Surgery – Diagnostic testing – Detecting nuclear – electromagnetic – or ultrasonic radiation
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-05
2004-08-31
Jaworski, Francis J. (Department: 3737)
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Detecting nuclear, electromagnetic, or ultrasonic radiation
C600S437000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06785570
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to methods for analyzing data obtained by irradiating biological tissues or organs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Imaging methods such as ultrasound (US), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computer tomography (CT), are widely used because of their ability to non-invasively image body organs and tissues with minor deleterious effects. In these techniques, an organ or tissue is irradiated with sonic or electromagnetic waves. The waves reflected or scattered by the organ or tissue are recorded and processed into a digital image.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is based upon the finding that healthy tissue may be distinguished from its malignant counterpart by the way the tissue reflects radiation energy. The organization of reflecting members in a healthy tissue is more spatially regular than in malignant tissue. The invention may thus be used in the diagnosis of cancer or other disorders involving alterations in the organization or texture of a tissue, such as the presence of a liquid filled cyst.
In accordance with the invention, a tissue is irradiated and the reflected waves are detected. An analysis is performed on the reflected waves in order to generate one or more parameters indicative of a degree of spatial disorder of the reflecting members in the tissue. In one embodiment of the invention, a calculated parameter value is compared to a predetermined threshold. If the calculated parameter value exceeds the threshold, the tissue is determined to be malignant. A tissue having a calculated parameter value less than the threshold is a healthy tissue. In another embodiment, one or more calculated parameters are input to an expert system such as a neural network. The neural system makes an assessment as to whether the tissue is healthy or malignant based upon the input parameter values. Expert systems are known, for example as disclosed in Kadah et al., IEEE Transactions, vol. 15, No. 4, pages 472-473, 476-477, August 1996.
The invention may be carried out using any form of irradiation such as electromagnetic radiation or sonic radiation. In particular, the invention may be applied to waves reflected in an ultrasound, CT, or MRI procedure.
The analysis of the detected reflected waves may be performed using any mathematical method for evaluating a degree of periodicity. The analysis may thus involve, for example, a Fourier analysis, a wavelet analysis, or an entropy analysis. The analysis may be performed on complex raw data obtained from the reflected waves. Alternatively, an image may be generated from the complex raw data, and the analysis performed on the image.
In another of its aspects, the invention provides a method for generating an image of the tissue based upon the reflected or scattered waves using non-Fourier analysis. This produces an image of better resolution and contrast than is obtainable by a Fourier analysis of the reflected or scattered waves, which is the present standard of existing signal processing algorithms. Methods for non-Fourier analysis of scattered or reflected waves are known in the art, for example, as disclosed in Degraaf, S., IEEE Transactions on Image Processing, Vol. 7, No. 5, May 1998. As shown in this reference, the non-Fourier analysis may utilize for example, Capon's minimum variance method.
Thus in its first aspect, the invention provides a method for assessing a spatial regularity of reflecting members in a tissue, comprising steps of:
(a) irradiating the tissue;
(b) detecting waves reflected by the tissue; and
(c) calculating one or more parameters indicative of a degree of spatial disorder of reflecting members in the tissue based upon the reflected waves.
In its second aspect, the invention provides, a method for determining whether a tissue is malignant comprising steps of;
(a) irradiating the tissue;
(b) detecting waves reflected by the tissue;
(c) calculating a parameter indicative of a degree of spatial disorder of reflecting members in the tissue based upon the reflected waves; and
(d) comparing the parameter to a predetermined threshold; the tissue being malignant if the parameter exceeds the predetermined threshold.
In its third aspect, the invention provide a method for determining whether a tissue is malignant comprising steps of;
(a) irradiating the tissue;
(b) detecting waves reflected by the tissue;
(c) calculating one or more parameters indicative of a degree of spatial disorder of reflecting members in the tissue based upon the reflected waves; and
inputting the one or more parameters into an expert system so as to generate an assessment as to whether the tissue is malignant.
In its fourth aspect, the invention provides a system for assessing a spatial regularity of reflecting members in a tissue, comprising:
(a) a wave source configured to irradiate the tissue;
(b) a wave detector configured to detect waves reflected by the tissue; and;
(c) a processor configured to calculate a parameter indicative of a degree of spatial disorder of reflecting members in the tissue based upon the reflected waves.
In its fifth aspect, the invention provides, a system for determining whether a tissue is malignant comprising:
(a) a wave source configured to irradiate the tissue;
(b) a wave detector configured to detect waves reflected by the tissue;
(c) a processor configured to calculate a parameter indicative of a degree of spatial disorder of reflecting members in the tissue based upon the reflected waves.
In its sixth aspect, the invention provides a method for determining whether a tissue is malignant comprising steps of;
(a) irradiating the tissue;
(b) detecting waves reflected or scattered by the tissue;
(c) performing an analysis of the reflected or scattered waves;
(d) inputting the results of the analysis into an expert system.
In yet another aspect, the invention provides a method for generating an image of the tissue, comprising steps of:
(a) irradiating the tissue;
(b) detecting waves reflected by the tissue; and
performing a non-Fourier analysis of the detected waves so as to produce an image of he tissue.
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Jaworski Francis J.
Ladas & Parry
MD Medical Diagnostics Inc.
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