US6470092B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process, system and computer readable medium for pulmonary nodule detection using multiple-templates matching
Assignee: Arch Development Corp
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Filing: 2000-11-21
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Granted: 2002-10-22
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Expires: 2020-11-21
Abstract
Abstract A method to determine whether a candidate abnormality in a medical digital image is an actual abnormality, a system which implements the method, and a computer readable medium which stores program steps to implement the method, wherein the method includes obtaining a medical digital image including a candidate abnormality; obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates respectively corresponding to predetermined abnormalities and predetermined non-abnormalities; comparing the candidate abnormality with the obtained first and second templates to derive cross-correlation values between the candidate abnormality and each of the obtained first and second templates; determining the largest cross-correlation value derived in the comparing step and whether the largest cross-correlation value is produced by comparing the candidate abnormality with the first templates or with the second templates; and determining the candidate abnormality to be an actual abnormality when the largest cross-correlation value is produced by comparing the candidate abnormality with the first templates and determining the candidate abnormality to be a non-abnormality when the largest cross-correlation value is produced by comparing the candidate abnormality with the second templates. An actual abnormality is similarly classified as malignant or benign based on further cross-correlation values obtained by comparisons with additional templates corresponding to malignant and benign abnormalities.
Inventors
- 👤 Qiang Li
- 👤 Shigehiko Katsuragawa
- 👤 Kunio Doi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:58
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T7/00; G06T7/0002; G06T7/0012
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
In a method to determine whether a candidate abnormality in a medical digital image is an actual abnormality, the improvement comprising: obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates respectively corresponding to predetermined abnormalities and predetermined non-abnormalities; comparing the candidate abnormality in the medical digital image with the obtained first and second templates to derive cross-correlation values between the candidate abnormality and each of the obtained first and second templates; determining the largest cross-correlation value derived in the comparing step and whether the largest cross-correlation value is produced by comparing the candidate abnormality with the first templates or with the second templates; and determining the candidate abnormality to be an actual abnormality when the largest cross-correlation value is produced by comparing the candidate abnormality with the first templates and determining the candidate abnormality to be a non-abnormality when the largest cross-correlation value is produced by comparing the candidate abnormality with the second templates.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
In a method to determine whether a candidate abnormality in a medical digital image is an actual abnormality, the improvement comprising: obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates respectively corresponding to predetermined abnormalities and predetermined non-abnormalities; comparing the candidate abnormality in the medical digital image with the obtained first and second templates to derive cross-correlation values between the candidate abnormality and each of the obtained first and second templates; determining the largest cross-correlation value derived in the comparing step and whether the largest cross-correlation value is produced by comparing the candidate abnormality with the first templates or with the second templates; and determining the candidate abnormality to be an actual abnormality when the largest cross-correlation value is produced by comparing the candidate abnormality with the first templates and determining the candidate abnormality to be a non-abnormality when the largest cross-correlation value is produced by comparing the candidate abnormality with the second templates.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates which are smaller in size than the candidate abnormality.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein said comparing step comprises: comparing the candidate abnormality with the obtained first and second templates to derive cross-correlation values between the candidate abnormality and each of the obtained first and second templates; and shifting the first and second templates in relation to said candidate abnormality to derive cross-correlation values between the candidate abnormality and each of the shifted first and second templates.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: producing additional first and second templates which are mirror images of the obtained plural first templates and plural second templates.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: producing additional first templates which are scaled versions of the obtained plural first templates.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: producing additional first and second templates which are rotated versions of the obtained plural first templates and plural second templates.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
102 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: obtaining candidate first templates and candidate second templates; comparing the candidate first templates to at least one known non-abnormality structure and retaining as first templates only those candidate first templates which exhibit a predetermined degree of non-similarity to the at least one known non-abnormality structure; and comparing the candidate second templates to at least one known abnormality structure and retaining as second templates only those candidate second templates which exhibit a predetermined degree of non-similarity to the at least one known abnormality structure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: producing additional first templates which are scaled versions of the obtained plural first templates.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: producing additional first and second templates which are rotated versions of the obtained plural first templates and plural second templates.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
102 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: obtaining candidate first templates and candidate second templates; comparing the candidate first templates to at least one known non-abnormality structure and retaining as first templates only those candidate first templates which exhibit a predetermined degree of non-similarity to the at least one known non-abnormality structure; and comparing the candidate second templates to at least one known abnormality structure and retaining as second templates only those candidate second templates which exhibit a predetermined degree of non-similarity to the at least one known abnormality structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
137 words
The method of claim 3 , further comprising: obtaining plural third templates and plural fourth templates respectively corresponding to predetermined malignant abnormalities and predetermined benign abnormalities; comparing the actual abnormality with the obtained third and fourth templates to derive cross-correlation values between the actual abnormality and each of the obtained third and fourth templates; determining the largest cross-correlation value derived in the preceding comparing step and whether the largest cross-correlation value is produced by comparing the actual abnormality with the third templates or with the fourth templates; and classifying the actual abnormality as a malignant abnormality when the largest cross-correlation value is produced by comparing the actual abnormality with the third templates and classifying the actual abnormality as a benign abnormality when the largest cross-correlation value is produced by comparing the actual abnormality with the fourth templates.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: producing additional first and second templates which are mirror images of the obtained plural first templates and plural second templates.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: producing additional first templates which are scaled versions of the obtained plural first templates.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: producing additional first and second templates which are rotated versions of the obtained plural first templates and plural second templates.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: producing additional first templates which are scaled versions of the obtained plural first templates.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: producing additional first and second templates which are rotated versions of the obtained plural first templates and plural second templates.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
102 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: obtaining candidate first templates and candidate second templates; comparing the candidate first templates to at least one known non-abnormality structure and retaining as first templates only those candidate first templates which exhibit a predetermined degree of non-similarity to the at least one known non-abnormality structure; and comparing the candidate second templates to at least one known abnormality structure and retaining as second templates only those candidate second templates which exhibit a predetermined degree of non-similarity to the at least one known abnormality structure.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
137 words
The method of claim 2 , further comprising: obtaining plural third templates and plural fourth templates respectively corresponding to predetermined malignant abnormalities and predetermined benign abnormalities; comparing the actual abnormality with the obtained third and fourth templates to derive cross-correlation values between the actual abnormality and each of the obtained third and fourth templates; determining the largest cross-correlation value derived in the preceding comparing step and whether the largest cross-correlation value is produced by comparing the actual abnormality with the third templates or with the fourth templates; and classifying the actual abnormality as a malignant abnormality when the largest cross-correlation value is produced by comparing the actual abnormality with the third templates and classifying the actual abnormality as a benign abnormality when the largest cross-correlation value is produced by comparing the actual abnormality with the fourth templates.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: producing additional first and second templates which are mirror images of the obtained plural first templates and plural second templates.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: producing additional first templates which are scaled versions of the obtained plural first templates.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: producing additional first and second templates which are rotated versions of the obtained plural first templates and plural second templates.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
102 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: obtaining candidate first templates and candidate second templates; comparing the candidate first templates to at least one known non-abnormality structure and retaining as first templates only those candidate first templates which exhibit a predetermined degree of non-similarity to the at least one known non-abnormality structure; and comparing the candidate second templates to at least one known abnormality structure and retaining as second templates only those candidate second templates which exhibit a predetermined degree of non-similarity to the at least one known abnormality structure.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
137 words
The method of claim 22 , further comprising: obtaining plural third templates and plural fourth templates respectively corresponding to predetermined malignant abnormalities and predetermined benign abnormalities; comparing the actual abnormality with the obtained third and fourth templates to derive cross-correlation values between the actual abnormality and each of the obtained third and fourth templates; determining the largest cross-correlation value derived in the preceding comparing step and whether the largest cross-correlation value is produced by comparing the actual abnormality with the third templates or with the fourth templates; and classifying the actual abnormality as a malignant abnormality when the largest cross-correlation value is produced by comparing the actual abnormality with the third templates and classifying the actual abnormality as a benign abnormality when the largest cross-correlation value is produced by comparing the actual abnormality with the fourth templates.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
137 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: obtaining plural third templates and plural fourth templates respectively corresponding to predetermined malignant abnormalities and predetermined benign abnormalities; comparing the actual abnormality with the obtained third and fourth templates to derive cross-correlation values between the actual abnormality and each of the obtained third and fourth templates; determining the largest cross-correlation value derived in the preceding comparing step and whether the largest cross-correlation value is produced by comparing the actual abnormality with the third templates or with the fourth templates; and classifying the actual abnormality as a malignant abnormality when the largest cross-correlation value is produced by comparing the actual abnormality with the third templates and classifying the actual abnormality as a benign abnormality when the largest cross-correlation value is produced by comparing the actual abnormality with the fourth templates.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
141 words
In a method of classifying an abnormality in a medical digital image, the improvement comprising: obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates respectively corresponding to predetermined malignant abnormalities and predetermined benign abnormalities; comparing the abnormality in the medical digital image with the obtained first and second templates to derive cross-correlation values between the abnormality and each of the obtained first and second templates; determining the largest cross-correlation value derived in the comparing step and whether the largest cross-correlation value is produced by comparing the abnormality with the first templates or with the second templates; and classifying the abnormality as a malignant abnormality when the largest cross-correlation value is produced by comparing the abnormality with the first templates and classifying the abnormality as a benign abnormality when the largest cross-correlation value is produced by comparing the abnormality with the second templates.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
141 words
In a method of classifying an abnormality in a medical digital image, the improvement comprising: obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates respectively corresponding to predetermined malignant abnormalities and predetermined benign abnormalities; comparing the abnormality in the medical digital image with the obtained first and second templates to derive cross-correlation values between the abnormality and each of the obtained first and second templates; determining the largest cross-correlation value derived in the comparing step and whether the largest cross-correlation value is produced by comparing the abnormality with the first templates or with the second templates; and classifying the abnormality as a malignant abnormality when the largest cross-correlation value is produced by comparing the abnormality with the first templates and classifying the abnormality as a benign abnormality when the largest cross-correlation value is produced by comparing the abnormality with the second templates.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates which are smaller in size than said abnormality in said medical digital image.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein said comparing step comprises: comparing the candidate abnormality with the obtained first and second templates to derive cross-correlation values between the candidate abnormality and each of the obtained first and second templates; and shifting the first and second templates in relation to the abnormality to derive cross-correlation values between the abnormality and each of the shifted first and second templates.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 27 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: producing additional first and second templates which are mirror images of the obtained plural first templates and plural second templates.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 28 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: producing additional first templates which are scaled versions of the obtained plural first templates.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
102 words
The method of claim 29 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: obtaining candidate first templates and candidate second templates; comparing the candidate first templates to at least one known non-abnormality structure and retaining as first templates only those candidate first templates which exhibit a predetermined degree of non-similarity to the at least one known non-abnormality structure; and comparing the candidate second templates to at least one known abnormality structure and retaining as second templates only those candidate second templates which exhibit a predetermined degree of non-similarity to the at least one known abnormality structure.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
102 words
The method of claim 28 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: obtaining candidate first templates and candidate second templates; comparing the candidate first templates to at least one known non-abnormality structure and retaining as first templates only those candidate first templates which exhibit a predetermined degree of non-similarity to the at least one known non-abnormality structure; and comparing the candidate second templates to at least one known abnormality structure and retaining as second templates only those candidate second templates which exhibit a predetermined degree of non-similarity to the at least one known abnormality structure.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 27 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: producing additional first templates which are scaled versions of the obtained plural first templates.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 32 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: producing additional first and second templates which are rotated versions of the obtained plural first templates and plural second templates.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
102 words
The method of claim 33 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: obtaining candidate first templates and candidate second templates; comparing the candidate first templates to at least one known non-abnormality structure and retaining as first templates only those candidate first templates which exhibit a predetermined degree of non-similarity to the at least one known non-abnormality structure; and comparing the candidate second templates to at least one known abnormality structure and retaining as second templates only those candidate second templates which exhibit a predetermined degree of non-similarity to the at least one known abnormality structure.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 27 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: producing additional first and second templates which are rotated versions of the obtained plural first templates and plural second templates.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
102 words
The method of claim 27 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: obtaining candidate first templates and candidate second templates; comparing the candidate first templates to at least one known non-abnormality structure and retaining as first templates only those candidate first templates which exhibit a predetermined degree of non-similarity to the at least one known non-abnormality structure; and comparing the candidate second templates to at least one known abnormality structure and retaining as second templates only those candidate second templates which exhibit a predetermined degree of non-similarity to the at least one known abnormality structure.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: producing additional first and second templates which are mirror images of the obtained plural first templates and plural second templates.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: producing additional first templates which are scaled versions of the obtained plural first templates.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: producing additional first and second templates which are rotated versions of the obtained plural first templates and plural second templates.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
102 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: obtaining candidate first templates and candidate second templates; comparing the candidate first templates to at least one known non-abnormality structure and retaining as first templates only those candidate first templates which exhibit a predetermined degree of non-similarity to the at least one known non-abnormality structure; and comparing the candidate second templates to at least one known abnormality structure and retaining as second templates only those candidate second templates which exhibit a predetermined degree of non-similarity to the at least one known abnormality structure.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: producing additional first and second templates which are mirror images of the obtained plural first templates and plural second templates.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: producing additional first templates which are scaled versions of the obtained plural first templates.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: producing additional first and second templates which are rotated versions of the obtained plural first templates and plural second templates.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
102 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein said step of obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates comprises: obtaining candidate first templates and candidate second templates; comparing the candidate first templates to at least one known non-abnormality structure and retaining as first templates only those candidate first templates which exhibit a predetermined degree of non-similarity to the at least one known non-abnormality structure; and comparing the candidate second templates to at least one known abnormality structure and retaining as second templates only those candidate second templates which exhibit a predetermined degree of non-similarity to the at least one known abnormality structure.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
15 words
A system for implementing the method of any one of claims 1 - 44 .
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
21 words
A computer readable medium storing a program for performing the steps recited in any one of claims 1 - 44 .
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-10-21 | 2006-04-22 | 2006-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-10-21 | 2010-04-22 | 2010-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-10-21 | 2014-04-22 | 2014-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |