University of Pittsburgh

Eastman-kodak Company

General Electric Company

David Gur

Bin Zheng

Walter F Good

Yuan-Hsiang Chang

Richard Weil

James F Owen

John M Herron

Glenn S Maitz

Bruce R Whiting

Donald Sashin

Robert H Pedersen

Ernest J Sternglass

David L Modney

Xiao Hui Wang

Yuang-Hsiang Chang

Abnormal regions in living tissue are detected by obtaining images from different views of the living tissue; performing single-image CAD of each image to determine suspected abnormal regions depicted in the image; and combining measurements of the suspected abnormal regions in each image to determine whether a suspected abnormal region is an abnormal region. The living tissue may be a human breast and the abnormal region may be a mass in the breast. Ipsilateral mammographic views of the breast, a craniocaudal view, and a mediolateral oblique view may be used. Features which are relatively invariant or behave predictably with respect to breast compression are extracted using the single-image CAD and then combined.

Multi-view computer-assisted diagnosis

A computerized method of detecting regions of interest in a digital image optimizes and adapts a computer aided scheme for detecting regions of interest in images. The optimization is based on global image characteristics. For each image in a database of images having known regions of interest, global image features are measured and an image characteristic index is established based on these global image features. All the images in the database are divided into a number of image groups based on the image characteristic index of each image in the database and the CAD scheme is optimized for each image group. Once the CAD scheme is optimized, to process a digital image, an image characteristics based classification criteria is established for that image, and then global image features of the digitized image are determined. The digitized image is then assigned an image characteristics rating based on the determined global image features, and the image is assigned to an image group based on the image rating. Then regions of interest depicted in the image are determined using a detection scheme adapted for the assigned image group.

Image quality based adaptive optimization of computer aided detection schemes

A method and apparatus for detecting abnormal regions in living tissue depicted in a digital radiograph includes identifying suspected abnormal regions depicted in the radiograph and then, for each identified suspected abnormal region, extracting multiple topographic layers of the region from the digital radiograph; determining features of the region in each of the layers; and applying inter-layer multivariate non-linear criteria to the features to determine whether the suspected abnormal region is to be classified as an abnormal region. The distribution of digital values in the digitized radiograph is modified and a probabalistic determination is made as to whether suspected abnormal regions are actually abnormal from multiple analyses. An image is processed using at least two partially correlated detection schemes to produce at least two corresponding result sets of potentially abnormal regions; and the results of the detection schemes are combined using logical 'AND' or logical 'OR' combining rules to detect abnormal regions in the radiograph.

Method and system to enhance robust identification of abnormal regions

A method and system for remote diagnosis of a radiograph includes remote locations connectable to diagnosis locations. At a remote location a radiographic image containing a part depicting tissue and a background part is obtained and digitized. The image can be considered to comprise a plurality of blocks. A block of the digitized radiographic image is segmented to obtain a part of the block which depicts mainly tissue. The part of the block is compressed and transmitted to a diagnosis location. This segmenting, compressing and transmitting of blocks is repeated until the entire part of the image which depicts tissue has been transmitted to the diagnosis location. For an image, the digitization, segmentation, compression and transmission can be performed in a pipelined fashion. optionally computer assisted diagnosis (CAD) can be performed on the digitized image. The diagnosis location receives the compressed segmented image and any CAD results; uncompressing the received image; combining the CAD results with the uncompressed image; and displays the uncompressed image and the CAD results.

Image facsimile with real time image segmentation

Training/optimization of computer aided detection schemes based on

A method and system for simultaneous display of a radiograph film and a digital image associated therewith. A film is loaded onto a viewing box; identification information is obtained from the film; a digital image associated with the film is retrieved from an image database based on the identification information and is displayed. The results of a CAD scheme can be applied to or superimposed on the retrieved image. The image retrieval can be delayed until the film has been displayed on the viewing box at a specific location for a preset minimum amount of time. Other images or information can also be retrieved.

Hybrid display for simultaneous side-by-side review of radiographs

Apparatus for measuring the bone density of the extremities of a human body. The apparatus includes an x-ray source for projecting a continuous spectrum x-ray beam through a body extremity region and a calibration wedge positioned adjacent to the body extremity region to produce x-ray images of the body extremity region and the calibration wedge; an x-ray image converter for converting the x-ray images into digital image signals representative of the x-ray images of the body extremity region and of the calibration wedge; and a digital image processor for processing by means of a segmentation technique the digital image signals representative of the x-ray images of the body extremity region and the calibration wedge to automatically determine the bone density of at least a portion of the body extremity region to establish whether or not there has been a loss of bone mass.

Apparatus for measuring the bone mineral content of an extremity

Method and apparatus for detecting abnormal regions such as masses and microcalcifications in living tissue depicted in radiographs such as mammograms is presented by digitizing the radiograph to produce a digitized radiograph, and, by computer, identifying, according to predetermined criteria, any suspected abnormal regions; and for each identified suspected abnormal region, extracting multiple topographic layers of the region from the digitized radiograph; and evaluating the extracted multiple topographic layers' abnormal regions to determine whether the region is an abnormal region; and displaying the abnormal regions in a version of the radiograph. Layers are extracted by thresholding the digital radiograph at a particular threshold value for each topographic layer. The threshold value for each other layer is based on the threshold and contrast values in a previous layer.

Computerized detection of masses and microcalcifications in digital

A method of detecting and identifying abnormal regions in living tissue depicted in a digital radiograph includes, in each of a number of stages, identifying an abnormal region; and reducing any overlap between the identified regions. Typically the digital radiograph is a mammogram and the abnormal regions are suspicious mass regions in a human breast. Five stages of identifying are used to detect a region with a global minimum in the smoothed image; a region with a local minimum in the original image; a region with a local minimum in the filtered image; a small region of rounded shape and low contrast; and a region of rounded shape and high contrast.

Identification of suspicious mass regions in mammograms

A computed radiography patient identification system which matches a patient with an X-ray image of the patient stored in a stimulable storage phosphor. The system includes a patient identifying bar code uniquely identifying a patient; a stimulable storage phosphor identifying bar code uniquely identifying a stimulable storage phosphor and a portable bar code scanner. The bar code scanner is used to scan the patient bar code and the storage phosphor bar code when a patient is exposed to an X-ray which is stored on the stimulable storage phosphor. Preferably, a mobile X-ray source has an associated set of bar codes identifying X-ray examination types (chest, head, limb, etc.) and/or X-ray exposure conditions. The bar code scanner scans the examination type bar code at the time the X-ray of the patient is taken. The system includes a storage phosphor reader for converting an X-ray image stored in a storage phosphor into an X-ray image signal. The bar code identification of such stimulable phosphor is also read out. The storage phosphor reader receives from the portable bar code reader, information relating to patient identification, storage phosphor identification and examination type and matches the patient identification and examination type with the X-ray image signal.

Computed radiography patient identification system

A method of automatically archiving image information utilizing available xt information is provided. The method includes automatic extraction of textual information from a text frame and converting this information into a text file. This text file is used to construct a text header which is then stored in conjunction with the images to which it relates. Images are stored on a page-by-page basis and the text header is used as a directory address for retrieving the information as well as serving as a message embedded in the image page. A second header may also be created in accordance with another aspect of the invention to identify each image page.

Method of identifying and archiving medical images

Apparatus for measuring xenon concentration in xenon cerebral blood-flow studies operates under the control of a microprocessor which is used to monitor the patient's breathing cycle and to control a sampling pump in order to assure that only end-tidal gas is sampled. A xenon gas mixture is delivered to a patient by means of a mask assembly. At the end of each exhale cycle, the patient's end-tidal gas is held in a chamber on the exhale side of the mask assembly. At the start of the next inhale cycle, the microprocessor activates the sampling pump which draws end-tidal gas into a thermal conductivity detector. The output of the detector is transmitted through an A/D converter and the resultant value stored in the microprocessor memory along with the time of the sample. At the completion of a CT scan series, the accumulated data in the microprocessor is transferred to the CT-system-housed computer to be used in the reconstruction of cerebral blood-flow images using conventional techniques.

Apparatus for measuring xenon concentration in xenon cerebral blood-flow

Apparatus for exposing an object to x-ray radiation including adjustable object supporting and compressing means and first collimator means having an opening and being disposed between the x-ray generator and the object supporting means. Second collimator means having an opening and being disposed between the object supporting means and x-ray detecting means. Means are provided for moving the first and second collimator means in such fashion as to maintain alignment between the openings therein and the x-ray generator, in order to sequentially expose portions of the object of x-ray passing through the first collimator means and permit such x-ray to pass through the opening in a second collimator means and impinge upon the x-ray detecting means. The object supporting and compressing means is preferably structurally independent of the collimator means. The x-ray detecting means preferably takes the form of a highly sensitive detector such as a film-screen cassette or a self-scanning array of photodiodes optically coupled to scintillator means.

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Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America

David Gur