US6027446A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Pubic arch detection and interference assessment in transrectal ultrasound guided prostate cancer therapy
Assignee: University of Washington
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Filing: 1998-11-06
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Granted: 2000-02-22
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Expires: 2018-11-06
Abstract
Abstract Transrectal ultrasound is used for accurate planning and targeting of placement of radioactive seeds by needles into the prostate in transperineal prostate brachytherapy. The pubic arch formed by the union of the pelvic bones is a potential barrier to passage of the needles containing the radioactive seeds. An initial image of the pubic arch is also provided by transrectal ultrasound, in addition to a transverse cross-sectional image of the prostate. The initial image of the pubic arch is processed using a technique to selectively enhance the contrast of the linear features of the edge of the ultrasound image. The enhanced image is then thresholded via the use of a percentile thresholding technique and then a curve modeling the shape of the pubic arch is fitted against the thresholded, enhanced image to produce a processed image of the pubic arch. This is then overlaid with the image of the prostate and a determination made as to pubic arch interference.
Inventors
- 👤 Sayan D. Pathak
- 👤 Peter D. Grimm
- 👤 Yongmin Kim
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:56
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/52; G01S7/52017; G01S7/52023; G01S7/52036; A; A61; A61N; A61N5/00; A61N5/10; A61N5/1001; A61N5/1007; A61N2005/1012; A61N5/1027
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for determining pubic arch interference relative to the prostate gland of a patient, comprising the steps of: acquiring an initial ultrasound image of the pubic arch; acquiring an ultrasound image of a transverse cross-sectional outline of the prostate; outlining the approximate true shape of the pubic arch from the initial ultrasound image thereof; and merging the outline of the pubic arch with the transverse cross-sectional image of the prostate to determine pubic arch interference.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for determining pubic arch interference relative to the prostate gland of a patient, comprising the steps of: acquiring an initial ultrasound image of the pubic arch; acquiring an ultrasound image of a transverse cross-sectional outline of the prostate; outlining the approximate true shape of the pubic arch from the initial ultrasound image thereof; and merging the outline of the pubic arch with the transverse cross-sectional image of the prostate to determine pubic arch interference.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of claim 1 wherein the step of outlining the pubic arch includes the step of segmenting the ultrasound image of the pubic arch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method of claim 1, wherein the step of outlining the pubic arch is carried out automatically.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of claim 3, wherein the step of automatic outlining includes the steps of generating line segments delineating the pubic arch and smoothing said line segments to achieve a smooth outline of the pubic arch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
A method of claim 3, wherein the step of outlining the pubic arch includes the steps of edge detecting the initial ultrasound image of the pubic arch, thresholding the edge-detected image, comparing the thresholded image with a curved model of a pubic arch, and discarding selected portions of the thresholded image which are outside a selected difference range relative to the curve to produce a processed image of the pubic arch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method of claim 5, wherein the step of edge detecting includes enhancing the pubic arch edge using successive line segments, each line segment having one of a selected plurality of different orientations, the one orientation at each location along the pubic arch being most likely to represent the pubic arch at that location.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method of claim 5, wherein the threshold value is ≧1-f/100, wherein f is approximately 10 and wherein all pixel values at least meeting the threshold value are designated as bone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of claim 5, wherein the step of comparing is repeated until there are no portions of the threshold image outside of the selected difference range.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method of claim 1, wherein the public arch interference is determined with an accuracy greater than 90%.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method of claim 1, wherein the initial ultrasound image of the pubic arch is stored in memory in the ultrasound machine and the step of automatically outlining the pubic arch is carried out in the ultrasound machine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of claim 1 wherein the initial ultrasound image of the pubic arch is stored in an external computer and the step of automatically outlining the pubic arch is carried out in the external computer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method of claim 1, wherein the step of outlining the pubic arch is carried out manually by an operator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method of claim 12, wherein the step of outlining includes the step of generating an electrical signal corresponding to the outlining of the arch by the operator from the actual ultrasound image of the pubic arch.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method of claim 1, wherein the initial ultrasound image of the prostate and the initial ultrasound image of the pubic arch are obtained by transrectal ultrasound during a single procedure.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method of claim 3, including the step of manually editing the true shape outline of the pubic arch.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method of claim 15, wherein the step of manual editing includes at least one of the following: a) moving the entire true shape outline without changing its shape and b) changing the shape of selected portions of the true shape outline.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for determining whether the pubic arch of a patient interferes with access in a prostate gland of a patient, comprising the steps of: displaying an initial ultrasound image of the pubic arch; outlining the approximate true shape of the pubic arch from the initial ultrasound image; and merging and displaying the outline of the pubic arch with a transverse cross-sectional ultrasound image of the prostate gland of the patient to determine pubic arch interference.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for determining whether the pubic arch of a patient interferes with access in a prostate gland of a patient, comprising the steps of: displaying an initial ultrasound image of the pubic arch; outlining the approximate true shape of the pubic arch from the initial ultrasound image; and merging and displaying the outline of the pubic arch with a transverse cross-sectional ultrasound image of the prostate gland of the patient to determine pubic arch interference.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
89 words
A system for determining pubic arch interference relative to the prostate gland of a patient, comprising: means for producing an initial ultrasound image of the pubic arch of the patient and for producing an ultrasound image of a transverse cross-sectional outline of the prostate of the patient; means for processing the initial ultrasound image of the pubic arch to produce a substantially accurate image thereof; and means for merging the processed image of the pubic arch with the transverse cross-sectional image of the prostate to determine pubic arch interference.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
89 words
A system for determining pubic arch interference relative to the prostate gland of a patient, comprising: means for producing an initial ultrasound image of the pubic arch of the patient and for producing an ultrasound image of a transverse cross-sectional outline of the prostate of the patient; means for processing the initial ultrasound image of the pubic arch to produce a substantially accurate image thereof; and means for merging the processed image of the pubic arch with the transverse cross-sectional image of the prostate to determine pubic arch interference.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
51 words
A system of claim 15, wherein the processing means includes means for comparing a partially processed image, edge enhanced and thresholded, with a curve resembling a typical pubic arch and means for discarding selected portions of the partially processed image which are outside a selected difference range relative to the curve.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system of claim 18, wherein pubic arch interference is determined with an accuracy of at least 90%.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system of claim 18, wherein the producing means is an ultrasound machine.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system of claim 21, wherein the initial ultrasound image of the pubic arch is stored in memory of an ultrasound machine and processed in the ultrasound machine.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system of claim 21, wherein the initial ultrasound image of the pubic arch is stored in memory in an external computer and processed in the external computer.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for determining whether pubic arch of a patient interferes with access to a prostate gland of the patient for prostate brachytherapy treatment, the method comprising the steps of: inserting an ultrasound probe into the rectum of the patient; acquiring an initial ultrasound image of the pubic arch by the ultrasound probe; acquiring an ultrasound image of a transverse cross-section of the prostate bland by the ultrasound probe; outlining the approximate true shape of the pubic arch from the initial ultrasound image; merging the outline of the pubic arch with the transverse cross-sectional image of the prostate gland to determine pubic arch interference; and inserting a plurality of needles into the prostate gland under the guidance of the ultrasound probe when the pubic arch is determined not to interfere with access to the prostate gland.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for determining whether pubic arch of a patient interferes with access to a prostate gland of the patient for prostate brachytherapy treatment, the method comprising the steps of: inserting an ultrasound probe into the rectum of the patient; acquiring an initial ultrasound image of the pubic arch by the ultrasound probe; acquiring an ultrasound image of a transverse cross-section of the prostate bland by the ultrasound probe; outlining the approximate true shape of the pubic arch from the initial ultrasound image; merging the outline of the pubic arch with the transverse cross-sectional image of the prostate gland to determine pubic arch interference; and inserting a plurality of needles into the prostate gland under the guidance of the ultrasound probe when the pubic arch is determined not to interfere with access to the prostate gland.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
100 words
The method of claim 24, wherein the steps of acquiring the initial ultrasound image and acquiring the prostate gland cross-section ultrasound image are performed by an ultrasound machine and further comprise the steps of displaying the acquired initial ultrasound image and displaying the acquired prostate gland cross-section ultrasound image; in which the steps of displaying the acquired initial ultrasound image, displaying the acquired prostate gland cross-section ultrasound image, outlining the approximate true shape of the pubic arch, and merging the outline of the pubic arch with the transverse cross-sectional image of the prostate gland are performed on an external computer.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 24, wherein the steps of acquiring the initial ultrasound image, acquiring the prostate gland cross-section ultrasound image, outlining the approximate true shape of the pubic arch, and merging the outline of the pubic arch with the transverse cross-sectional image of the prostate gland are performed by an ultrasound machine.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-02-21 | 2003-08-23 | 2004-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-02-21 | 2007-08-23 | 2008-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-02-21 | 2011-08-23 | 2012-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |