The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 02, 2002
Filed:
Aug. 24, 1999
Elizabeth Fisher, Cleveland Heights, OH (US);
Richard A. Rudick, Solon, OH (US);
The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH (US);
Abstract
A method of analyzing medical image data to measure brain atrophy and determine the severity and progression of multiple sclerosis or other condition which leads to neurodegeneration or axonal damage is provided. Magnetic resonance image data representing a brain of a subject is provided and a brain surface contour is automatically identified by separating the brain from other connected structures in the image data. A total volume within the brain surface contour is calculated. A brain volume is then determined within the surface contour which excludes fluid filled regions and accounts for partial volume effects. The brain volume is then normalized by the total contour volume which generates a brain parenchymal fraction. The brain parenchymal fraction serves as a reliable measurement of brain atrophy and assists in determining the severity and progression of multiple sclerosis or other condition which leads to neurodegeneration or axonal damage.