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:
Jul. 07, 2009
Filed:
Nov. 23, 2002
Ben A. Arnold, Columbia, KY (US);
Judd E. Reed, Bowling Green, KY (US);
Ben A. Arnold, Columbia, KY (US);
Judd E. Reed, Bowling Green, KY (US);
Image Analysis, Inc., Columbia, KY (US);
Abstract
An automated method measures coronary calcium in a living subject using x-ray computed tomography (CT). The method acquires at least one CT image containing voxels representing x-ray attenuation of the subject which may or may not be calibrated. The method of analysis may or may not require operator interactions and includes analyzing the images in a computer to identify the boundaries of the heart. The method further includes identifying the approximate location of at least one coronary artery without operator interaction. The method further includes placing a region-of-interest (ROI) surrounding the artery location automatically. The method further includes analyzing the ROI to identify voxels above a threshold value. The method further includes determining the calcium content in mass units.