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:
Mar. 20, 2012
Filed:
Jul. 23, 2008
Automatic segmentation of the heart and aorta in medical 3-d scans without contrast media injections
Ben A. Arnold, Columbia, KY (US);
Judd E. Reed, Santa Rosa, CA (US);
Ben A. Arnold, Columbia, KY (US);
Judd E. Reed, Santa Rosa, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A method automatically segments the heart and abdominal aorta from volumetric images without the need to inject iodine contrast media into the subject. The method automatically quantifies arterial plaque (hard plaque, soft plaque or both) in the cardiovascular system. Plaque definitions include subject specific in vivo blood/muscle density measurements, subject specific voxel statistical parameters and 2-D and 3-D voxel connectivity criteria, which are used to automatically identify the plaques. The locations and outlines of the major arteries are determined in a 3-D coordinate system and the specific coordinates of the detected plaques are displayed in a plaque map for follow-up exams or ease in plaque review and reporting the results.