Arch Development Corporation

University of Chicago

Robert M Nishikawa

Kunio Doi

Hiroyuki Yoshida

Takehiro Ema

Maryellen L Giger

Wei Zhang

Carl J Vyborny

Ioana Bonta

Ruth Heimann

Yulei Jiang

Kazuto Ashizawa

An automated method for determining prognosis based on an analysis of abnormality (lesion) features and parenchymal features obtained from medical image data of a patient. The techniques include segmentation of lesions from radiographic images, extraction of lesion features, and a merging of the features (with and without clinical information) to yield as estimate of the prognosis for the specific case. An example is given for the prognosis of breast cancer lesions using mammographic data. A computerized image analysis system for assessing prognosis combines the computerized analysis of medical images of cancerous lesions with the training-based methods of assessing prognosis of a patient, using indicators such as lymph node involvement, presence of metastatic disease, local recurrence, and/or death. It is expected that use of such a system to assess the severity of the disease will aid in improved decision-making regarding treatment options.

Automated method and system for computerized image analysis for prognosis

A computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) method for detection of clustered microcalcifications in digital mammograms based on an image reconstruction using a substantially optimally weighted wavelet transform. Weights at individual scales of the wavelet transform are optimized based on a supervised learning method. In the learning method, an error function represents a difference between a desired output and a reconstructed image obtained from weighted wavelet coefficients of the wavelet transform for a given mammogram. The error function is then minimized by modifying the weights by means of a conjugate gradient algorithm. Performance of the optimally weighted wavelets was evaluated by means of receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis which indicated that the present invention outperformed both a difference-image technique and partial reconstruction method currently used in CAD methods.

Method for determining an optimally weighted wavelet transform based on

A computer-aided method for detecting, classifying, and displaying candidate abnormalities, such as microcalcifications and interstitial lung disease in digitized medical images, such as mammograms and chest radiographs, a computer programmed to implement the method, and a data structure for storing required parameters, wherein in the classifying method candidate abnormalities in a digitized medical image are located, regions are generated around one or more of the located candidate abnormalities, features are extracted from at least one of the located candidate abnormalities within the region and from the region itself, the extracted features are applied to a classification technique, such as an artificial neural network (ANN) to produce a classification result (i.e., probability of malignancy in the form of a number and a bar graph), and the classification result is displayed along with the digitized medical image annotated with the region and the candidate abnormalities within the region. In the detecting method candidate abnormalities in each of a plurality of digitized medical images are located, regions around one or more of the located candidate abnormalities in each of a plurality of digitized medical images are generated, the plurality of digitized medical images annotated with respective regions and candidate abnormalities within the regions are displayed, and a first indicator (e.g., blue arrow) is superimposed over candidate abnormalities comprising of clusters and a second indicator (e.g., red arrow) is superimposed over candidate abnormalities comprising of masses. In a user modification mode, during classification, a user modifies the located candidate abnormalities, the determined regions, and/or the extracted features, so as to modify the extracted features applied to the classification technique and the displayed results, and, during detection, a user modifies the located candidate abnormalities, the determined regions, and the extracted features, so as to modify the displayed results.

Methods for improving the accuracy in differential diagnosis on

A method for automated detection of abnormal anatomic regions, wherein a mammogram is digitized to produce a digital image and the digital image is processed using local edge gradient analysis and linear pattern analysis in addition to feature extraction routines to identify abnormal anatomic regions. Noise reduction filtering and pit-filling/spike-removal filtering techniques are also provided. Multiple difference imaging techniques are also used in which difference images employing different filter characteristics are obtained and processing results logically OR'ed to identify abnormal anatomic regions. In another embodiment the processing results with and without noise reduction filtering are logically AND'ed to improve detection sensitivity. Also, in another embodiment the wavelet transform is utilized in the identification and detection of abnormal regions. The wavelet transform is preferably used in conjunction with the difference imaging technique with the results of the two techniques being logically OR'ed.

Computer-aided method for image feature analysis and diagnosis in

A method of computerized detection of clustered microcalcifications in digital mammograms, including obtaining a digitized mammogram, deriving a difference image signal from the digitized mammogram, performing global grey-level thresholding, area filtering, and local grey-level thresholding on the difference image, in that order, performing a texture discrimination of the signal extracted from the previous step, performing a cluster filtering technique on the texture discriminated signals to identify locations in the digitized mammogram corresponding to candidate clustered microcalcifications, performing a feature extraction step in which the area, contrast and background pixel values of signals corresponding to the candidate clustered microcalcifications in the original image are extracted, performing thresholding tests based on the extracted features to eliminate from the candidate clustered microcalcifications particular candidate clustered microcalcification identified as corresponding to false-positive identifications, cluster filtering the remaining candidate clustered microcalcifications to eliminate further candidate clustered microcalcifications which are not sufficiently clustered, and outputting to a radiologist an image indicating, by use of arrows, the positions of the remaining clustered microcalcifications.

Growing community of inventors

Chicago, IL, United States of America

Robert M Nishikawa