relates particularly to a medical imaging system and a method for generating a 3D vessel model of a region of interest of an object and to a computer program element as well as a computer readable medium for generating a 3D vessel model of a region of interest of an object. In order to facilitate and improve the generation of a 3D vessel model of a region of interest of an object, a medical imaging system and a method with the following steps is provided: Acquiring at least two 2D X-ray projection images of contrast enhanced vascular structures from different viewing angles; determining a probability map for predetermined vessel features for each of the 2D X-ray projection images; displaying the probability map for each of the 2D X-ray projection images for interaction purposes; segmenting vessels of interest by indicating the location of a first set of points of interest in the probability map of one of the at least two 2D X-ray projection images by interaction of the user, determining and displaying epipolar lines for the first set of points of interest in the probability map of the other one of the at least two 2D X-ray projection images, indicating the location of a second set of points of interest in the probability map of the other one of the at least two 2D X-ray projection images by the user, wherein the epipolar lines act as orientation and wherein the second set of points is corresponding to the indicated first points, determining the closest relevant predetermined features of the vascular structure upon the indication of the location of points of interest and extracting 2D centrelines, bifurcation points and/or vessel borders of the vascular structure from the determined features of the vascular structure; and calculating a 3D vessel model from the extracted 2D vessel centrelines, bifurcation points and/or vessel borders. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120148136 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING PROJECTION DATA - The invention relates to a projection values processing apparatus ( | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120148137 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING AND CORRECTING DEVICE - An image data correcting device has a movement information acquiring section, a correcting section and a synthesizing section. The movement information acquiring section acquires movement information showing spatial distribution of the magnitude of a movement in the real space of an image pickup part of a detected body. The correcting section makes a correction different from that of a second area in a first area of image data collected by a scan of magnetic resonance imaging on the basis of the movement information. The synthesizing section synthesizes respective image data of the first area and the second area corrected by the correcting section. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120148138 | Extension of Truncated CT Images For Use With Emission Tomography In Multimodality Medical Images - An apparatus and method for expanding the FOV of a truncated computed tomography (CT) scan. An iterative calculation is performed on the original CT image to produce an estimate of the image. The calculated estimate of the reconstructed image includes the original image center and a estimate of the truncated portion outside the image center. The calculation uses an image mask with the image center as one boundary. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120155727 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING MOTION-COMPENSATED IMAGES - A method for performing motion compensated temporal filtering of a three-dimensional (3D) image dataset includes accessing with a processor a three-dimensional (3D) dataset comprising a plurality of images, the images including at least a first 3D image acquired at a first time and a different second 3D mage acquired at a second time, determining a phase correlation between at least one patch in the first 3D image and at least one patch in the second 3D image, generating 3D displacement vectors that represents displacement between a patch in the first 3D image and the patch in the second 3D image, and generating at least one 3D image using one or more 3D displacement vectors. A non-transitory computer readable medium and an ultrasound imaging system are also described herein. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120155728 | TOMOGRAPHIC ITERATIVE RECONSTRUCTION - The present disclosure relates to iterative reconstruction of images. In certain embodiments, a deconvolution filter is used to approximate the inversion of a Hessian matrix associated with the reconstruction. In one such embodiment, the desired image is not reconstructed directly in the iterative process. Instead, an image is reconstructed that yields the desired image when filtered by the deconvolution filter. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120155729 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR FAST ITERATIVE RECONSTRUCTION USING SEPARABLE SYSTEM MODELS - Methods and systems for iterative image reconstruction. The method includes selecting a particular X and Y location corresponding to one or more selected voxels in an image volume. Further, one or more Z locations are iteratively selected for the particular X and Y location. One or more partial sums corresponding to channel dependent portions of a separable system model associated with the particular X and Y location are pre-computed. Additionally, row-dependent portions of the separable system model are computed independent of the pre-computing of the one or more partial sums. The partial sums and the row-dependent portions of the separable system model are combined to compute corresponding updates for the selected voxels. The one or more partial sums are then updated to be consistent with the computed updates. Additionally, the computed updates are applied to the selected voxels independent of updating the one or more partial sums. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120155730 | IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION - A system and method of reconstructing an image through solution of a data fitting problem, wherein the data fitting problem is not susceptible to efficient solution as a whole, is disclosed, which may comprise gathering, via a computing device, k-space image data, selecting a data fitting problem solution algorithm for the k-space data, decomposing the data fitting problem solution into a plurality of sub-problem solutions each susceptible to efficient solution separately for the k-space data, obtaining, via the computing device, the plurality of sub-problem solutions for the k-space data, and reconstructing, via the computing device, the image based upon a weighted average of the plurality of sub-problem solutions for the k-space data. The image may be a magnetic resonance image. The data fitting problem may comprise a minimization of a plurality of linear terms of a least square data fitting solution. The image may comprise under-sampled k-space image data. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120155731 | QUANTITATIVE ENDOSCOPY - A method, computer program product and processor for quantitatively registering a 2D endoscopic ROI in a 3D volumetric imaging dataset. An endoscopic dataset and a volumetric imaging are registered to a common coordinate system. A 2D endoscopic ROI is generated within the endoscopic imaging dataset. A 3D surface ROI is generated within the volumetric imaging dataset corresponding to the 2D endoscopic ROI, based on a projection of the 2D endoscopic ROI to the registered common coordinate system. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120155732 | CT Atlas of Musculoskeletal Anatomy to Guide Treatment of Sarcoma - The method includes the steps of obtaining atlas data in an atlas coordinate set from a computer-readable atlas of musculoskeletal structure. The atlas contains a data set representing a 3D model of musculoskeletal structure divided into the relevant musculoskeletal anatomic terminology. The method further includes obtaining patient data. The patient data is in a patient coordinate set that corresponds to obtained atlas data in the atlas coordinate set. The atlas data is then morphed using a first morphing transformation between the obtained patient data in the patient coordinate set and corresponding obtained atlas data in the atlas coordinate set. The image of the patient coordinate set with the morphed atlas data is then displayed. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120155733 | KNOWLEDGE-BASED SEGMENTATION OF ATTENUATION-RELEVANT REGIONS OF THE HEAD - The present invention relates to a method and a device for determining attenuation areas in a body. The invention particularly relates to a method and a device for performing magnetic resonance/positron emission tomography measurements utilizing the attenuation areas determined. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120155734 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REGISTERING TWO MEDICAL IMAGES - An embodiment of the invention provides a method and apparatus for registering two medical images with one another. A first medical image including a representation of a biological organ of a subject or for a population is obtained and the surface of the organ is identified in the first medical image. The identified surface is then used to construct a 3D geometric surface model of the organ. The geometric model is used to derive a motion model that incorporates information on the physical material properties of the organ and external forces that cause the organ to move and deform. A second medical image including a representation of the organ of the subject (or another subject, in the case that the first medical image is an atlas image) is obtained and an alignment is determined between a first surface normal vector field for the organ surface, derived from the geometric model, and a second surface normal vector field for the organ surface, derived by filtering the second medical image. The alignment accommodates deformation of the geometric model in accordance with the motion predicted by the motion model. The first and second medical images can then be registered with one another based on said determined model-to-image vector alignment (MIVA). | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120155735 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ANALYZING IMAGING DATA - A method of analyzing a stream of imaging data is disclosed. The method comprises: for each picture-element of the data, associating a vector of features indicative of temporal intensity variation relative to baseline intensity, thereby providing a plurality of vectors. The method further comprises clustering the picture-elements according to the vectors, thereby providing a plurality of clusters, and identifying different compartments in the vasculature based on the clusters. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120155736 | Extension of Truncated CT Images For Use With Emission Tomography In Multimodality Medical Images - An apparatus and method for expanding the FOV of a truncated computed tomography (CT) scan. An iterative calculation is performed on the original CT image to produce an estimate of the image. The calculated estimate of the reconstructed image includes the original image center and a estimate of the truncated portion outside the image center. The calculation uses an image mask with the image center as one boundary. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120163687 | FEATURE LOCATION METHOD AND SYSTEM - A method of locating anatomical features in a medical imaging dataset comprises obtaining a medical imaging measurement dataset that comprises image data for a subject body as a function of position; and performing a registration procedure that comprises:—providing a mapping between positions in the measurement dataset and positions in a reference dataset, wherein the reference dataset comprises reference image data for a reference body as a function of position, the reference dataset comprises at least one anatomical landmark, and the or each anatomical landmark is indicative of the position of a respective anatomical feature of the reference body; matching image data in the measurement dataset with image data for corresponding positions in the reference dataset, wherein the corresponding positions are determined according to the mapping; determining a measure of the match between the image data of the measurement dataset and the image data of the reference dataset; varying the mapping to improve the match between the image data of the measurement dataset and the image data of the reference dataset, thereby to obtain a registration mapping; and using the registration mapping to map the positions of the anatomical landmarks to positions in the measurement dataset, thereby to assign positions to anatomical features in the measurement dataset. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120163688 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MULTI-PHASE SEGMENTATION OF DENSITY IMAGES REPRESENTING POROUS MEDIA - A system and method for multi-phase segmentation of noisy 3D x-ray tomography images representative of porous material minimizing data smoothing which processes 3D x-ray tomography images to obtain a standardized intensity image, segments the standardized intensity image into at least 3 phases, calculates volumetric fractions and spatial distributions of the segmented phases and compares them with target values, and if the calculated fractions are not close enough to the target values, repeats the necessary segmentation steps until the calculated volumetric fractions are within a given tolerance to the target values. The segmentation steps include computing a median/mean-filtered-gradient image of the standardized intensity image, creating an intensity vs. gradient graph from the median/mean-filtered-gradient image and the standardized intensity image, partitioning the intensity vs. gradient graph into at least 3 regions, using thresholds defining the regions to segment the standardized grey scale image to create a segmented image, and applying a despeckler filter to remove noise in the segmented image. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120163689 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR VISUALIZING HUMAN OR ANIMAL BRAIN SEGMENTS - An embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for visualizing at least one human or animal brain segment in order to aid a stimulation or manipulation of the brain, said method comprising the steps of:
| 06-28-2012 |
| 20120163690 | IMAGE RECONFIGURATION METHOD FOR ELECTRO-MAGNETIC TOMOGRAPHY - Disclosed is an image reconfiguration method for electro-magnetic tomography. The image reconfiguration method for electro-magnetic tomography includes: measuring electric field values of each electro-magnetic wave for normal tissue, benign tumor tissue, and cancer tissue that are body tissue properties to perform signal processing on the electric field values of the electro-magnetic waves; calculating the electric field values of the electro-magnetic waves that are subjected to the signal processing as specific image reconfiguration data values; and comparing with the calculated specific image reconfiguration data value and applying to a nonlinear image transform function to convert into amplified image output data value, thereby outputting an image based on the image output data value, wherein the nonlinear image transform function is an exponential function or log function based nonlinear image transform function that selectively amplifies only a difference in the specific image reconfiguration data values between the body tissues. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120163691 | TIME-DOMAIN ESTIMATOR FOR IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION - One or more systems, methods, or computer program products can include receiving an echo data set including information representative of an echo sensed by a transducer, provided at least in part by one or more actual targets included in a region of interest. The region of interest can be modeled, including selecting or generating an array manifold matrix including information corresponding to any one or more candidate targets. The weights of the candidate targets can be determined using the array manifold matrix and the echo data set, including minimizing an argument of a function modeling the weights of the candidate targets. In an example, the echo data set can be dithered, such as by adding a specified dithering signal. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120163692 | IMAGE INTENSITY CORRECTION FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A magnetic resonance system comprises: a magnetic resonance scanner including a multi-channel transmit coil or coil system and a magnetic resonance receive element; and a digital processor configured to perform an imaging process including shimming the multi-channel transmit coil or coil system, acquiring a coil sensitivity map for the magnetic resonance receive element using the multi-channel transmit coil or coil system, acquiring a magnetic resonance image using the magnetic resonance receive element and the shimmed multi-channel transmit coil or coil system, and performing an intensity level correction on the acquired magnetic resonance image using the coil sensitivity map to generate a corrected magnetic resonance image. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120163693 | Non-Invasive Imaging-Based Prostate Cancer Prediction - A system (UroImage™) is an imaging based system for predicting if the prostate is cancerous or not using non-invasive ultrasound. The method is an on-line system where region of interest processor computes the capsule region in the Urological image. The feature extraction processor finds the significant features such as non-linear higher order spectra and high pass filter discrete wavelet based features, and combines them. The on-line classifier processor uses along with the training-based parameters to estimate and predicate if the patient's prostate is cancerous or not. The UroImage™ also introduces the applicability of this system for MR, CT or fusion of these modalities with ultrasound for predicting cancer. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120163694 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING A PROPERTY OF BLUR IN A BLURRED IMAGE - A system and a method of determining a property of blur in an image are provided. According to other aspects a medical image acquisition apparatus, a medical workstation and a computer program product are provided. The system ( | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120170822 | EFFICIENT QUASI-EXACT 3D IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION ALGORITHM FOR CT SCANNERS - A CT scanner comprises: at least one source of X-rays and a multi-row detector array of arbitrary geometry, both supported so as rotate around an axis of rotation during a scan of an object translated along the axis, wherein data for each detector is generated as a function of the X-ray energy received; and a data processor configured so as to perform resampling of the data onto curves in a virtual detector array. The curves project onto tilted lines in a virtual flat detector as to enable tangential filtering of the data. | 07-05-2012 |
| 20120170823 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMAGE BASED MULTIPLE-MODALITY CARDIAC IMAGE ALIGNMENT - Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for temporally aligning a plurality of cardiac image sequences. The method includes performing a locally linear embedding algorithm on a first set of cardiac image sequences and on a second set of cardiac image sequences. A graphical representation is created for the first set of cardiac image sequences and the second set of cardiac image sequences. A determination is made whether the first set of cardiac image sequences and the second set of cardiac image sequences were generated from a similar point of view. If a similar point of view is found, the first graphical representation and the second graphical representation are aligned using a minimization function. If a similar point of view is not found, the graphs are aligned with a template and then aligned with each other using the minimization function. | 07-05-2012 |
| 20120177267 | Method For Constrained Reconstruction of High Signal-To-Noise Ratio Images - A method for producing an image having a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is provided. An image to be enhanced is provided, the provided image including a previously reconstructed image or an image reconstructed from acquired image data. A prior image is produced from the provided image, for example, by filtering the provided image such that noise from the provided image is substantially suppressed in the prior image. Synthesized image data is produced by performing a forward projection of the provided image. A sparsified image is produced by subtracting the prior image and the provided image. A target image having a higher SNR than the provided image is reconstructed using the sparsified image, the provided image, and the synthesized image data. The provided image may be, for example, a medical image produced by an x-ray imaging system, including computed tomography and C-arm systems; a magnetic resonance imaging system; and the like. | 07-12-2012 |
| 20120177268 | System and Method for Measuring Hole Orientation for SPECT Collimators - A method for measuring a SPECT collimator's hole orientation angles includes (a) providing a plurality of parallel spaced apart line radiation sources at a distance from a detector; (b) positioning a first collimator between the plurality of spaced apart line radiation sources and the detector; (c) obtaining a set of line images of the plurality of line radiation sources by scanning/stepping the plurality of line radiation sources across the first collimator in a first direction; (d) obtaining a second set of line images of the plurality of line radiation sources by scanning/stepping the plurality of line radiation sources across the first collimator in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction; (e) repeating the steps (c) and (d) for a second collimator, wherein one of the two collimators is a reference collimator and the other of the two collimators is a collimator being measured, whereby the line images obtained using the reference collimator are reference collimator line images and the line images obtained using the collimator being measured are measured collimator line images; (f) analyzing the reference collimator line images and the measured collimator line images and determining the offset distance dx between the reference collimator line images and the measured collimator line images in the first direction and the offset distance dy between the reference collimator line images and the measured collimator line images in the second direction, wherein dx is the offset distance in the first direction and dy is the offset distance in the second direction; and (g) calculating hole orientation angles θx, θy for each collimator hole in the collimator being measured. | 07-12-2012 |
| 20120177269 | Detection of Landmarks and Key-frames in Cardiac Perfusion MRI Using a Joint Spatial-Temporal Context Model - 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. | 07-12-2012 |
| 20120177270 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ASSESSING OPERATION OF AN IMAGING SYSTEM - A system and method for assessing the operation of a imaging system, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, is disclosed including a that computer is programmed to access an image of a phantom from image data, identify a plurality of seed point in the image of the phantom using a shape recognition algorithm, and rank combinations of the seed points using a pattern recognition algorithm using a priori information about the predefined pattern. The computer is programmed to rank the combinations of the seed points to generate an indication of an imaging quality characteristic of the imaging system. | 07-12-2012 |
| 20120177271 | 4D Anatomically Based Image Selection Procedure for Medical Imaging - Improved 4D imaging reconstruction is provided for a freely breathing patient. 3D patient images from an imaging dataset are binned according to respiratory displacement or phase. The bins are defined by ranges, so every image in the raw 3D data set is included in a bin. Since binning in this manner often results in two or more images per bin, the 4D reconstruction is determined by selecting one 3D image from each bin at each patient position. This selection is performed so as to maximize the anatomical similarity of 3D images at adjacent patient positions. In cases where the 3D images include multiple slices, a 2D comparison of the closest slices can be used to determine anatomical similarity of the 3D images. | 07-12-2012 |
| 20120177272 | X-RAY CT DEVICE - In a state where a subject | 07-12-2012 |
| 20120177273 | GENERATING TWO-DIMENSIONAL PROJECTION IMAGES FROM HELICAL DATA - Techniques and/or systems for generating a two-dimensional projection image of an object under examination from helical data are provided herein. An image plane and a distance, or height, of an examination line lying in a plane parallel to the image plane may be selected with or without user input. Using the selected image plane and examination line, data may be extracted from one or more views indicative of the object. The data that is extracted from the respective views is generally indicative of rays that traverse the examination line and have a trajectory that meets predetermined criteria. Using the extracted data from a plurality of views, one or more projection lines that are substantially parallel to a corresponding image slice are produced and a two-dimensional projection image is generated. | 07-12-2012 |
| 20120177274 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING AN IMAGE OF A REGION OF INTEREST - The invention relates to an image generation system for generating an image of a region of interest. The image generation system comprises a measured data providing unit for providing measured data of the region of interest, a reconstruction unit ( | 07-12-2012 |
| 20120177275 | Coronary Artery Disease Prediction using Automated IMT - A system (AtheroEdgeLink™) that links and predicts the Syntax Score for Coronary Artery Disease Patients using carotid IMT in Ultrasound. Ultrasound is acquired for the carotids and CIMT is estimated using AtheroEdge™. For the same images, plaque burden or plaque score is estimated. Syntax score is estimated from cardiac X-ray angiograms. The AtheroEdgeLink™ technique correlates between CIMT computed using AtheroEdge™ and Syntax Score. The system AtheroEdgeLink™ can help compute the ROC area under the curve (Az) between CIMT and Syntax Score for Coronary Artery Disease patients. Such a system can also help to find the specificity of finding the threshold on CIMT for associating the presence of Coronary Artery Disease. | 07-12-2012 |
| 20120177276 | ULTRASONOGRAPH AND METHOD OF DIAGNOSIS USING SAME - An ultrasonograph of the present invention comprises a probe ( | 07-12-2012 |
| 20120183192 | Apparatus, Program and Method for Determining Cerebral Blood Flow - [Object] To provide a method for accurately determining cerebral blood flows both in rest state and under medication with less invasive operations. | 07-19-2012 |
| 20120183193 | Method and System for Automatic Detection of Spinal Bone Lesions in 3D Medical Image Data - A method and system for automatic detection and volumetric quantification of bone lesions in 3D medical images, such as 3D computed tomography (CT) volumes, is disclosed. Regions of interest corresponding to bone regions are detected in a 3D medical image. Bone lesions are detected in the regions of interest using a cascade of trained detectors. The cascade of trained detectors automatically detects lesion centers and then estimates lesion size in all three spatial axes. A hierarchical multi-scale approach is used to detect bone lesions using a cascade of detectors on multiple levels of a resolution pyramid of the 3D medical image. | 07-19-2012 |
| 20120183194 | METHOD FOR ARTIFACT REDUCTION IN CONE-BEAM CT IMAGES - A method includes reducing structured artifacts in 3D volumetric image data, which is generated with reconstructed projection data produced by an imaging system ( | 07-19-2012 |
| 20120189182 | AUTOMATIC TOOTH CHARTING USING DIGITAL IMAGES - A method for generating an electronic dental chart for a patient, executed at least in part by a host processor, obtains image data for each of a number of teeth of the patient and generates a template dental chart for the patient that represents the position of each imaged tooth with a symbol according to the obtained image data. The template dental chart for each imaged tooth symbol is populated to form the electronic dental chart by associating the obtained image data to the corresponding symbol in the template dental chart for the imaged tooth, analyzing the obtained image data to identify a condition of the imaged tooth, associating at least the identified condition with the symbol for the imaged tooth, and displaying the populated electronic dental chart, wherein the displayed electronic dental chart provides a visual indication of the identified condition. | 07-26-2012 |
| 20120189183 | Automatic Registration of Image Series with Varying Contrast Based on Synthetic Images Derived from Intensity Behavior Model - A method for performing motion compensation in a series of magnetic resonance (MR) images includes acquiring a set of MR image frames spanning different points along an MR recovery curve. A motion-free synthetic image is generated for each of the acquired MR image frames using prior knowledge pertaining to an MR recovery curve. Each of the acquired MR images is registered to its corresponding generated synthetic images. Motion within each of the acquired MR image is corrected based on its corresponding generated synthetic image that has been registered thereto. | 07-26-2012 |
| 20120189184 | TOMOGRAPHIC IMAGING APPARATUS AND PHOTOGRAPHING METHOD - Provided is a tomographic imaging apparatus including: a light source; an optical splitter unit for splitting light from the light source into reference light and measuring light; a reference optical system including an adjustment unit for adjusting an optical path length of the reference light; a spectral unit for spectrally splitting combined light of the reference light and the return light obtained by irradiating an object to be inspected with the measuring light so as to acquire an interfering signal; a detection unit for detecting an optical path length when a tomographic image of the object is photographed; a storage unit for recording data about a refractive index of a refracting element of the object; and a calculation unit for calculating image data from the interfering signal acquired by the spectral unit based on an actual size using data about the optical path length and the refractive index. | 07-26-2012 |
| 20120189185 | Method and System for 3D Cardiac Motion Estimation from Single Scan of C-Arm Angiography - A method and system for estimating 3D cardiac motion from a single C-arm angiography scan is disclosed. An initial 3D volume is reconstructed from a plurality of 2D projection images acquired in a single C-arm scan. A static mesh is extracted by segmenting an object in the initial 3D volume. The static mesh is projected to each of the 2D projection images. A cardiac phase is determined for each of the 2D projection images. A deformed mesh is generated for each of a plurality of cardiac phases based on a 2D contour of the object and the projected mesh in each of the 2D projection images of that cardiac phase. | 07-26-2012 |
| 20120195483 | Method And Computer System For The Reduction Of Artifacts In Reconstructed CT Image Datasets - A method and computer system are disclosed with software for artifact reduction in CT image datasets for spiral scans from a CT system with an inclined gantry. In at least one embodiment, for each of at least two positions of the center of rotation, which is moved during the spiral scan, the removal of annular artifacts is carried out around these positions, during which the position concerned is used as the center point of the annular artifacts to be removed. | 08-02-2012 |
| 20120195484 | MATCHING GEOMETRY GENERATION AND DISPLAY OF MAMMOGRAMS AND TOMOSYNTHESIS IMAGES - A method and a system for using tomosynthesis projection images of a patient's breast to reconstruct slice tomosynthesis images such that anatomical structures that appear superimposed in a mammogram are at conforming locations in the reconstructed images. | 08-02-2012 |
| 20120195485 | MEDICAL IMAGE DISPLAY PROCESSING METHOD, DEVICE, AND PROGRAM - When brain images are inputted through MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and subjected to image processing to assist the diagnosis of brain diseases, functional and morphological images in an ASL coordinate system are inputted from the head of a subject by an ASL (Arterial Spin Labeling) imaging method using an MRI device. The inputted functional images are subjected to mask processing to extract only the region of cerebral parenchyma, and functional images of only the extracted region of the cerebral parenchyma are thereby produced and displayed to be overlaid on the morphological images. In this manner, a functional image such as a perfusion weighted image of only the region of the cerebral parenchyma can be extracted and displayed overlaid on a morphological image. | 08-02-2012 |
| 20120195486 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OBTAINING A FIRST SIGNAL FOR ANALYSIS TO CHARACTERIZE AT LEAST ONE PERIODIC COMPONENT THEREOF - A method of facilitating obtaining a first signal ( | 08-02-2012 |
| 20120195487 | SHIFT COMPENSATION IN MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING - The invention relates to a method for positionally correlating, with computer assistance, patient image information included in image data generated by a magnetic resonance scanner and fiducial patient markers represented in the image data, wherein a positional relationship between the patient image information and the fiducial markers is determined by taking into consideration at least the following parameters: a) the material properties of the fiducial markers; b) image generation data included in the image data or provided with the image data; c) the resonance frequency recording mode of the magnetic resonance scanner; and d) any relative positional shift between the patient data and the fiducial markers resulting from the combination of the parameters a) to c). The invention also relates to the use of such a positional correlation in a method for registering patient image data and in a method for navigationally assisting a medical procedure. | 08-02-2012 |
| 20120201440 | Fusion of Multiple Imaging Planes for Isotropic Imaging in MRI and Quantitative Image Analysis using Isotropic or Near-isotropic Imaging - In accordance with the present invention there is provided methods for generating an isotropic or near-isotropic three-dimensional images from two-dimensional images. In accordance with the present invention the method includes, obtaining a first image of a body part in a first plane, wherein the first image generates a first image data volume; obtaining a second image of the body part in a second plane, wherein the second image generates a second image data volume; and combining the first and second image data volumes to form a resultant image data volume, wherein the resultant image data volume is isotropic or near-isotropic. | 08-09-2012 |
| 20120201441 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM TO REMOVE UNWANTED, PERFUSION-DEPENDENT SIGNALS FROM MR IMAGES - In a method and magnetic resonance system for the removal of unwanted, perfusion-dependent signals from MR images, a series of MR images, that are acquired in a chronological progression and registered with one another, are loaded into a processor. In the processor, a spectrum of the time curve of the intensity of each image unit of the registered MR images in a selected region is created, a spectral range is determined with which the perfusion is to be associated, the spectra is filtered based on the determined spectral range, perfusion-corrected MR images are reconstructed by converting the filtered spectra back within the time domain. The perfusion-corrected MR images are displayed at a display unit and/or the perfusion-corrected MR images are stored at a memory unit. | 08-09-2012 |
| 20120201442 | METHOD AND COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY GENERATING A STATISTICAL MODEL - A method and a computer system are disclosed for automatically generating a statistical vascular model of a patient group. In at least one embodiment, the method includes collecting specifying patient-related vascular coordinates models from a multiplicity of vascular landmark coordinates of vascular landmarks, centerline coordinates on vessel centerlines and vessel contour coordinates on vessel contour edge profiles; specifying body landmark coordinates of body landmarks; registering the vessel-related coordinates to patient-related registered vascular coordinates models; merging patient-related vascular parameter models to form at least one statistical vascular parameter model; specifying the statistical parameters thereof; and saving and/or outputting the at least one statistical vascular parameter model. | 08-09-2012 |
| 20120201443 | METHOD FOR DIGITIZING DENTO-MAXILLOFACIAL OBJECTS - A method for capturing the shape of a dento-maxillofacial object out of volumetric image data of the dento-maxillofacial object is described. The method includes performing a segmentation of the volumetric image data with at least one calculated segmentation parameter indicative of the distinction between the dento-maxillofacial object and its background and derived from a calibration procedure. The method further includes capturing the shape of the dento-maxillofacial object from the segmented volumetric image data. | 08-09-2012 |
| 20120207369 | Presentation of Locations in Medical Diagnosis - Locations, such as computer assisted detection marks, are presented in medical imaging diagnosis, such as for colon computed tomography diagnosis. To avoid fly-through and/or to assist in more rapid and thorough review of CAD marks, a summary of a plurality of detected candidates is pre-computed and presented to the user in a single collection. For example, a single display or screen view includes a gallery of images for different candidates. These pre-computed images are displayed on the screen, allowing the user to quickly identify locations of interest and rule out other locations. The summary may be used for navigation outside the CAD context, such as presenting different portions of an organ to be viewed. | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120207370 | Systems and Methods for Simultaneous Acquisition of Scatter and Image Projection Data in Computed Tomography - A method of acquiring scatter data and image projection data in computed tomography is provided that includes attenuating a radiation source using a pattern of blockers arranged to provide blocked and unblocked regions of the radiation source, and acquiring image data and scatter data of a target using an imaging device. A scatter map in the projection image can be estimated by interpolation and/or extrapolation of the projection image using an appropriately programmed computer, subtracting the estimated scatter map from the projection image to obtain scatter-corrected projections, reconstructing a CBCT volume using a total variation regularization algorithm, and applying an iterative regularization process to suppress the noise level on the reconstructed CBCT volume. Reconstructing a CBCT volume can include using a total variation regularization algorithm and applying an iterative regularization process to suppress the noise level on the reconstructed CBCT volume, where scatter-induced artifacts are corrected in the projection image. | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120207371 | MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND MEDICAL IMAGE DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS - A medical image processing apparatus comprises: an acquiring part configured to acquire a morphological image that is formed by a first apparatus and shows the morphology of an organ of an object, and a functional image that is formed by a second apparatus different from the first apparatus and shows the state of the organ; a display; and a processor configured to cause the display to display a synthetic image based on the morphological image and the functional image. | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120207372 | RADIOTHERAPY SYSTEM AND CONTROL METHOD FOR RADIOTHERAPY SYSTEM - A radiotherapy system has: a placing unit placing a subject; an imaging unit performing an imaging of the subject; a region setting unit setting a required region of first image data obtained by the imaging unit performing the imaging of the subject and setting a corresponding required region of second image data obtained by, before the imaging, performing a pre-imaging of the subject; a histogram generating unit generating a dose-volume histogram of the required region of the first image data and generating a dose-volume histogram of the required region of the second image data; a difference computing unit computing a difference between the dose-volume histogram of the required region of the first image data and the dose-volume histogram of the required region of the second image data; and an outputting unit, if it is determined that the difference is greater than a threshold value, outputting the determination to an outside. | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120207373 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS OF LESIONS REPRESENTED BY IMAGE DATA - A system for three-dimensional analysis of lesions in image data is disclosed. It comprises a lesion detection subsystem ( | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120213423 | BLOOD VESSEL SEGMENTATION WITH THREE DIMENSIONAL SPECTRAL DOMAIN OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY - In the context of the early detection and monitoring of eye diseases, such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, the use of optical coherence tomography presents the difficulty, with respect to blood vessel segmentation, of weak visibility of vessel pattern in the OCT fundus image. To address this problem, a boosting learning approach uses three-dimensional (3D) information to effect automated segmentation of retinal blood vessels. The automated blood vessel segmentation technique described herein is based on 3D spectral domain OCT and provides accurate vessel pattern for clinical analysis, for retinal image registration, and for early diagnosis and monitoring of the progression of glaucoma and other retinal diseases. The technique employs a machine learning algorithm to identify blood vessel automatically in 3D OCT image, in a manner that does not rely on retinal layer segmentation. | 08-23-2012 |
| 20120213424 | METHOD AND COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR SCATTERED BEAM CORRECTION IN A MULTI-SOURCE CT - A method and a computer system are disclosed for scattered beam correction in a CT examination of an object in a multi source CT. In at least one embodiment, the method includes generating original projection data records; reconstruction of the object with the original projection data records of at least one detector; determining the scattered radiation generated by each emitter exclusively in the direction of the original beams of the at least one other emitter relative to its opposing detector; generating corrected projection data records by removing the calculated scattered radiation from the original projection data records; reconstruction of the object with the corrected projection data records, and implementing a further iteration of the method when determining the scattered radiation or issuing the reconstruction result if at least one predetermined abort criterion applies. | 08-23-2012 |
| 20120219197 | PROCESSING OF ABDOMINAL IMAGES - According to one embodiment there is provided a computer-automated image processing method applied to a four-dimensional (4D) image data set of a patient's abdomen, e.g. by dynamic contrast enhanced computer-assisted tomography (DCE-CT). One of the three-dimensional (3D) scan images is taken to as the reference volume and the others as target volumes. Before registration between the 3D scan images, the image data set is partitioned into an abdominal cavity domain, containing the organs inside the abdominal wall, and an abdominal wall domain including the abdominal wall and externally adjacent skeletal features, such as the spine and ribs. Registration is then carried out separately on the two domains to obtain two warp fields which are then merged into a 4D image data set of the whole volume for further use, which may be to carry out perfusion measurements, to display and to store the registered 4D image data set. | 08-30-2012 |
| 20120219198 | IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND APPARATUS - A method of selecting image data representative of a subject from an image data set comprises determining regions of image data, wherein each region of image data consists of a respective plurality of connected voxels, and selecting at least one region as being representative of the subject based upon at least one of the size and shape of the region. | 08-30-2012 |
| 20120219199 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, PROGRAM AND IMAGE DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - An image processing apparatus is provided. The image processing apparatus includes an acquiring device configured to acquire a typical pixel value corresponding to a noted region in an image, a calculating device configured to calculated index values of variances in pixel values in the noted region or in both the noted region and a region adjacent to the noted region, a first enhancement degree determination device configured to determine an enhancement degree according to the acquired typical pixel value and each of the calculated index values, and an image processing device configured to perform high-frequency enhancement processing on the noted region, based on the enhancement degree determined by the first enhancement degree determination device. | 08-30-2012 |
| 20120219200 | System and Method for Three-Dimensional Image Rendering and Analysis - The present invention relates to methods and systems for conducting three-dimensional image analysis and diagnosis and possible treatment relating thereto. The invention includes methods of handling signals containing information (data) relating to three-dimensional representation of objects scanned by a scanning medium. The invention also includes methods of making and analyzing volumetric measurements and changes in volumetric measurements which can be used for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. | 08-30-2012 |
| 20120219201 | ALIGNING APPARATUS, ALIGNING METHOD, AND THE PROGRAM - An aligning method and apparatus for aligning images having different imaged regions with improved alignment accuracy. Aligning the imaged region of each of a plurality of partial images with an overall reference image. Then, two images having an overlapping area are aligned with each other based on the amount of shift when one of the two images is aligned with the overall reference image, and the amount of shift when the other of the two images is aligned with the overall reference image. | 08-30-2012 |
| 20120219202 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING IMAGES - In one aspect, a method of displaying data is provided. The method comprises obtaining projection data of an object by exposing an object to radiation at a plurality of view angles and detecting at least some of the radiation exiting the object to form the projection data, operating a computer to reconstruct the projection data at a reconstruction resolution to form image data comprising a plurality of voxels representing locations within the object, each of the plurality of voxels being assigned an associated intensity indicative of a density of the subject matter at the respective location, determining a maximum resolution for display, above which variation in intensity between adjacent voxels is not supported by information in the projection data, the maximum resolution being less than the reconstruction resolution, and displaying the image data at or below the maximum resolution. | 08-30-2012 |
| 20120224755 | Single-Action Three-Dimensional Model Printing Methods - Methods and techniques of using 3D printers to create physical models from image data are discussed. Geometric representations of different physical models are described and complex data conversion processes that convert input image data into geometric representations compatible with third party 3D printers are disclosed. Printing templates are used to encapsulate complex geometric representations and complicated data conversion processes from users for fast and simple 3D physical model printing applications. | 09-06-2012 |
| 20120224756 | METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR DETERMINING A COMBINED DATA RECORD FOR A MASTICATORY ORGAN TO BE MEASURED - A method for determining a combined data record for an object using individual data records based on individual scans of the object, the scans being measured using at least one sensor. To avoid accumulating errors and allow individual data to be rectified or corrected, first partial scans of the object are measured using at least one first sensor and are aligned relative to one another and/or corrected using second partial scans performed by at least two second sensors that are stationary relative to one another, and the individual data records for the combined data record are determined from the aligned and/or corrected partial scans. | 09-06-2012 |
| 20120224757 | METHOD AND DEVICE TO PROCESS COMPLEX IMAGE DATA - Complex magnetic resonance (MR) image data, acquired from an examination subject that has at least two different spin species, are processed in a method and a device. At least one MR parameter that influences data acquired in an MR data acquisition is determined with spatial resolution. Complex image data are respectively acquired with each of multiple acquisition units in an MR data acquisition at multiple echo times, such that a phase difference between the first spin species and the second spin species is different at least two of the echo times. For multiple image points, a value of the at least one MR parameter is determined so that a function that depends on the at least one MR parameter and the corresponding image point in the complex image data satisfies an extreme condition. | 09-06-2012 |
| 20120224758 | IMAGE DATA PROCESSING SYSTEMS - We describe a method of estimating the thickness of a tissue structure, in particular cortical bone thickness from tomographic imaging data such as CT data. The method models the tissue structure as a variation of an imaging parameter along a line; models a variation of the tomographic imaging data along the line as a blurred version of the variation of the imaging parameter modelling the; and fits the blurred tomographic imaging model to data from the tomographic imaging by holding a tissue modelling parameter at a constraining value and allowing variation of a blurring parameter and at least one parameter defining the thickness of the tissue structure to determine an estimate of the thickness of the structure. | 09-06-2012 |
| 20120224759 | ULTRASONIC IMAGING DEVICE, ULTRASONIC IMAGING METHOD AND PROGRAM FOR ULTRASONIC IMAGING - An ultrasonic imaging apparatus is provided, which is capable of discriminating a noise area where echo signals are faint. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus selects a reference frame and a comparative frame from an image made up of two or more frames, the image being obtained by processing received signals. A region of interest is set in the reference frame, and a search area wider than the region of interest is set in the comparative frame, multiple candidate regions being destination candidates of the region of interest are set within the search area, a degree of similarity of an image characteristic value between in the region of interest and in the candidate region is calculated, with respect to each of the candidate regions, so as to obtain a distribution of the degrees of similarity across the search area. With this configuration, based on the similarity distribution, it is possible to determine whether or not the region of interest corresponds to the noise area. By way of example, it is configured such that statistics is obtained, which compares a minimum value of the degree of similarity with an overall value thereof in the similarity distribution. By comparing the statistics with a threshold value, it is possible to determine confidence of the region of interest. | 09-06-2012 |
| 20120224760 | ENHANCED IMAGE DATA/DOSE REDUCTION - A method includes generating enhanced image data based on lower dose image data and a predetermined image quality threshold, wherein an image quality of the enhanced image data is substantially similar to an image quality of higher dose image data, and a system includes an image quality enhancer ( | 09-06-2012 |
| 20120230566 | PRODUCING A THREE DIMENSIONAL MODEL OF AN IMPLANT - Determining a shape of a medical device to be implanted into a subject produces an image including a defective portion and a non-defective portion of a surface of a tissue of interest included in the subject. The tissue of interest is segmented within the image. A template, representing a normative shape of an external anatomical surface of the tissue of interest, is superimposed to span the defective portion. An external shape of an implant, is determined as a function of respective shapes of the defective portion as seen in the template, for repairing the defective portion. | 09-13-2012 |
| 20120230567 | REMOVABLE HANDLE SCAN BODY FOR IMPRESSION TRAYS AND RADIOGRAPHIC TEMPLATES FOR INTEGRATED OPTICAL AND CT SCANNING - A device for use in optical scanning and CT scanning including a radiographic template and at least one shape of known dimension (SKD). The radiographic template includes a plurality of radio-opaque markers and is configured to take an impression of at least one surface of a patient. The SKD is removably attached to the radiographic template and serves as a basis for registration of data of a CT scan of the device with data of an optical scan of the device. The device may further comprise a mounting plate. The SKD is mounted on the mounting plate such that the at least one SKD is in an exact same position with respect to surfaces in a model formed from the impression as when the impression of the patient is formed in the radiographic template. | 09-13-2012 |
| 20120230568 | Method and System for Model-Based Fusion of Multi-Modal Volumetric Images - A method and system for fusion of multi-modal volumetric images is disclosed. A first image acquired using a first imaging modality is received. A second image acquired using a second imaging modality is received. A model and of a target anatomical structure and a transformation are jointly estimated from the first and second images. The model represents a model of the target anatomical structure in the first image and the transformation projects a model of the target anatomical structure in the second image to the model in the first image. The first and second images can be fused based on estimated transformation. | 09-13-2012 |
| 20120230569 | TOMOGRAPHIC PROCESSING METHOD WITH A SMALL NUMBER OF PROJECTIONS OF A CONTRASTED OBJECT - A method for processing a sequence of a plurality of projection images of an object of interest is provided. The method, being recursive, comprises defining, a priori, a sparse image and a series of models for breaking down the object as a sum of a sparse component and of a complementary non-sparse component; initializing a sparse image depending on the sparse image defined a priori and initializing the series of models for breaking down the object; reconstructing an image of the sparse component of the decomposition model of the object from acquired projection images and from the initialized sparse image; and updating the sparse image so that, during the iterations, the reconstruction of the image of the sparse component gradually reintroduces the complementary component into the sparse image, in order to obtain a complete image of the non-sparse object. | 09-13-2012 |
| 20120230570 | Method and System for Multi-Part Left Atrium Segmentation in C-Arm Computed Tomography Volumes Using Shape Constraints - A method and system for multi-part left atrium (LA) segmentation in a C-arm CT volume is disclosed. Multiple LA part models, including an LA chamber body mesh, an appendage mesh, a left inferior pulmonary vein (PV) mesh, a left superior PV mesh, a right inferior PV mesh, and a right superior PV mesh, are segmented in a | 09-13-2012 |
| 20120230571 | Method For Determining A PET Image Data Record - A method is disclosed for determining a PET image data record of a target area from PET image data recorded during a period using a combined PET device provided with an additional imaging modality, an attenuation map describing the absorption of photons in the imaging area being used for attenuation correction of the PET image data. In at least one embodiment of the method, as a function of at least one change in the attenuation in the imaging area during the period, the PET image data are divided into at least two PET image data groups of different time domains of the period and are evaluated differently with respect to consideration of the attenuation. | 09-13-2012 |
| 20120230572 | Method and System for Multi-Organ Segmentation Using Learning-Based Segmentation and Level Set Optimization - A method and system for automatic multi-organ segmentation in a 3D image, such as a 3D computed tomography (CT) volume using learning-base segmentation and level set optimization is disclosed. A plurality of meshes are segmented in a 3D medical image, each mesh corresponding to one of a plurality of organs. A level set in initialized by converting each of the plurality of meshes to a respective signed distance map. The level set optimized by refining the signed distance map corresponding to each one of the plurality of organs to minimize an energy function. | 09-13-2012 |
| 20120230573 | PREOPERATIVE PLANNING PROGRAM AND OPERATION SUPPORT JIG FOR HIP REPLACEMENT ARTHROPLASTY - According to one embodiment, a preoperative planning method performed by a computer for hip replacement arthroplasty, includes a base jig setting step of setting a three-dimensional image of a base jig having three or more columnar supports which abut on three or more reference points of the pelvis with respect to the three-dimensional image of the pelvis obtained at the image reconstruction step, and a parameter acquisition step of parameterizing and acquiring a direction of an indicator which runs through a predetermined position on the base jig in the three-dimensional image of the base jig set at the base jig setting step and becomes parallel to the installation direction of the joint prostheses determined at the joint prostheses determination step. | 09-13-2012 |
| 20120230574 | IMAGING METHOD AND SYSTEM | 09-13-2012 |
| 20120230575 | QUANTIFICATION RESULTS IN MULTIPLANE IMAGING - The present invention relates to ultrasound medical imaging for providing information about a region of interest of an object. In particular, the invention relates to an ultrasound medical imaging system and a method for providing information about a region of interest of an object. In order to improve the quantification information provided to the user, a method for providing information about a region of interest of an object is provided, which method comprises the following steps: In a first acquisition step | 09-13-2012 |
| 20120237098 | PARAMETRIC IMAGES BASED ON DYNAMIC BEHAVIOR OVER TIME - An embodiment for analyzing a body-part of a patient is proposed. A corresponding data-processing method includes the steps of providing a sequence of input images representing the body-part over an analysis period, each input image including a set of input values each one being indicative of a response to an interrogation signal of a corresponding location of the body-part at a corresponding acquisition instant included in the analysis period, associating an analysis function of time with each one of a set of selected locations, the analysis function modeling a trend of the input values of the selected location in the sequence of input images, and providing a reference function of time for the analysis functions; in an embodiment, the data-processing method further includes comparing the analysis function of each selected location with the reference function to determine a polarity trend representing a trend over the analysis period of a polarity of a divergence between the analysis function of the selected location and the reference function, and creating a parametric image including a parametric value for each selected location, the parametric value being indicative of the polarity trend of the selected location. | 09-20-2012 |
| 20120237099 | CT IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND CT IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - A CT image processing device | 09-20-2012 |
| 20120237100 | METHOD FOR PROCESSING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGES AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGES - In an embodiment, a method is disclosed which includes: carrying out interpolation by using a slice away from a slab boundary, and substituting a slice having slab boundary artifacts existing in the slab boundary, to obtain an interpolated image; carrying out Fourier transform on the interpolated image to generate first K-space data; carrying out Fourier transform on the original image to generate second K-space data; merging the first K-space data with the second K-space data, wherein the weight of the first K-space data is greater than that of the second K-space data in the middle of the K-space, and the weight of the second K-space data is greater than that of the first K-space data at the edge of the K-space; and carrying out inverse Fourier transform on the merged K-space data. | 09-20-2012 |
| 20120237101 | Method and System for Error Resilient Compression and Decompression of Computed Tomography Data - A method and system for transferring data from a rotating data source to a stationary target over a slip ring. The system includes a compressor on a rotor, a decompressor on a stationary platform, and respectively corresponding memory buffers. The data is optionally compressed in the event that the slip ring capacity is below the required rate. The compressor a predictor unit, an entropy encoder unit and an error protector unit. The predictor unit may use stored data as reference from a set of frames and locations within them. Encoding of locations may be carried out with a Golomb-Rice encoded integer, and entropy encoding of differences may involve Golomb-Rice encoding with parameter K varying for each group of data units. The error protector protects parameters inserted into data stream with an error protection code while most of the data can remain without protection. | 09-20-2012 |
| 20120237102 | System and Method for Improving Acquired Ultrasound-Image Review - A system for creating 3D ultrasound case volumes from 2D scans and aligning the ultrasound case volumes with a virtual representation of a body to create an adapted virtual body that is scaled and accurately reflects the morphology of a particular patient. The system improves a radiologist's or treating physician's ability to examine and interact with a patient's complete ultrasound case volume independent of the patient, the type of ultrasound machine used to acquire the original data, and the original scanning session. | 09-20-2012 |
| 20120237103 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETECTING BRIGHT BRAIN REGIONS FROM COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IMAGES - A method and devices are disclosed to detect bright brain regions (BBRs) from clinical non-enhanced computed tomography images through large grayscale, large grayscale asymmetry with respect to the midsagittal plane (MSP), and large grayscale local contrast. An adaptive approach is disclosed to determine thresholds of the 3 features and adjust the window width for data conversion. The substantial grayscale variability of BBRs for a subject is addressed by finding the bright portion followed by recovering. Those BBR voxels symmetrical to the MSP are recovered, partial volume effects are compensated and the high grayscale regions which may not correspond to intracerebral hemorrhage are excluded. The disclosed method and system could be a useful tool to aid classifying stroke types, quantifying intracerebral hemorrhage and enhancing stroke therapy. | 09-20-2012 |
| 20120243756 | Method for Reconstructing Motion-Compensated Magnetic Resonance Images From Non-Cartesian K-Space Data - A method for reconstructing a motion-compensated image depicting a subject with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is provided. An MRI system is used to acquire a time series of k-space data from the subject by sampling k-space along non-Cartesian trajectories, such as radial, spiral, or other trajectories at a plurality of time frames. Those time frames at which motion occurred are identified and this information used to segment the time series into a plurality of k-space data subsets. For example, the k-space data subsets contain k-space data acquired at temporally adjacent time frames that occur between those identified time frames at which motion occurred. Motion correction parameters are determined from the k-space data subsets. Using the determined motion correction parameters, the k-space data subsets are corrected for motion. The corrected data subsets are combined to form a corrected k-space data set, from which a motion-compensated image is reconstructed. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120243757 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTION OF ACOUSTIC SHADOWS AND AUTOMATIC ASSESSMENT OF IMAGE USABILITY IN 3D ULTRASOUND IMAGES - A method for automatically assessing medical ultrasound (US) image usability, includes extracting one or more features from at least one part of a medical ultrasound image, calculating for each feature a feature score for each pixel of the at least one part of the ultrasound image, and classifying one or more image pixels of the at least one part as either usable or unusable, based on a combination of feature scores for each pixel, where usable pixels have intensity values substantially representative of one or more anatomical structures. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120243758 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR FUNCTIONAL IMAGING OF CARDIAC TISSUE - One embodiment of these teachings includes an imaging modality that is based on the ability of imaging technologies to detect wave-induced tissue deformation at depth, that allows viewing the propagation of action potentials deep within myocardial tissue, thereby helping to clarify clinical and physiological dynamical issues. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120243759 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, X-RAY CT APPARATUS, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing apparatus includes a contrast side obtaining unit, estimating unit, a simple side obtaining unit, a core area computing unit, a synthesizing unit and a display control unit. The contrast side obtaining unit obtains a contrast area and a high CT value area around the contrast area. The estimating unit estimates a contrast area in the non-contrast data and corresponding to the obtained contrast area. The simple side obtaining unit obtains a high CT value area around the estimated contrast area. The core area computing unit computes a core area included in the high CT value area of the contrast data and the non-contrast data. The synthesizing unit aligns the contrast data with the non-contrast data and generates superimposed data by superimposing the high CT value area of the contrast data on the non-contrast data. The display control unit displays the superimposed data on a display device. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120243760 | PLAQUE REGION EXTRACTING METHOD AND APPARATUS THEREFOR - According to one embodiment, a plaque region extracting apparatus includes a blood vessel wall data extracting unit, an intermediate image data generating unit, an enhancement processing unit, a plaque extracting unit. The blood vessel wall data extracting unit extracts first image data including a blood vessel wall from image data acquired by imaging a subject including blood vessels. The intermediate image data generating unit filters an intermediate region in the first image data to generate intermediate second image data. The enhancement processing unit processes the difference between the first image data and the second image data to generate third image data. The plaque extracting unit extracts a plaque in the blood vessel on the basis of the third image data. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120243761 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING VASCULAR FLOW USING CT IMAGING - A system and method for estimating vascular flow using CT imaging include a computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program comprising instructions, which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to acquire a first set of data comprising anatomical information of an imaging subject, the anatomical information comprises information of at least one vessel. The instructions further cause the computer to process the anatomical information to generate an image volume comprising the at least one vessel, generate hemodynamic information based on the image volume, and acquire a second set of data of the imaging subject. The computer is also caused to generate an image comprising the hemodynamic information in combination with a visualization based on the second set of data. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120243762 | ODONTOLOGICAL IMAGING APPARATUS - A dental CT apparatus includes a control system arranged to move a radiation source and an imaging sensor on the opposite sides of an imaging station. The control system includes at least a first imaging mode designed for imaging patients and means for selecting at least one second imaging mode in which the source of radiation and the imaging sensor are driven during an exposure at an angular velocity of less than 4 degrees/second. A digital three dimensional models of teeth are generated based on imaging impressions or models of teeth by a CT apparatus provided with at least one specific imaging mode for the purpose. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120243763 | SIGNAL-TO-NOISE ENHANCEMENT IN IMAGING APPLICATIONS USING A TIME-SERIES OF IMAGES - An apparatus and method are disclosed for improving imaging based on a time-series of images. In one embodiment, a time-series of images are acquired using a same imaging protocol of the same subject area, but the images are spaced in time by one or more time intervals (e.g, 1, 2, 3 . . . seconds apart). A sub-region is projected across all of the images to perform a localized analysis (corresponding X-Y pixels or X-Y-Z voxels are analyzed across all images) that identifies temporal components within each sub-region. In some of the sub-regions, the temporal components are removed when the amplitude of the component is below a predetermined amplitude threshold. The images are then combined using the sub-regions with reduced components in order to obtain a single image with reduced noise. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120243764 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PLAQUE CHARACTERIZATION - A method of quantifying plaques imaged by cardiac computed tomography angiography (“CCTA”) scan data. Calcified and non-calcified component thresholds are determined based at least in part on attenuation values of a pool of blood in the CCTA scan data. An epicardial fat threshold is determined and used to classify epicardial fat in the CCTA scan data. A portion of CCTA scan data positioned between a detected outer boundary of the coronary artery and a portion classified as lumen is classified as arterial wall. NCP and CP seeds are identified in the arterial wall portion. Portions of the CCTA scan data continuous with a NCP seed and having attenuation values greater than an artery wall value and less than the NCP threshold are classified as NCP, and portions of the CCTA scan data continuous with the CP seed and having attenuation values greater than the CP threshold are classified as CP. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120243765 | ASSOCIATING ACQUIRED IMAGES WITH OBJECTS - A system for associating acquired images with objects is disclosed. It comprises an image selector ( | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120250965 | Method and System for Using a Modified Ordered Subsets Scheme for Attenuation Weighted Reconstruction - A method and system is provided for performing medical imaging. The method and system includes at least one radiation detector to detect radiation from a subject, and an image processor which determines attenuation paths for an image point, groups substantially similar attenuation path lengths for the same image point to form a modified subset group, and processing image data using the modified subset group in order to provide a reconstructed image substantially similar to an original image. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120250966 | X-RAY CT APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An X-ray CT apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment includes: a specifying unit that specifies the position of a lesion and the position of a surrounding site positioned in a surrounding of the lesion, from pieces of image data of the inside of the patient corresponding to the mutually-different temporal phases; a movement information calculating unit that calculates movement information related to movements of the lesion and the surrounding site, based on the positions of the lesion and the surrounding site specified by the specifying unit; and a relative relationship calculating unit that calculates a relative relationship between the movement information of the lesion and the movement information of the surrounding site calculated by the movement information calculating unit. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120250967 | METHOD, IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING A PROPORTION OF NECROTIC TISSUE AS WELL AS COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT WITH PROGRAM SECTIONS FOR DETERMINING A PROPORTION OF NECROTIC TISSUE - An image processing device and method are disclosed for determining a proportion of necrotic tissue in a defined tissue area of an object under examination based on a high-energy image dataset and a low-energy image dataset, each recorded by way of x-ray measurements with different x-ray energies after a contrast medium has been applied to the object under examination. In at least one embodiment of the method, a virtual contrast medium image is determined from the high-energy image dataset and the low-energy image dataset and a segmentation image dataset is created, by the area of tissue being segmented. The segmentation result is transferred into the virtual contrast medium image for segmenting the tissue area in the virtual contrast medium image. Finally an analysis of values of the pixels lying in the segmented area is undertaken for identifying pixels which are to be assigned to necrotic tissue. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120250968 | METHOD FOR GENERATING IMAGE DATA OF AN OBJECT UNDER EXAMINATION, PROJECTION DATA PROCESSING DEVICE, X-RAY SYSTEM AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - A method is disclosed for generating image data of an object under examination from X-ray projection data of the object under examination, wherein, before a reconstruction of the image data, the X-ray projection data are subjected to scattered radiation correction on the basis of scattered radiation measured values. Here, the scattered radiation measured values are initially subjected to an extra-focal radiation correction before being used for the scattered radiation correction. A projection data processing device is also disclosed for carrying out a method of this kind and an X-ray system, in particular computed tomography system, with a projection data processing device of this kind. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120250969 | Integrated Breast X-Ray and Molecular Imaging System and Method - An integrated tomosynthesis/molecular breast imaging device having improved sensitivity includes tomosynthesis imaging components and molecular breast imaging components. The imaging components may be used individually or in combination to provide a system with improved sensitivity and specificity. Molecular imaging components may be smoothly advanced or withdrawn depending upon the desired imaging mode. The system supports both PET and SPECT imaging and enables SPECT collimation to be modified in accordance with image capture requirements. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120250970 | DETERMINATION ASSIST SYSTEM OF ULTRASONIC TESTING, DETERMINATION ASSIST METHOD OF ULTRASONIC TESTING, DETERMINATION ASSIST PROGRAM OF ULTRASONIC TESTING, AND COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM FOR STORING DETERMINATION ASSIST PROGRAM OF ULTRASONIC TESTING - A determination assist system including a first image generating section for generating a first planar image based on data of a first test index; a second image generating section for generating a second planar image based on data of a second test index; a differentiation section which differentiates the first planar image and the second planar image to generate a first differential image and a second differential image, respectively; a binarization section which binarizes the first differential image to generate a first binary image including a first region which is not less than a first threshold and a second region which is less than the first threshold, and binarizes the second differential image to generate a second binary image including a third region which is not less than a second threshold and a fourth region which is less than the second threshold; and a determination image generating section. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120257806 | System for Motion Compensated MR Parallel Imaging - An MR system compensates for patient movement by generating a magnetic field for acquiring, first data representing individual frequency components of a segment of a k-space storage array during a first time period and second data representing individual frequency components of the segment of the k-space storage array during a subsequent second time period. The first and second data comprise individual frequency components of different images of a portion of the anatomy of a patient. The system uses the first and second data in calculating a measure representing degree of patient related motion occurring between acquisition of the first data and second data and generates an image by excluding frequency components of the first data and second d |
