Patent US7260250B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US7260250B2
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Computer-aided classification of anomalies in anatomical structures
Assignee: HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES United States, DEPARTMENT, Secretary of
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Filing: 2003-09-26
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Granted: 2007-08-21
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Expires: 2023-09-26
Abstract
Abstract Candidate anomalies in an anatomical structure are processed for classification. For example, false positives can be reduced by techniques related to the anomaly's neck, wall thickness associated with the anomaly, template matching performed for the anomaly, or some combination thereof. The various techniques can be combined for use in a classifier, which can determine whether the anomaly is of interest. For example, a computed tomography scan of a colon can be analyzed to determine whether a candidate anomaly is a polyp. The technologies can be applied to a variety of other scenarios involving other anatomical structures.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald M. Summers
- 👤 Marek Franaszek
- 👤 Gheorghe Iordanescu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:58
CPC Classifications
G; G16; G16H; G16H15/00; G16H50/00; G16H50/20; G16H40/00; G16H40/60; G16H40/63; G16H50/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
48 words
A computer-implemented method for processing a detected anomaly in an anatomical structure, the method comprising: in a digital representation comprising a representation of the anomaly, measuring a characteristic of a neck of the anomaly; and based at least on the characteristic of the anomaly neck, classifying the anomaly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
48 words
A computer-implemented method for processing a detected anomaly in an anatomical structure, the method comprising: in a digital representation comprising a representation of the anomaly, measuring a characteristic of a neck of the anomaly; and based at least on the characteristic of the anomaly neck, classifying the anomaly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions for performing the method of claim 1 .
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein classifying comprises disqualifying the anomaly from being of interest.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein classifying comprises designating the anomaly as being of interest.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the candidate anomaly comprises a surface anomaly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the candidate anomaly comprises a wall surface anomaly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
Performing the method of claim 1 for a plurality of candidate anomalies.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the candidate anomalies are discovered via measured curvatures associated with regions in the digital representation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: the anatomical structure comprises a colon; and classifying the anomaly comprises designating the anomaly as a polyp.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: the anatomical structure comprises a bronchus; and classifying the anomaly comprises designating the anomaly as a lesion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the characteristic comprises neck size.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the characteristic comprises neck height.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the characteristic comprises neck circumference.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the characteristic comprises area enclosed by the neck.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the characteristic comprises neck angle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the characteristic comprises orientation of the neck.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the characteristic comprises irregularity of the neck.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 17 wherein irregularity comprises jaggedness of the neck.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 17 wherein irregularity of the neck is determined via a fractal technique.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the characteristic comprises curvature of the neck.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the curvature comprises Gaussian curvature.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the curvature comprises mean curvature.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the curvature comprises principal curvature.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the curvature comprises maximum principal curvature.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the curvature comprises minimum principal curvature.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the curvature comprises shape index.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the curvature comprises curvedness.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the curvature is calculated via partial derivatives.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the curvature is calculated via finite differences.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the curvature is calculated via convolution kernels.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the curvature is calculated via fitting approximating curves.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the curvature is calculated via fitting approximating surfaces.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the characteristic comprises relation of the neck to adjacent haustral folds.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: fitting a plane to the circumference of the neck; measuring protrusion of the anomaly; and based also at least on the characteristic of the anomaly neck, classifying the anomaly.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: identifying an edge in the representation of the anomaly and an adjacent wall of the representation of the anatomical structure; wherein the characteristic comprises an angle made by a junction of the anomaly with the wall.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 35 wherein the edge is identified via segmenting.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 35 wherein the edge is identified via an isosurface technique.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 35 wherein the edge is identified via a level set technique.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
45 words
A computer-implemented method for processing a detected candidate polyp in a virtual colon, the method comprising: via the virtual colon, measuring a characteristic of a neck of the detected candidate polyp; and based at least on the characteristic of the neck, classifying the candidate polyp.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
45 words
A computer-implemented method for processing a detected candidate polyp in a virtual colon, the method comprising: via the virtual colon, measuring a characteristic of a neck of the detected candidate polyp; and based at least on the characteristic of the neck, classifying the candidate polyp.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
59 words
A computer-implemented method for processing an anomaly in an anatomical structure, the method comprising: in a digital representation of the anatomical structure comprising a representation of the anomaly, identifying a neck of the anomaly; based at least on the anomaly neck, measuring protrusion of the anomaly; and based at least on the protrusion of the anomaly, classifying the anomaly.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
59 words
A computer-implemented method for processing an anomaly in an anatomical structure, the method comprising: in a digital representation of the anatomical structure comprising a representation of the anomaly, identifying a neck of the anomaly; based at least on the anomaly neck, measuring protrusion of the anomaly; and based at least on the protrusion of the anomaly, classifying the anomaly.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 40 wherein measuring protrusion comprises fitting a plane to the circumference of the neck.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
40 words
A computer-generated user interface for presenting a graphical representation of an anatomical structure, the user interface comprising: a depiction of the anatomical structure; wherein regions of the anatomical structure having a curvature indicative of an anomaly neck are depicted specially.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
40 words
A computer-generated user interface for presenting a graphical representation of an anatomical structure, the user interface comprising: a depiction of the anatomical structure; wherein regions of the anatomical structure having a curvature indicative of an anomaly neck are depicted specially.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer-generated usrer interface of claim 42 wherein regions of the anatomical structure having a curvature indicitave of an in a distinctive color.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer-generated user interface of claim 43 wherein the curvature indicative of an anomaly neck comprises hyperbolic curvature.
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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) | 2010-08-20 | 2011-02-19 | 2011-08-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2014-08-20 | 2015-02-19 | 2015-08-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2018-08-20 | 2019-02-19 | 2019-08-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |