Image analysis – Applications – Biomedical applications
Reexamination Certificate
2006-11-22
2010-11-23
Johns, Andrew W (Department: 2624)
Image analysis
Applications
Biomedical applications
C382S173000
Reexamination Certificate
active
07840051
ABSTRACT:
A method of automatically segmenting a patient's colon in a medical image data set is provided. The method comprises two main stages. The first stage is to classify voxels in the data set as not belonging to the colon based on their radiodensities and/or positions within the volume data set. In taking account of the voxels' positions in the data set, account may be taken of their positions relative to other voxels. For example, this may include determining whether voxels are within connected groups of voxels of similar characteristics, i.e. within connected regions or domains. Subsequent to the first stage of classifying voxels as not belonging to the colon, a second stage is performed in which all remaining voxels are classified as belonging to the colon. Thus the method allows for automatic segmentation of the colon without needing any particular voxel, such as a seed voxel for region growing, to first be positively identified as being within the colon.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5782762 (1998-07-01), Vining
patent: 6067366 (2000-05-01), Simanovsky et al.
patent: 6075871 (2000-06-01), Simanovsky et al.
patent: 6083162 (2000-07-01), Vining
patent: 2002/0045153 (2002-04-01), Kaufman et al.
patent: 2003/0223627 (2003-12-01), Yoshida et al.
patent: 2005/0031202 (2005-02-01), Accomazzi et al.
patent: 2005/0113679 (2005-05-01), Suryanarayanan et al.
patent: 2005/0117787 (2005-06-01), Iordanescu et al.
patent: WO 03/058553 (2003-07-01), None
patent: WO 2005/036457 (2005-04-01), None
patent: WO 2006/086467 (2006-08-01), None
C.L. Wyatt et al.; “Automatic Segmentation of the Colon for Virtual Colonoscopy;” 2000; pp. 1-9, Computerized Medical Imaging and Graphics, vol. 24.
Hans Frimmel et al.; “Centerline-based Colon Segmentation for CT Colonography;” Aug. 2005; pp. 2665-2672, Med. Phys., vol. 23, No. 8.
T.H. Cormen et al.; Introduction to Algorithms, Second Edition, MIT Press and McGraw-Hill, ISBN 0-262-03293-7, Chapter 21: “Data Structures for Disjoint Sets;” 2001; pp. 498-524.
Johns Andrew W
Renner , Otto, Boisselle & Sklar, LLP
Toshiba Medical Visualization Systems Europe, Limited
LandOfFree
Medical image segmentation does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Medical image segmentation, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Medical image segmentation will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-4175638