University of Florida Research Foundation Inc

David C Wilson

Edward A Geiser

Gordon L Gibby

The invention comprises a method and apparatus for generating a synthetic echocardiographic image. The method comprises first obtaining, for a plurality of pathologically similar reference hearts, a reference echocardiographic image of each reference heart at end-systole and at end-diastole. Next, the coupled epicardial and endocardial borders are identified in each echocardiographic image. An epicardial/endocardial border pair is then modeled from the identified borders. The method then locates a plurality of predetermined features in the reference echocardiographic images. The predetermined features are then located in the subject echocardiographic image from the location of the predetermined features in the reference echocardiographic images. The modeled epicardial/endocardial border pair is then mapped onto the subject echocardiographic image relative to the location of the predetermined features in the subject echocardiographic image. The apparatus generally comprises an echocardiographic machine for obtaining the echocardiographic images that are then processed by a computing system. In one aspect of the invention, the invention comprises such a computing system programmed to perform the autonomous portions of the method. In another aspect, the invention comprises a program storage medium encoded with instructions that perform the autonomous portions of the method when executed by a computer.

Autonomous boundary detection system for echocardiographic images

A method for quantitatively analyzing digital images of approximately elliptical body organs, and in particular, echocardiographic images is provided. In particular, methods are disclosed for obtaining short-axis apical four-chamber views of a heart, and particularly for obtaining high-quality automated images of particular regions of the heart muscle, as viewed along its long axis.

Method for automated analysis of apical four-chamber images of the heart

A method for generating a synthesis echocardiographic image comprises first obtaining, for a plurality of pathologically similar reference hearts, a reference echocardiographic image of each reference heart at end-systole and at end-diastole. Next, the coupled epicardial and endocardial borders are identified in each echocardiographic image. An epicardial/endocardial border pair is then modeled from the identified borders. The method then locates a plurality of predetermined features in the reference echocardiographic images. The predetermined features are then located in the subject echocardiographic image from the location of the predetermined features in the reference echocardiographic images. The modeled epicardial/endocardial border pair is then mapped onto the subject echocardiographic image relative to the location of the predetermined features in the subject echocardiographic image. The apparatus generally comprises an echocardiographic machine for obtaining the echocardiographic images that are then processed by a computing system. Other features include a computing system programmed to perform the autonomous portions of the method and a program storage medium encoded with the instructions that perform the autonomous portions of the method when executed by a computer.

A method for quantitatively analyzing digital images of approximately elliptical body organs, and in particular, echocardiographic images. In a first preferred embodiment, the invention automatically determines the center-point of an elliptical organ and a search region for border discrimination by finding the maximum value produced by a series of circular arc filters applied to the image data. In a second preferred embodiment, a pair of elliptical arc filters are used to make a first approximation of the positions of the right and left epicardium so that matched elliptical filters can be used to estimate the anterior epicardial position. The estimated position of the anterior epicardial, together with the posterior epicardial position, determines the center-point of the left ventricle. The positions of the organ borders are then approximated by generating amplitude distributions along each of a number of circular segments based on the center-point. The approximated borders are then compared on a best-fit basis to a set of paired elliptical arcs used to model the borders. The image may then be displayed with the modeled border superimposed on the image. A method of automated video densitometry is also disclosed whereby a sequence of end diastolic images are obtained before and after injection of a contrast agent.

Automated method for digital image quantitation

A method is provided for automatically determining quantitative characteristics of organ images, especially echocardiographic images. A diagnostic image is obtained and then a center point for the approximately curvilinear bounded organ is determined by repeatedly filtering the image with a set of circular arc filters until a maximum value for the filter set is obtained, whereupon parameters of cardiac wall motion, wall thickness and area change fraction may be determined to detect ischemic or other organ abnormality.

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Gainesville, FL, United States of America

David C Wilson