The Penn State Research Foundation

Kun-Chang Yu

Jason David Gibbs

William E Higgins

Kongkuo Lu

Michael W Graham

Lav Rai

Scott A Merritt

This invention relates generally to medical imaging and, in particular, to a method and system for automatic lymph node station mapping, automatic path or route report generation. A computer-based system for automatically locating the central chest lymph-node stations in a 3D MDCT image is described. Automated analysis methods extract the airway tree, airway-tree centerlines, aorta, pulmonary artery, lungs, key skeletal structures, and major-airway labels. Geometrical and anatomical cues arising from the extracted structures are used to localize the major nodal stations. The system calculates and displays the nodal stations in 3D. Visualization tools within the system enable the user to interact with the stations to locate visible lymph nodes.

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.

Methods and apparatus provide continuous guidance of endoscopy during a live procedure. A data-set based on 3D image data is pre-computed including reference information representative of a predefined route through a body organ to a final destination. A plurality of live real endoscopic (RE) images are displayed as an operator maneuvers an endoscope within the body organ. A registration and tracking algorithm registers the data-set to one or more of the RE images and continuously maintains the registration as the endoscope is locally maneuvered. Additional information related to the final destination is then presented enabling the endoscope operator to decide on a final maneuver for the procedure. The reference information may include 3D organ surfaces, 3D routes through an organ system, or 3D regions of interest (ROIs), as well as a virtual endoscopic (VE) image generated from the precomputed data-set. The preferred method includes the step of superimposing one or both of the 3D routes and ROIs on one or both of the RE and VE images. The 3D organ surfaces and routes may correspond to the surfaces and paths of a tracheobronchial airway tree extracted, for example, from 3D MDCT images of the chest.

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State College, PA, United States of America

Kun-Chang Yu